black & white theme

Another interpretation of dramatic, for this weeks photography theme.
This time I dug a little deeper!

[ the flickr set is here ]

a pretty pouter!

So I've mentioned here before that I'm taking a photography class.

We got our assignment this week, and I've been working on my homework. Our theme is 'dramatic' and (thankfully) the teacher allows us to interpret this in whatever way we choose. While most people will interpret it with drama in their composition, setting or post-processing of a photo, unfortunately I find that skill hard. I appreciate the lighter brighter side of photography.

So here's how it went... I traded my Phebe girl 1 candy and 1 tv show (Team Umizoomi!) in return for giving me a little drama queen! I mean seriously, she must have thought I lost my mind, offering her rewards to pout! Ha! The girl doesn't need a whole pile of encouragement in that department! In fact, when I put the dress on her she pretty much channeled her own drama queen, she immediately told me she looked like Elsa (from Frozen!) and the pouting began.

I'm sure you'll be able to tell from the photos that there was a lot of giggling and cracking up going on too! She thought the whole thing was pretty silly. And I'm pretty sure you can also tell that she enjoys being an actress!

So that's my take on 'dramatic'. I have a spicy Hunan girl, there's no need for any more 'dramatic' around here!

[ the flickr set is here ]

'learn to see it' - photography class

I started a new photography class this week, 'Learn to see it... from shoot to print'. It's an online course with the very talented Lisa @ 'The Long Road to China'. It's 11 weeks long, with a new assignment each week.

I think this happens to me every winter, I get bored with my current set of skills and really want to push myself further during these long cold winter months. Our first project, to introduce ourselves to our classmates and kinda get to know one another better, was to take a series of photos with the theme: 'My Style'.

Now, I've never really thought about it before... having a style. But when I think back on all the photos I've taken, I guess I lean to the side of lifestyle photography. I love capturing the real life moments of my two girls. And I especially love it when my pictures tell a story. My favourite is to shoot with natural light, and I love lots of it, because generally my aperture is wide open! Which is sometimes not a good thing, because I do lose some sharpness and focus in the process. But that's what this class is for, to help me and push me further. So if you see a lot of photos appearing over the next 11 weeks, you'll know why!

Since the weather outside isn't cooperating, I decided to take a few indoor pictures for 'My Style'. Nothing fancy, just my little Phebster eating lunch!

a sister bond

Believe it or not, I took these photos back in November. Last year!

I've been a terrible blogger lately. And you'll maybe notice that I've been trying to catch up lately. Sorry for filling your feed with posts as far back as June... yikes! I'm so not proud of that. I may or may not have made a new years resolution to try and keep on track! Ha! But I must say, I feel pretty good to finally be caught up now. For me, these blogs are all about the girls, I want them to enjoy reading about their little lives in the years to come... they are what keeps me motivated!

Anyway, these photos were taken on the day of our first snow storm... November 27th. We were just heading out to swimming lessons and I decided to run back inside and grab my camera for a few impromptu photos - with the hope that I could get at least one to work for our Christmas Card.

I'm so glad I made that decision. I love these girls, the giggles they share and especially the love they have for each other. It chokes me up and I thank God for them daily, that they are part of my life and part of each others lives too. Just yesterday, Phebe was having a little nap on the couch and Lilah kept checking on her every 10 minutes or so, to see if she was awake yet. She said to me: "It's so boring without Phebe!" And I smiled to myself and thought, that's love.

[ the flickr set is here ]

new years day

~ today is the first blank page of a 365 page book ~

Last year had its fair share of challenges, struggles, adventures, but most of all, joy and love.
Thank you Lord, for a blessed year.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

Here's a monthly review of Phebe's year in pictures!

[ the flickr set is here ]

2013 in pictures ~ december

tea, eh?
bible reading
toboggan hill pile-up
christmas toys
santa visit
dinner table princess
p for phebe
sister hugs

2013 in pictures ~ november

facinating toy catalogue
christmas card cuties
sleeping beauty
furry hat
maberly conference
adorable
snow bunny
bed bouncers

2013 in pictures ~ october

third birthday portrait
blowing the candles
feeding butterflies
aviation museum
pumpkin cutie
two black cats
three years old
mackenzie king estate

2013 in pictures ~ september

neighbourhood triker
monochrome beauty
kilmarnock apple orchard
colouring
typical sisters
holding hands
first day of preschool
painting pumpkins

2013 in pictures ~ august

precious grin
botanical gardens, montreal
carousel
seedsowers camping
perth fair
sleeping beauty
sisterly love
tiggers mama

2013 in pictures ~ july

sky high giggles
baba's girl
sisters on the run
sandcastles
pouty girl
beach walk
my loves
painting @ tremblant

2013 in pictures ~ june

cell phone sweetie
father's day
team cute
bubbles
sister feeding sister
first pigtails
headstand
puddles

2013 in pictures ~ may

heart surgery
pa's girls
swinging at wakefield
sisterly love
tongue!
photo booth
mother's day
pretend fishing at pink lake

2013 in pictures ~ april

bathtime mohawk
pixie hats, handknit by nono
sister brushing sisters hair
mama love
watching movies
flower shop twins
koala bear sisters
pretty in pink

2013 in pictures ~ march

sleepy girl napping
easter dress sisters
tigger x two
silly sisters
youtube bedtime songs
referral anniversary
giggling sisters
happy fairy

2013 in pictures ~ february

harry potter, move over
cayo coco, cuba
chinese new year
beach walk
family day at winterlude
stripey legs
strolling down the boardwalk
sister love

2013 in pictures ~ january

snow is falling
echocardiogram
specs
walking lilah home from school
apple fritter
sweetness
napping
jumping on the bed

favourite photo friday

I just love our new little girly. She is such a character. She always keeps us laughing with her funny little ways!

And I am pretty partial to a girl that can hold a camera perfectly! And all the while grinning herself!
Not to mention those chubby little hands. Seriously. I can hardly stand the cuteness.

Phebe Jayne, you are loved and adored. And that is never going to stop, because our love for you, is for life.