Project 365 : Day 2. January 2nd, 2015. Murfreesboro Lifestyle Photographer

Day 2. During this project, I have no set plan... which I think can be a good and at times a very challenging thing. I don't want to just take random pictures and throw nonsense up here, but at the same time I don't want to restrict myself to having to find specifics every day.

This picture came from one idea that led to another that led to another and finally the image below happened. The kids were playing after dinner with some different toys they got for Christmas and Tim (my hubby) was right there with them. I on the other hand, went from being on the floor getting some profile shots, to standing on the counter (don't tell my mamma!!) to get a birds eye view, to having the kids more in the background of a few shots to finally not having them in it at all! I said when I started that didn't want every picture to be focused on my children, even though they are what occupies 99% of this season of life and not to mention they're like the cutest photo subjects in the world. But this year I am focusing on ALL of me. Being a better Christian, a better wife, a better mamma, a better photographer, a better friend, a better business person and overall a better ME.

Now, I never thought taking a simple picture of a teacup could make me feel this way, but that's the amazing thing about photography, and really my goal. Taking simple photographs to evoke emotion in people that they may not have known was there. I couldn't help but think of the teacup ride at Disney world after taking this shot. You're sitting still, but everything around you is in full motion. I feel like that's how I have been living at times. Not taking part. Letting things slip by and not enjoying life to the fullest. I want to be thankful for even the troubles and trials we go through because I know on the other side they will make us stronger as people and for my family stronger as a unit. This year is going to be full of firsts and new things and I'm sure successes and failures, but I want to be in it. Not on the outside looking in, or the inside sitting still. But right in the middle, living every single moment. I heard a sermon the Sunday before New Years about (in a gist) living your life in a way that you don't need a new years resolution. That sums it up folks.This year is about trying to live in a way to not need to change anything at the end. I have so much to be thankful for and so much to learn from our Lord and Savior, but living with the intention to be more like him and less like the world will get me that much closer to the person I want to be and should be.

I know that got a little deep there, y'all. HAHA! But, it's the truth! I'm so excited about this challenge and seeing how God is going to use the desires he has given me to be a photographer to grow myself as a person, to help my family and to bless others!

Project 365: Day 1. January 1st, 2015

 I decided to take the plunge and commit myself to a 365 challenge. Ay ay ay! Thinking about it gives me a little anxiety, but I can totally do this!! I'm doing it for a number of reasons and it would be a really lengthy blog post if I got into all of them, but I'm excited to see the growth I have in 2015 in sooo many areas of my life and I can't wait to document every single one. I will be honest and tell you... I almost forgot last night to take my picture. I thought about it about 100 times through out the day, but as Mamma and Wife and Photographer and new Jamberry consultant I think about 1000 things 100 times a day! So right before Ayda Jean's bed time I grabbed my camera, found some mediocre lighting in the house and started snapping.

I edited and processed these pictures differently than anything I've ever done before. I figure that's part of it, right?! Taking photographs that I get to play with and totally botch from time to time. Being a photographer does not mean you're going to take a perfect picture every single time. If that was the case, we'd all be the same, we'd all have the same style and frankly it would be a little boring. Everyone is different. Everyone has different tastes. NOT everyone is going to be your ideal photographer. I hope these images capture the life and beauty of my little's, because that's what I was going for.

I was going for more of a film/vintage feel with these. That's not something I always, or even very often do, but I think it fits. Learning to work with the light and feel of your photos is a huge part of photography. You're not always going to have perfect light or perfect scenarios, but don't let it stop you from capturing the moments you cherish!! I'd love to know what you think and if you want to see more of my 365 challenge and to keep up to date with what's going on around here, subscribe to the blog right over there --> :)