Monday, March 30, 2015

March 30 Minutes in the Life Remington, Virginia Photographer


It's that time again for our 30 minutes in the life circle.  This month I have not been sure what I was going to post most of the month. We haven't gone anywhere too exciting at all. Then I think about it and really what this group was about for me was capturing 30 minutes of my every day. 30 minutes that I want to remember and cherish.

So, the other day we were sitting at the dinner table and I was saying how I needed to still get my photo for the day. My oldest son said he would be cool with getting his photo taken. First, I think I should explain... He is 13, and well this was rare that he was cool with getting his photo taken. I didn't really have to ask him or even say please. He volunteered! Happy Face quickly came on this mama.   So after dinner we went out side and I thought he was going to just want me to get a quick snap shot.  We decided to go over to the fields behind our subdivision. At first he was awkward and grumpy. He never wants to smile for photos. Which I am completely ok with.  He did that tons for me when he was little and always had a camera in his face. He saw a camera and he immediately flashed a smile. Now... Not so much.   So I try to capture him as he is now. A moody teenager. I'm sure there are plenty of mothers who can relate to this.  At least I hope there are.   So here we are out in this field in some super sweet golden hour light.  So he stands there almost pouting.  This is what I get....


He looks tense... Awkward and like he definitely doesn't want to do this. So why did he volunteer for this? I ask myself this not sure whether to just go back to the house.  Instead we just start talking and picking on one another. He of course doesn't want me to capture him laughing so he covers his face. So I sneak a shot as I can.
 This hair... He is growing his hair out right now. It's awkward and fuzzy, but it's a process. It's unique for him and that is all that matters.  We recently started dying it black.  Some people think I am a bad mom for letting him do this, but you know what it's hair. It can be cut, It grows back and it lets him express himself.  I remember when I was his age and how my mom really tried hard to allow us to be who we wanted to be. She didn't sweat the little stuff like that, and I proudly want to give those same things to my kids.



So he wants to be serious, no smiles.  So that's what we get... No smiles.

So he starts walking down the path, and says come with me Mom. Of course I follow.  How can it be that this is my baby?  He looks like an adult walking in front of me. No more running as fast as he can jumping in the mud.


So we walk along the trails, I'm getting a shot here and there of the dead flowers or leaves left from the year before. 



We get to this big hill. He loves to climb this hill. Me, not so much, it's really steep. I didn't get a photo of the hill. I should have though.  I'm in my work dress and heels, but I go for it and follow him up this steep, muddy, hill to make him happy. We laugh along the way that I am going to fall and roll down to the bottom. (I don't though thank goodness.) So we get to the top and the light is so beautiful on this evening. He says "This is it, Mom. This is where we need to be. The light is the best here." He says he's not posing, and honestly, I don't want him too. I didn't really care if we took one photo. It was just so nice to be here on the top of this hill with just him talking.  We talked about school, family issues, and just life.  It was the best 30 minutes I could have asked for.   So these photos may not tell a story that most will see and understand. They are not perfect photos. They are not posed. For me though, they tell a story of my moody teenager who wanted to spend extra time with me and wanted me to see this beautiful spot with him.  I will cherish this 30 minutes. 






Next up be sure to check out, Amanda Voelker Photography. She is an incredibly inspiring photographer, in Seattle Washington. I am happy to be in a few groups with her and her 2 little ones are just adorable. She always has something fun and beautiful to share. Click here to see her 30 minutes this month.

Friday, March 27, 2015

The Daily Frame March 19th - 25th Remington, Virginia Photographer


Hello Friends. It's that time of the week again. We are in week 12 Whoo Hoo!!  At the end, be sure to follow along and check out the rest of our blog circle.

So let's just get right to it. Here's my week in photos.

78/365: Puppy Love
You have always loved animals. Puppies especially. Our neighbor just got two brand new puppies and you are in love with them.  Today you guys took them for a walk and played on the playground with them. When it was time to come in for the evening, you didn't want to leave them.  I guess sooner or later we are going to have to break down and get a puppy of our own.


79/365: Spidey Shoes
Grandma came by with new shoes for you today. You were so excited because they are super hero shoes. It's the little things.


80/365: Spring Flowers 
Today was such a beautiful day.  It really feels like spring. It was so nice to see these beautiful flowers coming up in the afternoon light. 


81/365: Hopscotch 
Tonight when you got home from your Dad's we decided to play hopscotch. Here are some of my favorites. I love the motion in your hair. 





82/365: Serious bike riding 
Today it was so nice again, so we spent much of the evening outside playing. I am still not sure why, but today you wanted to use your sponge bob blanket for your Superman cape. Hey whatever works right? 



83/365: Baseball 
Tonight you found a baseball under one of the bushes from last year.  You said you found a treasure. You were so excited about it. We threw the ball around and you talked about how you wanted to learn to play baseball. This made me happy. I'm not a big sports person, but I would be thrilled if you learned to play and I promise you this, I will be your Biggest fan. 



