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Share Six | Growth

I feel like a broken record as I say it every month, but my goodness! Time flies! How is it that we are already in April?!? I’m not complaining though. I’m loving the fact that everything is turning from brown to green, and that the windows are open and we can breath in fresh air.

This month’s theme at Share Six is Growth. As usual, I had several ideas on how I could possibly interpret this theme….I could show the growth I have experienced in my photographic skills, I could somehow show the growth I’ve experienced personally (especially this last year), I could show my children’s growth (my 14 year old son is now taller than me!! How did that happen?!?!), but I ended up going with the more typical interpretation though and photographed some of the beautiful plants that are budding and growing.

Several years back, I was given a TON of hostas. It was a huge blessing as we were able to do some pretty landscaping around our deck and in the front of our house. Every spring they are one of the first plants to break through the ground. So seeing their little points sticking up out of the soil is very exciting for me. It means beautiful weather is on its way.

This year, in the flower bed in front of our house, a lone daffodil bloomed. I’m quite confused as I never planted one there, but it is a lovely surprise. I’m not sure if someone planted it there to surprise us, or what, but it’s absolutely beautiful.

We have a lilac bush out front that my husband gifted to me a few years back and it has buds all over it. I can’t help but get excited at the thought of the sweet lilac aroma that will soon fill the air!

What with all of the warm weather, the grass has started to grow and the distant hum of lawnmowers has begun.

Last but not least, these are my irises beginning to grow. I love how the light was illuminating the rims of the leaves!

Thanks so much for stopping by!! We greatly appreciate you checking out our blog circle. The amazingly talented Janet Douglas is up next. To check out her blog post, click HERE!!

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Share Six | Frozen

Until the last few days it’s been a frozen tundra here in the Midwest. Almost every week we got dumped with snow, and with temperatures staying well under freezing, the snow had no chance to melt. This made for perfect conditions in which to do my favorite cold weather activity: hike to the ice falls. Last winter we didn’t really have a long enough cold stretch to completely freeze the creeks and falls, but this winter we did. It was so great to get outside and see the falls!!

One of my favorite things about the ice falls is the color of the ice when the sun is shining through them.

This next picture is from a series of pictures I took of my daughter. It was snowing the most beautiful big, fluffy flakes, so we hurried out to our backyard to grab some pictures.

My next image is of a beautiful snow covered tree that was illuminated by the street light. I spotted it as I was driving into my daughter’s school’s parking lot one evening on the way to pick her up from theater rehearsal. It stopped me in my tracks and I had to get out and get a picture of it.

This next image I took a few weeks ago when I decided to take a drive down to the river to enjoy the sunset.

We have woods behind our neighborhood, so after the most beautiful snowfall that left our neck of the woods looking like Narnia, my son and I had to go explore the winter wonderland. The snow didn’t last long as the temperatures were too high, but it was absolutely stunning while it lasted.

These last two images are a little throwback to previous Share Six challenges. They were two of my favorite images, and what with the theme, I couldn’t help sharing them again.

Thanks so much for stopping by!! Next up is Janet Douglas. You won’t want to miss her amazing images!! Click HERE to see them, and then continue on through the blog circle to see all of our other talented contributors’ interpretations.

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Share Six | Details

Well, what an interesting year 2020 was! While for many people it was a terrible year, I tried to have a positive outlook on it. I hoped that by people having to stay home, it would bring families together and would cause people to slow down and notice their neighbors. While I don’t think that happened as much as I hoped it would, I do believe that it did happen for some people.

This past year I tried to focus more on living in the moment. Those of you who have been following along with my blog posts have noticed that a lot of my blog posts this year have been pictures I’ve taken with my phone. See, while photography is still my passion, it’s also my business. So when I’m not doing sessions or houses, I want to be living in the moment. I don’t want to be focused on dialing in my settings on my camera or getting that “perfect” shot. I want to soak in every detail of my life by simply living it. So I find that I’m whipping out my phone to snap a few pictures, and then I put it away and just revel in the moment. I mean, I want to document the memories, but I also don’t want to be so busy documenting them that I’m not living them. As much as I love photography, I really don’t want to always view my life through a lens. It’s just not the same as being completely present and watching things with your naked eyes.

So, once again, I have decided to share some photos I’ve taken with my phone. They aren’t going to win any awards, but they will most certainly bring more lasting enjoyment to me than any award could ever do. For they are a visual reminder of precious, fleeting moments….moments I will only get to live once.

