{Project 26 - 'jumping for joy!'}

For this weeks Project 26 I thought about the theme and was instantly reminded of our Mexico trip last year.  Since we're getting ready to go again I thought I'd post some pictures of the kids jumping in the waves last year.  My kids are so excited to go to Mexico each year they start packing weeks in advance.  This year I've convinced them to start with a packing list before tearing their rooms apart in an attempt to pack.  I think I have held them out so far - fingers crossed ;-)

Please be sure to click on all of the links to complete the circle of these talented ladies I get to meet with (virtually) on every Project 26 day.  Jessica Deane is one of my favorite photographers...check out her vision for this weeks theme.

{Announcing a Beginner Photography Workshop!}

I'm thrilled to announce a new workshop I will be teaching in late October.  The talented Stephanie Moore and I will be teaching a workshop for beginners called 'Bloom Basics'.  This workshop is aimed at teaching the basics of photography and how to confidently shoot in manual mode while achieving the end result you desired in your final image.  We'll walk you through all the technical aspects of shooting in manual mode, include video demonstrations, details on uploading and editing your image, and so much more.  Our workshop is for those who want to take better photos and understand how to properly operate all aspect of your DSLR camera and/or  those who want to eventually have their own photography business.   Please read the details below and well as the Q&A at the bottom.  I'm so excited to meet you all.  NOTE:  Seats are limited and sign-ups begin in NOW.  E-mail Stephanie at stephanie@stephaniemoorestudios.com to reserve your seat today. Thanks!! 

{Project 26 - 'throw back'}

It's that time already again!!  Project 26 and the fun theme of 'throw back'.  This theme can be taken in soooo many different directions.  I wasn't sure which way to go with it but I thought this recent session I did for FaithWorks4U  was the pretty fitting for this post.  I have many more from the is session that I'll be showing you in a separate blog post but I wanted to incorporate a couple of fun outtakes into's Project 26.   This was such a fun shoot. The kids, Jeff and I went to a local candy store - we explored, discovered and had so much fun.  The kids want to go back every weekend  and stock up on taffy and 'Zots' (remember those?), look at the cool vintage toys and gadgets and do some more photo booth pictures. I'm so glad they still have photo booths that are like the ones we used to use as kids - total throwback.  I think I need one for my house - my kids wouldn't get out of it.

Anyway, be sure to click through the rest of the circle and see the other talented photographers and their vision on this weeks theme.  Jessica Drossin won't disappoint with her post here.

{Project 26 - '1,000 Words'}

So we've all heard the saying 'a picture is worth a 1,000 words'.  And it's so true.  It may be cliche but it has deep meaning in many cases.  There were so many pictures I wanted to pull from prior weeks but I tried hard to use pictures from this week.  This week the kids and I built a fun 'living room' fort.  All I had that was light weight was 'white' and we grabbed several pillows to make it comfy and it turned out a quite girly unintentionally.  We have a 'feminine' look throughout much of our house when it comes to accessories so this is about as neutral as it gets lol.  But Ty was a great sport grabbing grey pillows from the couch and mustard pillows from the play room.  It was cozy at least. For homework each day I like the kids to read in a quiet spot, so Ty and Brielle ran to the fort to read.  Ty has read the Harry Potter series but Brielle hasn't so he started reading them to her.  Anyway, I thought this moment was fitting for this week's theme.  Reading in a magical fort - how much fun is that?!   All in all we had a blast building this and the kids haven't  wanted to take it down.  Brielle wants to sleep in it this weekend - the ground is super hard so I don't know how long she'd last.  But a family slumber party for a few hours in the front room could be fun.  I wish we could leave this up permanently too.  I'm sure we'll build more fun forts. My kids can't get enough of them!

Oh and guess where I found Brielle this morning when I went to wake her up for school?  She loves it.

After scrolling through this post click here to continue the circle. Jessica Drossin is full of creativity and I'm sure she'll have some amazing eye candy for us.  :)

{Project 26 - 'It's time to reflect'}

This project theme came at a really good but busy time.  Three days ago my baby girl turned 7.  There was a lot of reflecting on the day she was born as well as fond memories of her being super little.  We had an amazing day celebrating Brielle.  Now that she's 7 she wants her ears pierced.  So this weekend guess what we'll be doing?  Yes, she's growing up.   Below are some pics of little B when she was super little.  I love Brielle and Tyler's interaction and closeness... I hope they're always this close.  Happy 7th Birthday to my sweet little Brielle.  I love you!

And taken yesterday at our spontaneous day trip to Sedona.  I snuck this shot in of Ty and B catching fish with their hands.

