"Photography, alone of the arts, seems perfected to serve the desire humans have for a moment - this very moment, to stay." - Sam Abell

Tuesday, May 31, 2011

The Average Day


Work, school, and gym story of my day :). I love stopping in to see my mom at the health food store after work. There's always so many interesting people that stop in there and like to talk. I've noticed that it takes me longer and longer to get my smoothie when I go in there because so many of the people want to know exactly what they should get for this or that problem. Mom is always all over the store. I'm glad she loves it so much though :)

These are some of the sunflowers mom has in her garden. They're so bright and cheerful!

Monday, May 30, 2011

Smiles All Around


For Memorial Day we had a family over from my dad's work. They have 5 kids, all under the age of 6 and two of them being 10 month old, twins. It was lovely! This one absolutely loved the pool.

And, I think I'm sold on a new lens now. The Canon 18-200mm. The family we had over had a Canon with this lens on it and they let me try it. Ugh...bad idea. :) But good in some ways I guess, because now I know what I want.

Happy Memorial day everyone!

Sunday, May 29, 2011

Time Well Spent


I'd say this is a pretty good shot, being that it was one of the only ones we got before the battery died =D. First Sunday without Awana's. So relaxing and....strangely productive. Got a game of volleyball in at the end of the day with dad, the brothers, and Luke, which was a lot of fun. Can I just say that I'm so happy for no work tomorrow! Another day to sleep in...ahh.

Saturday, May 28, 2011

Round 2


After another practice round, including hair this time, we had to do a photoshoot. She looked like a fairy princess. :) We had so much fun! Minus the yellow flies... And, I'm really happy with how the pictures turned out.

Tonight was also Luke's and my date night :) I have such an awesome guy. Dates with him are always so much fun. <3 We went to Olive Garden. It's so much fun remembering our first date there and how nervous both of us were. Awesome memories :)

Friday, May 27, 2011

Prayer


Got an early start today :) In case you can't tell those are letters from different stores names around town. While I was driving, I had to laugh (and reprimand) myself when I realized I was talking on the phone with one hand and sticking the camera out the window with the other hand (yes, I know...not a good idea with my reputation the past couple days but I'm having faith that those episodes are over now).

Anyways, I choose to write out this word with the letters because it's something that I've been feeling very strongly about over the past week. I don't think people, including myself realize how much power prayer has. And, in certain situations in life when you can't do anything but pray for someone...it helps know that it really is making a difference. It can change things. And, in addition to that it helps us to see that God does hear us and all I can say is that it makes me feel so loved.

Thursday, May 26, 2011

Again?? Really....



I don't know where my creativeness has been the past few days. I ended up dropping my camera again today :/ I don't understand! How long have I had it and I drop it twice in two days :( Thankfully, it's completely fine. So, my camera is on the down-low for right now.... lol. And, I finally bought a case online after that incident today. Yay!

Other than all that craziness, I got to spend time with a friend, the bride to be. Had a lovely time together and had a late lunch. Got some pilates thrown in there as well! Sweet :)

Wednesday, May 25, 2011

Practice Round

So today while I was messing around with creating a Bokeh effect...........I dropped my camera on the tile and it landed on the lens. I jammed it pretty bad, it wouldn't do anything and thought all hope was lost. But somehow after touching dad's hands, it was fine. Hallelujah! So after that point my nerves were shot and I've been drained every since.

But after all that chaos, I got to do a wedding makeup, practice run for my friend =D. It turned out great and she looks amazing. I'm so excited for her!! ^_^

Tuesday, May 24, 2011

JPEG vs. Raw


I decided to experiment with shooting in the raw today, and maybe I just haven't done it enough but I don't like it so much. After studying it awhile back, I'm aware that it's much better to do but it will just take some getting used to. I think they break it down and compare JPEG vs. Raw on www.digital-photography-school.com raw-vs-jpeg pretty well. Got pretty frustrated with it and snapped this real quick and left. lol I had no patience today. And, therefore it's not a great picture. And, sadly I'm too tired to care tonight. =)

Monday, May 23, 2011

Switch It Up


Today we had a birthday party in the office for one of our coworkers. It was an awesome party, for a work party I must say :). Lots and lots of good food and pretty flowers. Other than all that stuff it was a nice switch up/break from the very day work schedule.

Sunday, May 22, 2011

Another Closing


Tonight was the Awana closing ceremony. We all sat towards the back and this little boy kept peeking over the pew in front of us. You can't tell by the coloring of the picture, but he has the reddest hair! He's adorable and mischievous I might add. But anyways, we're now out for the summer! Yay!

Oh my goodness it was so hot out today! Needed to throw that in there because that's something I largely remember about today.

Saturday, May 21, 2011

Serenaded


I absolutely love it when Luke plays guitar and sings to me. He's so good at it and it makes him happy to play. I don't care that it might be corny to say it melts my heart, because it really does :P. It was a wonderful Saturday!

Friday, May 20, 2011

Trek Party



This evening we had the Awana Trek party at the house. So tonight consisted of volleyball, swimming, food, friends and fun. I loved the shots I got like this one. You don't realize how high some of them jump until it's frozen in place. :)

Thursday, May 19, 2011

Transparent


Experimenting some more with light, it never gets old. I love the lighting at this time of day, it brings the pictures to life and brings out fine detail in delicate things. :) Transparent. I think people are like that too. Brought to life when God is shining in their hearts. You're able to see what's really there. Transparent people. Real people. Not afraid to show who they are....it's really the biggest testimony you can give.

