{Madison}

Madison is a 12 year old 'tween' who is so fun to hang out with!  She enjoyed posing and messing around in front of the camera, and even likes taking photos herself.  I think she may be one of the easiest subjects I've ever had the pleasure of working with!  And being able to teach her a few tricks of the trade was fun for me as well.

Taking a few pictures at home

I love the look of wonder on her face at the photo she has taken

Maddie and her mother after our first session

My favorite picture of the day!

Maddie scoped out this location herself.

Spring has sprung, and so has Maddie!

I just loved how photographs can capture a fun moment in time, such as the last photo with Madison jumping around, having a great time.  I love the photojournalism style of taking pictures, capturing people as they truly are.

Pet photography

I love using my camera to take photos of animals, especially people's pets.  I enjoy using a large aperture, to mute out the background.  A fun, easy way to make a picture special!

All photos taken with Nikon D5100 with a 35mm prime lens.  F1.8, Aperture setting.

D'oh! 

A favorite model, due to all the faces he makes

Loyal companion

Curiosity

Interrupting naptime

Sweet old man

When photographing animals, patience is key.  Hundreds of photos led to the 6 above pictures.  Animals love to move at the worst moment (or all moments).  Naptime is a great time to capture shots, as with the puppy above.  She does not stop moving normally, so we caught her at a moment after getting some good exercise.

For most people, their pets are a part of their family.  Photos help catch their personality, for all time.  And pets make a great subject for amateur photographers!

Gotta start somewhere right?

Creativity.

That was something I did not think I had, really.  I love to read, but could never think of anything original to write.  I love to listen to music (and sing in the shower), but could never write my own songs or music.  I have always wished I could paint or draw, but missed out on that one too.  I have just always felt like I did not have a creative bone in my body.

One thing I have enjoyed is photography.  I love reminiscing, and photographs are the key to doing that.  A day, a week, a year, a decade later, a photograph can bring it all back, much like hearing the words to a song that was playing, or smelling a familiar scent. 

I used to catch some good shots, every so often.  I like to think that I have a good eye for photography.  A unique angle, good lighting, placement in the picture, etc.  But with point and shoot cameras, I have never come close to getting the look of a professional photo.  I never really expected to be able to use my enjoyment of photography as a creative outlet.

Until my 30th birthday!

My husband surprised me with a fabulous camera, a Nikon D5100.  I never knew just how much the right equipment could change your photography.  A whole new world has opened up to me, and now I am such a camera nerd!  I love finding new tutorials, learning from some amazing photography blogs, and putting their instruction to use.  I am still very much an amateur, but loving the results so far, and just getting started. 

My minimum goal with photography is to get great at it to be able to take wonderful photos of our future kids.  But with the right equipment, and more practice, who knows?  Maybe I'll add "Photography Exhibit" to my Bucket List!

This blog will be for myself, to track where I am at with figuring this new camera out, as well as for other novices.  If I find a great tutorial, I'll share it.  If I learn a fun new trick not in the manual, I'll show it.  And I am going to post photos that I am proud of, or that capture a moment, or that just strike me as blog-worthy.  Even if I am the only person who ever sees this blog, it'll be fun, and I can't wait.

But if you do stop by, please leave a comment and say hi!  Any great tutorials you've seen lately?

Jen

The girl behind the lens