52 Weeks of Me: Week 35 {Behind} & Week 36 {SOOC}

First off I still owe you a Night Shot. I had planned on getting a night shot with the boys while at Disney, that of course did not pan out. Each night at Disney we either did not make it till after dark or we looked exhausted. Let me tell you we had a great time but it wore us out. The boys actually fell asleep at dinner one night and we had to carry two sleeping kids out of the Magic Kingdom.



When it came to the prompt "behind" I took a cue from Jen. I started school, have a ton of work and a presentation to complete so I spend a lot of time behind this computer because I am very behind.







Now the SOOC I totally dreaded. I of course shot this wide open, hoping it would soften my skin.







Next weeks theme: Emotions/Expression - this could be fun.



Don't forget there is the Flickr Group and we also have all the themes posted there. Plus, if you want this cute blog button swing by Jessie's she has the code.

52 Weeks of Me: Week 33 {Hands}

How impressed are you that I am posting on Sunday for our 52 Weeks of Me Project???? Probably not as impressed as I am (LOL)! This weeks theme was hands. I think I've taken more pictures of my hands than my face in this project so far. This is a shot of me writing a postcard...you heard it, I am sending snail mail. I can't tell you who I am sending this to because I want it to be a surprise. Don't you love getting a card in the real mail? I had some postcards made for the Liberate Your Art Project, I will be posting more about that at the end of next week.





I also tried something a little different- not sure if I like it but I thought I would post it so you could see that I did try to think outside the box. I think my arms look weird, but I think I am looking at it too much. If you look closely you can see I am actually standing in the rain.







Next weeks theme: Night Shot - that's going to be a tough one(think, think, think)!



Don't forget there is the Flickr Group and we also have all the themes posted there. Plus, if you want this cute blog button swing by Jessie's she has the code.

52 Weeks of Me - Week32 {Negative Space}

This weeks theme was negative space. I love this photographic technique but found it really hard to do a selfie. I ended up finding a blank wall in the house and had to climb on top of the chair next to the fish tank. The hardest part was keeping the cat out of the shot. In reality she is in my lap, you just can see her. I also did a little cross processing because the gray color of my blouse did not look good against the green walls of the basement.







Next weeks theme: Hands -that should be easy for me (LOL)!



Don't forget there is the Flickr Group and we also have all the themes posted there. Plus, if you want this cute blog button swing by Jessie's she has the code.

52 Weeks of Me - Week 30 {I Love ...} & Week 31 {Leading Lines}

I know, I know, I am crazy behind. I even missed posting on Francesco's 5TH Birthday! You heard me, my boy turned 5! I do have something to post for him but I wanted to get this up as to not get even farther in the hole.

Week 30's theme was I Love..., all I had to do was take a self portrait that completed the sentence. Not easy. Then I realized one morning that all the things I loved were right in front of me. Now I know what your thinking, I am not in the shot, but I am. You see those two little guys, they are me, I see myself in them daily. One I see my face and one I see my personality. That big guy over there, I love him to the moon and back and would not have those two little guys without him. So if I had to complete the sentence I love...it would say: I love my boys!


Week 31's theme was Leading Lines. I love leading lines in a photo but found it super difficult to get a self portrait. I tried sitting on steps, standing down the end of a road and leaning against a wall. My biggest issue was the focus, I was always completely blurry. Then I tried to get closer and thought that this one worked. I took a walk at lunch and set the camera on a fence post. I had to use the timer since I left my remote home from all my prior attempts. I think you can see the leading line in there.


Next weeks theme: Negative Space - again another composition technique that I love but an not sure how to capture in a selfie.

Don't forget there is the Flickr Group and we also have all the themes posted there. Plus, if you want this cute blog button swing by Jessie's she has the code.

52 Weeks of Me - Week 29 {Shallow DOF}

This weeks theme was Shallow Depth of Field, I love photos that have the creamy background, I also like how the shallow DOF makes your skin look good. I found that holding the camera at arms length was easier than trying to use the tripod for this shoot. I was also inspired by Jen for my shot this week.



Next weeks theme: I Love..., take a photo that completes the sentence.

