Dallas Arboretum Through the Eyes of Munch

I love that Munch likes to grab our point and shoot and take his own pictures. 

He isn't always steady and his photos aren't always straight, but it't always exciting to see how he views the world. 

Here are my favorites from our trip to the Arboretum for his birthday. 

 

I can't wait to see what he photographs next.

Belated Shutter-Bug Sunday: Animal Edition

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This weeks theme was animals and I was all set to get some good pictures of my four furbabies. Then I was in my back yard and a dragonfly landed on my butterfly bush. (My dead butterfly bush, I have trouble letting go.) He was still there when I ran back out from getting my camera and let me get a shot of him.

Taken with my Nikon D50.

Next week our theme in landscapes.

An InLinkz Link-up

Shutter-Bug Sunday: Light

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This week is was finally cool enough to go outside without melting and we enjoyed it. I still got eaten alive by mosquitoes (or as the boys have been saying "zombie bugs ate my legs"), but I sucked it up, because the weather was so beautiful.

I had planned on trying some low light photography, but when I saw the sun hitting my wasp catcher, I had to capture it.

Nikon D50

Next week we are focusing on animals. I love using the Macro setting to take photos of my pets. If Kaiser wasn't such a pain I would totally go for some bird shots, but alas...I need protecting... ;o)

An InLinkz Link-up

Shutter-Bug Sunday: Letter Edition

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Sorry for the extremely late post today! This month is turning out to be crazy. Not non-stop busy...although we certainly seem to have the rest of our month planned out, but still crazy. I'm going to keep working on the letters, because there is so much potential on our walks, but I'm happy with the letters I found.

This H is from the Dallas Zoo. Totally nicked it from Munch's "portfolio".

 I know I've mentioned it before, but I love his photos.

Nox has recently started signing his name on art work and letters.

It just happens that it's also a hug and a kiss. So perfect and sweet.

Next week we are going to focus on Light. I hope you'll join up. I would love to learn how to photograph in low light situations, because sometimes it's just impossible to avoid, but playing with sunlight is fun too.

An InLinkz Link-up

Shutter-Bug Sunday - Motion Edition

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Welcome to Shutter-Bug Sunday! This week we focused on capturing motion.

We went bowling for my husband's birthday on Thursday and I figured that would be my perfect opportunity to practice my motion photography. Completely forgot to take into account the terrible lighting, but I worked with what I had. I really need to research low light photography and do some major practicing.

The funny thing is, one of the worst pictures I took, turned out to be my favorite for this weeks theme. To get the full effect, I think it's best to see the whole sequence.

Here is how to bowl in four steps, according to Nox:

1. Bowl

2. Wait nervously to see what the ball does.

3. Get super excited when the ball hits the "ninjas" (that's what Nox INSISTS on calling the pins...)

4. Victory dance!!

Next week we are sticking with the plan and going with the Alphabet. So keep an eye out for fun and interesting letters to shoot! I've been slacking a little on this, so I'll be going on lots of walks hunting for fun letters.

An InLinkz Link-up

Shutter-Bug Sunday: Macro Edition

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I have wanted a macro lens for a long while. I have to play with it more, but my 55mm just does NOT like to focus when I try to get as close as I would like for some shots...I think it actually has a panic attack. We argued some, but I think I managed to win and get some decent shots.

Love that you can see his sweet freckles.

If you look super close you can see my reflection in his eyes. 

 Still want that macro lens, but I had fun trying to get a shot with my standard lens.

Next week we are focusing on capturing movement in our photos.
I hope you'll join us this week and next!

An InLinkz Link-up

Shutter-Bug Sunday: Favorites of the Week

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Kayla and I have decided to go ahead and do Shutter-Bug Sunday every Sunday now! Since the decision was made after our last post we aren't going with a theme for this post. So just pick one or some of your favorite photos from the week and come link up.

This week the lovely girls over at A Beautiful Mess started a 30 day self portrait challenge to help promote their new book. (Which is now on my wish-list.) My favorite little sister with Lavender + Pink thought it would be fun for us to join in. I was a little hesitant at first because 30 days of self portraits seemed a little much, but I thought it would force me to be creative. So far it's been fun.

