Hearts

This month our blog circle is joining in with the Paper Heart Project to spread awareness about Congenital Heart Defects (CHD). A congenital heart defect is a defect in the heart structure that is present at birth. One out of a hundred children are born with a CHD.

One of those hundred is my niece, Ally. Her heart defects required multiple surgeries at birth and eventually resulted in a heart transplant at Johns Hopkins when she was about 5 months old (one of the first non-matching blood-type heart transplants there!). She is now a vibrant, healthy 10-year-old, however her story is far from over. Her abdomen is covered in scars. Daily she takes multiple medications (like a champ!) one of which is now limiting some of her joys (jumping on the trampoline and riding horseback). She has one of the deepest connections to God of anyone I have encountered (likely because she was revived more than once and tasted a glimpse of heaven). Her spirit truly shines.

Here are two images of Ally. The first is of her morning medications that I captured this summer when we visited. And the second is classic Ally: in one of her many pairs of high heels. ❤

So this year I photographed 10 paper hearts for each year of Ally’s precious life and one sparkly heart for her heart donor. ❤ We will be ever-grateful for the gift of a new life for Ally.

For Ally’s heart donor…

I am part of a group of photographers, Share Six, who blog 6 images on the 6th of each month with unique monthly themes.  Next up is the talented,  Janet of Janet Douglas Photography.  Please click HERE for her interpretation of this month’s theme. Then, follow around the circle for even more beauty and creativity. ❤

Join us for this month’s theme by posting your Red or Hearts images on our Facebook page at Share Six  and to our Instagram gallery, by tagging #sharesix and #sharesix_red_heart.  A new theme will be posted on March 6th.

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Wide

Open. Full of opportunity.

All thoughts that typically arrive with the New Year’s dawn.

And so…

(all taken with Lensbaby Edge 50)

I am part of a group of photographers, Share Six, who blog 6 images on the 6th of each month with unique monthly themes.  Next up is the talented,  Lynne of Lynne Grant Photography.  Please click HERE for her interpretation of this month’s theme. Then, follow around the circle for even more beauty and creativity. ❤

Join us for this month’s theme by posting your Wide images on our Facebook page at Share Six  and to our Instagram gallery, by tagging #sharesix and #sharesix_wide.  A new theme will be posted on February 6th.

Bokeh

At this time of year, the first thing that pops into my mind when I hear the word, “Bokeh” is the gorgeous bubbles of Christmas lights dancing around and through images creating a sense of magic. This year we are starting a new “St. Nicholas Day” tradition so have waited to set up our tree. A bit disappointed I wasn’t going to have the opportunity to capture the lights in our home for this bokeh theme, once again I was challenged. There is one place I KNOW is beautiful and magical this time of year: our downtown. So between dinner and piano lessons I took 3/4 of my crew for a little walk through the avenue of lights and windows, of reflections and twinkles.

You can check out the technical definition of “bokeh” according to Wikipedia by clicking HERE. 🙂

* All of these images taken with Lensbaby: Edge 50 and Velvet 56

And a bonus one 🙂

I am part of a group of photographers, Share Six, who blog 6 images on the 6th of each month with unique monthly themes.  Next up is the talented,  Katherine of Cobert Photography.  Please click HERE for her interpretation of this month’s theme. Then, follow around the circle for even more beauty and creativity. ❤

Join us for this month’s theme by posting your Bokeh images on our Facebook page at Share Six  and to our Instagram gallery, by tagging #sharesix and #sharesix_bokeh.  A new theme will be posted on January 6th.

Silhouette

My initial vision of a silhouette is a horizon at sunset with a rich array of colors. In contrast to that ideal, I chose to capture my 4-year-old at the playground in mid-afternoon sun on an unusually warm (but breezy) autumn day. An example that the creative process pushes past “traditional” and toward capturing the beauty wherever you happen to be. Right. Now.

In order to capture a silhouette I had to position myself very low shooting almost straight up. For this one, under the swing!

As we were strolling out of the park, the tree’s shape caught my eye. Silhouettes provide a bit of mystery which add to the wonder.