Don't forget there is the Flickr Group and we also have all the themes posted there. Plus, if you want this cute blog button swing by Jessie's she has the code.

52 Weeks of Me: Week 27 {At Work} & Week 28 {Faceless Portrait}

For the theme At Work/At Home Week I could not think of anything interesting to photograph. Even though I sit in front of a computer all day now my work is kind of interesting but on the surface it looks like I sit in front of a computer all day. I do occasionally do things the old fashion way and pick up a pen now and then to write things out. Sometimes I have to put thing on paper to make sense to me, that is the old "show your work" part of me. I am good at math but only on paper, I am not one of those people that can do it in their head.


For this weeks prompt, faceless portrait I decided to stop taking pictures of my hands. This is a necklace that I wear daily. I love jewelry but I never think of changing it to match my outfit. I am too busy trying to remember who needs what for the day, is it pizza day, share day, bring a soft toy to sleep with day or swim/splash day. All of that distracts me from the accessories. Someday I will accessorize more but for now this little infinity circle goes with everything. I wear it so much that if I don't have it on one of my boys will notice and ask where it is.



Next weeks theme: Shallow DOF (depth of field), time to break out the 50mm and shoot it wide (f/1.8).


As always I am so grateful to all who are participating! Don't forget there is the Flickr Group and we also have posted all the theme there (Thanks to Jessie for finishing them up). Plus, if you want this cute blog button swing by Jessie's she has the code.

52 Weeks of Me: Week 26 {Daily Object}

Woo Hoo, week 26! We are halfway through the year. It's been such a fun project to host with Jessie's. This weeks theme was Daily Object. I thought and thought about what would be my daily object, cup of coffee, iPad, laptop, toothbrush, blackberry, the list goes on. Then I thought of the thing I grab everyday as I walk out the door, my keys! I have them with me every day, now that is a daily object. I also think it is interesting the different thing people have on their key rings. Mine is pretty typical, a key fob, store cards and a little flashlight.


Next week theme is: At home/At work, this can be a good think out of the box one. I will probably procrastinate and come up with something very literal, but we shall see.

As always I am so grateful to all who are participating! Don't forget there is the Flickr Group and we also have posted all the theme there (Thanks to Jessie for finishing them up). Plus, if you want this cute blog button swing by Jessie's she has the code.

52 Weeks of Me: Week 23 {Connection}

This week theme was connection and I have never felt so connected to anyone the way I feel connected to my children. It's such a deep connection I can hardly find the words to describe it. I always knew I wanted to be a mother but I never knew just how close I would feel to my children. I feel connected to my husband but to my boys it's internal. I am certain that when they are teenagers they won't want to snuggle anymore. I am capturing this moment, when I feel the most connected to them, to remind me of this time.

The tie which links mother and child is of such pure and immaculate strength as to be never violated. ~Washington Irving

Next weeks theme is: Framing You, that could be fun and challenging.

I want Mitchelle to know that we are all praying for her husband and her family in this time of need.

As always I am so grateful to all who are participating! Don't forget there is the Flickr Group and we also have posted all the theme there (Thanks to Jessie for finishing them up). Plus, if you want this cute blog button swing by Jessie's she has the code.

52 Weeks of Me: Week 22 {Message/Little Reminder}

This weeks theme was message/little reminder, I thought it would be a great way to really think about what we needed to be reminded of or if there was something your really need to say. This is a message that I need to remind myself of often. There there are days that I am not sure and then there are days I am positive.



The first time I heard this statement was in a video essay for the MOM 2.0 Summit by Katherine Center.



Next weeks theme is: Connection - again a good one to get your creative thoughts going.

As always I am so grateful to all who are participating! Don't forget there is the Flickr Group and we also have posted all the theme there (Thanks to Jessie for finishing them up). Plus, if you want this cute blog button swing by Jessie's she has the code.

52 Weeks of Me - Week 21 {Catchlight}

I am amazed that I was able to get my photo done today, procrastination should truly be my middle name. Plus, I have a hard time getting the catchlight in a self portrait since I can't really see what I am doing. I used the tripod and the remote and had to sit on the kitchen floor near the glass door to accomplish this. I was almost sitting under the table and my husband a kids were just shaking their heads at me.



Next weeks theme is: Message/Little Reminder, all you have to do is make sure you have a message or little reminder to yourself in you picture. You could get creative with this one.

As always I am so grateful to all who are participating! Don't forget there is the Flickr Group and we also have posted all the theme there (Thanks to Jessie for finishing them up). Plus, if you want this cute blog button swing by Jessie's she has the code.

Also, I just read that Mitchelle and her family could use everyone's prayers as her husband has been diagnosed with Acute myelogenous leukemia (AML). I want her to know that I will be praying for him and keeping her in my thoughts.

52 Weeks of Me - Week 20 {Flare}

Since it had been raining almost non-stop for over a week here I was unable to get my FLARE shot last week. This morning we woke up to find the glorious sun just beaming through our windows. I knew I had to get my shot today. It came out better than I expected, especially since my baby wanted to be held while I was attempting a self portrait. I think I like the ones with them in them the best. I mean face it, they are just as much me as I am myself.



Tomorrow theme is: Catchlight, I find this hard to get on myself but I will try.


As always I am so grateful to all who are participating! Don't forget there is the Flickr Group and we also have posted all the theme there (Thanks to Jessie for finishing them up). Plus, if you want this cute blog button swing by Jessie's she has the code.

52 Weeks of Me- Week 19 {Ground Level}

This weeks theme is one of my favorite perspectives. Things look so different and interesting from the ground level. I love to capture my kids at play from this level so I thought I would play a little myself. Sidewalk chalk is a sign of spring to me. I love to come home to pictures and hopscotches in the driveway and then to have the rain clean them away so we can start all over again.



Next week theme is: Flare - another one of my favorites.

I finished my first semester last night and have taken the summer off, hopefully that will translate to more picture taking and time dedicated to fun project. Look for Jen and I to pick back up with Team-Up Thursday.

As always I am so grateful to all who are participating! Don't forget there is the Flickr Group and we are as always open for theme suggestions. I am going to try and come up with a few more in the next few weeks. Plus, if you want this cute blog button swing by Jessie's she has the code.

52 Weeks of Me - Week 17/18 {Multiple Exposure/ Rule of Thirds}

I know I have been such a bad host these last few weeks. One more hairy week of school and I am taking a break for the summer. I did make sure to get both shots for this week and last. I totally knew what I wanted to do but couldn't find the time. I saw that a bunch of you had the same idea. I loved everyone shots! I want to do a few multiple shots of my boys if I could get them to sit still for at least a few.
Here is my Multiple-Exposure shot:



This weeks was theme was the Rule of Thirds. This is one of my favorite photography rules that I try to use regularly. I had to turn the photo b&w due to being in the powder-room mirror. The white balance in the bathroom is awful.



Next weeks theme: Ground Level - I love this angle.

Thanks again to all those who are participating! Don't forget there is the Flickr Group and we are as always open for theme suggestions. Plus, if you want this cute blog button swing by Jessie's she has the code.

52 Weeks of Me - Week 16 {Motion} & Week 15 {Out of Focus}

This weeks theme was Motion. I really had a hard time with this theme. It may have been easier if I had someone else to take the shot but I am really trying to do this on my own. I tried with the timer to get my self walking but I had a hard time "timing" it. I kind of like what I got but really wanted more motion.


Last weeks theme was Out of Focus. Which seems to be the theme of my life right now. I feel like such a bad host of this project not getting my post up last week. To be honest, I might not be blogging all that much in the next few weeks. I am coming to a really busy time in my school work, can you say research paper (ugh!)?


Next week theme is Multi-Exposure; I really want to have fun with this one.

Thanks to all those who are participating! Don't forget there is the Flickr Group and we are as always open for theme suggestions. Plus, if you want this cute blog button swing by Jessie's she has the code.