My son has been doing backflips on our trampoline for quite some time now. I’m in awe of how brave he is. I’ve always been too scared to try to flip. This is one of the many details of his childhood that I want to document.

Late spring we decided to camp in our backyard. I strung lights in the tent to give it an extra cozy and fun atmosphere. This was yet another memory I wanted to etch in my mind and document.

We social distanced for a week during the summer at our favorite remote little cabin. The sun and the water did us all some good.

After getting dumped with the most beautiful snow last week. My son took on a project. He made himself a snow tunnel complete with a window and a door.

In high school, my friends and I loved going sledding in the evenings. The hills were normally empty and there was something cool about sledding in the dark. So my kids got the idea they wanted to sled after dark, so we made it happen. I’m all about making memories. It was a super foggy night as well, so we brought headlamps too.

Since we got the most beautiful snow, ice and fog frost, it has been a most breathtaking winter wonderland here. So my daughter and I decided to go out and try to get some pretty pictures. While primarily looking at landscape style shots I could compose, my eyes kept coming back to this tree and the ice that had encased it…such a lovely winter detail.

As usual, I hope you enjoyed my take on this month’s theme. Head over to Janet’s blog, by clicking HERE, to see her awesome interpretation! And be sure to make your way through the entire circle. You won’t want to miss all of the amazing images!

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Share Six | Traditions

I chose the theme this month and I decided to go with Traditions. I’m actually not sure why I chose that theme for this time of year when our normal traditions haven’t even begun yet. Then it dawned on me that I don’t have to go with the normal holiday traditions, surely we have other traditions that I could photograph. So I decided to choose photos from our family tradition of vacationing in the Northwoods of Wisconsin.

My parents took me up there for the first time when I was 8. My dad had vacationed at a little rustic resort there throughout his childhood, and he wanted to take us there as well. Those little cabins quickly became a home away from home for me. With the resort having 6 cabins and a house that you could rent out, extended family often came with us as well.

Upon arriving to the Northwoods, you are met with the light sent of pine on the air. The sound of kids’ laughter echoes over the lake and up through the trees. The screen doors of the cabins swing closed quickly causing a slam that echoes through the trees as well. Sandy gravel is all over, so each step you take you hear the gravel crunching beneath your shoes. When you step into the cabins a slight musty smell mixed with cedar meets your nose. The resort is nestled deep into the Northwoods away from cell service. There are no TVs in the cabins either. It is truly an unplugged vacation in which you are immersed in nature. It is one of my favorite traditions!!

From spending our days out on the lake, to our evenings enjoying popcorn and playing pool in the lodge, to ending our nights out gazing at shooting stars and the Milky Way out on the dock, this tradition is one that will be near and dear to my heart. It holds so many amazing memories of precious time spent with family in the one of the most amazingly beautiful places.

Thanks so much for stopping by to see my interpretation!! Head on over to Janet’s blog to see her amazing images by clicking HERE!!

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Share Six | Books

Another month another theme. Here we are in October already. Share Six’s theme is Books. When brainstorming on what I wanted to do, I thought back to my take on this same theme for I Heart Faces years ago. That blog post is HERE.

This time I did a variety of shots. I know my style of photography is all over the place, but that is because I truly want to master lots of kinds of photography. Art is all about emotion, I truly feel that how an image is composed and how it is lit can truly affect the emotion of the image. I feel that different images call for different “styles”.

For the first two shots, I used some vintage books. I kind of have a thing for old books. It worked out perfectly because a week ago I was gifted two vintage music books. So I coupled them with my grandmother’s piano book as well as a few other musical items.

The second shot is of a vintage horticulture book I picked up for 25 cents at a library sale.

For these last 4 images I decided to go a completely different route. I played with some flash as well. I thought it would be fun to create some abstract images.

I hope you enjoyed my take on this month’s theme! I really enjoyed this one. I actually want to take some more images on the theme.

Continue on through the circle by heading over to Michele’s blog by clicking HERE to see her talented take on this month’s theme!!

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Share Six | Colors

I know I say this almost every month, but I can’t believe it is a new month already. I can’t believe that we are two thirds of the way through the year. And boy has it been a year!

Surprisingly, I have been super busy, so this month I am pulling some pictures I took with my phone, I do believe that the best camera is the one you have with you. I also didn’t do six pictures but it’s going to have to do. I am just too busy right now.

