The Shoot and Share Contest wrapped up the middle of March after an astounding 27 million votes were cast over the entire duration of the photo contest. Through the contest I witnessed incredible talent . . .images that literally stopped my little world on its axis. I only ever saw 2 of my photographs, so as the 6 weeks of voting was winding down, I was more interested in seeing how far the photographers that I had connected with were going to place. On the day awards were finally announced I was beyond shocked when I earned TWO awards for placing in the top 30%!
Being part of this contest was what I needed - it was a good yard stick...giving me something to measure myself against. Finding areas where I can certainly adjust my photography, and even discovering other areas where I was stronger than I thought. Perhaps if there was only one thing I got out of this experience it was to have the confidence to compare myself in a friendly contest! Never would have I have thought I'd even have a meaningful placement within 27 million votes - so to come out as Top 30% in two images...very humbling.
Want to be moved by beauty of the human race? Check out the contest winners from 2016 (and prior years too)...by clicking here.
Have a great week!
Tennessee seasons seem to change as quickly as the redirected wind. A world covered in a frozen crust quickly thaws, sprouts hundreds of green shoots which quickly spew a thick yellow pollen potent enough to take down a fully grown horse.
This is where we are.
Alongside the new fresh warmth comes the determination to spring clean. . .rid the house of the air that has seemed to re-bake through the heating units all winter. Windows thrown open, the cupboards cleaned out - and the warm clothes packed away for next winter.
I took this photo during the peak week of the budding Bradford pear. Since then the flowers have been replaced with small green leaves, the red buds are in their last few days, and the dogwood trees has started their bloom. Spring sees the most change - seasons within a season. I see our current life chapter as that too - a season within a season. The season began with a newborn. The incredible introduction of life and the adjustment as a bigger family. The season where I learned the depth of love. Days filled with extra smiles and extra diapers. Like the tree blossoming in Spring, I have to be mindful of its quick transformation - holds true for babies too. What was my newborn, with the lingering scent of heaven, soon became my walking toddler who tackles mama for big slobbery kisses! I pay attention, because I've already seen one child turn 3 in what felt like a fast forward of time.
Declan is on the brink of taking more than 3 independent steps. In his mind he sees himself as running and walking like his big sister - so finds himself frustrated with his body that won't cooperate! This spring we've already skipped a few naps for extra playtime and pushed bedtime back so we can swing outside, beneath the sunset. The season we're in has less limitations as far as the children go. They play together - laugh and romp and tear the living room apart. Its fun to watch them both giggle, completely oblivious to us watching them. Almost every evening we load them both onto their tricycles and we peddle them down the road. We're teaching them to find happiness in each moment, as well as the observation of beauty around us. We are our children's guides and mentors - and we are doing our best to teach and lead by example. A few days ago I read this, and it hit home because of its truth:
"Adults are always telling teenagers that these are the best years of your life. But they're not. They are good years. But not the best. The best are the ones after you've found your bride and created a family. The ones you're living right now. Don't forget that."
We're living our best days. Enjoying every life around us, every breath, every sunset. Our contentment comes from appreciating.
This is where we are.
Alongside the new fresh warmth comes the determination to spring clean. . .rid the house of the air that has seemed to re-bake through the heating units all winter. Windows thrown open, the cupboards cleaned out - and the warm clothes packed away for next winter.
I took this photo during the peak week of the budding Bradford pear. Since then the flowers have been replaced with small green leaves, the red buds are in their last few days, and the dogwood trees has started their bloom. Spring sees the most change - seasons within a season. I see our current life chapter as that too - a season within a season. The season began with a newborn. The incredible introduction of life and the adjustment as a bigger family. The season where I learned the depth of love. Days filled with extra smiles and extra diapers. Like the tree blossoming in Spring, I have to be mindful of its quick transformation - holds true for babies too. What was my newborn, with the lingering scent of heaven, soon became my walking toddler who tackles mama for big slobbery kisses! I pay attention, because I've already seen one child turn 3 in what felt like a fast forward of time.
