Natasha Chalker Photography » My kids

summer has arrived…

Natasha — Fri, 25 Jun 2010 01:26:20 +0000

…and it’s my absolute favorite season of the year. I love waking up and forgetting what day it is because most days the kids and I have nothing we “have” to do. We are certainly enjoying some well deserved down time. We were at the beach last week and all the cousins got together for a quick photo shoot – or an attempt at one at least. The “babies” are 17 and 18 months old and to say they are quick is a huge understatement! We had to be equally as fast with treats and bribes but in the end it was all worth it since they earned ring pops – every one of them! Candy makes all kids happy, right?

I told my mother in law I wanted to get a shot of the babies naked in the sand. Of course they sat for about 1.4 seconds as you can see here -

I like this in a vintage wash, too. So sweet!

And summer isn’t summer without fresh cherries. I put some in one of my grandmother’s old mixing bowls, again in a vintage wash just because.

I noticed these ants a few weeks ago with an enormous treasure – a corner of a dorito. As they carried it away down my driveway, I ran inside to get my camera and nearly missed them. Apparently, they are quick, like toddlers!

snow day

Natasha — Sun, 14 Feb 2010 04:50:13 +0000

In our little corner of the world, down here in southeast Alabama, we experienced our version of a “snow storm” last Friday. Four inches of snow blanketed our town and as you can see, the kids had a blast building snow men and snow women, constructing snow forts to combat the neighbor kids in a snowball fight, and just enjoying this frozen stuff that we only see once every 20 years.

Goodbye Summer…

Natasha — Sun, 30 Aug 2009 20:41:34 +0000

…I will miss you! To say I had an enjoyable summer would be an understatement. Now that school’s back in session, I’m coming to terms that it is indeed over. Most people I know are looking forward to cooler weather that comes with the changing of seasons. I, on the other hand, LOVE summer. I love the heat, sunshine, even the humidity and afternoon thunderstorms. I came up with a top ten list of why I love summer, just in case you’re interested. If not, scroll down to the pictures.

10. During summer vacation, everyday is Friday. I often lose track of time and the days run together. Love it!

9. Lazy days where I can actually sit on my couch and just c h i l l. That rarely happens any other time because I am so busy!

8. Sleeping in past 5a.m. I didn’t sleep in at all this summer but getting that extra hour and waking at 6am makes a huge difference.

7. Vacation Bible School! My church has an incredible VBS program every summer which ministers to 700 children and teachers and blesses me each and every year!

6. No hectic schedules crammed with after school activities that leave me wondering how we managed to accomplish so much in 24 hours just to get up and do it all over again.

5. Impromptu trips to the beach. Those are always the best!

4. Spending the day at the pool with my family, doing absolutely nothing.

3. Long, hot summer days filled with sunshine. Did I mention I like sunshine and hot weather?

2. Big brother – the only TV show I watch all year. Seriously, I don’t watch any other TV except Big Brother and unfortunately it only comes on once a year – in the summer of course!

1. Being a teacher, the number one reason why I love summer is there’s NO SCHOOL. As a mom, I love summer because the kids have NO HOMEWORK.

Now that I sound like the laziest person on earth, here are some pictures to go along with my love of summer…

My little “Cub” playing coach-pitch base ball. When he got his jersey he asked, “Mom why am I on the Ubs team? Oh wait, it’s the Cubs”.

At the beach, with Maddy.

The kids enjoyed the critters from the Georgia Aquarium. I discovered fish are harder to photograph than children. They’re faster than a two year old!

Poolin’ it – Katie and Braden style.

Vacation Bible School Musical at Hillcrest Baptist Church.

We went to McClelland’s Critters a few times this summer. If you haven’t been before, check it out. The highlight of every trip is the snakes. The kids L O V E them, and so do I.

Katie was a little apprehensive about the 120lb snake at first. She warmed up after a while though. She’s such a little snake charmer.

Last but not least, a few shots from Hawaii. It hard to narrow it down to just a few so forgive me for the over load of photos. I wasn’t brave enough to take my big DSLR camera out and about with me so these were all taken with my tiny point and shoot camera.

This was a little scenic overview spot where we (me and my BFF, Shawnna) hiked down to get a closer look at the view. We decided this was one of our favorite spots in O’ahu.

A little cove next to the Halona blowhole – too rough for swimming but still a gorgeous place to soak in all the amazing sights our Creator has made for us.

Sea turtles on the North Shore, Laniakea. These little guys came up to the shore to eat, relax and then go back to the ocean. We saw four on the coast that day and snorkled with two at a different location.

Diamond Head Lighthouse

Almost at the top of Diamond Head, an amazing view.