I am part of a group of photographers, Share Six, who blog 6 images on the 6th of each month with unique monthly themes.  Next up is the talented,  Sharleen of Sharleen Stuart Photography.  Please click HERE for her interpretation of this month’s theme. Then, follow around the circle for even more beauty and creativity. ❤

Join us for this month’s theme by posting your Silhouette images on our Facebook page at Share Six  and to our Instagram gallery, by tagging #sharesix and #sharesix_silhouette.  A new theme will be posted on December 6th.

Shooting Through

On top of the opportunity to collaborate with some absolutely incredible artists, the Share Six blog circle also provides inspiration to challenge and motivate my artist vision and soul. This month’s theme, “Shooting Through” pushed me outside my typical to create unique images by placing an object in between the lens and the subject.

I began the theme of “Shooting Through” my piece of copper pipe into the sunset.

Then I noticed the light shining on the bike wheel spokes, so I shot through there too!

Have you ever watched a movie or TV show and been completely inspired by the lighting? Well, in the series “Dickensian” (find it on Amazon prime) the evening indoor shots feature glass bokeh in the foreground so I grabbed a couple of vases and shot through them in attempt to replicate that warm sparkly vibe. 

Here’s a little iPhone camera pull back of the creation of these images. 🙂

This particular piece of glass created a sense of movement.

Some of my favorite subjects to “shoot through” are flowers. I love the ethereal effect they create in the foreground.

 

Truly the possibilities are endless. Yet another reason to adore this art form. ❤

(And Yes, I recognize this is more than 6 images. Couldn’t help myself! 🙂 )

I am part of a group of photographers, Share Six, who blog 6 images on the 6th of each month with unique monthly themes.  Next up is the talented,  Lynne of Lynne Grant Photography.  Please click HERE for her interpretation of this month’s theme. Then, follow around the circle for even more beauty and creativity. ❤

Join us for this month’s theme by posting your Shooting Through images on our Facebook page at Share Six  and to our Instagram gallery, by tagging #sharesix and #sharesix_shootingthrough.  A new theme will be posted on November 6th.

Gold

September is Childhood Cancer Awareness month, so for our September’s Share Six blog circle theme, we’ve decided to team up and join forces with @thegoldhopeproject to help spread awareness!

The Gold Hope Project is a registered 501(c)(3) non-profit organization of photographers who aim to provide free portrait sessions to families battling pediatric cancer. As photographers, we understand how truly important it is to document our children’s lives, and what better gift to give to parents going through such a tremendously difficult time! In addition to pairing young warriors with photographers, @TheGoldHopeProject also works to raise funds for pediatric cancer research! If you want to participate with us this month, here are just a few things you can consider:

1. Tag your gold photos with the #TeamUp4GoldKids (for features) and #theGoldHopeProject (to spread awareness). You will have a chance to be featured on one of the MANY participating hubs for the month of September!
2. Go to goldhopeproject.com and see how you can apply to be a registered photographer!
3. Donate! It DOES make a difference!

By using these hashtags you give all participating hubs permission to share!

Each year a local farmer plants sunflower fields – they rotate locations so it’s always exciting to discover them. And, of course, photograph them. Sunflowers may be the most hope-filled flower: always reminding us to turn our faces toward the light and reflect joy! ❤

I am part of a group of photographers, Share Six, who blog 6 images on the 6th of each month with unique monthly themes.  Next up is the talented, Kathy Ledbetter of KG Ledbetter Photography.  Please click HERE for her interpretation of this month’s theme. Then, follow around the circle for even more beauty and creativity. ❤

Join us for this month’s theme by posting your Gold images on our Facebook page at Share Six  and to our Instagram gallery, by tagging #sharesix and #sharesix_gold.  A new theme will be posted on October 6th.

Water

One of my favorite subjects: Water! The reflections and refractions transform the every-day into magical scenes and create the most amazing bokeh. A collection of summertime water…

I am part of a group of photographers, Share Six, who blog 6 images on the 6th of each month with unique monthly themes.  Next up is the talented, Janet Douglas.  Please click HERE for her interpretation of this month’s theme. Then, follow around the circle for even more beauty and creativity. ❤

Join us for this month’s theme by posting your Water images on our Facebook page at Share Six  and to our Instagram gallery, by tagging #sharesix and #sharesix_water.  A new theme will be posted on September 6th.