Here I Come 2011: Resolutions and a Confession

 

I’m so ready for 2011!

Wedding!

The hope of become parents!

Another year doing a job I ‘m NUTS about!

I feel it in my bones…….

2011 is going to be a BIG year for us!

 

-One of my resolutions this year is to do a better job of journaling our day in day out life. As a photographer I’m sure your thinking I have tons of pictures of our outings, family events and so on but that couldn't be farther from the truth. I use my camera for work, blogging, and that’s about it. 

At the end of the day the last thing I want to do it edit more pictures or sit on my booty longer than I already have. I let this keep me from taking my camera along to different events. The thought of adding more images to the “TO Edit” list stresses me out!

I’m going to change that this year!!!!

 

*Below are the tools I’m using to aid me in my resolution of documenting 2011!*

Project Life: I haven't been this ga-ga over a product since my Keurig and as you know I’m in love with Mr. Keurig! No, I am in no way affiliated with Becky or her Project Life line I’m just nuts about it. I plan to take a open approach to my PJ Book. There may be some weeks that I take a picture a day. There may be some weeks that I don't. My goal is just to document our life! One of the MANY things I love about this product is that you can really make it what you want! It’s all about simplicity and documenting the things that matter most to you.

If you’re interested in learning more about Project Life I’ll include some links below.  

 

My Project Life kit is all set up and ready to go.
I’m starting today! Kent and I are being lazy and Parker has been playing with his new squeaky toy (ALL DAY) so I’ve taken a pic that tells the story of how we spent the 1st day of the new year!

 

 

 

One Line A Day Journal: I’ve kept a journal since I was in middle school but I seem to fall in and out of love with it. I did a much better job writing in it more often when I was younger but I now only visit it occasionally. A line a day seems like something that’s more doable. Quick, simple, and easy, right up my alley. If I’m having a day that I feel needs more than 1 line I can always write an entry in my normal journal. I love that it’s a 5 year log so I can look back and see what was on my mind 5 years ago.

Hummm wonder what my life will look like 5 years from now.  

I am in no way affiliated with this product just excited about it!

 

 I wrote my 1st entry today!
This is what I wrote: “If the sight of the blue skies fills your heart with joy, if a blade of grass springing up the fields has power to move you, if the simple things in nature have a message you understand, Rejoice, for your soul is alive.” – Eleanora Duse
(My all time favorite quote and a great thought for the new year!)

 

 

 

 

Now it’s time for my confession:

I’ve become a photography snob!

Everything must be prefect……..

lighting

settings on my camera

and so on………

I MUST take the perfect picture at ALLLLLL times.

When it’s not to my standards I beat myself up about it.

That can be a lot of pressure and often kills the mood when you’re trying to capture a raw moment. You should have seen me Christmas morning trying to get everything just right.  Having Kent reenact something he did because I didn’t have my setting correct the 1st time I snapped the shot. Upset that there wasn’t enough light. Whishing we had more windows in our living room. Kent telling me to just shoot in auto and use the flash….yes he said USE THE FLASH!

What in the word was he thinking? USE THE FLASH AND SHOOT IN AUTO. Uh I’m soooo above that!

This is where the snob part comes in.

Do you see where I’m going here?

I missed out on important moments because I was being a stuck up snob about getting the prefect shot.

I’m down right ashamed of my behavior!

I even put my camera away Christmas evening due to bad lighting. I was letting the “RULES” get in the way of capturing precious moments that I wanted to remember forever.

The good news is that I checked my behavior!

I had a heart to heart with myself (I have these often) I realized I was being silly and that some pictures can be just that……..pictures!

I got my camera back out and shot away……flash and all!

It’s was a bit freeing actually!

Not every image I take needs to speak to me. Sometimes it’s about the little things, the moments that make your heart sing. When you capture those moments the “settings” do not always have to be perfect, the image does not always have to be edited. It’s about freezing the moment in time.    

The rules are great!

I love the rules

and I will continue to apply what I choose while I’m working but when it comes to the other stuff……..

it’s okay to take a little breather, forget the rules and just shoot!

 

 

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Links about Project Life:

-Why I decided to go with PL: HERE
-What’s in the Kit: HERE 
-How to set it up: HERE
-How are others using it (vlog): HERE
-How are others using it part 2 Flicker Pics: HERE
-Where to buy it: HERE

A Line a Day Journal:

-If you too are interested in A Line a Day Journal I found mine HERE