Day 59 {Monday Me}

Joy of Love 28: Future

"Don't walk in front of me, I may not follow.  Don't walk behind me,  I may not lead.  Just walk beside me and be my friend." --Albert Camus

Our future lies ahead of us, as husband and wife, as parents, as children, but most importantly as best friends.

(1/50s; f/4.5; ISO: 6400; focal length: kit lens--35mm)

Day 58

Joy of Love 27: What they say

I thought I was going to have the hardest time with this prompt, and then I just let it happen.  These two were playing 'let's find the dragon' on our walk today.  Daddy said, 'Come hide behind my shield'...'There he is, there he is'.  I love when his creative play side comes out...and so does she!!

(1/250s; f/5.6; ISO: 200; focal length: kit lens--55mm)

Day 57

Joy of Love 26: Best Friends

These two have such a cute little story.  When we first moved into our house, I signed us up for a Mommy and me swimming class in hopes of meeting some new friends (for both Siena and myself).  Unfortunately, the class was full of nice moms, but all of whom had other friends, older kids to tend to, family in town, etc.  Just not the match we were hoping for.  That same afternoon, we headed to the dog park.  As we were walking in, we saw another little girl in a stroller with her mom and a doggie.  Turns out that this little girl was born 8 days after Siena, her mom was a teacher (like me) and we both loved dogs...SCORE!!  Ever since, we've been hanging out, having weekly play dates, dinners together, birthday parties, pool parties, etc.  Oh, and get this...Mady's mom has a birthday one day before my husband's, and her dad has a birthday two days before mine--is that weird or what??!!

 (1/100s; f/4.5; ISO: 3200; focal length: kit lens--40mm)

I appreciate Jenny color coordinating so well, I had a perfect background! ;)  And, oh man do these kids move fast, it was all I could do to even get this shot, much less the horrible focus!!  Need to work on that big time!

Day 56

Joy of Love 25: When you love them the most

I love her the most, when she stretches her creative muscles and is enjoying life.  Here she is, dressed as a fairy princess (while it's cold outside), making a Cheez-it pie for Mommy!  

(1/60s; f/4.0; ISO: 3200; focal length: kit lens--32.5mm)

I don't know what I was thinking having my ss so low, must have been one of those mornings when I forget to look at anything...just in a rush to capture the moment! 

Day 55

Joy of Love 24: Where

In his arms, 'nough said!

(1/80s; f/3.5; ISO: 6400; focal length: kit lens--18mm)

Day 54

Joy of Love 23: Facebook

To be honest, I only got a Facebook account two years ago, and then, after taking on the 365 project, I've since quit FB.  I figured I'd rather spend my free time picking up a new hobby; something in which I'm really, really interested!!  Today, I thought I'd get a picture of Siena reading a book (get it, 'face-book'--I'm a dork, I know it!!), but instead, this one melted my heart!  I used to love doing this with my Dad.  

(1/160s; f/4.5; ISO: 6400; focal length: kit lens--18mm)

I know it's not the best exposure, but I just have such a darn hard time getting good lighting inside at night--any tricks of the trade??!! ;)  Oh, and thanks for all the sweet comments about the self-portrait, I'd highly recommend doing it...it's a little frustrating to get the focal point, but fun just the same!

Day 53

Joy of Love 22: Portraits

Well, today I didn't get home until after the sun had gone down and didn't get my camera out until after Siena had gone to bed and my husband headed to the gym.  So, that left me.  I guess it's kind of a weird spin on the whole, 'who you love' portrait, but hey, you gotta love yourself, right?!  I'm learning to be a better lover of myself, of course, there are days when I feel that I need to lose weight, or I should be better at this or smarter at that...I can't help those feelings.  However, seeing how I can make people smile or feel their love for me when we talk, makes me understand that I am lovable!! ;)

The other funny thing about this picture, is that our electricity went out right before I took it.  I was stumbling around our house locating candles and then lining them all up around me to make sure I had enough light!!  I had to turn it into B&W to avoid poor coloring!!  Kinda fun to take pictures of yourself, I must say! ;)

(1/13s; f/3.5; ISO: 6400; focal length: kit lens--18mm)

Day 52 {Monday Me}

Joy of Love 21: Hands (or paws, in our case)

Anyone who knows our dogs, and knows them well, realizes that you've been welcomed into the family when Annie (our border collie mix) paws at you for some extra attention.  She'll continue to paw and paw and paw (lightly, of course, and in a very mild mannered way) until you scratch her ears, or rub her back.  You see, we adopted Annie when she was 2 1/2 years old.  She had been shipped up from a shelter in Flagstaff to Boulder, where we found her.  She came to us yellowed, abused and terrified.  Luckily, she's warmed up and melted our hearts in the meantime.  Today she turns 9 years old.  I can't believe our little Ann is getting up there in age.  She'll still romp around with Rocky, our lab, put the puppies in their place at the dog park, and guard all of us fiercely.  So, if you get that paw, understand that barriers have been broken and her little heart has welcomed you in!!

