Ahh, the joys of neighbors.

Being a budding strobist, it really helps to have guinea pigs neighbors.  You can cycle through them on a regular basis and they never complain about getting fresh pics of their young'nz.  This is especially helpful for those times when you want to test out new lighting in an other than pressured situation.  Just remember, you're doing this for practice.  I don't expect them to pay for my practice time.  Here are a couple of shots from a shoot last night with my new DIY beauty dish.  I'll more than likely be doing a post on that by itself.  Can't beat the light for $20 in parts and 2 hours of time.

FWIW, I detest studios.  I don't like feeling cramped indoors.  I don't think most people feel comfortable in studios either.  All of these shots were done on my deck with no backdrop other than the sky God provided.

Taken just after dusk with 1 900WA on a boom through a DIY Beauty Dish

Ahhh, more gratuitous shots of 2 of my kids.

AJ in his tough-guy pose...

... and Amber in her "I'm bored with this but Daddy... please make me look pretty" pose.