5 on 5 Project

My journey with photography is feeling pretty solid.  As a part of my path, I have begun to find groups of photographers that share my same desire when it comes to the style of images we shoot.  We are called documentary photographers, or also classified as lifestyle photographers.  Our goal is to allow life to happen and to photograph real, genuine moments while it does.  We avoid posing, props, and cheesy grins, but love hugs, beautiful light, and interaction between the people in the lens.

I recently joined a group of women and have been able to hop into a blog circle (good thing my blogging has really picked up!)  Each lady in the group will be posting 5 images that tell a story in our lives on the 5th of every month - hence the title 5 on 5.  At the end of each blogger's post, you will find a link to the next photographer's blog.  You will find that although we all love to shoot life as it is, our own way of doing that is unique and that's what makes photography so fantastic.  It's also how stories end up being yours and no one else's.

So, before our official post on the 5th, I wanted to share all the blogs in the group.  Please click the links to get a glance into their style and learn a little about their story.  You should see a different person at the end of each monthly post, so you may want to just go like some of their pages on Facebook if you enjoy their work so you can see their 5 on 5 every month!!

• Maryrose: www.amommentarylife.com
• Jenn B: www.sycamorelanephotography.com
• Julia: www.juliafrancescaphotography.ca/blog
• Jess: http://www.samarielei.com/documentary-blog/
• Eboni: http://luxeartimages.com/category/my-stories/
• Danielle: http://www.daniellemacinnes.com/blog
• Natasha: http://www.natashakellyphotography.com
• Beth: http://www.bclaire.com/blog/

And since no photographer's blog should go without pictures - here's a sneak peek into my 5 on 5 for August.  This is one that did NOT make the post.  So, if you like this one, I think you will love the five that got chosen!  Make sure to come back on August 5th to see my story!!!

Family Putt-Putt

As a Mom, there have definitely been times that I wish I could clone myself.  Mostly so I can do things like play with my kids, rather than do laundry or clean the house (I know I'm not alone in that one), but also so I don't have to miss anything!  To date, I have not figured that one out and am forced to just try and juggle all I can.  So since photography is my passion, it's probably not a surprise that when my family plans a night of fun with my parents in town, lots of juggling is done so that I can both participate and document it!  Bring on the golf ball juggling!

My dad has been an avid golfer all my life, and my son loves to play putt-putt as a family, so it is a perfect match!  Even the heat played along for us and gave us a night that was under 90, so we got to enjoy ourselves without dying.

Emma was the most adorable and perfect caddie for Jason and I as we alternated holes.  And the night grew more and more beautiful with a golden light coming off the horizon.  I may have swooned a little over that light.

But no matter how beautiful the night was, it still had to come to an end.  Of course, not before the sun set, the course lights came on, and the final scores were tallied.  In case you are wondering, it seems that years of playing and watching golf wins out over a split team or just playing for fun.  In my opinion though, the winners were the ones who got to enjoy time spent together with family.

Tea for Two

My children have almost a decade of years between them (God's design, not ours).  This, along with the fact that they are different genders, and have drastically different personalities, might make one question the type of relationship they have.  But let me assure you, they have a love for each other that speaks through the years and differences.  So, when my 2 year old asks her 10 year old brother to play tea and he joins in, your heart instantly warms.



You have to smile at the details that are attended to, the gentle way things are handled, the way they interact together, and the sweet way the years between them melt away.

I loved how my daughter was so serious, and that my son played along.  I especially loved that my son was ok with me catching it all on camera, because before I know it, this time will be gone forever.

Brother's Umbrella

A new discovery is always exciting!  In my daughter's case, when ever you find something of your big brother's, that's a double excitement.  So, when Emma found big brother's umbrella as we cleaned out the garage, it was a day for happy play.

And the details of the day couldn't be more funny.  That umbrella?  It's bent, holey, broken, and over 5 years old.  Of course, I have a super cute ladybug umbrella for my daughter, but she wants nothing to do with it.  And the weather was cloudy, but not a drop to be had until the end of our time.

But the best details about the day were the giggles and the smiles.  And remembering how as the rain started to fall, my daughter grabbed my hand and pulled me under that holey, bent, and broken umbrella.  How we cuddled and she had a very serious look about not getting wet.  It was pure love.

Fourth of July

For the last week, our son has been away at Boy Scout camp.  So, his return on July 4th was a bit of celebration beyond the idea of family fireworks.  So first up for the celebration - homemade cookies!

Chocolate chip M&M's are brother's favorite!  This was also our daughter's first time licking the beaters.  Which, let's be honest, is the best part of making homemade cookies.

Then after a long week at camp, naps were needed for everyone to fuel up for the big night.  And cookie eating - cookie eating was also needed for fuel.

And while we waited patiently to celebrate America's birthday, there was candy eating, snack stealing, Daddy kisses, belly laughter, and to cap off the night - FIREWORKS!  I was super excited not only about my yearly chance to try something a little new with fireworks, but also with the fantastic time my family got to enjoy together.  Hope you and yours had a fantastic 4th as well!!

Order of the Arrow

My son was a Cub Scout for 4 years and in the spring of this year, transitioned over into being an official Boy Scout.  Scouts has been a wonderful fit for our son and our family.  We have met some fantastic friends and my son has found an organization that teaches him some wonderful foundations for life.

So, when a mark is made for the boys, a true celebration is made of it.  Last week, our son was at summer camp and Thursday was both visitor night and the ceremony to announce the new members of The Order of the Arrow.  Wikipedia describes The Order of the Arrow like this: "The Order of the Arrow (OA) is the national honor society of the Boy Scouts of America (BSA).  It uses American Indian-styled traditions and ceremonies to bestow recognition on Scouts selected by their peers as best exemplifying the ideals of Scouting."

Our evening started with Scouts that study, are trained, and compete nationally in traditional Native American dance.  Their attire was as impressive as their movements.

Following this, there was a bit of planned comic relief from the members of the OA (and stick gathering from our daughter), while we awaited the setting sun for the ceremony.

To start the ceremony, the boys from Camp Famous Eagle began lining the opposite side of the lake.  It was one long line.  Then, slowly from the right side, a set of canoes brought the M.C. (my name for him) to the center of the banks.  He spoke from his canoe about the traditions of the O.A. and flames were thrown from the left side of the lake.  After this, new OA members were tapped out by a few current members who walked the line with a torch.  They would stop and yell out, "YOU have been chosen!"  

The ceremony was quite the big deal.  It really was an amazing way to watch such a large number of boys be indicated as leaders within their Troop.  I look forward to watching the boys in our group continue to grow and step into honor through the ceremony in future years.