The Franks :: baby belly

Michele and I have been best friends for over 12 years. We have a wonderful friendship.....although we don't talk everyday and only see each other on holidays since she's moved to Milwaukee....there is a special bond between us.  I don't have to say much for her to know what's going on.....she is supportive and real. She tells me when I'm being ridiculous and gives me encouragement when I have none.  She has been there for me through a lot of bad times and we've laughed through many of the good together.  In high school we would talk about our future families, what we would name our babies, and how we would have a baseball team of kids between the two of us.  Funny how things have changed since then....I never did choose Emily to name my first baby girl, and she didn't decide on Christian for her first boy.  And I'm really questioning the whole "baseball team" idea.....two is plenty for now!  One thing that hasn't changed is how I know what a wonderful mother Michele will be.....and I cannot WAIT for baby Braeden to arrive!!!  I just hope he can wait for me to make the five hour drive to Milwaukee!

Update on the "creeps"....

After my last blog post, I am happy to announce that I haven't had any traffic from Brazil on my website or blog since last Wednesday.   My curiousity lead me to research if this has happened to other photographers/mom's.   Apparently, this happens A LOT....  So much so, that there was a group on Flickr to complain, resolve, and just find more information about these strange messages. 

Basically, these are kids taking photos to create fake profiles on what used to be Orkut (Google's version of MySpace before it got huge).....but I think they're using something else now.  It has become a popular game amongst children in Brazil to try to create as many profiles as you can.  A profile gets full when it reaches 1.000 friends.....and of course, the more "friends" you have, the cooler you are.  They keep taking photos to update their "scraps"....the more "scraps" you share, the better.  They all know they are fake profiles, and try to steal from each other.  To them, it's all just a harmless game......

I have not found my fake profile yet, but luckily put so much on private, that they were unable to get much more.  I have deleted the Flickr account and am confident this will stop any more unwanted traffic.  Regardless if they feel it's "harmless", these are still MY images of MY kids.  It's really frustrating for me, because I do love to share my photography, and I have a lot of my favorite images are of my family.  The business side of me wants to say screw it and continue to post as I was before, but the mother side of me wants to protect my children in every way possible.....even from 'harmless' games.

It seems they already have forgotten about me and moved on to the next photographer.  Let's hope they stay away....

Am I overreacting?

Since I've started the photography business, I've been trying different ways to market myself and get my name out.  I've mostly used Facebook and blogging...but thought I would try Flickr as a way to connect with more photographers.  I used some pictures I took of my kids to join groups such as "children't potraits" or "shutter sisters" to get some feedback on recent images.  Seemed innocent enough..... After a few hours, I get some comments on my images like "oh, so cute", "adorable", etc.  Then I get a message from someone in Brazil.  Here is the exact copy:

"Hello! I'm from Brazil. I love seeing the photos from flickr, especially children. I am also one, I have only eleven years. I wanted to talk with you, I think is the mother of the girl child blonde put in your flickr. And I love the pictures of her, I began to love there. She's beautiful, congratulations. I still have not found her name at flickr, and I want you to tell me. Good tek, I came here to politely ask you if I Isadora / Manuela can use the photos of his daughter, or relative in a site very harmless. No abuse or anything, because as I said, I am also a child. And I would like to use her picture, just to admire. For other children like me, admire the little girl. But I want your permission"

Scary.....right?!?!  I mean WTF?!!  I immediately block this person.  I don't even think that does anything, but I did it anyway.
I have a statistic counter on my blog and website.  This allows me to see how much traffic I'm pulling as well as the city/country of the IP address, how long they visit, what they look at, and if they've downloaded images.  Of course, I check that.  And sure enough, there are SEVERAL hits from Brazil.  It shows that they have downloaded almost every image of my daughter.....no one else....just Lucy.  Yep....I'm FREAKING OUT!  What do I do?!  Do I delete all the images that they have already taken?  Then I ask myself....what are they doing with these images?  And then I get nauseated.....literally sick to my stomach.
I check my facebook privacy settings and then pull all images of Lucy from my fan site.
Andy is trying to convince me that they just think Lucy is pretty and they want to use her images for some ads....um.....still NOT okay!  I have been so angry and upset over this that I've decided to not publish personal information on this blog....I have set up a personal blog that you have to be "invited" to read.  I would love to invite all of my family and friends and non-creepy people....but I don't think I have everyone's email.  If you would like to read my new blog http://moorekatie.blogspot.com/ just send me a message and I'll be more than happy to invite you.

I understand these "creeps" are from Brazil.......but what happens when it's some creep down the street?  Am I being a little too "crazy"?   I would love to hear feedback.....

Owens Family

Well, when things get a little busy around here, the one thing I neglect is this blog.  I've had these images done for over a week now, but have just now made the time to post my favorites.....

This is my second session with Olivia and this time her mom and dad joined in.  The last session we had was in middle November and both sessions managed to be scheduled on beautiful, sunshiny days!

Every year, they like to do St. Patty's day cards to send out to family and friends, hence, the green.......I love the idea, but I'm lucky if I can manage to get Christmas cards out!

Olivia loves this slide!

She just turned two and boy do I love this age!  So funny and independent and full of wonder.....oh, to be two again...

Thank you Owens.....hope you were able to get your cards out in time!

Hello March....

When did March creep up on me?  I've been meaning to post something....anything....but just couldn't find the words or the time.....I'll blame "blogger's block".....and my busy season at work......and the HUGE splinter that rendered me handicap for at least one day (really, I wouldn't even call it a 'splinter'...it was more like a spear)........But I guess I can place most of the blame this gorgeous weather!  Who wants to sit behind a computer when there are bubbles to be blown, slides to go down, balls to be thrown, and mud to be eaten?  (yes, Max likes to eat mud....I hope it's just a phase)

this was Max trying very hard to get his shoes on so we could go outside:

more bubbles, sidewalk chalk, sand, AND a St. Patty's Day session to come....
{Oh, and warm weather, please don't leave.....thank you!!}