Hanauma Bay – another beautiful spot where we snorkled with sea turtles and fish in the coral that you can see in this picture. This was another highlight of our trip.

My BFF jumping off the Waimea Rock into the Pacific Ocean. She’s crazy like that!

I found O’ahu to be so diverse – mountains, beaches, desert, rain forest, rocky coast. These were some of the mountains on the Leeward side of the island where it was much drier.

The view of Kaena Point from the airplane when I went skydiving on the North Shore.

Me – Skydiving - can’t wait to go again!

I thought the sky looked so incredible in this shot at Waikiki Beach. I was unimpressed with Waikiki Beach but I’m glad we parked it long enough to get this picture.

Hurry back summer. I’ll just be here, waiting for you….

biscuit and charlie brown

Natasha — Mon, 25 May 2009 23:12:20 +0000

I know they look like twins but Chloe, aka Biscuit, and John Parker, aka Charlie Brown, are cousins. We were all hanging out last night and I started looking for something to put them in so I could snap a few pictures of them. Charlie Brown can sit up but Biscuit isn’t quite there yet. So Scott and I went looking through his grandparent’s garage and found an old high chair that belonged to Biscuit and Charlie Brown’s grandma. I didn’t think they’d both fit in it since they’re so full of baby chub but they did! I liked look of the antique vintage high chair and pictured these in a vintage color process while I was snapping the pictures.

Uncle Wade/Daddy got them both giggling. There’s nothing sweeter than chubby babies giggling!

One in color -

And a few of my boy – just ’cause I love him.

happy mother’s day to me

Natasha — Tue, 12 May 2009 03:35:11 +0000

And to all other Moms throughout the world. I wanted to post this last night but I didn’t get a chance to. All I wanted for Mother’s day was to get a silhouette of my kids because, as you can tell, I’ve become obsessed with them lately. So I took my kids out to a great spot, snapped a few shots and them headed home before dark. They’re so good to me – barely complained a bit.

My 7 year old made me a precious card with two stick people pillow fighting – which represent us in the midst of a serious pillow scruffle as you can see here, along with the words: “Dear Mom, I love you. You are so sweet.”

And the flowers he made me… I’m so blessed !

at the beach

Natasha — Sun, 19 Apr 2009 21:37:14 +0000

The kids and I went down to the beach for a few days and John Parker met us there. We got to capture his first trip to the beach!

Some fun shots

Mr. JP

While everyone went to breakfast, John Parker and I had a little photoshoot so we could show off his pretty blue eyes.

O’Chalker Children

Natasha — Wed, 18 Mar 2009 03:24:42 +0000

…On St. Patrick’s Day. With the green grass and azaleas in full bloom, I didn’t want to miss a chance to take advantage of all the green. Braden has been sick all week but he still appeased me for a few pictures. I am pretty lucky (no pun intended!) that my kids almost always cooperate when I take out my camera.

Snow?

Natasha — Sun, 01 Mar 2009 17:17:04 +0000

We woke to snow flurries this morning and an “Alabama-style blizzard” according to my husband. The kids braved it for a few moments and I snapped these real quick. As you can tell, we aren’t prepared for snow in south Alabama. Katie had left her hat and gloves her in desk at school so she bundled up the best she could. Braden was hoping to make a snowman but nothing stuck so they just got to watch the flakes fall.

I purchased a new toy recently – a wider angle lens. Braden didn’t care for the distortion making his head look big while his body appears smaller. It’s fun to play around and see what I can come up with. I’m excited to see how I will be able to put this new lens to use in various sessions.

I’m headed to Montgomery this afternoon for a maternity session. I’m praying the roads are clear but snow flurries would make a nice backdrop for photos.

First Flight

Natasha — Tue, 24 Feb 2009 04:26:21 +0000

Last weekend my kids had the opportunity to fly in an airplane for the first time. We flew to Panama City, Florida, ate lunch and then flew back to Enterprise. My husband, Scott, is interested in flying lessons so a friend from church offered to take him (and us) up for a ride to see if it’s something Scott would like to pursue. I’m reluctant to say, he’s interested so it looks like my husband is gearing up for a new hobby. Of course, taking my camera was not an option but a requirement. I photograph nearly everything so it was no surprise that I had my camera in hand for the trip!

We didn’t hear a peep out of the kids the entire time. They were in awe, taking it all in.

Getting ready to land back in Enterprise.

Cousins

Natasha — Thu, 19 Feb 2009 03:24:00 +0000

Someone was anxious to see these.

I just made a collage of a few in black and white.

A few in color

Maddy “checking” on the baby

Awwww….