I was so afraid I wouldn't find things I love about living out east because I loved Colorado and the Midwest so much. Of course, being here only a few short months, I've come to realize there are many things to love about Maryland and this East Coast area as well.
I love the skies. I've already seen some beautiful sunrises and sunsets with amazing shades of blue and purple. I love the clouds and how they always seem to be the picture perfect painted clouds and a bright blue sky. The colors and skies almost feel softer here where Colorado and the Midwest seemed so intense. Both amazing in totally different ways. I do love spring in Maryland.
Here was my attempt to get outside and capture some of the clouds today.
I guess the clouds can be kind of dramatic here too....but I know I'll always miss those incredible midwest storms!
"While Mommy Cleans in the Other Room"
Oops! I left the childproof safety off of the cabinet, so while I was up finishing laundry, the boys were emptying the cabinet. Seriously, why did we ever buy actual toys?
At least I got laundry done.....
"Learning..."
I have two observations when looking at this one.
1. We haven't been doing much out of the house lately, considering my last few photos have been around the house of mundane daily life....BUT this is capturing life as it is now.
2. I need to better teach the 2 year old the steps of normal everyday tasks instead of assuming he has it all down and can do it on his own....because those bubbles in the sink are only about a quarter of the bubbles he actually made in the bathroom while washing his hands....
"Catching Bubbles"
He was so proud that he could catch the bubble back on the wand and hold it there. I was impressed with how still he held that bubble!
"Wonder"
My black and white pick for the weekend. Curious muddy outdoor boy.
"Image of Childhood"
A spring snow yesterday followed by a 60 degree day today means lots of muddy mess and lots and lots of fun.
"Spring Snow"
Rain coat plus mittens and hat means SPRING snow! (I love the snowflakes all around him.)
"Classic"
This little cutie thinks he can just play the night away tonight. Forget sleep! He's wide awake! What did mommy do? Turned it into a bedtime photo shoot of course.... and I wonder why he thinks he can get away with so much...
"Stormy Spring Skies"
(phone photo). I didn't have my camera in the car on the way to school when we saw this sky. It's a beautiful spring morning with some stormy clouds. I had to pull over and at least try to capture the view with what I had. This view makes for the beginning of a great day!
"Enjoy"
I am saving up for a very big camera upgrade. Because of that upgrade, I really need to work in full manual mode far more to justify the jump I want to make. This is one of the first portrait kid photos I've practiced with that. (I really should have been shooting in manual much more long ago....)
"Signs of Spring"
We have enjoyed some very beautiful, sunny, mid-50 degree days these past couple of days. I absolutely love the spring sun and warmth. Open windows are one of the first signs of spring to me...bringing spring inside. Plus, with the windows open I can listen the birds singing, which is my absolute favorite part of living out east!
"Outside"
If the sun is out, so is this child.
"Snow Spots"
I thought the rocks looked super pretty still speckled with snow. Most photos of this area are of the other direction toward the falls. I wanted to be aware of more opportunities other than the obvious.
The other thought I had on this one was that I struggle figuring out which scenery photos should be color and which ones are better black and white. A lot of times I keep them color because of the clear blue sky, or the rich greens, but I do like this one better in black and white. It may just be up to personal preference.
While on the subject of black and white scenery, it seems appropriate to add this photo to the post. I did try one of the falls in black and white. There are a few different reasons why I'm not a big fan of this photo, but the black and white did turn out kind of neat with the water.
"Winter Still"
Although the weather today is beautiful, sunny, and warmer with clear spring days showing in the ten day forecast, these images remind me that it we aren't quite there yet....
"A Snowman's Farewell"
These snowmen were all over the place at Great Falls National Park (you can see two other snowmen hiding behind the trees). It was really neat walking around the snowy park, while listening to the water rushing close by, and looking at the many many snowmen as if just hanging out. I smiled while watching other families with young children making even more snowmen to join the party.
I feel like this is probably the last snow of the season and we are now entering spring. This was a nice image to say goodbye to winter until next year!