Declan is on the brink of taking more than 3 independent steps. In his mind he sees himself as running and walking like his big sister - so finds himself frustrated with his body that won't cooperate! This spring we've already skipped a few naps for extra playtime and pushed bedtime back so we can swing outside, beneath the sunset. The season we're in has less limitations as far as the children go. They play together - laugh and romp and tear the living room apart. Its fun to watch them both giggle, completely oblivious to us watching them. Almost every evening we load them both onto their tricycles and we peddle them down the road. We're teaching them to find happiness in each moment, as well as the observation of beauty around us. We are our children's guides and mentors - and we are doing our best to teach and lead by example. A few days ago I read this, and it hit home because of its truth:
"Adults are always telling teenagers that these are the best years of your life. But they're not. They are good years. But not the best. The best are the ones after you've found your bride and created a family. The ones you're living right now. Don't forget that."
We're living our best days. Enjoying every life around us, every breath, every sunset. Our contentment comes from appreciating.
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| Catch me by the sea, basking in golden glory. |
Location: St George Island, Florida. June 2013.
Drag your forefinger west along the Yucatan Peninsula and your finger will eventually pass over this little village. It sits along the coast watching pelicans come and go - as often as the wind whips, and changes direction. The old fisherman's boat is worn from sand, abusive waves, exhausted steps and the wet drag of his net. How many years has this very boat visited this very beach? It rests on this one particular day...tired, or ready for its next adventure? Only the fisherman knows...
Exact location: Champoton, Mexico. December 2015.
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| A villager's turquoise dream |
Exact location: Champoton, Mexico. December 2015.
Images from our frozen tundra.
It would seem we're living in 're-freeze" mode.
Nothing wrong with a good old fashioned Canadian Arctic breeze to freeze your bones in place...nope. This is just fine as long as the wood burning fireplace continues to thaw us out at the end of the day. I have found that the more kids you add to your little village, the more complicated winter becomes. It's a joke among parents that you take 45 minutes to dress everyone in the 525 layers required to prevent pneumonia, but by the time you touch the snow everyone has either lost interest or roasting because the 525th layer was just a little bit too much. Carseats, jackets and little snow mits almost spell chaos. Also, have you ever noticed that the baby's head disappears inside the ever creeping jacket that is insistent on riding upwards...before long their nose is level with the middle of the closed zipper which translates to half way down the jacket. Or perhaps this one - fully winterize yourself and baby to walk out the door, thanks to the slick waterproof material of winter jackets, by the time you grab baby, keys, purse, lunch bags and the kitchen sink, you realize the baby is slicker than a slug and sliding rapidly down your hip. Get to the car and you're at this point walking in full drag mode while attempting to maintain posture. No? Ok, perhaps I am the only one.
Nothing wrong with a good old fashioned Canadian Arctic breeze to freeze your bones in place...nope. This is just fine as long as the wood burning fireplace continues to thaw us out at the end of the day. I have found that the more kids you add to your little village, the more complicated winter becomes. It's a joke among parents that you take 45 minutes to dress everyone in the 525 layers required to prevent pneumonia, but by the time you touch the snow everyone has either lost interest or roasting because the 525th layer was just a little bit too much. Carseats, jackets and little snow mits almost spell chaos. Also, have you ever noticed that the baby's head disappears inside the ever creeping jacket that is insistent on riding upwards...before long their nose is level with the middle of the closed zipper which translates to half way down the jacket. Or perhaps this one - fully winterize yourself and baby to walk out the door, thanks to the slick waterproof material of winter jackets, by the time you grab baby, keys, purse, lunch bags and the kitchen sink, you realize the baby is slicker than a slug and sliding rapidly down your hip. Get to the car and you're at this point walking in full drag mode while attempting to maintain posture. No? Ok, perhaps I am the only one.