84/365: A quick portrait 
Today was busy and I'm not going to lie, I was tired, and I really didn't feel inspired at all. By the time we got done with work, the commute, dinner, homework, showers, and baths I was just ready to crash. I almost said forget it, I will skip today. I didn't though. I asked Mat if he'd let me take his photo. It was dark and the house was a mess, so we just took 2 minutes and I got this shot. As you can tell, he is tired, but he was such a good sport. I'm pretty lucky that he has been so supportive in my journey and really lets me take his photo quite frequently. He looks tough and hard on the outside, but somewhere way down really deep, he does have a soft spot in there. 


Well this about does it for the week... Be sure to follow along the circle and see the rest of our group. We are all doing so well at sticking with our goal. I'm proud of us!  Next up is Liz Godfrey from Connecticut. Click here to see what she has been up to this week. 

Until next time... xo 

Friday, March 20, 2015

The Daily Frame March 12th-18th Remington, Virginia Photographer



Hi friends, It's that time of the week again where I share my week in photos with you.  I want to say thanks so much from the bottom of  my heart for following along this journey with me. I am so happy that I committed to this 365 project. It has been so good for me.  So I won't ramble on, I will just share some of my week with you.  This week the light has been insanely gorgeous, so I was able to get lots of great shots. Next up, be sure to follow along and see some beautiful images from NYC travel photographer, Colleen Putnam. Click here to see her post.

71/365: Thursdays.... These days always seem the longest.  We are tired from the long week and it often shows on us.

72/365: Tonight we had a little movie night and watched Big Hero 6.

73/365: Today was gloomy and raining off and on. By afternoon we decided to go out to the fields and play in the puddles. I got lots of fun shots but I fell in love with this one of you.

74/365: Sidewalk chalk art
Today it was sunny but very cold and windy.  You were dying to get outside to play with the new chalk though.  This cat is always in the neighborhood and loves us. So he decided to join you while you were coloring the driveway.

75/365: Today was beautiful. Beautiful weather, the light was amazing, and it was so nice to be outside with you and your brother after work. Dinner was made ahead in the crock pot so this meant more time to spend with you guys.  There is something about bubbles that just never get old. They are always fun. You guys blow them everywhere and take turns chasing them pop them. We had such a fun evening.







76/365: Happy St. Patty's Day
Again another day with beautiful light.  Here are a few of my faves from today.


This one is my favorite. I love watching the light in your hair.

77/365: A few moments with Shawn.
I am pretty sure the photos from this day will be my 30 minutes in the life post. So be sure to come back Monday to check it out. <3

Thanks again for following along. I hope you enjoyed your week as much as I enjoyed mine. This project really helps me see the beauty in the every day and the little things.

Until next time... xo

Friday, March 13, 2015

The Daily Frame March 5th - March 11th



Hello, It's that time of the week again, for our Daily Frame Blog Circle.   Thank you for following along. This week hasn't been too exciting, but I have some shares from the week.  At the end of my post, be sure to check out Meagan Dwyer to see what she has been up to this week.  

Day 64/365: Snowed In.
Today we got a big snow storm and we we didn't go anywhere. In one my photography groups we partner together with another photographer and are given a theme. So my partner and I chose our husbands to photograph.  Our theme was selective focus.  So today I took a few more than 1 shot, but we had lots of fun taking these, and I have to admit, I love photographing my husband just as much as I love photographing the kiddos.   








65/365: We got to go out, Just the two of us. 
I almost forgot my photo today.  This evening was hectic, but we ended up getting to go out to meet up with some friends tonight.  So my son snapped this quick photo of us before we left.  I love how I am looking at you. It makes me happy to see that it shows how much I still look at you with such love. Thank you Shawn for this snapshot. <3

66/365: My boys
We had to make a run to Costco this afternoon and the 3 of you were walking like this together. I love my boys with all of my heart. I was so happy to capture this quick moment. It's definitely not a perfect photo, or any work of art, but it's special to me and that is what matters.



67/365: Just a portrait
Today there is no real story... Just a quick portrait. You said this is your serious face.

68/365: Walking on Sunshine
So today was the best... We had sunshine, it was warm, it just felt like such a good day. It's amazing what nice weather does to everyone's moods.  So when you got home from school, you threw on some shorts and enjoyed dancing and playing in all that gorgeous sunshine!


69/365: Practicing your writing

70/365: Signs of Spring
After all the snow has just about melted, Mariah found these little babies starting to poke out. She was so excited to find these.

Next up is the fabulous Meagan Dwyer. Click here to see her post.  She always has something beautiful and creative to share. <3

Whoo Hoo!! I've made it 70 days of photographing every day!  I'm a little proud of myself for sticking to this goal and that I haven't missed a day. Until next time... xo