365 {6.30.11}

Today is Day 30, the LAST day of my 30 Day Photography Challenge...

"self portrait"

It is hard for the photographer to become the photographed, LOL!! But I don't mind having my picture taken. Since I am the memory keeper/picture taker of the family, I am usually the one snapping photos (mama~razzi) and documenting "life".

This is how you will usually find me after work or on the weekend~denim shorts, and a comfy t-shirt (minus the necklace~forgot to take it off from work today), I am all about comfort!!!



Wow!! These 30 days have been a lot of fun and FLEW by!! It was nice having a subject each day to photograph, but I have kind of missed "looking" for random things from my everyday life to blog about, LOL!!

365 {6.29.11}

Today is Day 29 of my 30 Day Photography Challenge...

"black & White"

Since I don't own a zebra...
This is what first came to mind when I was trying to think of something that was black and white~one of our many starbucks mugs.

365 {6.28.11}

Today is Day 28 of my 30 Day Photography Challenge...

"flowers"

As I have posted before...I do NOT have a green thumb!!! I received this orchid as a gift for my birthday (back in March), and SERIOUSLY cannot believe it is still alive!!

*my mom will be proud, LOL!!*

365 {6.27.11}

Today is Day 27 of my 30 Day Photography Challenge...

"from a distance"

Today right as Josh was leaving the house, I heard a lot of squawking coming from the front door area...Josh noticed a baby bird right next to our front door, but every time we went to move him back up to his nest~a couple of really LOUD, "angry" birds (LOL!! love that game, btw!) started to attack us. Let me just say~I definitely shot this photo from a "safe" distance, LOL!!





No worries though~Mike will go out and brave the loud birds to rescue the little baby~he is a softy like that!!

365 {6.26.11}

Today is Day 26 of my 30 Day Photography Challenge...

"close-up"

I knew that no one in my family would want me to do a close-up of them, LOL!! So the next best thing for a close up....the raspberries I bought last night (I grocery shopped on Saturday night~such an exciting life I live!!).



And with all my food photography...I ate them (plus a few more) when I was done~YUM!!

365 {6.25.11}

Today is Day 25 of my 30 Day Photography Challenge...

"something pink"

When I saw this challenge, I knew exactly what pink item I would use, my paparazzi shirt, LOL!! I think it is funny, but my family thinks it is TRUE *wink*



And I thought I would add a little camera "bling"~ I ordered this necklace thinking it would be smaller~I was greatly surprised when I opened the package to see how big it was.

365 {6.24.11}

Today is Day 24 of my 30 Day Photography Challenge...

"animal"

We have 3 cats and 1 dog (crazy, I know!!). Kodi is usually pretty good about doing photo shoots, but today he was a little tired, LOL!! (Kitty, Pete & Dewey were no where to be found).

Some days I think I would love to be a dog~but then I think about how they eat cat poop and I change my mind!!!

365 {6.23.11}

Today is Day 23 of my 30 Day Photography Challenge...

"sunflare"

Another fun technique is shooting directly into the sun (be careful not to look at it or you will see spots for a while, LOL!).

I shot a few this afternoon and these were my 2 fav's...

I could have combined yesterday and today, hands with sunflare!!



and another just for fun!!

365 {6.22.11}

Today is Day 22 of my 30 Day Photography Challenge...

"hands"



First off...Thanks to my AWESOME hubby for being my photographer once again!! He doesn't mind as long as I am not shooting him (with my camera, that is), LOL!!!

I am not a fan of my hands (or feet for that matter!!), but I am ok with photographing them, LOL!!!

365 {6.21.11}

Today is Day 21 of my 30 Day Photography Challenge...

"Faceless Self Portrait"

I was going to do my usual...which is, take a photo of myself in the mirror with the camera in front of my face, but I have done that soooo many times, I wanted something new and exciting!!!

I thought about it at work today and had an idea...but then, as I was walking into the house I spotted the yellow lid to the chlorine bucket, Viola', I got my sharpie pen and I was good to go!!!



This was my original idea (below), which I tried too (always good to have a back up plan, right?!). But the yellow lid was the winner :)



*thanks to my hubby for being my photographer~LOVE YA!

365 {6.20.11}

Today is Day 20 of my 30 Day Photography Challenge...

"Bokeh"

and for my non-photography peeps here is the definition of bokeh:

In photography, bokeh is the blur,or the aesthetic quality of the blur, in out-of-focus areas of an image, or "the way the lens renders out-of-focus points of light." Differences in lens aberrations and aperture shape cause some lens designs to blur the image in a way that is pleasing to the eye, while others produce blurring that is unpleasant or distracting—"good" and "bad" bokeh, respectively. Bokeh occurs for parts of the scene that lie outside the depth of field. Photographers sometimes deliberately use a shallow focus technique to create images with prominent out-of-focus regions

One of my first lessons in photography was learning how to shoot with a shallow focus, I thought that was the COOLEST thing ever!!! I loved blurring the background~it is still one of my favorite things to do!!!

365 {6.19.11}

Today is Day 19 of my 30 Day Photography Challenge...

"Something Orange"

I don't think I own anything orange!! Luckily my "POP" theme, Fathers Day centerpieces included some orange *smile*

365 {6.18.11}

Today is Day 18 of my 30 Day Photography Challenge...

"Your Shoes"

I wouldn't consider myself to be obsessed with shoes...but every time I buy a new pair my hubby thinks I am crazy, LOL!! Here is a view of my shoe rack inside my closet (don't look at the dusty ones, LOL!). Since we live in Arizona, and the weather has been Stinkin' hot...I mostly wear my sandals.



