Sunday Snapshot {some chucks and glorious light}

I have had my eye on this spot for several weeks now.  

 I pass it every time we drive home and the evening light this time of year is just beautiful.

I love how the light is shining through her dress and reflecting off the tip of the apple.  

On Thursday, I loaded up Lily in the stroller (chucks in tow) and we headed down to snap a few pictures.

Lily calls this her "cool hat" and loves to play with it so I brought it along thinking it would be a good source of entertainment.  

The rainbow sun flare was straight out of the camera...such a fun surprise to find when I downloaded them.

I am taking another photography class with my friend and mentor Lisa.  I love to continue learning and pushing myself to do better.  My personal goal right now is to work on getting tack sharp focus... especially on moving targets like our Lils!

On this one I was focusing on her little hands...love how they are perfectly wrapped around the apple.

Seeing her holding the apple in these pictures reminded me of the verse in Psalm...
"Keep me as the apple of your eye; hide me in the shadow of your wings."
Psalm 17:8

I was certain that I didn't have anything worthy of posting from this photo shoot since we were only there about 15 minutes.  

Lily was getting tired and soon after we started she was ready to get into her stroller and head back home.  

Thankfully the light cooperated without any resistance:)) 

Linking up with Stefanie's Sunday Snapshots.  

Taken with my Mark 5D iii, 85 mm 1.2

settings varied from f/1.8-3.5

 the first image was

f/3.5

1/500

ISO 250

Processed with Florabella's Color Play using perfect color at reduced opacity.  

I added a texture and one of Florabella's light overlays also at reduced opacity.  

Favorite Photo Friday {7th grade SWAG}

This post is LONG overdue.

A few months ago, Michael stayed at home with Lily so I could take some pictures of Spencer. We headed downtown for a little urban fun! It was the first time in quite awhile that it was just the two of us together!

I let Spencer go through and pick out his favorite pictures 

and he gave me specific quotes he wanted me to post with each :))

So here goes..

"Don't sweat my SWAG."

"Don't know what I'm doing. Im just staring at the camera."

"This is a heavy wall."

Oh...the humor of a 7th grader...

Here are a few of my favorites...

Spencer loves life and has an easy going personality that draws others to him.

His can be goofy and crazy...

He is always introducing me to new types of music and definitely has some serious rhythm!

He has many faces and expressions...these were typical of what I got that night...

His captivating eyes are the window to his soul.  

Hard to believe in just a few months he will be a teenager.  

He is such a blessing to our family and we are so proud of him.  

He recently posted this...

The real meaning of SWAG...Saved With Amazing Grace!  

Now that is the kind of SWAG I don't mind posting about.  

Linking up to Lisa's Favorite Photo Friday!  Be sure and take a look.  

Sunday Snapshot {Sprinkles of my grandmother's love}

A few weeks ago I took Lily to a horse stable near our home while the boys were gone.

I love the way her hair is backlit and the string is wrapped around her little finger. 

 The only thing missing is my grandmother's pin.

This broach is one that my Mimi made when I was growing up.

My grandmother had an apartment in our basement growing up so we were able to spend a lot of time together.

I have fond memories going down to her craft room and watching her create.

When I found this particular pin in the box my mom gave me, I knew I had to put it with this yellow dress.

My only wish is that she could have met Lily.

Much of who I am today is a reflection of my Mimi.

Seeing Lily wear this pin was like a sprinkle of her love falling down on us that afternoon.

...a perfect addition to the beautiful light that filled every frame.  

This was one of the first pictures I took when we got there. 

 Lily was headed straight for the old bell to see what it was.

 Love the pop of red from her sunglasses that she insisted on wearing as she is bending down to get a good look at the bell.

After viewing the stables we headed over to the fence where the sun was starting to set.

This is when I changed out her headband..looking back I would do it different.

She was getting a little tired by this point but there is something about the innocence of her expressions that I love.

Lily loves to create and do art just like my Mimi.  

I have no doubt they would have had a very special bond.  

Linking up with Stefanie's Sunday Snapshot.

Mark 5D iii 85mm 1.2
Settings for the first image
F 3.2
SS 1.320
ISO 160

Processed with Florabella's Colorplay

Fall fun with grandparents

Last week my parents were in town to visit. It was a beautiful Saturday morning so we packed up a picnic lunch and went to Cheekwood Harvest.

They had all different types of scarecrows scattered throughout the gardens, a pumpkin patch and a model train set that captured the attention of Lily, Spencer and my Dad.

We stopped to listen to some blue grass music. 

 Last week Lily took one of my long hot glue sticks and moved it back and forth on her arm. 

 When I asked her what she was doing she said "I'm playing the violin! 

This was a perfect way for her to see it in action.

Spencer, on the other hand, had much more fun rolling down the steep grassy hill!

(you can see Lily watching from the top of the hill)

Lily and my Mom found a perfect place for our picnic while Michael and Spencer went to the car to get our lunch.

I'm not sure Lily thought they were fast enough by the look on her face. She was a hungry girl.

After lunch we went to see the trains.

My Dad is a mechanical engineer and he worked for the railroad so the fact that Lily is enamored with trains thrills him to no end.

The display was really quite impressive.

I'm not sure who had more fun..my Dad or Lily and Spencer.

On our way out we stopped by the pumpkin patch again and picked a few pumpkins for the house.

We had a wonderful visit with my parents. We celebrated my Mom's birthday and Lily had a ball playing with her Gaga and Papaw reading books, playing trains, and taking lots of walks.

Linking up with my friend Lisa's Favorite Photo Friday.
Be sure and take a look at her beautiful photos!

Saliboats

September 20, 2003

We're a drift on a sailboat...

my love is the sea...

yours is the horizon...constant and steady.

Darling your love is healing that makes the bitter sweet...

The tide is out, the moon is high...

we're sailing.

~Brooke Fraser lyrics from Sailboats

Nine years ago today on this sailboat (Vigilant), I was asked one amazing question from one incredible man. 

That day will forever be etched in my mind.

A perfect day in every way.

...the beginning of our journey together as one.  

Michael...you are the wind in my sails and I am so thankful that God brought me you. 

Here's to sailing away with you for many years to come...

The song that reminds me of that night
Brooke Fraser- Sailboats

Sunday Snapshot {more than enough}

It has been almost a year ago since I stood in awe of the most spectacular sunset God painted one October night on the beaches of Anna Maria Island.

This image and those that follow are SOOC (straight out of the camera)
no layers...no textures...no actions or curves...no extra drama added.

For me, these images speak to the power of God's hand and the truth that HE is ENOUGH.

I needed this reminder today.

SOOW (straight out of the WORD)... is where God desires for me to abide.

"Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing."  John 15:5

I examine my "fruit" over the past month and ask myself...am I abiding in His word or the world?

If I am honest...my time has been spent more on starting a new business, social media, keeping a clean house, exercising, editing images for clients, volunteer work, driving in the car, etc.  

While none of these are bad in and of themselves, they can take me off course if I am not careful.

I feel God nudging me to make a course correction and begin shedding some of the "layers" I have added to the beautiful life God has intended for me.  

"But this is the one to whom I will look; he who is humble and contrite in spirit and trembles at my word."  Isaiah 66:2

These were taken with my Nikon D80

28-300 lens, 70mm focal point

f 5.0

SS 1/250

ISO 1250

I chose not to edit any of these images to speak to the power of God's handiwork.

Be sure to head over to Stefanie's blog for more Sunday Snapshots!