Raw

When MaryClaire was 2 weeks old, we had an impromptu photo shoot in the nursery that resulted in some of my favorite family pictures ever.  It was afternoon, most of us were still in our pajamas - bed headed - no makeup.  The light in Mary's room was soft and warm.  I grabbed my camera, and Ben and I took turns snapping the sweet intimate details of our precious new baby girl.  I had planned to have professional newborn photographs done, but when I looked back through my camera, I felt like no one else could capture our Baby Mary, or our "big" girls, quite like Mommy and Daddy had.  We know all 3 of our girls in a way no one else ever could - their precious quirks and secrets.  Ben and I are by no means photographers, but I love how accurately these photos represent that time in our lives - we were just raw... 

Piture Takin'

I've been practicing with my new camera everyday - just hoping that one day I may reach a point where my skills go beyond "piture takin'" to (do I dare say?) "photography"! On Easter Sunday, I wandered into my mom's garden (gorgeous, by the way, visit her post) and explored some of my camera's settings. For the first time I felt really happy about the images staring back at me on my screen, I even took a little self portrait in one of the garden's orbs - I like it :) I want feed back! It's the best way to learn, so constructive comments are more than welcome! Here are a few of my helpful sources that have helped me figure out the things I've learned about taking pictures so far...

My SIL Alina
My BIL Ande
My photographer (the one I'm working for) Bridgett
My friend Chris
This blog (click on "My Camera")

P.S. Ben offered to go get my old car back - such a sweet husband, but I'm doing ok with the new one now. I think I'm going to be ok ;) Thank you friends for your encouragement and for loving me when I'm ugly!