You might have guessed by the above photo that “they” are calling for snow again here in Maryland.  This is a bag of ice salt that my newest neighbors Mary & Chris are so generous in using on our shared walkway.  In fact, this last snow storm, Chris knew we were without Josh & they both cleared our sidewalk, our steps, and our car too!  What great neighbors we have here.  And even though I can hear when either side of me vacuums, or when they are watching a movie very loud, or when they get home late at night, I absolutely love it.  We love living here & wouldn’t trade it for the world.  This home is where we are supposed to be right now. (Oh, and I’m sure either side can definitely hear our loud selves too!)

Okay, and on another weather-related note:  Excuse me Mr. Punxsutawney Phil, but who in the heck do you think you are!  Have you EVER predicted an early Spring?  Huh, have ya?  Cause I’m getting a little peeved over here that my poor daffodils are poking their heads out of the ground due to the warm weather, cold weather, rain, snow, sleet, warm weather, snow, rain, snow, etc!  And my head isn’t handling these changes too well either!  *deep breath*  Okay, sorry little groundhog guy…I know you don’t control the weather.  Thanks for being my scapegoat.

Photos I’ve been looking at:  Samantha Alday.  Samantha is kind of sort of a real life friend, in a distant way.  I am friends with & used to shoot with her sister-in-law Stacy.  I enjoy reading Samantha’s 365 posts because she’s just darn funny & honest!  And she takes pretty good photos too!

Well, I guess you’ll know tomorrow if we get dumped on!  I’m off to accept pizza delivery & pump myself up for the premier of LOST tonight!  All are welcome to view it in the Sroka “theater” on 109 inches of pure goodness!  See y’all tonight!

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!