Thanks so much for stopping by! Head on over to Janet’s blog by clicking HERE. You won’t want to miss her amazing images!

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Annika | Class of 2021

Despite this whole pandemic, I’ve managed to have an amazing summer with amazing opportunities. I was privileged to photograph several seniors as well.

In July we traveled to rural Kentucky to visit our family at their lake house nestled in the woods. About 20 minutes into our road trip I get a call from my aunt asking if I, by any chance, had my camera with me. They wanted me to do the kids’ senior pictures. Thankfully I did have my camera with me.

So, that Sunday we decided to do Annika’s session. It was 95 degrees and there was barely a cloud in the sky. They weren’t terribly familiar with any locations to do the session, and me, being from Illinois, definitely didn’t know the area at all. So I did a little research and we came up with a rough plan, but mostly we just winged it, driving through the countryside looking for any scenic spots.

We started out at the base of the Nolin River Dam. The river was a beautiful emerald green, and the mist coming off of the river was very refreshing.

We walked up to a pathway overlooking the water coming out from the base of the dam. Despite there being no shade up there, we were lucky enough to get even more mist.. Right as we were doing some jumping shots a huge spray of water came up over the walkway.

Then we walked down to the boat ramp and got some pictures down there. I had Annika stand in the water for a few pictures. She was shocked at how cold it was and insisted we come feel it. It was like ice. So we quickly grabbed a few shots before her feet went numb.

Next up, we headed to Nolin Lake State Park in search of some wild flowers. Unfortunately we didn’t find what we were looking for there. We did however see a field on the way. So on the way back we stopped. I ran up to the house and explained our situation and asked if we could grab a few photos in the field. He was the sweetest guy and said we could take pictures anywhere on his property.

I have to say, Annika is one gorgeous and sweet lady. She is spunky and has a great sense of humor. Between the heat, getting sprayed at the dam, freezing her feet off, hiking through the woods barefoot to find some amazing (wasn’t so amazing after all) waterfall (her shoes weren’t conducive for hiking), then changing outfits in a barn, she was such a trooper. I think we made some memories we won’t quickly forget.

Last up, we decided to get some pictures of her doing one of her favorite things to do – wake surf. I was thoroughly impressed. I have no coordination and couldn’t even imagine myself surfing. Annika looks like a natural out there though.

Thank you, Annika for asking me to do your senior photos. I had an amazing time with you! I wish we lived closer as I’d love to spend more time with you.

Thanks so much for stopping by and checking out Annika’s senior session!! If you’re wanting to get your senior pictures done during the summer, you’d better schedule your session ASAP. Summer is quickly fading and fall will be here before we know it. I’d love to get some awesome pictures for you!!

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Share Six | Refresh

This month’s theme is refresh. Since I have been absolutely swamped with sessions, I decided to use some very old photos that I took back in 2010. These were back near the beginning of my photography journey. As you can see, I used too narrow of a depth of field and too slow of a shutter speed, but you know what? I LOVE them. They documented my kids at an age that was so much fun. I don’t ever want to forget how much fun they had that day.

It was a hot summer day and the kids were enjoying jumping in the puddles. I think the cool water splashing on them was refreshing.

As photographers we can be so hard on ourselves. Sometimes we need to look back on old pictures we’ve taken and refresh our memories on how far we have come. Plus, as parents we can sometimes use a little refreshing of our memories of how little our kids once were and how much fun we had. I think that’s one of my favorite things about photography – the images we take serve to refresh our memories of special moments we experienced in the past.

Thanks so much for stopping by!! Head on over to Lynne’s post by clicking HERE and see her fantastic pictures!

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Share Six | New

This month’s theme over at Share Six is new.

So what with COVID, I haven’t had much motivation to get out and take pictures with my real camera. However, we’ve had the fortunate opportunity to take a vacation to a secluded cabin in the Northwoods and another one to my aunt and uncle’s lake house in Kentucky.

Since I have had many chances to get out on my kayak this year, I decided I would post pictures I have taken with my phone while kayaking in new places. The fun thing with kayaking is that I’ve been trying to get more creative with my phone photography since my phone is all I take with me on the kayak. So here are six pictures I have taken at new places involving kayaking.

This first picture is at our home away from home in the Northwoods. It’s on the lake we stay at.