This year I've been doing a lot of reflection and self discovery in an effort to identify my gifts. I've carefully selected inspirational writers, bloggers and speakers to invest my "free" time in. I've spoken to God more, sought him in my every day - and found him gently whistling through the crispy winter leaves, or shining through the pink and purple clouds that caress the setting sun. He has woken me at 3am, asking me to listen...to pay attention. Last weekend I attended the IF Gathering 2016 - and it was incredible! I'm realizing more and more than I cannot pour from an empty cup...so events like the IF, inspirational speakers like Dale Partridge and photographers that inspire me and up lift me - they help fill my cup so I have more to give.
Through my journey I am reminded time and time again that it's words and photographs that make my heart skip a beat. God has strategically placed them in my life to use and enjoy, and then ultimately bless. I've taken almost 2 years off from photography... mainly because of time and the current chapter of my life. BUT I do know that one day I will return to professional photography. I want to continue to richly bless those smiling for my shutter. I learned quickly that a photograph can show our generation how incredible they are, and that they are fearfully and wonderfully made. A true gift, and a beautiful one at that! I want to show this generation that they have worth - they just have to believe in themselves - love themselves through self confidence. Through my self discovery and preparation to use my gifts, I've been gathering inspiration from the photography world and was encouraged by several photographers to submit my work to Shoot and Share 2016. I was nervous to have my photographs shown alongside those I count more skilled than I. Out of nowhere I received an email from a world renown photographer that I have followed for a couple years now, and he said this to me "We know how nerve-racking it can be, and we want to encourage you to put yourself out there. You never know what will happen. Head over to the contest site and get brave and enter your 50 photographs today. Once you do, you'll receive your very own badge of courage". So I did. And here is my badge of courage!
So, voting begins February 15th. 185,000+ photographs represent over 7,000 photographers. 50 of those are mine. If you'd like to join the movement and vote for your favorite, here is the link: Shoot and Share 2016.
Wishing all my fellow photographers the best of luck! Especially my own cousin - Shaun Edwards!
Through my journey I am reminded time and time again that it's words and photographs that make my heart skip a beat. God has strategically placed them in my life to use and enjoy, and then ultimately bless. I've taken almost 2 years off from photography... mainly because of time and the current chapter of my life. BUT I do know that one day I will return to professional photography. I want to continue to richly bless those smiling for my shutter. I learned quickly that a photograph can show our generation how incredible they are, and that they are fearfully and wonderfully made. A true gift, and a beautiful one at that! I want to show this generation that they have worth - they just have to believe in themselves - love themselves through self confidence. Through my self discovery and preparation to use my gifts, I've been gathering inspiration from the photography world and was encouraged by several photographers to submit my work to Shoot and Share 2016. I was nervous to have my photographs shown alongside those I count more skilled than I. Out of nowhere I received an email from a world renown photographer that I have followed for a couple years now, and he said this to me "We know how nerve-racking it can be, and we want to encourage you to put yourself out there. You never know what will happen. Head over to the contest site and get brave and enter your 50 photographs today. Once you do, you'll receive your very own badge of courage". So I did. And here is my badge of courage!
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| What if I fail? Oh, but darling, what if you fly? - Shoot and Share 2016 |
And I went on to submit 50 images in total and earned the All In Club badge, too.
So, voting begins February 15th. 185,000+ photographs represent over 7,000 photographers. 50 of those are mine. If you'd like to join the movement and vote for your favorite, here is the link: Shoot and Share 2016.
Wishing all my fellow photographers the best of luck! Especially my own cousin - Shaun Edwards!
Stare into the near horizon and you'll visualize the wild mustangs galloping along the mesa top. We let our eyes feast on this view in 2006. We were newly married, exploring this world together. . .
Legend has it this point was used as a natural corral for wild mustangs. Cowboys rounded up these horses, herded them across the narrow neck of land leading on to the point (seen along the middle of my photograph). The neck, which is only 30 yards wide, was then fenced off with branches and brush. The cowboys then hand selected their horses, letting the rest run free. One time, for an unknown reason, horses were left corralled on the waterless point where they died of thirst within view of the Colorado River - just 2000 feet below.
