Life Through the Lens// Animal Kingdom// Travel

We loved Disney's Animal Kingdom! It was such a fun day together... The animals, the ambiance, the shows... it was just a whole lot of fun!

The Highlights:

The Safari:

 Giraffes

Elephants

Leopards

Max was in awe. I was camera happy. 

Danny held his cool, but I think he loved it just as much;)

The Shows:

Finding Nemo the Musical

Lion King the Musical

I loved both of the shows! The performers were fantastic! It was so magical and fun! Max fell asleep during both shows, but we were completely captivated. 

The Rides:

Everest the roller coaster

Danny and I traded off watching Max while each of us took a turn going on the roller coaster. Total thrill ride! I couldn't stop smiling!

The Petting Zoo:

Oh my goodness... Max loved riding the train to the little petting zoo. 

He couldn't wait to open the gate and get right in there. 

The goats got a little feisty with one another and all the other children were afraid-- 

Max just stood right there in the middle of it, grinning ear to ear. 

He stood at the gate waving and saying "bye bye" to the animals when it was time to leave.

The Allergy-Free Food cart:

We were walking by and I glanced at the menu to see all gluten and dairy free items listed! 

I seriously felt like crying a little. 

Made my day. 

Thanks Animal Kingdom for a completely magical day!

Travel// Disneyworld// Part 1

There's a reason why they call it the MAGIC Kingdom. The magic is real. 

The music. The dancing. The lights... magic. 

The balloons. The cotton candy. The fireworks... magic.

The rush of excitement as the bell rings and the ride begins... magic.

The sparkle I saw in his eyes as the parade passed by... magic. 

Sharing the magic with my little one...

pure magic.

Project Life 2015 Creative Team// Weeks 1-2

I am so honored to be a member of Becky Higgins Project Life 2015 Creative Team! I just feel so blessed to share our stories with others who love Project Life too. It's such a perfect solution for me.

I love a good 12x12 scrapbook page. I worked as a professional scrapbooker for several years, and I still get giddy over a great new layout... but I just couldn't keep up-to-date with our stories in that format.

A few years ago I found myself lost in piles of photos, photos that I knew where meaningful in the moment I took them, but by the time I got to scrapbooking it, the memories had faded and I didn't really have the same enthusiasm about telling the story behind the moment captured... "Now when was this?" "I can't remember exactly what was so funny about this picture..." "Where were we again?"

You get the idea.

I will always love traditional scrapbooking, and it works great for special photos and creative ideas, but not my everyday memory keeping. Enter Project Life.

I found a perfect solution in Project Life, created by the oh so lovely Becky Higgins. Project Life makes it possible for me to tell the little day to day stories in an organized fashion while still letting me show my creativity with trendy pocket cards and the occasional embellishment. I just love printing my photos, tucking them away in those little plastic pockets and jotting down my memories while they are fresh. Because of Project Life the last three years of our family's stories are completely up to date! Stories that are so important to me and my little family.

So... I hope you join me this year for lots of fun inspiration and ideas about photography and documenting your memories with Project Life. I can't wait to share more!!

Products used:

Page Protectors Big Variety Pack number 1 design a and e

Good Times Value Kit.

Midnight Edition Core Kit

Coral Edition Core Kit

(Accessories) 4x6 ledger cards

Self Timer Series// Studio 5// TV Photography Tutorial

http://studio5.ksl.com/?nid=122&sid=32698840

One of the highlights of my December was the doing a photography segment on the lifestyle television show Studio 5. I shared some of my favorite tips for using the self-timer and other creative ways for moms to get in the picture... It's a topic I am passionate about!

As moms, we often hide behind the camera, but I want my son to know that I was there too! I want to capture the interactions between us and our relationship right now. A family picture once a year just doesn't tell a complete story... it doesn't adequately show our day to day lives, and that's what I really want to remember. The little moments: Playing cars, looking out the window, going to the park... just everyday Mom and Max moments.

Five tips to make the self-timer work for you:

1. Use a tripod or level surface. You can purchase a small flexible tripod that can easily fit in your camera bag or purse when you are on the go.

2. Set your focus by pressing the shutter down halfway and then switching the focus setting on the lens from auto to manual. This will assure that your focus is locked in and your photo will be nice and sharp.

3. Using natural light will create a properly exposed photograph and capture a soft flattering skin tone. 

4. Use a smaller aperture to keep more of the scene, and subjects, most importantly, in focus.

5. Take a multiple photos to be sure to capture everyone's best expression 

 

Other creative ways to get in the picture too:

1. Look for shadows, mirrors, or other reflective surfaces to capture an interesting perspective. 

2. You don't have to be entirely in the photo to capture a moment. Try using a wide angle lens and shooting from above to show your perspective. For example, capture yourself holding hands or walking with your little one.

3. Make it fun. My son loves hearing that beep beep beep as the camera counts down. 

4. Try using a remote shutter release instead of the self-timer to capture a series of poses. My son also thinks it's pretty fun to push the remote button!

 

Click on the link above to watch the segment with more tips and photo inspiration. 

Now go take some pictures with your family, yourself included!

Window Light// Playing Cars

We sit at the window and race cars all day, everyday. This is our right now, and I love it. I never knew how much I would enjoy playing cars, but when someone you love loves something, you learn to find the joy in it as well. I smile when I find his little cars tucked away here and there--in the kitchen cabinets, under the covers when I climb into bed at night, or in my purse when I reach for my wallet at the store... Just little reminders of the boy that I love so much.

Memory Keeping// Project Life

What do I do with all those photos I take? I print them. I write about our stories. When time and creativity permit I create traditional 12x12 scrapbook pages... but always, I can always find time and enthusiasm to put them in our Project Life album. As you may know, we didn't have Internet for a better part of the year, so I fell behind in posting my photos here, but I have kept up with our album and I am excited to share a look at our year in Project Life here again! These were just a few favorites that I had photographed... I'll be posting the rest in order.

Thanks for looking!

L

Life Through the Lens// Enjoy the Ride

That moment when he figured out how to ring the little bell on the front of the tricycle...  

Everyday he is learning, growing, and becoming more independent. 

Everyday I am learning, growing, and trying to give him opportunities to gain confidence. Part of parenthood is learning to let him enjoy the ride, being there to cheer him on, steering him in the right direction, and picking him up when he falls. 

Life Through the Lens// Self Portrait Series// Giggles

 Sometimes I set the self-timer and try to capture the little moments that show my life as Maxwell's mommy. We were lucky enough to spend a couple of days at the Grand America while Danny was on business--it was beautiful!  

These photos... you just can't pose smiles like that. I honestly tend to get nervous in front of the camera, but we were just having such a good time that I was completely relaxed and at ease. I look at these photos and I see myself... my best, real self. He makes me laugh. Deep, authentic, honest laughter. I love that about him. I love that I get to share these giggles and smiles with such a special little soul. I am so grateful to be Max's mommy, and I think these photos capture our relationship perfectly. So joyful.  

Life Through the Lens// Aberdeen Idaho

Some favorites from our camping trip to Aberdeen, Idaho for the annual Johnson family reunion. I think Max may be the cutest little camper there ever was. I may not love sleeping outdoors, but you can't beat views like this.