Finding My Passion . . .

Eight or nine years ago my husband surprised me with a Nikon D40 digital camera.  I was definitely a little intimidated by it and I am also a creature of habit.  I hate to admit it but that camera sat unopened for a long time while I still used my little Kodak Easy Share.  Remember those? 

Fast forward to summer vacation at the Jersey shore.  My husband, unbeknownst to me, has brought along my new camera and is taking lots of beautiful photos with it.  I, of course, take it from him and, after a quick lesson on how to use it, begin to see the world in a whole new way.  That was the day I discovered my passion for photography.  And it didn't take long to discover that my true passion is in the genre of outdoor and nature photography.

I am a homebody by nature.  I think one of the reasons why I love winter so much is because I get to hibernate without feeling guilty about not wanting to go out.  Now though, if I go for an extended period of time without using my camera, I honestly feel like something is missing in my life.  One good car ride around town with my camera  (especially since we moved to a new town and I have all new surroundings)  and I feel balanced again. 

I just signed up for a two day class with a professional photographer and I have to tell you that I'm really looking forward to it.  There are settings on my camera that I know nothing about and I want to learn.  I'm ready to step out of my comfort zone and stop being a creature of habit.

What sets your soul on fire?  I'd love to hear your stories of finding your passion!!  xo


~ Wendy

Some Random Photos and a Sunday Saying . . .

I've been taking my camera out and about with me more lately.  It's my true passion in life to take photos.  I pay closer attention to life's smaller details and all of the beauty that surrounds me.  I told my husband the other day that I look at everything as a photo opp.

The Hudson River on a recent foggy day.

Two years ago, I participated in a photo-a-day challenge that I found on a site called Fat Mum Slim.  You can find her blog here.  I stayed with it for almost a year but things got a little busy in my life so I decided to take a month off which, of course, led to about a year off.  We all know how that goes!!  : ) 

A very old grave in our local cemetery.

I'd been toying with the idea of joining the group again to light a fire under my butt to take more photos.  A friend of mine asked me if I had any pointers for her for taking photos.  I told her to go to the library and get one of those "Dummy" books that explains her camera if she doesn't have the manual any more but the real key is to just take lots of photos.  All you have to do is press the delete button on your camera if you don't like how they come out.

Megan at her ballet recital.

So many of us have this fear of being judged by other people and it paralyzes us and keeps us from doing things that we truly want to be doing.  I think one of the wonderful things about getting older is that you begin to realize it's all in your own head.  If someone has that much time on their hands to judge and criticize you then they need to find THEIR OWN passion!! 

Deep in concentration!!  : )

Playing around with my camera. This is a shot of the moon out during a cloudy afternoon.

This is my next goal.  : )


Many blessings for a beautiful Sunday and a peaceful, passion-filled week ~ Wendy

Sunday Sayings . . .

I attended a photography class this week and one of the things the instructor stressed was to not be afraid to share your work with others and to print some of your favorite photos so you can see them up close and personal.  Not just in a little blurb on the computer screen.  I saw this quote and it made me think of how difficult it is sometimes to put your creativity out there for judgement. 

A few of my friend's paintings currently being shown in our town library.

 An artist friend of mine currently has his incredibly gorgeous paintings on display at our local library.  He said that all he could see while looking at them hanging all around him were the "imperfections and the things I should've done differently."  All I saw was the beauty and the talent and the gift that has been bestowed upon him and how incredibly brave he was to share his gift with the world.  I truly wish we could see ourselves the way other people see us and not be so hard on ourselves. I wish we could all share our "gifts" without fear of judgement.  I wish we could unlearn the habit of being our own harshest critic.  This is something I've worked on over the years and I've honestly made huge strides.  I've also chosen to keep judgmental people at arm's length whenever possible.  We're all human and we're all in this boat of life together.  We all have the same basic human needs and the need for acceptance has to start within ourselves.  Nobody can give us true happiness except ourselves.  I guess that's another quote for another "Sunday Sayings."  : )


Many blessings for a beautiful and happy Sunday ~ Wendy

From Where I Sit . . .

I thought I'd take a break from This Moment this week and try something new.  Yesterday, as I sat in the backyard and watched my daughter playing in the sandbox, I started to take photos from where I was sitting.  I shot in every direction and was pleasantly surprised by some of the things I saw that I wouldn't have seen had I not been looking thru my camera lens. 

Look closely . . .  what do you see??  That was my pleasant surprise!!  : )

There were signs of summer days beginning to wind down, summer fun still in full swing and projects in the works.  And that beautiful butterfly made me smile.  : )  Some of my happiest summer moments have come when I had my camera in hand and really had my eyes open to all of the joy and beauty and goodness that surrounds me.

Many blessings for a weekend filled with joy, beauty and goodness ~ Wendy

Photo-a-day Challenge . . .

I'm currently in my third month of being a part of  Fatmumslim 's photo a day challenge and am still loving it!!  I have to admit that I haven't been posting every single day but I quickly catch up which is, unfortunately, not something that I normally do.  I am the epitome of a procrastinator and have self-diagnosed A.D.D. and that is not a good combination.  : )  However, if I enjoy what I'm doing, that helps immensely.

I thought I'd share some of my favorite photos of the challenges so far . . .

September's challenge will be here before you know it and I'm looking forward to all the new photos yet to be taken.  Come and join in the fun!!  : )


Many blessings for a wonderful and peaceful Wednesday ~ Wendy