Exact location: Dead Horse Point State Park, Elevation 5,900 feet
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| Where The Wild Mustangs Roamed |
Legend has it this point was used as a natural corral for wild mustangs. Cowboys rounded up these horses, herded them across the narrow neck of land leading on to the point (seen along the middle of my photograph). The neck, which is only 30 yards wide, was then fenced off with branches and brush. The cowboys then hand selected their horses, letting the rest run free. One time, for an unknown reason, horses were left corralled on the waterless point where they died of thirst within view of the Colorado River - just 2000 feet below.
Exact location: Dead Horse Point State Park, Elevation 5,900 feet
We woke up to snow two mornings this week. While I love waking up to rain, waking up to a quiet white earth is better - by far! It only took me about 30 minutes of minor bribery to get Chloe on the sled, but once she'd figured out that it really was FUN, it took more bribery to get her back in the house - where it was toasty and warm!
For a Tennessee "snow storm" - we did pretty well. I think the inner child in me wishes for 2 feet of snow when I fling the curtains open on the morning of a promised snow event. But, according to the calendar there is still a chance of that. . .winter isn't done with us yet.
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| A Cast of Deserted Beauty 2010 |
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| Silhouette 2016 |
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| Tree Top Grazing Zimbabwe. 2012 |
One of our favorite memories.
Specific location: Antelope Park, Gweru.
Almost 10 days into this new year and I've yet to actually handwrite 2016 on a piece of paper. Where are the days where you give the new year a quick written test drive? I think I'm going to point at the digital world and remain firm that the reasoning is there.
Going into this new year I started with no resolutions - as always. This for the same reason I don't "wait until Monday to start the diet". . .if I'm going to do it, I'll just jump right in. So for the last few weeks I've had this wonderful plan to organize our photographs. 40,000 photographs later I realized I have ALOT of photographs hiding away. A couple years ago we upgraded our camera from a Canon Powershot 4500 IS, to a Canon 6D. I like to think of our first few years as the warm up to the real thing :) The new camera allowed us to take our photography to the next level. The hobby turned into a business, which is currently waiting patiently for my return - so - two small kiddies later and we're back to enjoying the camera as a hobby. Through it all, we have captured some INCREDIBLE images. Throughout this year I'm going to showcase a few of our favorites from our journeys together. Think of it as the next series, following the last one I did - "one good thing. everyday".
Sit back. Enjoy. Next up "Snap :: Our Adventures".
Jon surprised me with an early birthday present today. An entire series of my photography printed on canvas! I was blown away!
Today was a tough day - one unexpected thing after the next, which has a huge impact on us for one reason or another. We both came home feeling rather drained. Sat down to enjoy some one on one time together when we heard a commotion happening outside - our neighbors dog was run over right in front of our house. SO, amidst all this, I'm trying to shake off the day with items that I'm grateful for. So here they are:
1. Amazon Prime. Because this is a necessity when you're a mom. Literally.
2. Amazon Prime. Ok - reason two - fast shipping on the unexpected needs, especially when the Walmart 10 minutes down the road is still too far away.
3. Melrose oil. We have high hopes for this stuff as Declan was diagnosed with moderate eczema after 6 weeks of a horrid rash.
4. I can smell vacation - so close.
5. Extra time with my little buddy as we had the unexpected doctor's appointment mentioned above.
6. A quick and delicious dinner that had us all eating before bedtime routines normally begin. SCORE.
7. . . .a new day tomorrow. Thank you Jesus for your mercies.
1. Amazon Prime. Because this is a necessity when you're a mom. Literally.
2. Amazon Prime. Ok - reason two - fast shipping on the unexpected needs, especially when the Walmart 10 minutes down the road is still too far away.
3. Melrose oil. We have high hopes for this stuff as Declan was diagnosed with moderate eczema after 6 weeks of a horrid rash.
