A Photo a Day - Week 1

I take lots of pictures and try to keep my scrapbooks updated, but I get tired of taking pictures of the same events year in and year out.  In 2013, I took a Photo-A-Day Challenge through fatmumslim.  Chantelle would give a photo prompt for the day and then I would just try to capture what I thought the prompt/word to be.  

It was quite fun and definitely challenging. Somedays, I would change the photo to fit my needs. I did really well until about October and for some reason just couldn't keep up.  I got back on track mid November and finished the year strong.  

This year, I decided to take the challenge again!!  

Here is an example of what the photo prompts are.

I love seeing my life through a different lens.  I will try to share my daily photos each week this year!!  Stay tuned!!

Paparazzi

I have loved photography for many years and taken little photo sessions here and there of my family, but never taken any for hire!!  I was approached by two friends to see if I would take senior pictures for their children.  I told them I would do my best!  

I did Aaron's photo shoot at a little park close by.  I asked him and his mother, Carolyn, to give me some ideas of what kinds of photos they would like and they gave me a great starting point.  Aaron is an amazing musician and loves playing his guitar, so we had to be sure to capture him with his guitar.  The weather and lighting was perfect!!  I enjoyed getting to know Aaron a bit more and capturing some fun pictures!!

I don't like editing photos.  I try to do as much editing of my shots, when I am taking the photo.  I actually was able to sort and edit Aaron's photos in less than 45 minutes!!

My neighbor, Kim, asked me if I would take her daughter Joy's senior pictures.  I have known Joy since she was 2 years old when we moved in next door.  It has been so fun to watch her and her siblings grow up.  They have been incredible neighbors, friends, and playmates for my kids.

Joy had a very specific idea on what she wanted her senior pictures to look like, and I was a little scared!!  Her vision included WATER!!  She found a beautiful stream that was a perfect location to capture her beauty!!

Joy and I took our time and had a great time trying to make her vision come to life.   The lighting, water, and subject were perfect.  Joy was easy to coach and she was ready to take the plunge.  Thankfully it was a warm fall day!!  The hardest part for me was having to get wet myself, I wasn't quite dressed for that!

My favorite part of this photo shoot, was watching Joy emerging from a sort of cocoon.  She was quite timid at first, but the more she got wet, the more she opened up and blossomed.  It was mesmerizing to watch her whole demeanor change.  I think we were both sad when we were done!! 

And Away We Go. . . .

I've toyed with the idea of writing a blog for a little over a year now.  I've always been a planner.  I like to have things all figured out.  I like to know what I'm getting myself into. So for a year now, I've been researching, planning, following blogs, and pinning away on Pinterest, trying to figure out the blogging world.

I've been struggling to figure out my niche - what's going to set me apart from all the blogs out there, but I've concluded I don't really have a niche. I don't have one or two things I want my blog to focus on.  I love too many things - I love crafting, thrifting, God, movies, fashion, scrapbooking, books, repurposing, food, travel, fitness, entertaining, and photography.  I might think that is a lengthy list, but I could have added several other items!!

I want my blog to be a way to express myself.  I love creating, whether it with paper, photos, or fashion.  Being able to create energizes me.  I have finally figured out that when I'm not able to be creative in some form, I start to shut down.  It's time for me to just be me!!

I chose the name A Pocket Full of Violets for a few reasons.  1- I love violets - they are my favorite flower (thanks Anne of Green Gables!!).  2 - If we are blessed with another daughter, I want to name her Violet.  3 - I also have tons of ideas I want to share with you - my pockets are filled to the brim :).  4 - Just like a pocket full of lovely little violets always makes me smile, I hope that this blog will bring a smile to your face as well.