This one is by far my favorite of the week:

I took an insane amount before I was happy with this one and I couldn't have done it without my little assistant yelling "Just ONE more, Mama! One more!"

I also found a couple of great blog posts this week to help inspire:
Tips for fun "everyday" photos with Elise Blaha Cripe
5 Tips for Better Self Portraits with A Beautiful Mess

Next Weeks Theme: UP Close and Personal 

All pictures should be taken in MACRO Mode! 

Here are some helpful links:

Macro Photography Tips for Point and Shoot Digital Cameras 

Macro Photography for Beginners

An InLinkz Link-up

Shutter-Bug Sunday: Self Portrait edition

Welcome to our very first Shutter-Bug Sunday!! I'm super excited to be hosting this linky party with Kayla from Green Mountain Couple. 

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This weeks theme is self-portraits! 
I thought about being really creative and coming up with something super fantastic...but then I found an old hat that I used to love...and it was kinda begging me to photograph it. 

Camera: Nikon D50, 18-55 mm lens, Auto setting. Action: Rosy Vintage by  Coffee Shop Blog.

I LOVE the free actions generously offered by The Coffee Shop Blog. They save me so much time editing. She also has a ton of tutorials on editing that I need to take the time to go through. Do you have any favorite photography sites? I would love it if you shared!

And just because my husband liked the original too. :o)

unedited

I have always loved taking pictures, but until recently have never been much bothered with getting into manual mode and out of my comfort zone. One of goals this year was to learn how to use my DSLR the way it should be used. 

I generally photograph anything that makes me smile...which makes for an awful lot of pictures. I firmly believe that the best camera is the one you have with you. I am grateful for all three of my cameras, a Nikon D50, Olympus Tough (insanely awesome for kiddos to use too) and my Samsung Galaxy S. 

August's Theme: Alphabet
Pick a LETTER  – photograph something beginning with the letter or hunt out the letter itself in your surroundings, or make the shape of the letter with props.Use you imagination, let it run WILD!
 August post with be up the 2nd Sunday of the month. (August 11th) If you guys want to have more frequent posts let us know!

Would love to see your self portraits! Grab a button and link up!

An InLinkz Link-up

Announcing an Upcoming Photo Link-Up

Super excited to announce a new blog series/linky party that I'll be Co-Hosting starting this Sunday!

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 Craft Cherry and Green Mountain Couple
are Hosting Shutter-Bug Sunday!
What is this you may ask?
Well it is a Photo Link-Up with Themes!

The first theme is Self Portraits!
This is so everyone can introduce themselves through their photography!
Get Creative!
Try Different Angles! Different Looks!
Whatever!

The link will open up on the 2nd Sunday of Every Month!
And stay open for 1 week.
It will include the next months theme  at the bottom so you will have a whole month to get a picture!

Augusts Theme: Alphabet
Pick a LETTER  – photograph something beginning with the letter or hunt out the letter itself in your surroundings, or make the shape of the letter with props.Use you imagination, let it run WILD!

Start snapping pictures and join in on the fun this Sunday!

A Day at the Zoo According to Munch

 The following pictures were taken by Munch on our trip to the zoo yesterday. Enjoy!

On the 12th Day of Christmas

I finally finished editing Christmas photos. A little late, but I figure since we ended up with 5 days of celebrations this Christmas, it's okay.

Here are some of my favorites.

(Late in the night, after Santa had made his rounds)

(My sweet boys and I on Christmas morning)

(The ONLY thing Munch was set completely on was a Lego Eagle from Santa. He was SO happy when it appeared under the tree.)

(Nox and Kaiser on Boxing Day...just love how happy they both are in this picture.)

(My sweet handsome little men, ready to go over to Grand-mommy's)

(Nox and John. I just can't resist that face Nox is making. I just want to hug him.)

(John and I have too few pictures of just the two of us, I was worried this one would come out a little goofy, but I love it.)

Hope you enjoyed the little peek into our Christmas. I was going to take our tree and all our decorations down today, but it will probably be a slow process throughout the week. Please tell me I'm not the only one.