My Photography Journey

Maybe you noticed that this space is seeming more and more like a photography blog lately?  I apologize for those of you who are wondering if I will ever get around to writing something again.  There are two reasons I don't write as much as I used to.  One, Dylan is in school all day and I don't see him as much as I used to, so I have less stories.  Also, he is getting older, and at some point he might not appreciate me sharing certain stories on my blog.  Two, since making the decision to shoot only in Manual, in January, I have found something I am passionate about and I have immersed myself in it as much as I possibly can.  I'm pretty much an all or nothing kind of gal.

The first thing I did was to join a Project 52 group through My Four Hens Photography.  I missed the first three weeks, but I've done it consistently since starting.  I have even had some of my photos featured!

 Week 2 : Fresh : I missed weeks 1, 2, and 3, so this one was not entered.  I still need to take a shot for the week 1 and 3 themes to catch up.

 Week 4: My Daily Routine (as a part time nanny)

 Week 5: My Favorite Color : Green

I love the color green, because my husband, son, and I all have green eyes.  I love that I can see myself, (literally and figuratively!) in his eyes in this shot.

 Week 6: Light: *Featured*

I watched the sunset for a while on this evening, and suddenly there was a ray of light shooting up into the clouds!  It had an otherworldly feel to it, and looked like something out of the movies. (This is SOOC).

Week 7:  Composed:  

I wanted to do a self portrait.  I think this captures the fact that I try not to take myself too seriously, and I crave fun in my life!

 Week 8: Inspired: *Featured*

The love that my grandparents shared inspired me.  I kept this book that my grandfather wrote in, and this is what he wrote about his first kiss... "my main kisser is my wife.  When she kisses you, you forget about everything else.  That's why we have been married for almost 58 years.  A kisser you never forget.  That's my wife".

 

 Week 9: White:  

 

 Week 10: Sunshine: *Featured*

“As the years pass, I am coming more and more to understand that it is the common, everyday blessings of our common everyday lives for which we should be particularly grateful. They are the things that fill our lives with comfort and our hearts with gladness -- just the pure air to breathe and the strength to breath it; just warmth and shelter and home folks; just plain food that gives us strength; the bright sunshine on a cold day; and a cool breeze when the day is warm.”  - Laura Ingalls Wilder

 

 Week 11: Wild Card: *Featured*

 Week 12:  Natural Beauty: *Featured*

I took this self portrait to portray the fact that as women, it it easy for us to see the beauty in others, but often extremely difficult to see it in ourselves.  When I was in my 20's, I made a CD for my friends called "Girl Power", with inspiring songs by powerful women.  One friend told me recently that her 8 year old daughter is now listening to it.  I love that it is inspiring the next generation.  Here are lyrics from one of the songs on the CD...
"When I look in the mirror and the only one there is me.  Every freckle on my face is where it's supposed to be.  I know my creator didn't make no mistakes on me.  My feet, my thighs, my lips, my eyes, I'm loving what I see".
(India Arie - Because I Am A Queen)

Week 13: Pride and Joy:  

When I was a kid and my parents took me to the museum, there was one room that I loved - the Hall of Architecture.  Every time I went in there, I would stop and stare up at the large columns and sculptures in awe.  You can imagine the joy I felt, when I took my son to the museum last week, and he stood staring up at everything in that same room, muttering "Wow!"   I love the wonder he finds in so many things.  I am incredibly proud to be his mom.

 Week 14: Warmth: 

"We enjoy warmth because we have been cold.  We appreciate light because we have been in darkness.  By the same token, we can experience joy because we have known sadness".
-Unknown

 Week 15:  Texture: