I Heart Faces {JUMP}

Submission for I Heart Faces photo challenge......JUMP!!!

 

 

Go over to I Heart Faces to find more of the fun, JUMP-themed, photos!!

 

Diamonds...Really A Girls Best Friend?

I have never really been a sucker for diamonds.  The saying "Diamonds Are A Girls Best Friend" wasn't really a saying that rang true for me. I thought they were pretty and the sparkle was nice, but I didn't need any of my own.  That was, of course, until I did get one of my own.  I have been engaged for over a year now and do not think I could ever part with my diamond ring.  I look at it at least 5 times a day, moving my hand ever so slightly to see it's many sparkles.  On Valentines Day, my fiance and I were watching a movie while he caught me staring at it and said "That's a nice ring isn't it", I giggled and thought "yes it is, quite possibly my best friend".  :) 

In honor of my new best friend, here are some pictures I took to capture it's beauty.  I don't have a macro lense so they are not as sharp as I would like, but I still think they are beautiful!  Thanks for stopping by and taking a look!  What's your favorite?

xoxo ~ Amanda

Emotionally Perfect

My version of an emotionally perfect picture.  Technically, it's blurry with poor composition, but looking at this picture I feel pure joy.  Even when in a bad mood I can squeak out a little smile for this photo. 

This is my adorable nephew. It was his first time really free to play in the rain puddles.  He had so much fun and I think you can see that from this photo!  Enjoy!

Best Face of 2012 {IHF}

My I Heart Faces entry for Best Face of 2012.  This is my first entry for my very first challenge!  I need to start pushing myself in 2013, so here's a start!  My beautiful friend, Megan!

Head over to I Heart Faces to check out all of the other beautiful entries!

2012: Reflections of a Fantastic Year!

I found this project through one of my favorite blogs "Live, Love, Travel" (the button is on the right).  This project actually came from another blog she follows, which you can find here! (bare with me people, I am just learning this stuff).  Anyway, here goes my reflections of 2012!  I hope you enjoy!  XOXO

1. Me! – This is a picture of me in Boston, hiking!!!  My fiance and I went in October and the weather was fabulous!  2012 was such a wonderful year....we got engaged and started planning a wedding!  Look out 2013, this is OUR year!  :)

2. I Love You - Sooooo many BIG I love you's in this picture.  My fiance, who is amazing with children!  I can't wait until we get to start our family together!  My nephew AKA the love of my life (besides by fiance), and one of my puppies, Ellie.  She is just a sweetie.
 





3. Still Laughing… – I wanted to take some pictures of my friend's daughter for practice.  She was very excited for the photoshoot until we went to a location where there was a play ground.  She pouted....taking pictures was the last thing she wanted to do, thus "the pouty face".  I say it's the cutest pouty face I've ever seen!  It makes me laugh when I think about the moment from this picture.  :)

4. Winter Wonderland – My nephews first time playing in the snow.  P.S. I think my sister looks beautiful in this picture, who wouldn't want skin like hers?!? :)
 

5. Birthday – We spent the day together as a family on my dad's birthday.  This photo is blurry, but I just LOVE the joy in this picture.  I can see how my nephew lights up my dad's eyes! :)

 

6. Friends – SOME of my wonderful friends!  I couldn't find any good photos of the others, but I love you guys too! XO
 

7. I Was Inspired… – A new mother and her baby.  This just inspires me and I'm not exactly sure why or how to explain it.   

 

 

8. Spring Fever – A beautiful flower early sprint.  I love the hot pink color....it almost looks painted on.

9. Travel or Vacation – A few pictures of Boston and Cape Cod in the Fall.  Ahhhh the memories......

 

 

10. Summer Days – What is better than a summer sunset?  I am in my winter pajamas right now all cozy and this picture just makes me feel the warmth of Summer......is it June yet?!

11. A Day In My Life – a picture of a typical day in your life.

12. All Smiles – Grandma and Grandson having the time of their life!!  This picture brings a smile to my face every time I look at it.  Pure happiness, that's what life should be about!