52 Weeks of Me - Week 14 {Under Exposed}

This weeks theme was Under Exposed and I so wanted to think out side the box, but sadly I ran out of time. I am spread a little thin lately, if only I was truly thin (LOL). To be perfectly honest I just took this picture less than an hour ago after I finally got 5 secs to take it. I had a really tough time with the focus since I had the light off and I was under exposing the shot. I would have done better with the theme for next week, out of focus.



Next weeks theme: Out of Focus, that should have been this weeks theme.

Thanks to all those who are participating! Don't forget there is the Flickr Group and we are as always open for theme suggestions. Plus, if you want this cute blog button swing by Jessie's she has the code.

52 Weeks of Me - Week 13 {Over Exposed}

When I thought of the theme Over Exposed I used the analytical part of my brain, as I often do and did just that. I took a photo that I purposely overexposed. I liked the results, I think it came out okay, it fit the theme. I however have forgotten lately that this project is an attempt for me to put that analytical mind away an think outside the box. I saw Corey's post this morning and was blow away by her interpretation of the theme. I was extremely impressed by her honesty and courage to post her shots. Thanks Corey!



Next week theme: Under Exposed, let see if I can put the analytical brain away for this one. Time will tell, or may just run out in my case.

Thanks to all those who are participating! Don't forget there is the Flickr Group and we are as always open for theme suggestions. Plus, if you want this cute blog button swing by Jessie's she has the code.

52 Weeks of Me - Week 12 {Texture}

This weeks theme was Texture. I really wanted to find a texture and put myself in front of it. I did find and old building that I pass on my way home but never had the opportunity to stop. I then thought I would lay down in the tall grass behind my house to use the grass as a texture. My husband warned me of getting full of ticks so I decided against it. I finally settled on adding the texture to the photo.



Next weeks theme: Over Exposed - that should be easy for me (LOL).

Thanks to all those who are participating! Don't forget there is the Flickr Group and we are as always open for theme suggestions. Plus, if you want this cute blog button swing by Jessie's she has the code.

52 Weeks of Me - Week 11 {Silhouette}

This weeks theme was Silhouette, I was hoping to get on of my boys in the photo but Go Diego and Wonder Pets takes precedence over looking at the deer in our back yard. Our house backs up to a wooded and tall grass area that a herd of deer live in. Some days they are just laying in the grass and sometimes just passing through. It neat to see the fawns get bigger and bigger as time goes by. I spend a lot of time in my kitchen and thought that would be the appropriate shot for my silhouette. Pixel of course was with me, she is my shadow, she goes where I go around the house.



Here is just a few (9) of the herd that we see regularly. There's at least two other males that you don't see in this photo.


Next week theme: Texture (I'm really going to need to think about this one) do you add the texture or do you find the texture? Think, think, think.

Thanks to all those who are participating! Don't forget there is the Flickr Group and we are as always open for theme suggestions. Plus, if you want this cute blog button swing by Jessie's she has the code.

52 Weeks of Me - Week 10 {New Angle}

This weeks theme was New Angle. I tried a lot of different angles and some I liked and some I was like "NO WAY!" I decide to see things from Nicolo's angle at the table. I put the camera right where he sits. Now I know what he sees.



Next weeks theme: Silhouette

Thanks to all those who are participating! Don't forget there is the Flickr Group and we are as always open for theme suggestions. Plus, if you want this cute blog button swing by Jessie's she has the code.

52 Weeks of Me - Week 9 {Shadow}

I thought Shadow was a fun theme, I really wanted to get my kids in the shot but they were having way to much fun playing hopscotch to be bothered by a picture. I swear spring is around the corner, we were outside without coats, chalking up the driveway and enjoying a Sunday afternoon.
I did not get my shot until today due to the world-wind number of events going on. Okay, it may not be world-wind, but it feels like it to me. We had the whole family over yesterday which was nice, but busy. Today we signed Francesco up for Kindergarten...I almost cried, but I held it together. Before I know it Nicolo will me potty trained...a girl can dream.



Next weeks theme: New Angle, I know many of you will rock this one!

Thanks to all those who are participating! Don't forget there is the Flickr Group and we are as always open for theme suggestions. Plus, if you want this cute blog button swing by Jessie's she has the code.