On My Mind

I sat down at least three times in the last few days, intending to write and simply catch my blog up on life in our house. For some reason, I don’t know where to start so I just don’t start at all. That’s silly, because it means I might miss the life that takes place every day. So, I’m just gonna start writing and see where it takes me. Here are the things on my mind.

First, my computer is making blogging hard for me lately. I think my memory is getting full, and the computer is slow to respond. I think it’s time for a routine checkup. Ugh.

I decided not to have a new year resolution this year. Instead, I have a goal of taking twelve photos (one a month) that will push me to try new techniques. One of the first tasks on my Photography Bucket List is to take a photo of a snowflake. I was inspired by this post on Candelions that I read last year. When it snowed here a week ago, I had my first attempt at a snowflake photo. I learned a few things and want to try again for a better photo, but so far this isn’t too bad:

These are snowflakes that fell on my car’s bumper. Next time, I have a better plan in mind.

In December each year, my cousin sends a potted amaryllis to me and my sister. It’s something our mom used to do for us, and our cousin has assumed the responsibility of doing it now. My amaryllis has bloomed twice already. I got out my new macro lens filter (isn’t it pretty?)…

…and tried some close up photos of the amaryllis. The white flower looked lovely in the afternoon light.

I also got close to a droplet I spied after watering the plant. It looked like a glass marble to me.

When I bought my first digital SLR camera, I had no idea how much photography would speak to my soul. It still makes me laugh that I can take 37 photos of the same exact water droplet, and get such joy in it.

This next photo gives me lots of joy too. I found this scrap of paper in Katie’s backpack, and it makes me laugh to read it again. It says:

The Secret Snow Day Ceremony:
1. Put your pj's on backward.
2. Put white socks on your hands.
3. Wave your socky hands up high and chant: "Snow, snow do not stop. Pretty please with whip cream on top."
4. Throw your pillow and try to catch it with your head 3 times.
5. Go to sleep upside down.

I love watching Katie’s imagination and pure innocence take shape. When I asked her about the scrap of paper, she said she read about the ceremony in a book. I haven’t caught her doing a “socky hand chant” yet, but you better believe I’m going to try and videotape it if I do!

There are a few other things rolling around in my head, but they’re going to have to wait until I can dedicate an entire blog post to them. Big changes are on the way… and they deserve a devoted post! Let’s hope I can find time to do it right. But for now, it’s late and I have a DANuary commitment to uphold. Good night!

Laura’s Wedding

My friend from church, Laura, got married on New Year’s Eve. She asked me to photograph the wedding and I agreed. Sometimes I question my own judgment, especially when I take on something as momentous as a wedding. I stressed a lot leading up to it, bought a new piece of gear to try and assure success, then prayed before it started and left it in God’s hands.

God was good to me and I was blessed to have Dan as my second shooter. Yippee! Here are some of my favorite photos from the night. Yes, I know there are a lot of diamond ring photos, but I couldn’t get over how gorgeous her ring is!

The bride and groom met on a church mission trip to Russian. This nesting doll with the ring on her head is a nod to that.

I loved Laura’s deep red roses.

They were a beautiful contrast to her white dress and the bridesmaids’ black dresses.

Laura and her husband also have a passion for motorcycles. Like the mini wheel I used under the rings?

This mustache is a sort of inside joke from the team we work on together at our church. I HAD to bring it for Laura to use at her wedding!

The church has beautiful windows and architecture. Laura’s silhouette was perfectly framed.

The sanctuary was stunning with the stained glass windows and Christmas decorations.

My wonderful second shooter captured this from the balcony.

The bride and groom were glowing.

I love a bride and groom who will put on their motorcycle gear for a photo!

Yummy cookies after the wedding! A sweet ending…

Photo Menagerie

One thing I love about my photography hobby is the way it makes me stop and look at the world more closely. My zoom lens helps me get up close and personal with God’s creation, and this year has been a great adventure behind the lens. I want to share photos of some of the creatures I’ve gotten to know with my camera.

March: snow bunny

April: ladybug

April: robin

April: hungry bee

April: hawk on fence (photo by Dan)

July: Mohawk the turtle

August: sneaky mouse

August: woodchuck

August: opossum

(I have to show him twice because he was so unique!)

Of course, we can’t have animals on the blog without mentioning Pancake the squirrel. I have LOTS of photos of that silly guy, and even one of him and his “girlfriend.” (The kids named her Waffle.) 

I am so thankful for the bay window in my living room! It has given me a front-row seat for spying on the world. Now if I could just figure out how to remove the blue cast in my photos that comes from shooting through a Low-E Argon window!

Happy Mama, Again

Two years ago, we welcomed a new addition to our family. I wrote about it here. Going back and reading that post makes me stop and take stock of how far I’ve come (and the immense amount I’ve learned!) since 2009.

Now, just two years later, we have upgraded and bought a new (to us) camera: a Nikon D200. I bought it from our friend Michael, who is a professional photographer. He was ready to upgrade one of his cameras, and generously sold this “old” one to me. I admit I was completely overwhelmed at first. I thought it would take me WEEKS to learn how to use it, and I didn’t have weeks. I had just committed to shooting my first wedding! But I sat down one night with the camera and the manual, and gave myself a crash course on Nikon. Silly me, I had forgotten all I’ve learned in the last two years doesn’t have to be learned all over again! I just take what I already know and figure out where the controls are for doing that same thing on a new camera body. Ha! Easy peasy.

You know I always name big purchases: cars (Petey and Louie), computers (Frank), and cameras (Penny). I’ve been pondering what we should name the Nikon. I consulted Katie, and we decided to name him Joey. So welcome to our family, Joey!

My First Wedding

My friend Beverly asked me to photograph her stepson’s wedding. Mind you, I have never done anything like this before, and I only had a week’s notice, but I said yes anyway!

The wedding was this past Saturday. I spent the week prior preparing for the wedding: looking up photography tips, scouring photography websites to get my creative juices flowing, and OH. That’s right… I bought a NEW (to me) camera! So THAT was a fun little wrench in the system. Ha!

I had five days to practice with the new camera, then I had a trial by fire and shot my very first wedding. This week, I spent over ten hours editing the photos. I originally shot 1,028 photos, but the final CD held 394 images, plus I threw together a video for the couple and my friend to have as a keepsake.

I made inevitable mistakes and didn’t live up to my personal expectations, but I think it all turned out well in the end. Sometimes it’s painful to learn and grow, but I’m thankful God gave me a heart that wants to keep pursuing and keep trying!  

*I have to give a shout-out to two pro friends for mentoring me and encouraging my love of photography. Thanks, Michael and Michelle!