Thankful for all the Vetrans out there!

Also thankful to the people who are currently serving in the military. You put your lives on the line each and every day so that we may remain free. Thank you for all you do!

I once again find myself behind....

So this will be a HUGE photo share... forgive me, October with a toddler makes for a busy mommy! :) Lots of Halloween to-dos not to mention many booked photo sessions! So here are some of my finds this last month!


a bit of green energy anyone?




A bit of fun out on a farm! LOVE the opportunities here! This one and the following few were all taken at the same place!





Sometimes it amazes me what you can find in your own backyard :) Thanks to my son, we never forget about the moon!




Some Northwest Ohio Autumn color!




A sculpture at a local garden. It looked like it was made of copper?




Beautiful flowers! Especially for the end of October!




We got some WICKED thunderstorms one day! Tornadoes in October? You bet!





Last sign of foliage... :( So sad to see the colors go!




On my way back from a session one night there was so much moisture in the air that it caused a rainbow effect in the clouds!




A beautiful sunset over the river... and yes, technically I was standing in the middle of the river.. we haven't had much rain around here!





Lastly my son... :) Talking to his moose friend... There isn't a day that goes by that I'm not thankful for him, and he doesn't make me smile or laugh in one way or another!


Day: 44
Photos Shared: 32!

I know I'm behind... and I fear that as winter approaches... we may be in trouble folks!!

Apple Weekend!

My family and I went to the apple orchard today to pick apples and to let my son pick out his very own pumpkin. (He's only 1, so this was a pretty big deal!) I'm always amazed at what nature has given us. So, hopefully, with all the photos I'm about to share with you, you will be inspired to go out and take some nature photos of your own!

Have you ever heard the saying, "things always come in 3s?"

Sunflowers!

More sunflowers! I kind of like the contrast of a black and white w/them! (Especially considering that they're all looking down...and have lost all their bright yellow color!)

An apple with a dimple!

An apple catching some rays.

I love all the little flowers that can be found under apple trees!

kinda diggin the edit on this one... some major cross process action going on here!

fresh and crisp.... YUM!

Day: 11
Photos Shared: 15!

I'm behind!

I only have 2 shares today and not really any other explaination for them other than, check out the colors of fall! It is my favorite season of the year, even if it is the prelude to all the snow! So here are my 2 shares!

Not all the leaves have changed color yet, but here is a good example of some that have!

Beautiful sunset colors!

I am really hoping to find more time to take some photos to share with you, but what can I say, life has simply gotten in the way! Forgive me?

Day: 9
Photos Shared: 7

operation failure!

Oh my loyal readers I have failed you already! I forgot that I had a trip scheduled out of town! And whilst out of town it rained the whole time, meaning I could barely get the session in that I had scheduled let alone have time to take "fun and inspirational" shots! BUMMER! This week I plan to hit the pavement hard core and have much more to share with you! Multiple in one day even! I have not forgotten you. . .
Day: 5
Photos shared: 5

Day 2 - already struggling!

So this prospect is already turning out to be a struggle for me! As I try to find good moments to capture and exposures to share with you, I find myself questioning before I click the shutter, will anyone really want to see this picture? I'm finding myself to be inadequate! So here are my shares for the day, nothing inspiring, but fun photos nonetheless. Enjoy!



There is no denying it, fall is upon us! Check out the colors on this tree!




I've always hated chain link fences... not sure why, BUT it doesn't look half bad here!

 Oh yeah, and I thought it might be a good idea to keep track of what day we're on, and how many photos I've shared with you! So it'll be posted from now on at the end of the entry. It's going to be a long journey!
Day: 2
Photos: 5

The Journey Begins With One Step :)

After watching the movie Julie & Julia, I was inspired! (If you haven’t experienced this movie yet, get out of your chair, get to a place where you can rent it, take the movie home, and watch it, every single moment of it!) The movie is based on 2 true stories. Julia Child is inspiring in herself, not to mention, before I knew as much as I now know about her, I found her to be a breath of fresh air! But the other story, the story of “Julie” who takes Julia Child’s cookbook as a personal challenge and strives to complete every recipe in a year! WOW! Now, for those of you who know me, you’re probably thinking, “But, Melissa, you can’t cook!” It’s true! I can’t! Which is why this blog will NOT be about cooking! I am going to apply the same principle to something that gives ME joy! (After all, blogs are the most selfish thing out there, and are always about the writer!) Photography! Yes, I know it will not be nearly as challenging as cooking. (But with a rambunctious toddler, a part time job, a house to keep, a husband, and a less than stunning landscape to work with, {Northwest Ohio isn't known for it's captivating skylines} it probably won’t be the easiest thing in the world either!) My goal, should I succeed, is to inspire at least one other person to pick up a camera in a way they never have before! Or someone who has always shot in “auto” mode to challenge themselves to learn manual! (I’m really hoping that I can accomplish this in a years time!) And with that, I am going to strive to post a new photo each and every day! (Possibly more than one if I‘m having a good day!) Some will probably be boring photos of my daily life, (especially with the winter months coming up) but hopefully some will be moments that can capture (and captivate) you! So, follow along reader (I hope you don’t mind my calling you that.), this next year may turn out to be a flop, or it may turn out to be the best adventure of both our lives!
So, without further ado, here are my very first moments:  I kept it simple today, finding things in my own yard.

I have always loved trees, you may see a lot of them on here. So, that's why I'm making this my first official photo. I also converted it to black and white, which is another photography favorite! It's so classic! I was also able to capture a bit of sunlight poking through the trees!

What is left of some of my flowers this year. Not even sure what kind of flower this is! Plus there is a little bug on his way to munch on some breakfast!

I LOVE distressed wood... unfortunately, this is from under my front door. It desperately needs a paint job, but may end up having to be replaced instead!