52 week challenge - Weeks 1-8

One of my goals for 2015 is to get better with my photography so, in order to attain that goal, I decided to participate in a 52-week photography challenge. One picture a week for 52 weeks... Sounds simple enough! Well, leave it up to me to be behind on this already! I have allowed stuff the get in the way of what brings me some peace... I have a very intensive personality so I did not want this challenge to consume me but, I do have to work at it don't I??? I have!!!! I did 3 weeks worth today! I know, what a procrastinator right?!!! I will get better at this, I promise! Hey, I'm a work in progress :)

Week 1 - Self Portrait

Week 2 - Colorful 

This one was easy cause I like to wear color and since I was already wearing this dress:

And I'm feeling a little accomplished cause I've already done this week's challenge!!! YAY!

Week 3 - Close-Up

Week 4 proved to be a bit of a challenge... I was to take a Bokeh pic, which means 'out-of-focus points of light.' I took over 20 images before capturing the one I thought would work. Here's my Bokeh challenge:

Week 5 was easy for me cause all it required was Natural Light! All it meant was that I needed to go outside and use natural light on my picture... Let's see, I live in Florida and today was a beautiful 66 degrees for a high... Yep! Let's go outside PLEASE!!! The hubs and I went to one of our favorite spots in town, the Highlands Hammock State Park.

Week 6 was hands. I chose my niece, Kasey as my model because I was already using her as my model for one of my assignments for the photography class.

For week 7 the challenge was the color red. I chose one of my Adirondack chairs on our deck in the backyard. This place has brought me so much peace!!!!

Week 8 is a landscape photography and I chose this tree that I can see from my backyard. It's beautiful!

First actual gig!

So, although my husband and I have been taking pictures for a couple of months now, we hadn't considered doing so for people other than our families. That was until I shared with a dear co-worker of mine what new hobby I was enjoying lately... You see, she will be a grandma at the end of this month (first time grandma!!!) and she asked if I could do a Maternity Session with her son and his girlfriend. I was a bit reluctant to say yes but she is a pretty special friend and there was absolutely no way I was going to disappoint her! So, I volun-told my husband and set out on a Pinterest quest to find ideas for maternity pics and got some really good ones! Today was the day and, although I have to admit I was nervous, I had a blast!!!! The couple we photograph was just so adorable and sweet. My husband and I truly enjoyed our time with them! Here's a sneak peek at our work today. More to follow!!!! Hope you enjoy!

New year, new goals!

A new year has most people setting goals and I admit, I am one of those people! I would like to make 2015 my best year yet :) I have been blessed with very good years so I have no complaints. I do however look for ways to improve. I'm a work in progress kinda person right now... I'm not perfect but I'm not a hot mess either. One of the major things I would like to work on this new year is my photography. I bought myself a DSLR camera (Pentax K50) for my birthday this past October and have had lots of fun with it so far but I want to take my photography to the next level... I would like to share, through my lens, the peace that photography has brought me. My husband and I plan on taking a photography class at our local college that starts in a few weeks so that's my first step in improving my photography. I went online to look for 52-week photo challenges so we can learn more about how to use our cameras and how to work on editing as well and below you will find the one we chose. I hope you enjoy our our journey!

Sarasota Sailing Squadron

Last weekend my husband and I drove over to the Sarasota Sailing Squadron and here are a few pics that I was able to capture from that day. Hope you enjoy!

Another Photography Date Day in the books

My hubby and I went out yesterday on another Photography Date Day and are very pleased with the results. I hope you all are as well.

My Dad, Tato

Today marks the 18th anniversary of my father's untimely death. He was only 40 years old at the time and was the victim of a violent crime... He is missed by so many but no one misses him as much as his children do. The void his departure left will never, ever be filled. We were cheated out of so many things with him... So many experiences that were wiped away, right from under our feet, when he was taken.
I know in my heart that, had he been here today, he would be so very proud of each of us! Although we were forced to grow up without a father in the home, all of us have turned out to be pretty good individuals. I know he would have a smile on his face right now to know that his sons have turned out to be awesome men! That his daughters are both independent women who have made a pretty good career for themselves and have good heads on their shoulders. I know that!!!! Yet... I hurt... I weep for him... I yearn for another hug, another kiss, another chance at feeling his presence and hearing his voice. I am reaching the age he was when he passed away and hurt for him! I've got so much life ahead of me. So much to do! I can't help but ask the following questions: did he get enough time to reach his goals? Did he feel accomplished? But most importantly, did I show him how much I loved him? Did he know that his daughter looked at him as a role model? Did he know how much he meant to me?
I wish I would have had more time with him. More time to show him that I had what it takes to make it in this world... More time to talk to him on the days that I didn't feel like I would make it. But, that is not my story... My Dad was abruptly taken from me and I've had to brave the world without him. That's exactly why I'm so thankful for my Mother! She overcompensated and taught me to be a go-getter! She taught me that if you want something bad enough and are willing to sacrifice for it, you will accomplish any goal you set for yourself. I will miss my Dad until my last breath but, as a believer, I lean on Him to get me through on tough days like today. I trust in His plan and somehow it gives me solace.