Anna Zatopek Photographer

Sometimes, we try so hard to get the perfect family picture, the group photo where everyone is looking and smiling at the same time. Every time a camera is pointed in our facial direction, we can’t help but smile and tell those around us to do the same. Frankly, unless you’re all trained models, it’s not going to happen. I might be giving away my secret here, but I can’t help it. I want you to know…I search for the moments in between the trying. The moments when you take a breath and regroup. For, that is the moment you relax and forget about me, the camera, you enjoy your baby and the fresh breeze. For me, when I get moments like this in my camera, I feel like the most successful photographer in the world.

Happy Mother’s Day!

Love,
Anna

It’s time for rain, time for sprinklers and before the mosquitos chase us inside, it’s time for outdoor frolicking. Some photos from our recent family get togethers. Enjoy. XO

I showed someone my website yesterday and, immediately embarrassed, realized it’s insanely out of date. I said I would update it this weekend and here I am trying. Just like everytime I try to update my blog or website, I’m doing it with three kids and a border collie in the background. Inevitably, I’ll get to the part where I want to post a picture and someone will need something. It’s happening right now. The dog has run upstairs where she will get into something she is not supposed to and I will have to step away from the computer to go fix a problem. Then, I will realize that the three year old has had an accident and needs to be changed or bathed. After that, I’ll have to put on some laundry, only to realize both the washer and dryer are full and need rotating. Oh and there’s that pile of clean laundry that needs to be folded. Someone is hungry, another one wants to watch a movie, the dog needs to go outside and play frisbee. Someone’s asking what time it is and how long until daddy gets home. Oh, yeah. I was writing. Two weeks later, I will open up this post again, to try to update. Fill you in on what’s going on with me, where I am. How much do I share, should I just post pictures only? I never know, never can decide and that’s another reason why this blog gets neglected. I’m putting off making decisions. Constantly playing catch up. Never ever ahead of the needs. Constant laundry.

There you have it. An extremely summarized, cliffs notes version of my life and why my website has taken a back seat. I’m still doing this, still photographing, still busy and here, but I just never have time to tell anyone about it. I’m not one of those that can sacrifice sleep for any purpose, so of course the hours available to me are extremely limited.

I’m terribly needing some time alone. With nothing going on except coffee in my veins and some good music on. To be able to get out my jewelry supplies without a toddler taking an interest and knocking all the semiprecious stones to the floor to be scattered under the refrigerator. No one asking for something. Sometimes the word, “mama” is the last one I want to hear. Today is one of those days. Of course I love my family’s guts so much it hurts. But a break is necessary. For now, I’ll post up this image. Calm, dusky beach. Where I am in my mind. Breathing. Taken this past summer in Galveston, TX. I have to go get my toddler off the dining table, now. Check ya later.