Opportunities....

I sit here lately and look at my kids.  It's such a big world out there for them.

There is a long open road for them....full of possibilities. 

They can turn back and ask for guidance and see where they have been.

 .

Or they can keep their eye's on what they want and keep moving forward

I love this picture. To me it represents that path, that road, those opportunities.  The simpler times, the peaceful times, where anything is possible. 

Children have nothing but opportunity in front of them. The world is theirs. So my question lately is does that opportunity end? When is that age where the world gets smaller and your opportunities are less?  And my conclusion is - there is no age.  Don't close those doors, don't make excuses.  Find what makes you happy, believe that it can be yours, and seize those opportunities.  

I am starting my path to find what makes me happy and surrounding myself with those opportunities. 

Sisters

Sisters are probably the most competitive relationship within the family, but once sisters are grown, it becomes the strongest relationship. ~Margaret Mead

A sister is a gift to the heart, a friend to the spirit, a golden thread to the meaning of life. ~Isadora James

When I see images of my daughters like this, I have to say I do turn a little green with envy, I always wanted a sister.  I saw this quote too from Clara Ortega that said "The mildest, drowsiest sister has been known to turn tiger if her sibling is in trouble."  This I think will be them.  They are uber competitive, at each others throats all the time, they are so different.  But - they are bonded.  They are sisters, they have each others back - like sisters should.  I know they don't know what they have now - I hope they do later in life

Small Wonders

We went to my Grandma's property last weekend.  It is surreal there - peaceful - tranquil - a chance for us to just be!  No cell phones, no TV, no internet...Just the 5 of us.  I am going through and editing some pictures now - this was one of my first ones - I love it. This is where I spent my youth - and seeing this picture just makes me smile and wish for a simpler life for my children.

1/250, f/13, ISO 500

Recipe: Florabella LuxeII Timeless, Texture: Angelfood

And - I love this one too - makes you yearn for a simpler time - doesn't it!

1/500, f/5.6, ISO 250

Can't wait to get to the rest! 

Proper Exposure - makes a difference!

I have been learning more and more with my camera.  We went camping this weekend.  By camping - I mean hanging out at my Grams amazing cabin in the woods.  Pictures to come.  But - as I was taking pictures - the scene was just breath-taking.

My first image was way over exposed - so I worked and got it properly exposed.  What a difference!  Standing in the same place - about 30 sec apart - makes a big difference getting it right in the camera - don't you think!

Photo shoot in the woods - with Florabella

Well - my obsession with Florabella continues!  I just purchased the textures bundle, and I had a vision appear in my head.  I had never gone out to shoot my kids with a post processing technique already in my head.  Well - I did this time - and I think it worked!

Here are the pictures - we went to this woods down the road from my house - we went at about 6:00 - 6:30 - the sun was setting and it was - like I said - in the woods.  When there was light shining through it was glorious!!!  But - you can see with the exposure below - I had to crank up my ISO's and shoot pretty wide.  But - I think it worked!

I used my 50mm, and used all Florabella actions on them, and I think there is a texture on each one as well.  If people want to know - I can start paying more attention to my "recipe" :)

1/160 sec at f/2.2 at ISO2000

1/160 sec at f/2.2 at ISO2000

1/400 sec at f/2.2 at ISO1600

I forgot the action/Textures :(

1/250 sec at f/2.2 at ISO1600

I think it was Tuesday and a texture

1/500 sec at f/2.2 at ISO800

Florabella: B/W Blush with texture

1/500 sec at f/2.0 at ISO800

Florabella: Tuesday and a texture 

1/320 sec at f/2.0 at ISO800

Florabella: Tuesday and Manhattan Texture 

1/250 sec at f/2.0 at ISO1600

Florabella: One of the new B/W actions I just bought

Love to know your thoughts - and if you have used any Florabella or other actions - let me know - love to check them out!

Flora Bella Actions

I recently purchased some Flora Bella Actions.  If you love photography, and photoshop, and if you haven't checked them out - please - go - now!  Well - read the rest of my post - then go :)

Here are some images that I finished editing last night with her LuxeII collection.

The first ones were mainly Tea Time - I did tweak the sliders and adjust a few other - but - the action made the photos!  All of them were shot with my 50mm prime.

SS 1/6400, F/2.8, ISO 320

SS 1/1000, F/2.0, ISO 100

SS 1/1000, F/2.0, ISO 100

SS 1/1000, F/2.0, ISO 100

SS 1/1000, F/2.0, ISO 100

This is one of my favorite of my Hay...such sweet and angelic, with a hint of mischief - which is SO Hay.  And - I am finally figuring out the exposure thing, and how it can make such a difference in the quality of the picture!

SS 1/1250, F/2.0, ISO 100

These were her B/W Blush Action.  Again - I tweaked some here and there and added some other slight adjustments - but - this currently is my favorite black and white change!

SS 1/6400, F/2.8, ISO 320

I love the Bokeh in this image.  I am learning the sweet spot of my new 50mm lens - she really stands out!  Love it - love that blur!

SS 1/2000, F/2.2, ISO 250 Shot with my 50mm 

Ok - now that you have finished reading the post - go check out Flora Bella!!!  I am already planning the next purchase (shhhh - don't tell my husband!)