The other girls in the circle will have their posts up soon (its summer time - very busy) so check back again for their links :)

{Project 26 - 'color my world'}

Wow, what a whirlwind few weeks.  My babies left to go on a 3 1/2 week adventure up the west coast with their Granparents in their RV.  Yes, that's not a typo - almost 4 weeks.  I miss them tons.  It's strange not having them here with me each day.  :(  A big part of my inspiration has left and that's hard on this momma.  But I'm keeping busy with the overwhelming number of house projects/to do's we have on our list.  So, when I was reviewing the theme for this week's project 26 my heart fell a little.  Why?  Because my kids 'color my world' and they aren't here with me.  My world is muted right now without them.  So I brainstormed and thought and finally found some 'color in my world'.  Some I couldn't photograph - like me and my husband.  No, not in that way.  I just didn't have the time to photograph us together.  That's the one thing that's been wonderful about Jeff and I being 'childless' right now - we're completely dating again.  We can have uninterrupted conversations at dinner.  There's time to be silly, light-hearted, work on projects together, have quiet talks where we can stare into each others eyes- then burst out laughing,  and reconnect like we should.  In that sense it's been amazing.  I'm trying to take advantage of the positives.  As I'm trying to organize I keep running across Brielle's art.  She'd be happy with just a pile of paper and drawing tools.  I melt every time I go through a stack of things and find her sweet work.  FaceTiming and having grandma text pictures of the kids to me each day has been a treat.   In that sense there still 'color IN my world'.

Please continue through the circle - one of my favorite photographers is up next.  Valeria Spring of The Red Balloon Photography - pure inspiration!

{Project 26- 'it's a good day for a picnic'}

This weeks project was so fun to work on.  My kids just left on an exciting road trip for 4 weeks (that's right, it's not a typo - 4 weeks).  Yeah, my heart hurts.  I had a hard time agreeing to the trip since it's so long away.  But finally I gave in...sad as that made me.  But I'm trying to think of the fun they'll have and the memories they're making.  I just can't wait to have them in my arms again.  Anyway, we squeezed this shoot in just before they left.  They had a ball doing this.  We were getting chased by bees (um, lots and lots of them) and the ants were loving us...we didn't reciprocate the love.  So we worked quickly on this shoot an the kids helped with ideas and set up  every step of the way.  There are so many more pictures to go through but I'm already late in getting this post up so I'll start with these dozen and maybe add more later.  Don't forget to go around the circle (we're all late in posting so some links might now work right away) and check out what some of the other talented ladies in our group posted today.  Jessica Drossin always posts beautiful eye candy.

{a taste of Fall & a hint of late summer - Boho Style}

Oh yes, I've teamed up again with 2 of my longtime favorite designers.  I've been working with these two for over 5 years now!  I can't believe it.  And they still amaze me with their creativity and talent.  Kait Emerson Designs newest collection are great for late summer and early fall - the Boho Collection!  I simply love this boho style and screamed with excitement when I got these in the mail!  I can't say enough about Melissa of Nuxiemade {designer of the beautiful crochet hat shown} and Feanna of Kait Emerson Designs.  I love you ladies!  Check out these fun styles below and be sure to check out their shops {links on their names} and Facebook pages - Kait Emerson Designs Facebook Page    Nuxiemade's Facebook Page

{Project 26 - 'just me'}

Eeps!  It's time for another project 26 and this one was a tough one.  It's supposed to be a picture of me.  I struggle with being in front of the camera.  I'm not comfortable at all and in fact if I see a camera pointed in my direction I usually duck and hide.  I'm that fearful of being on the other side of the lens.  I wish I could get over it since I know my kids and someday grandkids will want to know who I was and what I looked like.  But still...I struggle.  So last night I finally did it...I got my iPhone out and my DSLR and stood (or sat) for a moment in front of the camera. This is 'just me'. Oh and yes, those are my scary feet...they are in need of a pedicure but I'm too cheap to get one. ;-)  and my feet are all banged up from years of abuse wearing heals. lol  Note:  these pictures break so many rules so please don't hate.    Oh and continue on to the circle and see what the other girls have posted - Jessica Drossin is sure to amaze.  The circle may be light today but should be larger in the next few days since summer makes it hard for some to post right away.

{'The August Collaboration' - revealed}

I've had to keep this project quiet for months and today it's finally been revealed!  It started with an idea....that of Lexi Vornberg's from Lenses & Lemonade.  It turned into a work of art all surrounding a crown traveling around the country  and into the hands of  15 different photographers, each with a unique and artistic vision. I'm flattered and humbled to be a part of this talented group in presenting this unique, creative project.  Below are some images that I captured and one or two that I didn't include in the magazines' final production.   At the end of this post you'll see a link-image to the magazine, please look through the electronic book to see the vision of everyone included in this amazing project.  Thank you Lexi for asking me to be a part of this amazing compilation of visual art.

http://issuu.com/lexivornberg/docs/the_august_collaboration_upload/3