4. I can smell vacation - so close.
5. Extra time with my little buddy as we had the unexpected doctor's appointment mentioned above.
6. A quick and delicious dinner that had us all eating before bedtime routines normally begin. SCORE.
7. . . .a new day tomorrow. Thank you Jesus for your mercies.
Been pondering the length of "one good thing, every day". Should I have an end date in mind, carry on, only post every other day, change it up with a new series…?
I enjoy the challenge, and does it remind you to seek the good in your every day?
How about a practical review on this cold November evening?
Jon and I travel quite a lot. We've found the key to successful travel is your equipment. About 5 years ago we bought 2 LLBean Rolling Adventure Duffle's (large) after going through 3 sets of expensive suitcases in a short 2 years. Why? Because our first cruise we bought "regular" rolling luggage. . .the forklift loading our luggage onto the ship ended our luggage's short life. So we thought we'd outsmart the forklift and we bought hard case luggage for our next cruise. Upon arrival to our stateroom our brand new hard case luggage looked like it had been dropped from about 15 stories. . .So we bought a cheap luggage set next to see if perhaps this would deter abuse. It did not.
LLBean carries a lifetime warranty with their luggage. We've dragged our Adventure Rolling Duffles all over the world and the damage is practically nil. Our last trip to Africa saw abuse to the wheel of my duffle - but LLBean quickly replaced the entire duffle with a new one of my choice. All for free. Since adding two little people to our family we have also added two additional duffle bag. The large duffle is amazing for checked luggage as it literally carries 50lbs to the oz. The limit for checked luggage.
So, spent a little extra up front but save a boat load later. These suitcases are literally life changing. Take my word.
Jon and I travel quite a lot. We've found the key to successful travel is your equipment. About 5 years ago we bought 2 LLBean Rolling Adventure Duffle's (large) after going through 3 sets of expensive suitcases in a short 2 years. Why? Because our first cruise we bought "regular" rolling luggage. . .the forklift loading our luggage onto the ship ended our luggage's short life. So we thought we'd outsmart the forklift and we bought hard case luggage for our next cruise. Upon arrival to our stateroom our brand new hard case luggage looked like it had been dropped from about 15 stories. . .So we bought a cheap luggage set next to see if perhaps this would deter abuse. It did not.
LLBean carries a lifetime warranty with their luggage. We've dragged our Adventure Rolling Duffles all over the world and the damage is practically nil. Our last trip to Africa saw abuse to the wheel of my duffle - but LLBean quickly replaced the entire duffle with a new one of my choice. All for free. Since adding two little people to our family we have also added two additional duffle bag. The large duffle is amazing for checked luggage as it literally carries 50lbs to the oz. The limit for checked luggage.
So, spent a little extra up front but save a boat load later. These suitcases are literally life changing. Take my word.
This good from today:
1. An early rise. Normally this would not make the list but today we got up before the kids so we got a head start - and I wasn't even late for anything. Score.
2. I love my job. I love that I can lead by example and show my children what it means to work hard and be proud of what you do. I want my children to do the same - and the best way is for us to show them.
3. Work/Life balance. Vacation Planning.
4. A housekeeper. She keeps my laundry manageable, my floors swept and my kitchen clean.
5. A good relationship with the pediatrician (because we've paid their salaries the past 6 weeks).
6. Fresh flowers.
7. The first prediction of snow.
1. An early rise. Normally this would not make the list but today we got up before the kids so we got a head start - and I wasn't even late for anything. Score.
2. I love my job. I love that I can lead by example and show my children what it means to work hard and be proud of what you do. I want my children to do the same - and the best way is for us to show them.
3. Work/Life balance. Vacation Planning.
4. A housekeeper. She keeps my laundry manageable, my floors swept and my kitchen clean.
5. A good relationship with the pediatrician (because we've paid their salaries the past 6 weeks).
6. Fresh flowers.
7. The first prediction of snow.