"Rushing Waters"
I got another solo explore day and went to Great Falls, VA. It was great to sit and listen to the birds singing and water rushing with blue skies, and a good amount of snow still on the ground. It was very peaceful and a perfect break day to go take some photos. I was hoping there would be much more snow left on the rocks in the river, and less sun to practice that silky water look...BUT, it was a beautiful day and I will be back when the trees are all green to take photos in another season.
"Joy from Persistence"
This child loves this perplexus game. He already mastered one so we bought him two different, harder ones. He had a hard time at first but stayed focused and persistent. He picked it up every day, even when he could only get to number 9 out of 30 for well over a week.
Then this day, he got to 28, only 2 away from mastering this one, and got noticeably very excited, so excited I was worried his excitement would actually prevent him from making the last move. He called me over at 29 so I could see him finish it after all of his hard work.
This photo is amazing because it is the photo capturing his heart right when he got the marble into the "30 End" space and realized he mastered it for the first time after weeks of practicing!
He teaches me so much every day...
"Friends?!"
I haven't taken many animal photos, and these two were quite busy subjects. It was fun watching them play in the snow while I took some shots of them running around.
"Peaceful"
Ok, so, I just really like snow....
"Paradise"
I was trying to look for some different ways to take the snow photos.
"The Snow Can't Stop Me!"
I seriously love this photo. Almost everything about it. He could have stayed out all day. I love that he loves the snow!
"Braving the Storm"
A beautiful day with amazing snowfall. I love how the photos I took that day show the big snowflakes sparkling on the tree.
"Hand Printed Glass"
Many many photo opportunities come up when I least expect it. I finished taking the flower, Photo 47, and turned to go back inside out of the freezing cold wind chill when I saw this cutie watching me, making faces, and then giggling through the glass door.
Please tell me that super dirty, hand printed glass actually gave the photo more...uh...texture...or a neat use of the foreground maybe... just to make me feel better about how dirty it really is!
"Memories"
We just celebrated our wedding anniversary on Monday. It was snowing when we got married in the mountains, and I used the deep, rich reds as my color against the white snow. I absolutely loved how it all turned out! In realizing I hadn't taken a flower photo of any form in awhile, I couldn't resist throwing this Valentine's Day carnation on the snow for a photo that takes my mind back to my beautiful wedding day.
"Music"
I wanted to give the self portrait thing another shot, and I kind of like how it turned out this time around. I was looking for black and white, shadows, no face, and hopefully something more artistic with my guitar (since it seems to be in my hands a bit more these days). The interesting thing about self portraits with the camera on a timer is that they don't seem to ever turn out quite like I planned, which has frustrated me, yet this time I think I'm happier with this photo than what my original vision was.
"Painting Makes Me Good of The World"
.... as said by this 5 year old who is so super calm and focused when painting.
"How Much?"
Ok, so we'd rather have a TON more than that, but we'll take what we can get! (The boys love to see the snow totals.)
One more photo from the bridge, and a shot of me as a photographer that my husband caught at the perfect time when I glanced back at him right after taking the bridge photo. It really was a beautiful, yet very very cold day.
"Clear"
My photography side
"Cannot Stop New York City"
I am absolutely in love with this city. I love the energy. Everybody is moving. They all have a story. I love and can't get enough of that big city energy! I felt like I belonged there....it was great!
One of my favorite parts of NYC was running in Central Park, in the snow. It was BEAUTIFUL. Thin Place. So, it is only natural to add these to the project!
"No Time to Rest"
"Park"
And me running through Central Park...because it was worth adding this photo due to the experience!!
I love big city buildings. I took many many many photos of the different buildings and angles. I loved walking blocks and blocks with walls of super neat high rises around me. These are just a couple I took, all around the World Trade Center.
Clear day!
I am so glad we took the time to stop at the 9/11 memorial to slow down, remember, and be reminded to put some things in perspective.
"Remembered"
"Never Forget"
I LOVE the big city. I love the energy. I love the people. I love the buildings. We, of course, had to take a trip up to the 86th floor of the Empire State Building to catch the views on a cold, clear New York day. Here are three photos of the New York City views from above.
"86th Floor View"
"Business"
"Big City Dreams"
