… about photography. Nothing too serious here.
Being in a new state for a little over a month was an odd learning experience. I wasn’t holding little children who just need someone to love them and give them some hope in a place that is so unmerciful like Chelsea and praying for the slightest opportunity to shine some light in a country that is so dark like Courtney.
But for the first time, um, ever I was in a totally new place to do A LOT of thinking and learning about myself (also I further learned how blessed I am with Tyler in my life but that’s another story).
It’s safe to say I put most of my energy into photography. Pictures make me happy. They honestly do, if I am frustrated/confused/sad/feeling uncreative, anything, looking at photos can make me feel better quickly. Not like looking through Facebook pictures, going to a blog I like and seeing the world through an artists eyes.
So this time in Texas has challenged what I was comfortable doing and opened my eyes to moments that need to captured. I have tried to condense the things I have learned.

1) I need to take my camera more places. I am so glad I brought it to random places in Texas not just to a prearranged shoots. I need to do this more and document more memories with the people in Georgia too.

This is Tyler’s good friend Courtney (not the same one from the above listed blog) she and her  friend Abbey are leaving their family and friends and serving over seas for a year.

The lillies represent wishes for their safety and ministry.

2) Not every photo needs a face. This is a hard one for me since I normally consider myself a “portrait photographer” but there are some great moments, details, and memories that don’t need a human in them.

3) How to think “In black and white.” Before I just wasn’t wild about B&W but it was mostly because I was scared of it and was worried I wouldn’t be good with it. I am still no where near an expert but I have more appreciation for it now and am slightly obsessed with it. For a quick article on taking good B&W’s go here.

4) How little I knew about photography.  This is a world and artform I’ve barely skimmed the surface of I am so excited to grow more.

I had the privilege of taking photos for a local family.

5) If you miss a moment or don’t capture a photo perfectly, learn from it and move on. I have a bad habit of beating myself up when I don’t get exactly the shot I wanted. But I am learning to chill out and be more appreciative of the the opportunity at hand.  While I may have been reading “From Snapshots to Great Shots,” I learned sometimes the snapshots are the great shots.

6) How much I love these people. This may not technically be related to photography but the pictures of them are the ones I cherish most. I have a lot of great things going on in my life and I am not going to sit around and tell God what’s missing. Life is not a perfect situation for anyone but I am blessed with people that fill every crevice and I need be more thankful that.

*The draw in picture is my mentor and I. Considering how much time we spend with cameras we really should get a picture together