Tuesday, January 3, 2012

day 2 - anniversary dinner

Our 19th Anniversary! Hey, that's quite a feat these days.. we feel quite accomplished! LOL 

My hubby took me out to Shaw's Crab House downtown. We love it, but I forgot I didn't want the garlic butter all over my scallops, (I wanted it on the side) and I wanted them grilled instead of sauteed.... live and learn. It made for a great glaze in the picture though! 

It was a much needed break from the drama of life at home with the kiddos. And by "the kiddos" I mean the oldest teen! :) All was well when we came home. A little reset for all of us, a few heart to heart talks, and a refreshing sleep! 

It ain't easy, folks! :)
day 2

iso 400, 1/5, f/1.8
(edited light levels only)


day 1 - single rose

Happy New Year! Welcome to my 2012, second adventure of the 365 world! 

--------------------------------------------------

My intro: 

I'm Kara - I'm a stay at home mom, photographer and just starting my business! 

I'd love it if you'd "like" my page on facebook! I welcome your comments there as well. If you have a fb page, please leave your link so I can "like" it as well! 

I've been very blessed with 3 kiddos, and my amazing hubby of 19 years! He's a firefighter for Chicago, and we live within the city limits...'cause we have to! 

I shoot with a Sony a300. Other than it's kit lens, I own a 50 1.4, and 24-70mm Carl Zeiss 2.8, and 75-300mm 4.5. I'm a Sony girl! A friend of mine just switched from Canon to Nikon. I almost made a switch, but so glad I didn't have to get used to different settings again. 

I am not a soccer mom, but it's under the same category... taking kids to and from softball and baseball games, travel leagues, cheer team, youth group, friend's houses,  and whatever else this world throws at me. I do enjoy it, I would never want someone else to have my job.

I enjoy traveling, but haven't been able to do much with kids in school and sports. Might have to save that for retirement? 

I love Starbucks and skiing, so it's easy to tell you that I'm originally from the Pacific Northwest in WA state! I grew up skiing Snoqualmie, Stevens Pass, Crystal Mountain (Mt. Rainier) twice a week religiously! I miss home dearly, (there's no skiing in Chicago - worth writing about!) but this is where God has us right now, so I'm making the best of it! 

-------------------------------------------------- 

fine print:
all photos are SOOC (straight out of camera) 
unless specified in settings under it's label. I will
try to add settings to every photo, this helps you 
get an idea of where to start, and adjust as needed.
I will do my best to help you through any questions 
you might have, as so many people have helped
me! It's sort of paying it forward. I also accept plane
tickets to come and mentor! LOL Again, I love to travel! 
Seriously, leave a comment, a suggestion, a kind critique..
look forward to meeting you!

-------------------------------------------------- 
I must admit, last year was fun! A little stressful trying to get a photo every day, labeled, uploaded, blogged... but then I realized, the 365 police wouldn't be attacking me if it didn't happen. Now I can relax and get it all done on my own time.

I'd love it if you commented, visited, and left your email somehow (or private message) so I could respond to your comments or questions. Last year it was tough chasing around answers on their blogs, as they didn't pertain to their photos. 

2012 started off a little shaky. We have teens! But, by the grace of God we will all make it through, right? 

day 1

Our 19th Anniversary is tomorrow! The 2nd, my hubby brought me a huge bouquet of flowers. I've never seen roses like this, so I singled it out and I love it!

now the settings, back by popular demand (denise and kim!) 

iso 400, 1/640, f/1.8
(edited with Florabella "love," then took some pink color cast out)


Monday, January 2, 2012

Days 358-365 DONE!!

Happy END OF 365 day for me!! Although this isn't the best work like I expected the end to be, I got it done. That's what I wanted. Other than that, it would've never been done. 

Good news! I've already started my 365, 2012. I will change my header, revamp my site a bit, then start posting! 

I look forward to seeing you all soon! Then I will start visiting blogs again, I promise! I miss seeing everyone's work!







Sunday, January 1, 2012

Days 350-357

I will get there eventually! I feel like the little train that could... but still not there yet! I think I can.. I know I can! 
HAPPY NEW YEAR, all my 365'ers! I will finish soon, now a little disheartened to start another one. I am still undecided and I need to post one for today! 

Have a happy, safe 2012!








Saturday, December 31, 2011

My Camera is BACK! Days 340-349

Wow, that was a rough 2 1/2 weeks! I missed Christmas and my son's 14th birthday with my camera. I'm not too upset, because I'm happy I didn't have to pay a penny to repair this camera.

I'm posting part 1 of a mess of photos I'm putting up, and fully intend to finish by tomorrow! I know, it ends today, so congratulations everyone who made it successfully! I will hopefully earn that title tomorrow. 


Have a careful and safe New Years Eve tonight! 

~HAPPY 2012~










 

Friday, December 23, 2011

Broken Camera

Ho Hum...

Just as I'm getting into my favorite season, my camera topples off my table. I had it "safely" tucked against the wall with the external flash for my daughter's party..
Apparently, cleaning at 1:00am doesn't help save time. I should have waited until morning, or put my camera back! Either way,  it's being repaired. I'm patiently waiting for it to return.

Patiently? More like pacing back and forth leaping for every phone call. 

Merry Christmas, my dear 365 friends! I've enjoyed getting to know some of you, seeing other's children grow before my eyes, being helped many many and in return helping some of my own..

Are any of you starting another 365? If so, with a theme? Do share!

God Bless you and your adventures in photography, as you find so much of what He has made! I know I've found a new way of seeing life, nature, and everything around me.

Keep in touch! 

~ Kara

Wednesday, December 7, 2011

Days 321 - 339

I'm still here! I knew December would be hectic, I'm just hoping to finish! 

Lots going on here in our little world. Raising teens is stressful to say the least, but we've had some tender moments like Thanksgiving with family, our youngest turning 10, now shopping and decorating are on the list for Christmas! (Then, another birthday to plan 3 days after Christmas!) 
I am so thankful for several jobs in the past month. I've been swamped, but loving it! I've been editing and getting off product, on top of being sick and down for the count a few days. Life goes on, though.. so I trudge along. Here are some photos I wound up taking. The first, a box, not so exciting probably, but it was a big moment in my life. It may have well been Christmas for me! So, I had to take it..

Others are random, but I'm still in the game! Hoping if I don't stay caught up before and during Christmas, that all of you have a safe and blessed season with your families! Great job on your 365's!  Thank you again for all of your encouragement on my personal journey this year!