Photography

Family, Photography

Getting Creative

When Liam started Kindergarten in the fall, we saw his interest in drawing and coloring finally start to pick up. Since then we have piles and piles of drawings from him. In the car today, he decided to step up his game.

Liam has always enjoyed stories and has even made a few of his own a couple times, but with some help. Usually he would draw the pictures and then he would tell us what to write and where. This time he decided to do everything on his own. He started writing a little story about a lioness in the car and when we got home, he illustrated it.

Liam

Drawing a lion

Part of the story

To say that I’m impressed might be an understatement. But I am extremely proud of this little guy. He continues to amaze me every day. I hope that his love of art, reading and writing continue throughout his life.

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Family, Photography

Weekend in Baltimore

Last summer we started taking a mini vacation when we went to JMU and Luray Caverns. We thought about going back again this year, but we also thought that it would be great to go somewhere new. We didn’t want to have to drive far since it would just be an overnight trip so we decided on Baltimore, MD. We didn’t have a lot planned, but we knew we wanted to hit the National Aquarium the most.

On board the USS Constellation

By the canons

At the helm

Stephen and Liam

We spent some time on board the USS Constellation and the USS Torsk (there’s only 1 photo of that ship since we spent a good while baking inside the submarine while two gentleman reminisced about old times).

On board the USS Torsk

A photo posted by Kristen (@kng_photo) on

Then we had a wonderful dinner at Amicci’s followed by dessert at Vaccaro’s. Stephen and I split the brownie sundae and we couldn’t even finish it then! It was huge! And delicious!

A photo posted by Kristen (@kng_photo) on

Thankfully we had walked over to dinner (which was about 10 blocks from our hotel). On our way back to the hotel, we stopped at the pier, sat on a bench and just enjoyed the water and people watching.

Relaxing after dinner

Liam

Before driving home on Sunday, we spent the morning at the National Aquarium. Stephen had been once when he was younger but it was first for Liam and me. Liam had a ball (all of did really). He was literally jumping from exhibit to exhibit he was so excited. His favorite part was seeing an electric eel, a HUGE sea turtle and stingray.

At the aquarium

Checking out the fish

Seahorses

Liam

Arial of a Zebra Shark and a couple Black tips

Overall, I’d say it was a successful trip and we all can’t wait to go back. Until next time, Baltimore!

Stephen and Liam

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Family, Photography

šŸŽ¶ Let’s Go Fly a Kite šŸŽ¶

Liam

Yesterday, the wind was blowing, the sun was out and the temperature was cool, so we decided to finally break in Liam’s Millennium Falcon kite that he got for his birthday! It had been awhile since I had flown a kite myself, but we managed to get it up in the air several times.

Stephen and Liam

I have to say that photographing in bright sunlight is not my favorite thing to do and I don’t think that I’m very good at it, but I think that most of these photos turned out. I would have preferred a cloudy day, but you have to deal with what you’re given and make the most of it.

Flying a kite
Kite Flying
Running after the kite
Liam
Liam running
Liam and I

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Personal, Photography

Project 365 – Completed

366/366

This is it. I’ve made it. I’ve arrived. I have successfully shot a photo every day for the last 366 days.

I started this project because I saw a trend in my photography. I wasn’t taking as many photos at home as I would have liked. Moments were being missed and I wanted a change. I didn’t want to miss these every day moments. I wanted to see if I could challenge myself to take a photo every day for a whole year. Today, I have accomplished that. I have not missed a single day. I took every photo with my Canon 6D. Some days we were on vacation, and then others we never left the house. There were times when we were healthy and then others when we were sicker than dogs. I still took a photo each and every day.

87/366

I learned a lot about myself this last year. I learned that if I set my mind to something, I can accomplish it. I’m really proud of myself for sticking with this for a full year. At the beginning it felt like a burden, but now, it’s just part of my day. It will be strange not posting a photo every day. That’s not to say that I won’t continue taking photos more often, but I doubt I’ll keep it up each day. Some have joked that I can’t stop. But I can and I will. It’s time to focus my energy on another project. That’s how we grow. I don’t know what that is yet, but I’m sure I’ll think of something soon. I’d like to spend some more time blogging and I’d love to focus on my physical health too.

202/366

If I had any advice to anyone looking to start Project 365, it would be to just go for it. You don’t have to start on January 1st to be successful. The calendar doesn’t dictate success, you do. I started on a random Friday in April. And because I wanted to make a change, I did. You are not going to create a fantastic life changing image every day, but you will have a glimpse of what every day was like for 1 year. And, sure, you’ll have a couple of fantastic images along the way.

345/366

It wasn’t pretty at times, but marathons rarely are. It’s about perseverance and determination. At the end of the day it’s about crossing the finish line. And it feels really damn good.

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Family, Photography

Project 365 – Day 365

365/366

Liam had just finished eating something and Izzy was very hopeful that a crumb may have dropped (it didn’t). It’s so weird that today is almost my last day of this project. It’s going to be strange on Sunday morning not getting that reminder at 9AM to take a photo for the day. I can’t wait to show you all what I have in store for tomorrow.

Izzy
Liam
Playing
Liam
Liam

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