And most (NO ALL) of the time when I am home or running errands~you can find me sporting these $2.99 Old Navy flip flops :) what can I say...I LOVE to be comfortable!!! (and yes, I know that I am overdue for another pedi!!)

365 {6.17.11}

Today is Day 17 of my 30 Day Photography Challenge...

"technology"

I have to say that next to my camera, my iPhone is a close second (I really like my computer too) to my favorite piece of technology :) I upgraded to a smartphone a few months ago and I do NOT know how I LIVED without one for so long, LOL!!

The BlackBerry next to my phone is Mike's, but I think my iPhone is WAY better than his Blackberry, LOL!! And I threw my iPod (which is really outdated) into the mix, cause it is red and cute (which now stays docked in my craft room)!!

365 {6.16.11}

Today is Day 16 of my 30 Day Photography Challenge...

"long exposure"

This one was fun!! I used my tripod since the shutter would be open for such a long time~so don't mind the "deer in the headlights" look on my face, LOL!! I was concentrating!!



And yup, I am in the bathroom, since I needed a room without a window ;)

I used the Ambien CR pen light I got from one of the drug reps a few years ago (the perks of working for a Doctor's office, LOL!! Too bad they can't give out that "junk" anymore!!). It was buried in the bottom of my purse, I think this is the first time I have used it.

365 {6.15.11}

Today is Day 15 of my 30 Day photography Challenge...I can hardly believe that I am halfway done!! I have really enjoyed the challenges!!

"Silhouette"

Let me just say that today was Definitely a CHALLENGE!! I don't shoot many silhouette's!! I am usually trying to meter off the person so they are not underexposed, LOL!!

Big Thanks to my hubby for being my subject today~he didn't mind since he would be darkened (he is funny about getting his picture taken sometimes!!). He was a good sport and let me take about 30 shots until I got it "somewhat" right~thanks BABE!!!

365 {6.14.11}

Today is Day 14 of my 30 Day Photography Challenge...

"eyes"

I was hoping Josh would let me take a photo of his eyes~cause his are more blue than mine...but as you can see...he didn't want to be my Day 14 challenge, LOL!! He did however, take a picture of my eyes...THANKS Joshie!!! He is pretty darn good with the camera don'tcha think???



And on a side note, let me just say, I am so thankful for my photoshop skills; because after a long day at work in front of a computer...my eyes are TIRED!!! I didn't take out all the "bloodshot" in my eyes, but Photoshop helps me look a little LESS Tired!!!

365 {6.13.11}

Today is Day 13 of my 30 Day Photography Challenge...

"Yourself with 13 Things"

I thought about this one all day...I am not much of a collector of "things". I thought at first I would pull out 13 coffee mugs, because Mike and I do have quite a few of them, LOL!! But then in hit me!!! My little library of photography books~because they make me happy :)



*and special thanks to my favorite hubby for snapping this photo for me, so I didn't have to set up the tripod!!

365 {6.12.11}

Today is Day 12 of my 30 Day Photography Challenge...

"sunset"

I googled sunsetting times to make sure that I wouldn't miss it, LOL!!
Arizona's sunset is at 7:34 pm, you can find your local sunset time here (kinda cool!!).

Since we are surrounded by foothills, I drove over to Peco's Road to catch the sunset~and I was not disappointed!!!

365 {6.11.11}

Happy Saturday!!
Today is Day 11 of my Photography Challenge...

"Something Blue"

I really don't have many blue things around my house (Mike's toothbrush, Clorox toilet cleaner, Mike's cough drops~all not very exciting!!).

Last night Ashley and I went to Costco and I remembered that I bought some BLUEberries!! Viola'!!!



*and on a side note~Costco has the BEST fruit!!!

365 {6.10.11}

Day 10 of my 30 Day Photography Challenge is...

"Childhood Memory"

Since I am the total opposite of a "hoarder" I was a little worried I may not be able to scrounge up something, for today's challenge LOL!!! Luckily I am a tiny bit sentimental and don't throw out EVERYthing!!! Of course I cannot just post ONE photo, LOL!!

This is my very first stuffed animal "lamby" that I used to sleep with until I was probably 7-8 (maybe longer, I really cannot remember), so glad my mom kept it for me!! It has been stored in my antique trunk (with other sentimental goodies). I laughed when I looked at his mouth, cause I remember drawing it on after the little pink stitch came undone.



When I was in 4th grade (I think) at Woodstock Public School, we had a craft fair or craft week, where we could sign up for numerous things to learn/make. I remember how excited I was that I was in the plate making class (my craftiness started at a young age, LOL!!). I really cannot believe I still have this plate!!! it does have a few chips in it, and my kids always ask me why I used a lowercase "i" and "t" and I honestly cannot remember (I think it was a mistake and I just tried to make it work!!).



I am half Swedish, and my grandmother gave each one of her gradkids a Swedish horse~Since she passed away several years ago, I cherish all the things that I have from her!! She taught me so much!!



Last but not least...this was by far my all time favorite meal when I was a kid (unfortunately my mom rarely bought it for me, something about it wasn't healthy, LOL!!), on the rare occasions that we would have it~I would eat so much my belly would hurt (yup, somethings never change!!). When I got married and had kids, I made it quite a bit. Ashley and Josh used to love it too. Although now I can not even eat it~YUCK!! Homemade Mac & Cheese for me please!!!