{Preston turns 1}

Today Lynda and I took pictures of our friends son Preston for his 1st birthday.  Poor little guy had fallen and skinned his nose the day before.  I still think he's adorable even with a skinned nose. We started out taking pictures in freezing downtown Roanoke, one of our favorite picture spots.  The shoot started out great but soon Preston didn't want anything to do with the camera.  We had to get creative and ended up using his dad as a prop.  Thanks Greg!  After moving to the Roanoke Soccer Complex, Preston had had enough.  Even when he's upset he's still cute.  As soon as his mom picked him up he fell asleep in her arms.  Happy Birthday Preston.

{the christmas card that didn't happen}

Trying to get pictures of my family has been almost impossible.  Between soccer games, good lighting, Garrett being at his moms, Darian being at work, and not getting my families pictures taken at Syd's wedding it almost didn't happen.  So yesterday before church we stopped by an abandoned building and I took some quick shots.  Darian and I are not in the picture because I took the pictures so the kids will have to do and believe me it was hard enough just to get them all together.

I worked for a couple hours on these cards but when I went to my favorite website to upload them they wouldn't fit.  I was so bummed.  I was frustrated so I just gave up and ordered them from Costco.

So now I can show you our Christmas card that didn't happen.

{j bowler family pictures}

Lynda and I took pictures of my brother Tad and his family. These pictures are ones that I took and they are straight out of the camera. No editing. I can't wait to see which ones they have chosen to use on their Christmas card.

{a fun little photo shoot}

Lynda and I took pictures for two of her friends. It was fun being able to practice our skills and doing it with my sister was even better. I do have to say that Texas has some great picture locations.

  

{Carmack family pictures}

I have no intention of taking my photography to a professional level but I do want to get better at taking pictures.  I think that it would take away the enjoyment of photography for me and I want to enjoy taking pictures. When Darian bought me my new camera I told myself that I was not going to use auto.  When I had my first dslr camera that's all I used for fear of not getting a good picture.  So now that I have a bigger camera with new lenses that didn't come with the camera I needed to practice.  So taking pictures of my family was the perfect opportunity.  Here are some pictures from our fun photo shoot.

{goodbye auto, hello manual}

When Darian bought me my new camera a few months ago I told myself that I was not going to shoot any pictures on auto.  This was the only way I knew I was going to get more comfortable with the manual settings on the new camera.  (I got the new Canon 60D)  Thanks to pinterest I have learned a lot.  I still have so much more to learn but it really has been fun.  I am still nervous that I won't get the clear shot that I want but so far so good.

I love this picture of Kaidee.  It was at the hotel the morning of Sydney's wedding.  The lighting was perfect so I snapped a picture of her while she was talking to me about how excited she was for Sydney's wedding.