Friday | Picture of the Week | Week 40

Whoa – I have finally reached week 40 which means there are only 12 more pictures of this project left so I better try to step up my game, but I will leave you with this picture of the stunning Los Angeles sky taken with our Fm3A.

I have come to realize that I may have a slight obsession with photographing clouds, but what can I say – I think they rock and am still waiting for some really smart person to invent a way to float, jump, and bounce on those clouds just like you dream of as a child (or adult in my case). Or maybe I should just become a Care Bear {the pink one}, so all my cloud dreams will come true! Until then, I will be admiring them with my feet firmly planted on the ground and day dreaming.

Friday | Picture of the Week | Week 36

Good morning from Utah! Like I said, I have been in love, amazed, and in awe of the majestic clouds. In Los Angeles we rarely, as in like never, get clouds like this! The last time I saw these type of clouds was over a year ago while visiting my parents! I am not sure if these are old news to most, but I have to say I wish clouds like these filled the skies of my pictures every day! Just one of the many things I will treasure about this trip {besides my hubby, co-pilot companion}!

xoxo

Friday | Picture of the Week | Week 32

And picture of the week goes to……Tasha Marie from California. My Mom received Tasha as a gift from my Dad several years ago and she has warmed the hearts of the family, especially my Moms, ever since! Tasha is usually to much of an elitist to be caught playing dog games, but I was able to capture her letting her guard down and playing some good old catch in the summer sun. No joke, the dog would prefer to sing happy birthday with the family or play driver in my Mom’s MG (it’s right hand drive), than play something as junior as fetch.

This Madison, Tasha’s sister. My sister and Dad picked her up several years ago after she escaped from her home and was attempting to cross a busy street. After locating the owner, the owner confessed that he did not want her anymore, so my parents gladly took her into their home. And boy, she has charmed many hearts since coming into our life. This is Tasha’s back-to-school photo and it looks like she made the soccer team this year – look at me Mom – #1 player!!!

xoxo

Friday | Picture of the Week | Week 29

Believe it or not, I missed a few picture of the weeks somewhere along the line, so in honor of the dear hydrangea bush, here is another one!

xoxo

Friday | Picture of the Week | Week 28

Before I say anything else, please take a look at that hydrangea bush…its owner must have one serious green thumb! And don’t worry, the picture is not deceiving you. The bush is as big as the house, has as many blooms as the entire LA Flower Mart, and by my calculation if the owner was to sell each bloom for the going rate that bush is worth $400!

I have seen this bush bloom for the past three years and every time I am in awe (and secretly kind of want to “snip” a few blooms….juuuust a few.) I even asked my husband what he thinks about taking a few and he was appalled I even asked. I thought he must be a boy and just doesn’t get it. So what do you do when you need advice on something only a girl can relate to? Ask Mom of course; she loves flowers so she will understand. I asked my Mom, if it would be “ok” if I took a few and then tried to describe to her just how many blooms this lady had and how she really really would never know or miss those blooms and that I would really really enjoy those blooms in my house. My Mom replied, “SHANNON? You can’t STEAL the neighbors flowers!” Yikes – I guess I got my answer and I learned, at 27 years old (this was last year when I asked), that taking a few blooms from the neighbor is not allowed.*

Until, I have a yard that consists of more than my three potted plants, I will be enjoying this seasons hydrangea blooms only through my pictures.

*Travis McConnell, if you are reading this, picking strawberries from the “neighbors” would also fall under this category.

Friday | Picture of the Week | Week 22

This is Ellie Mae, one half of the Baby-Boston-Ellie-Mae-Team-of-Terror. She is my sister’s Lhasa Apso. Since Kelsey loves these two little pups like children, I thought she might enjoy a picture or two of them.

I read a tip once that suggested when photographing children to get down low so you are at their level. Most photographs of children and pets are taken from 4ft feet above the subject which results in the object looking distorted and dwarf-like. When you get down low the camera sees the world from their perspective and creates an instantly more interesting photograph.

I try to keep this in mind when photographing such subjects and I have to say this is one of those tips you don’t even need a “fancy” camera for!

 

 

 

 

Friday | Picture of the Week | Week 7

Click here for bigger.

Riding bikes? Nah, not for me.

Crusing the beach on a strand cruiser? Now that is something I can do! Although I did not grow up in Southern California, I have lived here long enough to learn a few cruising musts: 1) wear a bathing suit under whatever you are wearing; 2) grab your sunglasses; 3)  if you break a sweat you should probably slow down!

Enjoy the weekend!

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Friday | Picture of the Week | Week 3

This picture of the week business is much harder than I thought. I find Friday’s are just coming quicker and quicker and it’s only week 3! Since the days are still so short if I don’t photograph a picture on the weekend I am subject to photographing indoors or at night.

This picture of the tulips, a sweet present from Ry, was taken on our dining room table with no flash only our hideous, industrial, it-came-with-the-apartment ceiling light.  I used our favorite Nikkor 35mm lens at f/4, 1/50, ISO 1600.

Happy weekend to all!

Friday | Picture of the Week | Week 2

As you can probably tell, this picture was taken in Downtown LA. Some of the pedestrian bridges offer fantastic views of the streets below.  While this picture was taken during the day, I hope to bring my tripod one day and get a picture of same view at night.  Happy Friday!