Wednesday, May 18, 2011

Playing with Water


After work today, we finished celebrating Jordan's birthday with some indoor laser tag (and a little more ice cream cake). It was rather fun and got pretty competitively, frustrating. It was definitely Jordan's thing :). This evening I've been playing with water and the settings on my camera. I really like how this one came out. Wish I had tried one without the UV filter on because when the picture is enlarged it seems almost hazy to me. I don't know, whatever that might just be me. =D

Tuesday, May 17, 2011

Birthday Boy


Happy Birthday Jordan! The baby is growing up :( He's already 11 now and almost as tall as me, which isn't saying much =D. But hey, he loves to remind me at very opportunity he gets :P . This little boy also loves ice cream, so after dinner we had a ice cream cake from dairy queen and it was amazing!! And, of course he opened ALL his presents. Well what do you expect he is the youngest...

Monday, May 16, 2011

Another Project


It would seem that this is the season for baby boys. And, so I've got a couple blanket to make. Got the yarn and starting work on them today after work and the gym. Sitting and having to do nothing but knit and watch tv is wonderful!

Sunday, May 15, 2011

More Time


I think these none stop days of being out and about without a break are finally catching up to me. I need a breather. But nevertheless it was a lovely Sunday. I got lots of time to take pictures today while I was waiting for Luke to get out of his Honduras missions trip meeting, which took almost 3 hrs! Sooo...during that time is when I got this picture. And, then we had our last Awana night. Only the Awards Ceremony and then it's summer break :). Oh and, Monday is coming too fast for me!!

Saturday, May 14, 2011

Just Missed It



Spent the early part of the day with mom and go to a friends wedding shower for a few minutes...sad day. Then, ended up with Luke and friends for the rest of the day. Fun day! But now my stomach hurts terribly and I'm exhausted. Too tired to even think of a title lol. I missed posting this by 12:00. Goodnight!

Friday, May 13, 2011

My Kinda Food


Okay, yes this might not be appetizing for some of you. But my Lebanese side comes out when it comes to kalamata olives and stuffed grape leaves (dolmas). Caleb and I stopped to get some while we were out shopping for a certain someone. It was lovely :)

Where all your Dreams come True ;)



Due to blogger's unavailability yesterday, here is Wednesday's post 5/12/11:
Had my camera all packed up and ready to go today. Got to the Magic Kingdom and realized I left the memory card at home in my computer...... >_< So this picture was taken by Jon while we were at Animal Kingdom and was then sent to me. =D Thank you Jon!
Anyways, we had a blast. Hit all four parks briefly, all in half a day. :)

An Engagement Shoot



Wednesday's post was deleted due to blogger's technical difficulties, so let's try this again:

Today I got to take engagement pictures with two lovely friends down the street. It was a blast, but oh so hot out!! This picture was one of my favorites =D

Tuesday, May 10, 2011

Breakfast for Dinner


Not too creative today. But I was in charge of dinner tonight so I decided to do breakfast for dinner, something we haven't done in a long while. I believe we were all in need of some comfort food ;). It was delicious and we all had fun cooking it. :)

Monday, May 9, 2011

Grad Prep



This is a last minute picture, I've been gone all day today from 9am to 9pm without my camera :(. But this evening, this is what I'm doing... Getting Shane's invitations ready and sent out. :)

Sunday, May 8, 2011

My Experiments



Sometimes the ideas I have in my head don't end up looking the same way in real life. Oh well! I still really like the effect in this picture. I definitely did some experimenting today for something on Wednesday ;). It was a lovely Mother's Day. I love my mommy so much! I found an old picture of her today and a picture of her and my dad when they were first engaged. It's so neat and weird to think of what my mom was like when she was my age.

Saturday, May 7, 2011

The Preserve



Catching up on everyday stuff on the weekend isn't so bad when you're not in a rush. In fact, it's quite relaxing. Later today I went thrift store shopping with Luke...and had a very interesting encounter with a cop. Just weird. And, then ended up at the nature preserve and that's where this picture was taken. :) Hope everyone had a wonderful Saturday too!

Friday, May 6, 2011

A Bundle of Fur



This picture just makes me laugh. And, I needed that today. This morning and afternoon was pretty rough, but it all got better this evening. You can't help but smile at this little guy! In case you can't tell, it's a rabbit lol.

Thursday, May 5, 2011

Baby Feet



Oh my goodness, I think I'm in love! I got to meet this precious bundle of joy today and spend time with his beautiful mommy and pretty, little sister. I love being with family. I couldn't get over how tiny and fragile he was. Babies and family are such wonderful gifts from God! <3

Wednesday, May 4, 2011

Watered Webs


This is my first attempt at shooting a spider's web. I think it turned out pretty cool, not exactly what I was going for but I like it anyways. Trying to keep the drops of water on there like that though was tricky. And, getting to the web itself was tricky too :P Happy this day is coming to a close, time for some much needed sleep!

Tuesday, May 3, 2011

Tale of a Toad


Yes, I've had a picture of a frog before but this one was very interesting to me. He sat on our porch fencing all day just sleeping, begging me to take his picture. He looks different and he's rather large. Maybe it's the mother of all the frogs on our porch. In that case, I should stop calling it a him. For some reason frogs seem to default to a male in my mind lol. Creeped me out a few times when he started jumping, but other than that he was pretty mellow.

Monday, May 2, 2011

Shooting with a Friend =)


I had the pleasure of doing a two way/photoshoot today after work. Unfortunately, I didn't get to take as many pictures of her as she did of me, but I love the ones I did get! I love this picture of her...she reminds me of a mermaid sunning herself with her beautiful, long hair.

Sunday, May 1, 2011

A Happy Place


I found my field of flowers today and did a little exploring too =). It was nice having a little time to myself. I love being around people, but many times I'm just as content being alone. It's quiet. I must not get enough time to think or something :).