SNAPSHOTS

Hey, all! I hope everyone's holiday seasons are off to a great start. Can it really be December already? Is my second baby really already SIX MONTHS OLD? Is time FLYING BY, or is it just me?!

This year, as an early Christmas/anniversary combined with "hey mama, you work hard and you deserve a treat!" present, I finally decided to take the plunge and get something I've been thinking (read: obsessing) about for years now...I finally, finally, FINALLY bought a DSLR camera. 

And I. AM. STOKED.

You see, I am a creative person by nature, and growing up I had no shortage of creative outlets. Voice lessons, dance lessons, guitar, clarinet, school plays, cheerleading, YOU NAME IT. If there was a creative thing happenin' somewhere, odds are, I was part of it. 

Enter motherhood.

Ah yes, the ULTIMATE creative venture! Literally creating other people and then watching and helping them grow every single day. What could be more thrilling and fulfilling than that?!

The answer is, of course, nothing. Nothing could ever be, for me, more creative or fulfilling than raising these little people I call mine. And yet, especially this past year, I have recognized that old familiar voice calling my name. "Hey, remember me? Remember when we used to make stuff? Do stuff? Get wild and crazy and have lots of fun?!"

Yes, creativity, I remember you! And yes, I have missed you. And so, after much racking of my brain and thinking critically about how, exactly, I could fill this creative void in my personality without sacrificing any of my baby-raising time/energy, I realized...I was already doing it. I just didn't realize!

Guys, I LOVE photography! Have for years. And now, I actually have a REASON to take photographs...well, reason(s). My two beautiful kiddos! It is my greatest desire that they grow up with as many tangible (and intangible) memories of their childhood as possible, and taking pictures is one way that I can help realize that goal. And while I do love my Iphone for on-the-go snaps (HOLLA HOLLA), I decided it was time to take the plunge and step up my game.

I am now the proud owner of a Nikon D3400, and I am loving it. Almost as much as I love matching coats, bows, and dresses. ALMOST. 

To make sure I get the most out of my fancy new friend, I also enrolled in this amazing program called Shoot Along. Have you guys heard of this? It's a program SPECIFICALLY designed to teach parents how to shoot professional-quality photos of their children with their own DSLR cameras. I was SO excited when I found their website. It is basically made for me (and probably you, too). 

Shoot Along has two different programs available. The first is a year-long membership that includes 52 weeks of photography lessons delivered by email. Through this program, you can learn new concepts, understand how your camera works, and build on your existing skills. A mixture of both creative and technical lessons make it easy to stay motivated, and the best part is, EVEN BEGINNERS CAN FOLLOW. That's right, y'all. Even a real newbie like me.

If you'd rather move at a faster pace, Shoot Along also offers an 8-week program. This program includes 8 photography lessons that cover technical and creative concepts and help you take better pictures of your family while mastering your camera. Lessons are 3 pages long and delivered once a week in PDF format. To keep you on track, lessons have suggested assignments for you to complete  as well as creative prompts to get you started.

I'm starting the year-long program this January because I am geeking out about this new hobby, and I've decided to really GO FOR IT. Wanna join me?! 

I hope to have many more pretty photos to share with all of you very soon. In the meantime, know of my constant prayers for all of you. And know that, even when I am not 'chatting,' I am checking in and thinking of you all. 

And now, off to snuggle my newly-minted six-month old before six more months go by. Seriously, SLOW DOWN BABIES!

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