(1/160s; f/4.5; ISO: 3200; focal length: kit lens--21.3mm)

I tried this shot multiple times to get the 'hands' in focus, but then gave up because she had that look of, 'Am I in trouble?'.  Perhaps I'll try again to nail the focus, but I kinda like that she's the one you're drawn to, instead of our 'hands'!

Day 51

Joy of Love 20: When they're home

Thankfully, Daddy is home today to one, fix our sump pump so our basement doesn't overflow with dirty laundry water.  And two, to cuddle with his baby girl so she'll feel better!  Siena is mighty under the weather right now, you can just see it in her eyes.  I feel so bad for her, but we're both here to hold her, read books, and snuggle.  

(1/100s; f/4.5; ISO: 6400; focal length: kit lens 42.5mm)

Day 50

Joy of Love 19: When they're gone

So, since it's Saturday and we're all here I was thinking that I'd have a hard time with this prompt.  Until both my babies were sick in bed, I was grading in the living room, and the house was completely quiet.  That's when I caught Archie, our little kitty, starting longingly out the window.  I assume this is his pose most days when we're gone...he's typically a rambunctious guy, running around the house like crazy, but there are those few moments when he's calm and cuddly!!

(1/60s; f/4.5; ISO: 1600; focal length: 35mm)

Day 49

Joy of Love 18: Flip-flop--Staying In (town)

Today we didn't really stay in either.  But, we did stay in town!  It was a beautiful Indian Summer day and we thoroughly enjoyed playing at the park after the snow melted all morning.  I had issues focusing on her eyes while she was swinging back and forth...experts can most definitely weigh in.  How do you keep your focus?  I always love all your tips and pointers!!  So much appreciated!

(1/250s; f/5.6; ISO:200; focal length: 55mm)

Day 48

Joy of Love 17: Staying In (but Going Out)

I'm going off script today and shooting the Going Out pictures (for tomorrow's prompt).  I just had my last photography class and didn't get home until the lighting was bad and my subjects were either asleep or close to it!  So, I opted to Go Out-side!  The moon is almost completely full and I read in Bryan Peterson's book, you should shoot the moon the day before a full one appears.  And that's what I did.  Not sure if I got all the settings just right, I was having trouble determining if it was properly exposed, but what do you think?  

(1/4000s; f/5.6; ISO: 3200; focal length: 230mm)

This second shot was just for fun, but I love the elements of the trees and clouds!

(1/60s; f/4.5; ISO: 3200; focal length: 150mm)

I learned...

I learned to keep an eye out for a great shot.  Katherine and I went out last weekend to try our hand at being creative, and to enjoy the warmer temps.  We found this little stream and 'waterfall' by a church and had to take a picture of it!

(1/2s; f/40.0; ISO: 200; focal length: 55mm)

I didn't have a tripod with me, but I rested my elbows on the fence overlooking the stream and tried to keep my body as still as possible.  Can you tell there's a blur in the leaves closer to the forefront of the shot?  How would you be creative on shot like this?  

Critiques are always welcome and very much appreciated!!  Check out what others are learning...

Day 47

Joy of Love 16: Together

I couldn't decide which one of these I liked better, so I'll let you choose!!  We were playing 'tickle monster' to get these shots! ;)

 (1/100s; f/4.0; ISO: 6400; focal length: 28.1mm)

(1/100s; f/4.0; ISO: 6400; focal length: 28.1mm)

Do you think I should have stopped down my aperture a little to get more focus on us, or should I have opened it up to then be able to up the ss and avoid hand motion?

Day 46

Joy of Love 15: Kisses

This guy is always the first to greet me when I walk in the door.  He never runs out of kisses to give, he's always happy to be around me and loves to snuggle up close when he gets cold.  It's safe to say that he's my sweet boy!

