On Monday the girls & I got to reconnect with our dear friend Heather & her two little girls.  It’s so much fun having kids so close in age to another friend.  Heather put out her wading pool and we basically sunbathed while the girls splashed until the had chattering blue lips.  Thanks for a fun, relaxing day friends.  We needed it!

(Disclaimer:  These photos were taken with my iPhone because I didn’t want to lug my nice 40D out in possibly torrential downpours)

Yesterday we continued our tradition of attending the Baltimore Orioles‘ Opening Day.  We went with our friends Steve & Heather and each of us were excite because our lovely mothers had our children for most of the day!  We were also excited because the O’s played the Yankees and it’s apparently a big rivalry.  Not that the Orioles skill level matches the Yankees, just that the Yankees fans live so close that they always come down and crowd our stadium.  Well, we showed them yesterday just who’s house they were in…OUR HOUSE!  The Orioles won 10 to 5…amazing!  We had a great time with Heather & Steve.  Here’s a little about what happened….

On our way in, dodging many bar-goers, we were stopped at a light and this huge Gecko kept looking at Heather through her window.  So we amused him/her and took it’s picture.

We ferociously booed the Yankees‘ Mark Teixeira.  I mean that poor guy got booed from the time he left the dugout until he finished striking out at bat!  Josh informed that he had apparently teased the Orioles by saying he may play for his hometown team and then went to the Yankees instead for more money.  What now, Teixeira!

Every year we comment on how we love Opening Day, but we hate how many crazy drunks we run in to.  Steve had the wonderful opportunity to sit next to “Mark.”  We saw him with a few drinks, but didn’t realize why he was so wasted until he told Steve that his “coke” wasn’t really Coca-Cola…it was another mixture!  Thankfully he was seated next to Steve who helped him not set a Yankees hat on fire…twice! We didn’t take a photo of him, but you can barely see the side of him in this photo of Heather & Steve.

Then there was the ever-so-loud, slightly drunk, woman next to me who kept shouting, “Give me my money back, O’s!  Do something.  Show me why I spent my money!”  Hopefully she feels her money was well spent!  Here’s a view of Josh hiding under his hood, and Heather, being silly behind him.

And last, but not least, a photo of Josh and ME! I know…those are rare!  I begged Josh for one so we’d have evidence that we actually were there.  Now, I know, it does look like I’m choking my husband, but that’s not at all what happened.  He kept shaking his head around so Steve wouldn’t be able to take a picture, so I had to hold his head still.  End of story.

Great win, Orioles!  Let’s see what you do today!

Today I photographed a session that totally stretched my comfort levels.  For those of you who know me, fashion is not my greatest skill.  In fact, I’m hoping someone will nominate me for What Not To Wear so Stacy & Clinton can give me some serious help!

Anyway….I was contact through Facebook by Jack Carter of Bamboo Style Shop to help him get his online clothing store set to launch with some pictures of his great clothes.  I totally said yes, because I’ll pretty much photograph anything!  I had such a great time!  He had me come to his friend’s house in Baltimore and then proceeded to show me a detailed, very organized, list of all the outfits and shots he wanted.  How cool is that?  I was impressed.  Jack had two friends as his female models and another as his male model (who, by the way, I don’t think was told he was going to model until it was his turn!) and they all did a phenomenal job!  The coolest thing beside the photos, was learning that all his clothes are made in some part from bamboo!  I had never heard of that, but Jack proceeded to give me his bamboo speech about how it’s great in clothes and a totally sustainable resource.  (Thanks, Heather, for keeping me up on the “green” lingo)  These photos are for the adult line of clothes, so be sure to come back soon to see the kids clothes too!  Without further ado, I present…..(drum roll) The Bamboo Style Shop!

Okay, so if you know me, I have a morning ritual of looking a some favorite blogs:  Heather, Stacy, Bev, Pioneer Woman, Jasmine Star, Jessica Claire, How About Orange, Thimbly Things, & Want What You Have.  These are blogs that belong to friends, people I admire, or just strangers who I like to read about.  Well, as I was reading Jasmine Star’s blog, I noticed she was giving a FREE video chat on PhotographyMentor.com and basically having a Q&A with her readers.  I hoped on (after much time & difficulty) and sat there in awe!  Here she was, in person (sort of), Jasmine Star, photographer extrodinaire, on my home computer, kinda, sorta talking to ME (and the other 300+ people watching).  I got up the guts to ask a little question, and she answered it!  It’s not much, nothing to speak of, but I felt very special having someone so talented at what she does take the time out of her schedule to talk to us blog readers and answer our many questions.  So, thanks Jasmine.  I really enjoyed listening to you share.  Here’s my little clip, with my name, in case you wanted to see!  Hopefully I’m not breaking any copyright laws!  Ask forgiveness, not permission, right? [vimeo http://vimeo.com/3122528]

She said my name! from joshsroka on Vimeo.

And speaking of videos, I thought you might enjoy this one of my littlest girl trying to put her shoes on. Be sure and watch the whole thing because the expressions at the end are worth it!

Sample Album .

I got the chance to shoot a wedding in May with Heather & I decided to practice making album pages to showcase the photos. These are a few of my favorites from Aaron & Miriam’s beautiful day. Enjoy!