Henry and Lyla

My Mantra

A mantra is a sound, syllable, word, or group of words that are considered capable of "creating transformation"

Every time I feel down or that the world is too much, I say my own personal mantra.

Can anyone guess what it might be?!

Yesterday

http://www.flickr.com/photos/autumnharris/4204431173/in/pool-340group/

Follow link for yesterday's picture. Helped a friend out with her portrait sitting. I would say that it counts!

Memories

This music box belonged to my Grandma Horton. I remember sitting in my grandparent's house listening to the music for hours.
I wanted to keep the beautiful colors but still keep a sense of sadness because my Grandma Lucille did die when I was five.

Finding Beauty in the "unpretty"

Life is beautiful, even when you think it's dreary.

Green, yellow, red

In thought

Holiday Party!

Nothing really special today, just good fun and good smiles!

Playing with lights

Fun with clementines

I have been a rockstar with being able to peel clementines that I can now do it so they become swirls.

So here is a clementine octopus! And he's happy to see you!

Last few days

Sorry, I didn't get a chance to post these until today!



Who's walking in that snow? I love animal tracks in the snow!




Athena, my cat, at her finest!



I like the framing on this one but it is still not just right...

The birds

Going to the beach today was a poor choice considering it was -1 outside without the wind chill. I got about four pictures before I couldn't take it anymore.

However, I am proud to say that I braved the birds!

Caution...

Today is not a serious day!

See what I do to my coworkers in our free time?!

Stormy weather and fast moving cars

Here is today's submission. I like the waves on the lake and the lights from the cars moving.
I don't like the cold or the rainy sleet...or doors that freeze shut on you...got back inside though!

Until tomorrow!

First Snow

Today I decided since it was the first snow to go out and take pictures in the snow in between jobs.
I thought I would start with something I knew really well...little kids. So I decided to go to Crow Island park. In true "Mary fashion" I got lost (don't ask)even though I have been there more than a few times. As I was driving down Hibbard St I looked to my left and saw a forest preserve. I liked the way it looked with the fresh snow over the dead plants and brown trees.

Also, just a quick point to make, if you're planning on going through a forest preserve try and have an extra pair of clothes and gloves or else you will be stuck walking around snow with freezing hands, high-heeled boots and a dress!

Start at the beginning...

Here's the deal; for the next year (12/21/09-12/21/10) I will challenging myself to take a picture a day.
I received the idea from Scott Rodgers (www.srphoto.com) who has been one of my teachers in photography along with one of my bosses. I kept going back and forth about doing this, do I have the time? The drive? The vision? No, no and no! But the answer to the last two made me realize the the first one is not as important. I need to have vision in life and I need to gain the drive to follow through with it!
So, here we are! Now the rules...

#1) I have to be able to photograph something each day. Doesn't really matter what as long as I can explain why I feel it is artistic in some way. Keep in mind...I am not a trained "artist" so my explanations might not always be the best.

#2) I am allowing myself 20 "pass" days. Hence the title, 365ish!

#3) I have three extra days if needed to photoshop/fix something if needed. The reason for this rule is that I do not have immediate access to photoshop at home and will need to piggyback off of someone else.

So, that's about it...everything else is game!

What I am hoping to achieve is to find that drive and that vision. I remember when I first started each new chapter with photography and I had such a passion to get that great smile out of a child or get that correct exposure. Over time, I guess I've lost that feeling.
Now I figured there are two ways I can handle this, I can either settle for the fact that I just don't feel it anymore or I can do something about it.
I always tell my clients at Jenny Craig (yes, I am also a weight loss consultant at Jenny Craig) that they shouldn't settle. Always strive to be a better you. I think it's high time I practice what I preach!

Suggestions, comments and constructive criticism are always welcome!

Thanks for the support! Keep me honest!!

Best,
Mary