Photography

I've always been interested in photography, and I've always loved taking pictures. Just ask my kids. We have pictures of just about everything in their lives. Yes, I'm THAT Mom. I don't care that I may look silly at times, carrying my camera around with me to every school event, or outing, as well as all family gatherings and events. Yes, my kids roll their eyes from time to time when I pull out the lens and tell them to pose. Only the little one poses on cue, and actually will pose on her own and ask me to take her photo.

I will not stop taking pictures anytime soon. In fact, as a Christmas present, my lovely husband bought us a new SLR camera. Beyond excited doesn't sum out how I felt about that gift! For Valentines day, he bought me a new lens. Yes, he hit a homerun there! Both my older girls play sports, and this lens is perfect for capturing the game. I love it so much, I capture the game for all the other players on their teams as well :).

So I've decided that I want to learn more about my camera, and all it can do. I'm a bit overwhelmed with it all. I seem to stick within my comfort level when taking pictures, and changing modes. I go for the automatic settings. I have set myself a goal to first find a great website with tips and tricks of the trade, and to assign myself different things to shoot, using the different camera settings. I'd love to take a photography class, but have neither the time or the money to do so. I have several friends who make a living from taking pictures of people, so I will just have to turn to them from time to time for advice. Though I'm guessing my lenses in no way compare to the ones they are using. Thats fine though. I'll make due.

Over the Easter weekend, my crew visited a local Botanical Garden. It was simply beautiful there. I tried my hand at taking some 'different' shots, instead of the norm... here's what I came up with. Keep in mind that ALL of these shots were taken using the automatic mode on the camera..

Yellow Tulips

The color of these tulips was so vibrant, I was hoping it would come across so in the photo, and it did! Love this shot, and actually am using it as my wallpaper on my phone!

Green Eyes

I think I got lucky with the lighting on this one, as I honestly don't know what I'm doing when it comes to lighting, etc. But I think the green foilage in the background really makes her eyes pop. This is totally UNTOUCHED.

Up Tree Shot

Wanted to look at the tree from a different perspective. My first thought when I saw this tree was, "Wow, I'd love to climb it!" Then I thought about taking the photo from the vantage point of what a child might see as they begin their climb. I think it turned out pretty cool.

Another Up Tree Shot

This tree was just breathtaking, and no other way to take the photo. Love how it came out!

Playing in the branches

I really love pictures that have a combination of in focus and blurry objects. I think it adds depth and character to a photo. I've been playing around more with this, and here is one of my favorites.

Easter 2012!

Not quite sure how it happened, but it did. Easter totally snuck up on me this year! I remember a few weeks ago, walking through Target and telling myself that I was going to have to come back one morning while the little one was in school, and shop for Easter basket fillings. Well that never happened. I did, however, pick up a few things here and there, THANK GOD! I dropped the ball so badly, that hubby and I were at the mall Saturday morning, before it opened, waiting for the Easter Bunny! Thankfully we went early, and didn't wait long.. Whew... crisis avoided..

Anyway, Easter went off smoothly, and all three girls were happy. Got the eggs dyed and hidden.. the little one had a blast with the egg hunt! Even tried out a new tradition this year. The little one planted "magic jelly beans" (any type will do) in the garden, in hopes that the Easter Bunny would come and sprinkle some magic on them and grow something wonderful... Here is the result:

Planting the "magic beans"

Look what grew!!! Lollipops!

Another tradition that we've been doing for years with the older girls, and now very excited to do it for the little one, is bunny tracks! Yes, that pesky, yet generous, Easter Bunny always seems to leave a little mess behind for me to clean up. But the kids love it so much, that I can sacrifice a little time to clean it up... Here you go... homemade Easter Bunny tracks...

These bunny tracks were made with a homemade stencil and baby powder! Easy to make, and easy to clean up!

HAPPY EASTER!