This week’s word is “simplicity.”  Sometimes we need to stop and notice the beauty in the more simple things in life.  I was at Morton Grove Florist ordering a wrist corsage for my daughter for this weekend’s Daddy Daughter Dance when I just paused to notice all of the gorgeous flowers in the cooler case.  I decided to buy this one and see if I could do something neat with it for my 52-week project.

Check out some of the great images from last week’s theme, imperfection.

I had this idea about trying to write this whole blog post in skater lingo but then I realized that I don’t know any skater lingo other than the word “dude.”  Ha! Therefore I am just going to talk like I normally talk and tell you that these are some highlights from a really fun family session we did right before the holidays.  A couple of the images were used on a custom holiday card and once the chaos of the holiday season died down, we finished up by selecting some wall art and gift prints.

You know how sometimes you talk to someone new on the phone and it’s so relaxed and natural that it’s like talking to an old friend?  That’s how I felt when the mom of this family called me.  I just knew we were going to have a great session.

K, I am glad you found me and I look forward to working with you and your beautiful family in the future!

This week’s word is imperfection. Imperfection is one of the most beautiful parts of growing up.  I will always treasure my son’s ranbo.

Check out some of the great images from last week, “inspiration.”

This week’s word is “inspiration.”

My kids inspire me to be a better person, a better mom, a better role model. It’s hard to remember any decision I have made in the past 9 years that didn’t take them into account.  Oh yeah, that’s because there aren’t any. They are in my every thought.  Through their own unique personalities and behaviors, my kids inspire me in different ways.  My son inspires me to be silly, to be more loving, to forgive.  My daughter inspires me to be creative, to think about the needs of others, and to take time to relax.

In keeping with my resolution of trying to use available light, I did not use flash here. I shot this in a challenging lighting situation – dark outside, just an overhead hallway light.  I think processing via the CM FIlm Art Presets helped make it look a little more artsy, even with the awkward lighting.

“My momma always said life was like a box of chocolates. You never know what you’re gonna get.” ~Forrest Gump

Week 2′s theme/word for the 52 week project is “Life.” It was fun to try to come up with something creative for this week’s word. That’s my son’s Annoying Orange in there. He also has an Annoying Orange backpack tag that makes really annoying voices. Too bad I can’t have audio to accompany this photo. Imagine opening a candy box and having an annoying squeal scare the heck out of you. LOL!

Side note:  After buying a box of candy specifically to take a picture of it, I have a whole new level of respect for my friend Monica Wilkinson.  Monica did am amazing personal photo project in 2011 all about candy. I think it would be really hard not to eat all of those props!

Personal photo projects – so much fun!  I try to do one every year because it keeps me creative and lets me experiment with some different things photographically.  This year I have decided to participate in the My 4 Hens 52-week challenge.  A new word will be posted each week and it’s up to each participant to take a photo to represent that word.  This week’s word is resolutions.

I have lots of the usual resolutions, things I resolve to do every year – eat healthier, exercise more, relax more.  I am not even going to bother going on too much about those things because those are a given.

One of my photographic resolutions this year is to open my eyes more to natural light.  I have become so used to controlling the light in my studio or via my flashes that sometimes I forget to actually see the light around me.  So while I am sure you will see a lot of flash and strobe shots in this 52 week project, I am going to strive to incorporate more natural light.

Wishing you health, peace, and happiness in 2012!

Here is the final installment of my 2011 personal photo project. 4 people for 12 months – complete!  Even though a lot of my 4 For 12 pictures are snapshots, at least my kids will have twelve fun family portraits from this year with all four of us in them.  (I know, except for last March.  But let’s not go there!)

I have not fully decided on my 2012 personal project. Since I have become so used to shooting in studio, I am considering taking on a natural light project. I am so accustomed to being in total control of my lighting that sometimes I need to remind mysel to stop and “see” the natural light around me.

I still have a week to decide, right?