Shutterbug

Back in February I wrote about my husband buying me a new camera. It's a beauty and takes amazing photos, when I bother to actually pick it up. I let so many other things get in the way that I've neglected my one true passion - photography.

There is something about the weight of a camera in my hands that gives me a sense of peace found in few other places. I am most comfortable with my eye to the viewfinder, and the sound of the shutter curtain opening and closing, sometimes as fast as the blink of any eye, is music to my heart. Ask anyone; you'll never see me happier than when I'm shooting.

Today I finally got my act together and grabbed my camera as we headed over to my in-laws for Easter Sunday dinner. My incredibly photogenic nieces and nephews would be there so this would be a great opportunity to exercise the new hardware.

Sadly, one of my little nephews was sick and so he and his family didn't make it (poor little guy) so this shoot was limited to the niece and nephew that were there.

The fun started almost upon my arrival as I begged the kids to come "pose" for me. They were really good sports, considering they were ready to get the egg hunt underway and I was completely holding up the process.

This was it for them at this point. They could no longer contain themselves and the egg hunt was underway.

Once all the eggs were found, we headed inside where my niece decided to attach herself to my side. We chatted about school and her recent ski trip, and then, when I realized what great light we were getting in the room we were sitting in, I just had to snap up a few more photos. She was a great sport and even posed for me! I think she wants to be a little model, this one.

This looks like a school photo, don't you think? But the light! I love this light!

We moved from one room to another - experimenting with the lovely light.

I shoot the girl more than her brother simply because she lets me. Her brother tends to sit still for one, maybe two shots and then he goes back into his own little world. But hey, at least I got this shot! (I love his freckles!)

Tired of the indoors on such a pretty day, we headed out for a quick "smell the roses" moment, even if the roses weren't blooming yet, we found some lovely flowers.

Then back inside to show off newly acquired reading skills. (Yes, that's my iPhone she's reading from; she asked me to download Dr. Seuss's the Cat in the Hat and I simply couldn't say no!

And finally, back outside to burn some calories after an awesome dinner.

All in all, a very good day of shooting. I really need to make time to get out and shoot more. I've missed it and am ready to get my shutterbug on!

Here's to making awesome images!

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Photography Contests

My wonderful husband gave me a new camera for Valentine's Day, prompting me to start shooting again. This has led me to start thinking more about my photography, and I realized that I really want to work on this craft. I call myself a photographer, but often get so frustrated with my own work that I don't feel the "title" is adequate. An amateur at best, I have so much to learn, yet over time, I've found that some of the best ways to learn are:

1. Shoot more
2. Offer up your work for critiques
3. Repeat steps 1 and 2 as often as possible

To this end, I have decided it's time to enter some photography contests. Some of these make my work available to a vast audience, and if I'm lucky, some of the people that view my work might be able to offer up some constructive criticisms.

One such contest is being hosted by Frommer's, you know, the organization that creates those awesome travel guides? Well, this contest is for a Frommer's book cover. First prize is awarded $5,000 and the winning image will grace the cover of a future Frommer's guide. As my travel photography is one of my larger bodies of work, I figured this would be a great way to get my feet wet. I can enter as many images as I'd like between now and March 31, 2010.

If you're interested in offering up some suggestions from my work for entry into the competition, you can view my work on:

My Facebook fan page

Or on my photography website

If you're interested in checking out the competition, including my entries so far, visit Frommer's contest site, and if you stumble upon one of my images, feel free to leave a comment!

This has been a shameless plug, I know, but rest assured that your support is deeply appreciated!

AND, if you're a fellow photographer, I encourage you to submit your work! I mean, we're talking $5,000 and a book cover!

Happy snapping, shutterbugs!