My next image is from a neighboring lake near where we vacation.This image is one where I was trying to be extra creative with my composition. So I was leaning over the kayak with my phone almost touching the water. This is me kayaking on Lake Superior. It was an overcast day and I like how the water almost blended into the sky.This image was one I took from my kayak while my daughter and I were paddling down a river in our hometown.This last one was actually taken with my good camera. I wanted to capture the Milky Way while I was on the lake in my kayak. So I put the camera on a tripod on shore and got my camera settings all set

Thanks so much for stopping by. I hope you enjoyed my interpretation of this month’s theme. Head on over to Sharleen’s blog to see her interpretation.

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Share Six | Simplicity

This month’s theme over at Share Six is Simplicity. I actually kind of find it fitting for the current global situation.

Growing up I read lots of books set in the Victorian era. I was absolutely in love with that time period. I craved its simplicity. Obviously those days were not without the busyness of great responsibilities, nor were they without the perils of disease and death. Yet, people seemed to know how to find joy in the simple things. Maybe it’s because they had to, but I don’t think that’s a bad thing. I think so many people today have no ability to find joy in the small things. They chase after the next greatest “toy” or the next greatest experience….never satiated for more than a few hours. Somewhere along the line, I learned that that is a recipe for disaster and unhappiness.

I thank my parents for teaching me and encouraging me to find joy in the mundane. I learned how to be content just looking out the car window. I could find joy in finding a cloud shaped like an animal. I could find joy gazing at the rolling hills passing by. I could be mesmerized by the rows of corn seemingly crawling by. I found joy listening to the beautiful songs of the birds while swinging in the swing. The warmth of the sun permeating my skin on a hot day gave me goosebumps and could make a bad day feel better. Things as simple as the sound of the wind blowing through the trees, and the echo of a loon’s call over the surface of a lake fill my soul with complete joy.

I hope to teach my children how to find joy in the simple things. Because if they know how to do that, they will have pretty happy lives. Unfortunately parents these days have a few things to contend with, and the first one is technology. I got a fortune cookie a while back and it read “Technology is the art of rearranging the world so that we don’t see it.” It really stuck with me. Now of course, I am a huge fan of technology. Photography is one of my passions. I love the amazing things and opportunities that technology has afforded us, BUT it is highly addictive. It has come to rob us of the wonderful life experiences that are right in front of our eyes. It distracts us from the incredible sights and sounds that adorn the world around us. It takes us away from the very people right in front of us. I know I am guilty of ignoring my children and husband sitting right beside me, in exchange for some “interesting” thing on my phone. Yet, what could be more interesting than the people I love so dearly?!?

The second thing parents have to contend with is busyness. We are told we need to give our children the best lives possible…that we need to produce well rounded children by enrolling them in every extracurricular activity possible. We need to set them up for success. I would argue that we are setting them up for failure by filling their schedules to the brim. We are eliminating family time. We are eliminating boredom, and we should all realize that boredom gives birth to creativity. We are teaching our children that life is all about them and their success. I’m not saying that extracurriculars are bad, goodness knows I have put my children in many extracurriculars, but if a child’s entire schedule is filled with activities for himself, what time does that leave him to learn how to care about the world around him? Instead, we are teaching them to chase the next trophy, to arrange their schedules so that they don’t have to see the world around them. If they are too busy to see the people around them, how can they help a hurting person they don’t even see?

With all that is going on right now in this world, my hope is that people will slow down and notice the world around them…that they will not only notice the world around them, but engage in it…that they will learn to enjoy it, enjoy it much more than any thing on a phone or a computer. We have been given a blessing in disguise. We have been given an incredible opportunity to get to know our kids, to get to know our neighbors. We can take this time to make an impact in their lives, which is something that is far more important than any electronic or meaningless aspiration or obsession we have set our minds to. I hope we may find the simplicity in life and embrace it.

Here are a few things of simplicity that still bring me awe and wonder. A shining water droplet, slowly growing until it is too heavy and must drop to the ground below:

The flickering flame of a candle casting the most beautiful pattern through a lacy lantern:

A stunning monarch emerging from its chrysalis. This is one wonder that never ceases to amaze me.

A crackling campfire spreading its warmth on a crisp summer evening in the Northwoods of Wisconsin, with the sorrowful call of the loon echoing over the crystalline waters.

The sunlight illuminating the leaves of a plant.

Thank you so much for stopping by! I hope you have enjoyed my interpretation on this month’s theme. Please head on over to Kathy Ledbetter’s blog by clicking HERE.