30 Days of Summer Photo Challenge // The Last 15

I had so much fun with Megan's 30 Days of Summer Photo Challenge.  I loved pushing myself to take photos to fit each theme--some I would have taken regardless, but others I would never have attempted.  I love that I got the extra practice with my DSLR and I'm proud of all of the photos I captured.  Of course, I'm sure my kids are thrilled the challenge is over, but don't be fooled; I have no plans to put down my camera any time soon! ;)

 Like with my photos from the first half, most of these (but not all!) were taken on my DSLR using my 50/1.8 lens, transferred via my wireless SD card, and edited using only the Color Story app on my phone.  The boys went to Grandma's on day 16, so my photos were a little boring for awhile. :) :)

day 16 // evening

day 17 // shadow

day 18 // summer uniform

day 19 // baseball 

day 20 // dance

day 21 // sprinkler

day 22 // travel

day 23 // smile

day 24 // someone I love

day 25 // adventure

day 26 // swim

day 27 // summer tradition

day 28 // making me happy

day 29 // reflection

day 30 | grateful

30 Days of Summer Photo Challenge \ The First 15

I mentioned before that I had signed up to participate in a 30 Days of Summer Photo Challenge hosted by fellow KC blogger and photographer, Megan Peters of Crazy Bananas.  The challenge spans the month of June and each day suggests a different theme.  Though a fancy (DSLR) camera wasn't required to join the challenge, as someone always striving to improve my manual photog skills, I knew that's the route I wanted to take it.  All but one of these photos (can you guess which one??) were taken on my camera using my 50/1.8 lens, transferred via my wireless SD card, and edited using only the Color Story app on my phone.  Some of my photos have been well thought out, based on the daily theme.  Yet, because my camera is constantly near me, some of them are candid shots I later realize will work perfectly for an upcoming theme.  Another goal of mine has been to not use a photo "from my archives", but rather take all of these photos throughout the month of June, and so far, that mission has been accomplished.  I have truly enjoyed this little challenge and I look forward to the second half.  In the meantime, here are my first half photos!


day 1 // good morning   

day 2 // jump 

day 3 // cold treat 

day 4 // from where I sit

day 5 // light

day 6 // filthy

day 7 // reading

day 8 // silhouette

day 9 // run

day 10 // picnic

day 11 // black and white

day 12 // barefoot

 

day 13 // grass

day 14 // naptime

day 15 // friendship

Which shots are your favorite??

Summer Photos - Week 10

Also known as - the week Brantley was at Camp Grandma's.  He had a blast with his cousins in Wichita and I'm not ashamed to say it was amazing around these parts, as well.  I mean, I don't think any mom of 2+ children will deny the fact that when you're left with only one child, it's smooth sailing!  I only busted out the big camera once, so this is all I've got for week 10.

Summer Photos - Week 9

The dog days of summer are here.  Which means running through sprinklers and eating ice cream is only necessary!

Summer Photos - Weeks 7 & 8

I followed through with my goal of taking one photo of each boy in manual mode each week for six whole weeks.  And then I dropped the ball.  But like I said before, once the 4th of July hits, so does the craziness of our summer.  The holiday, Brantley's birthday, our anniversary, and our annual trip to the lake all within ten days of each other!  Which leaves little downtime and little time to practice the manual setting on my camera.  So four photos {in manual mode; lots more on IG - obviously} is all I have from weeks 7 and 8.  And really, they were all taken in week 7, I believe...

In other news, today starts week 8 of my summer break.  Which means, including today, I have exactly three weeks to go!  As much as I hate seeing the "Back to School" displays at Target, they also excite me!  A good quality for a teacher, I suppose!?  And if I'm being honest, there were a few moments last week when I decided I was ready.  You know, those moments when the boys were fighting and whining non-stop.  Being a teacher is exhausting, but being a SAHM might have it beat.  Props to all of the moms who do it year round!

Stay tuned--I have more blogging to catch up on in these final three weeks!

Summer Photos - Week 6

Yesterday was a happy day.  I thought I was down to four remaining weeks of my summer break, but turns out I have 11 weeks off, not 10!  Thank goodness because I'm not at all ready to even think about going back!!  Cheers to five (well...four and a half) more weeks of this!