(1/100s; f/4.0; ISO: 3200; focal length: 24.4mm)

Day 45 {Monday Me}

Joy of Love 14: Wedding Rings/Jewelry

I thought up this pose all day and thought it would turn out wonderfully.  However, I'm not too keen on it now.  It almost looks as we both have our fingers chopped off.  Oh well, live and learn, I suppose! ;)  Sure do love this man and am so happy to have spent the last 10 years of our lives together!!

(1/125s; f/3.5; ISO: 3200; focal length: 18mm)

Day 44

Joy of Love 13: Routines

While this isn't much of a day to day routine, it is our Valentine's Day routine.  We're celebrating a day early so we can make sure that we have time to enjoy each other and our special treat.  My husband and I started this tradition back when we were still dating.  We didn't and still don't exchange gifts for Valentine's Day.  So this is our cheap but fun treat to each other, and now our daughter! 

(1/100s; f/3.5; ISO: 6400; focal length: 18mm)

Day 43

Joy of Love 12: Eyes

Not too much to say here, except, I'm seriously jealous of my baby girl's eyelashes!  Lucky for her, that gene came from Daddy...perhaps that's one reason why I'm so smitten with him! ;)

(1/160s; f4.0; ISO: 800; 26.3mm)

Day 42

Joy of Love 11: Dreams

Although we have unlimited dreams in our house, one that always pulls on our heart strings is being able to move closer to family.  Almost our entire family, extended and all, live in central Texas.  Hopefully, someday we'll get to attend baby showers, soccer games, Homecoming photo shoots, birthday parties and the like without having to travel 1,700 miles.  

(1/125s; f/4.5; ISO: 800; focal length: 40mm)

Day 41

Joy of Love 10: Space-where they are comfortable

My daughter is happiest when I leave her in her pajamas!  She would wear them everywhere if I let her.  It's either her 'footie' pjs or tights.  Funny, since I would have never been caught dead in a dress as a little girl!! ;)

(1/125s; f/4.0; ISO: 800; focal length: 24.4mm)

I learned...

I learned, I still have a lot to learn about natural lighting...

(1/320s; f/5.6; ISO: 800, focal length: 55mm)

but, that you can find awesome lighting, in mid-day, under a shade tree, watching a leaf stuck in the snow!

(1/5000s; f/5.6; ISO: 200, focal length: 55mm)

Critiques are ALWAYS welcome! ;)

Day 40

Joy of Love 09: Passions and Hobbies

My husband is a man of many passions and hobbies, it was hard for me to choose just one, until I heard him tell my daughter we needed to make a trip to the farm tonight.  You see, we live in a small farming area and have the pleasure of being able to get fresh from the farm produce, milk, eggs, honey...just about anything.  This past November, we happened upon a little farm in our area that sells fresh milk, eggs, and yogurt (processed, of course, but from their milk).  Anyway, I'm rambling...my point is, my husband is passionate (as am I) about making sure we eat the best foods that we can and in doing so, help to support the local farmers.  This is one thing I absolutely love about this man.  He is SO supportive and giving.  It really amazes me that I can call him my husband...I don't think there's anyone else who could fit me so perfectly--minus the beard! ;)

(1/40s; f/4.5: ISO: 3200; focal length: 40mm)

Day 39

Joy of Love 08: Gift from the Heart

This prompt definitely got me thinking.  There are so many things that I feel my loved ones (or my husband in particular has given me from his heart).  However, I think that his support, guidance and friendship through thick and thin really speak to me when I hear these words.  We applied to seven different grad schools in hopes of getting in somewhere together.  Luckily, we got into two and it was there that our love really developed a deeper meaning.  There we learned to lean on each other, trust in each other and truly support each other.  His support and belief in me are my most favorite of all his gifts!

(1/100s; f/3.5; ISO: 1600; focal length: 18mm)

I feel like all my pictures are really dark!  I apologize, my computer screen isn't calibrated and I have yet to spend the money to do so, any tips on how you make your pictures bright??  Is it just better lighting?

Day 38 {Monday Me}

Joy of Love 07: Generations

Well, like a lot of you, we don't live close to family, so our generational picture only spans two.  That's okay, we had fun anyway.  This is the typical scene in our kitchen every night.  We all tend to dance around, listening to the awesome Beatles for kids music my sister loaded onto Siena's radio, while making dinner.  Sure do love these guys!!

(1/125s; f/3.5; ISO: 6400; focal length: 18mm)