  

 

13. Autumn Harvest – Another Boston photo....what a great trip that was! :)  Hiking right outside of the city on a beautiful Autumn day.

 

14. Family – A new family.  One of my best friends, her husband, and new baby boy.  What an exciting new chapter in life!

 

15. Celebrate! – My cousin's wedding..... :)
 

 

16. Let’s Do It Again… – Mike and I had done a photoshoot on a self-timer.  He is such a good sport.  Any new hobby I pick up, he is right on board with me and supports me 100%, what a man!  This was so fun and surprisingly romantic....I say let's do it again soon!
*****Something I learned that hopefully someone reading this could learn.  When taking silhouette photos, you want to take the picture at the horizon, that way you can see the entire body of the person you are shooting.  These pictures were obviously not done correctly, but a learning experience it was!

 

17. I Miss You – One of my best friends from college.  She lives about 4 hours away in her home town and I live near mine.  I don't think either ever have plans to move closer to other, so we just have to see each other when we can.  I was a bridesmaid in her wedding and she is in mine.  If you ever read this post...........I miss you Jamie...xoxo

  

 

18. Beautiful – My best friend since 2nd grade.  She was nice enough to let me practice my photography on her.  As I was editing this photo, it took my breath away.  I think she looks absolutely beautiful!!

19. Dress Up – Me!  Getting all dressed up and ready for a date with my man.  Actually, it was pretend....just wanted to learn multiple exposure :).  It was fun anyway!

20. Macro – What an adorable subject to see up close.  Isn't he beautiful? :)

21. Holidays – I am in LOVE with this photo.  I followed the I heart faces tutorial which I posted on an earlier blog post here.  It was so fun and simple to do! 

22. My Favorite – These are a few of my favorites.  It is so hard to choose because I love so many photos for so many different reasons.  The first photo my nephew looks like a baby model.  The light was on him so perfectly.  I love this one.  The second photo I love because it seems so innocent.  I say, that's when he found his shadow.  Just precious!

 

23. Don’t Ever Change – To my nephew....I hope you never change your sense of wonder and excitement, the love you have for everything and everyone, and your happiness.  I love you!  Aunt Amanda....."come on, say it, Aunt Amaaannnnnndddaaaaa......please?!?"

24. Just Because…So There! – Just because she is beautiful and a free spirit, I want to share more of her! The first picture captured exactly who she is.  She always closes her eyes when she laughs. :)
 

25. Hopes and Dreams – I have so many hopes and dreams for 2013.  My fiance and I are getting married (WOOHOO!!), we plan to start looking for a new home to start a family in some day, and of course we look forward to our bridal showers, bachelor(ette) parties, and honeymoon.  So much to be happy about and thankful for.  As far as photography goes, I hope to continue to learn and get better.  Hopefully this time next year I will be posting Reflections of 2013 and my photos will have dramatically improved.  Mostly, I hope and dream for happiness always.  Happy New Year everyone and I hope 2013 has much in store for you!  XOXO, Amanda
 

 

 

 

 

Day 2ish: First Snow Fun!

My family went to my Aunt and Uncle's for our Christmas celebration and they had snow!  It was my nephew's first time really getting to play in the snow, and he loved it!  Enjoy!

Day 2ish:

365-ISH Project - Day 1

So, as of this Friday, it is officially Winter, yuck!  I bought my camera in August and have been mostly learning outdoor natural light photography.  Well, now when I get off work it's already dark, what am I supposed to do now?!?!  The past few weeks I have been so antsy to start taking more photos and learning more, but not sure where to start.  So today I decided i'm going to start a 365-ISH project.  The ISH comes from, it won't necessarily be everyday, but as many days as I can post without feeling pressured and stressed.  I started a 365 project when I bought my camera to help me accelerate my learning curve, which it did, however it made me feel pressured and I couldn't enjoy it as much as I wanted to.  So that was my long-winded reason for the ISH.

Merry Christmas!!!!! 

Here is DAY 1: 

With these photos I used a Star Burst tutorial from I Heart Faces.  If you want to learn how click  here.