Friday, May 11, 2012

Passion found... CHECK.



Being a good mommy, A REAL GOOD mommy
will always be my purpose, my joy, my number one passion

BUT a girl needs something that is just hers, something to take a little "me time" with.
Something that excites her soul. Makes her heart even the more fuller.
Makes her even a better partner & mother.
I have found my passion in photography.
I am SO in love with it, & though I'm just in the beginning of our long love story....
I can't wait to learn more each day.

Right now I'm giving a go at only shooting in manual.
(It's FREAKING me the heck out. BUT loving the difference when I get it right!
It's getting a little more natural day by day!)

I'm also trying to be more comfortable in front of the camera, especially getting pics of my Jaxy & I.
(note to self: Maybe that's why you are so crazy about taking a tra-zillion pics of your sweet little family...
you missed out on having those memories to look back on, & have maybe 12 pictures of your childhood. WOW. That makes sense! )
(I promise he is in this shot! You just have to look closely.) Lol)

Anywhoooo....
My VERY favorite thing in this whole wide big ole world....
Getting sweet kisses from my baby boy...
AND capturing these sweet moments in time.
He'll ALWAYS know how much his mommy LOVES him, 
but I want him have these precious moments to always look back on.
Sigh. LOVE him SO.


OHHHH! Come link up early with our Finalge a Fot #13
A Mother's LOVE photo challenge!
Come help us celebrate the beauty of being a mommy.
Let's inspire & lift each other up!
.......................................................

the salad days

19 comments:

Love, Chelsea said...

Yay! Beautiful pics especially love the first one :)

Unknown said...

Ummm, first of all...could you be more gorgeous? If so, please don't. It's just too much already! Second, I so relate to your words. I didn't expect to be a stay at home mom but knew the moment i laid eyes on my daughter that it was what I was meant to do. It fills me up and makes me happier than I've ever been. Adding photography to the mix? Icing on the cake! Truly I get so much out of it - and as a bonus, the family does too! Win-WIN! In terms of manual shooting, here's my take on it. I took some time to learn how to shoot manual and stayed in it most of the time. Now, I switch back and forth between M and P or A depending on the situation. For instance, if Maren is running around or doing something so cute that I run to get my camera, I put that sucker in P or A because I don't want to lose the moment or photo by fiddling around with settings. Now, if Maren is calm or if she's engrossed in what she's doing, I go to M because I know I have more time to fiddle. I know some people are hard core "you have to be in Manual" but I just don't think that's the case. I think you should know how to do M because you are going to get better shots that way, but sometimes P is needed for the speed/ease that allows you to get that "moment". As with all things, I find it's a balance of techniques that works best. Anyway, just my two cents. Your photos are just lovely as always. So happy to know you...xoxoxo

Susan said...

Well said, and beautiful photos :)

Anonymous said...

Stunning kiss pictures there is such tenderness in them x x

LWLH said...

I'm riding the same train as you girl. I am loving getting out there and learning new things and shooting in manual is both exciting and terrifying me.

You got great shots, I love the first one, I need to get better about taking pictures of myself.

Unknown said...

Such beautiful photos! I was shooting in mostly manual and then a lot of my shots got crappy so I switch back to P or AV but you inspire me to give manual another shot.

Unknown said...

Such a beautiful family and adorable blog! New follower here from The Salad Days selfie link up. I,too am a SAHM (stay at home mama) and newbie to photography. I love learning to be more creative with my family in my picture taking, plus having some fabulous blogger mama friends that share the same interests help!

xo,
Allison
http://barretts1234.blogspot.com/

Sonya Marie said...

holy crap, you're insanely beautiful!

Sarah said...

You are doing so well, Melanie! I agree with Sarah. I don't think switching back (I often go to AV) is bad when it's about catching a moment quickly. I'm pretty fast at tinkering, but when the light is contstantly changing because your subject is, it is a pain! Definitely fun to get it down!! And THAT you are doing very well at! Love the photos. That first one is gorgeous! And yes, I still hate you! :)

Marilyn said...

Love this Mel.. Very well put and uuuum, BEAUTIFUL I googled landed me HERE.. ;))) xoxoxox

Mary Gene Atwood said...

Your best post to date. you and Cici and Jax, the three muskateers! Very sweet. Happy Mother's day. Hoping you get a good spoiling!

Amanda said...

You are Beautiful, Jax is Beautiful and your photos are BEAUTIFUL! Your shots are always fabulous! I have switched to manual, and have not looked back. I still don't get it right all the time, but I love that I'm learning. :) AWESOME post! :) xoxo

Patrice said...

Love that first photo!

Sean Marie said...

Stop it. Seriously. You know what I mean. Stop being so mother effing GORGEOUS. I am not exaggerating or kissing your ass, I seriously think you're one of the prettiest mamas I know. You look really young in the second pic from the side. (Hope that doesn't offend you, not sure what your age is.) Anyway, I request more pictures be posted of you so I can be creepy and leave ranting comments like this!

Lish @ Imprintalish said...

Well I agree with all the above comments-you are freakin' gorgeous!And Jax is the biggest cutest sweetheart ever-I see his head and ear in that photo-LOL!!!

Happy Mother's day Mama!Beautiful words by a beautiful photgrapher :)

Cropped Stories said...

I had to look hard but I see him in that shot. His head and ear! Love your shots! I want to link up but I never get pictures with me in them. We'll see, maybe this weekend.

Becky said...

These are absolutely gorgeous shots!!! Only you can make a sideview mirror shot look gorgeous!!! You're going great in manual!

Unknown said...

Such beautiful photos of you and your little guy!!

...melody... said...

You are beautiful and the kiss shots are stunning. Definitely something to save for his wedding day (in the far, far future!). :)