Here’s the last post in my 2015 favorites, three-part, series. (That sounds fancy. Like a PBS mini series.) This post includes my favorite cell shots. None of them are masterpieces, or even sub-par works of art for that matter…but, they are my favorite’s, nonetheless. They all were taken on my Samsung Galaxy and edited, quickly, with VSCO.
Being the parent of a toddler, you’re always carrying stuff. A backpack, snacks, extra clothing and, often times, the toddler himself. It’s really tough to bring my actual camera gear–and then, especially, to find the hands to use said camera gear [without the toddler running away]. I have found that my phone though, is a lot easier if I just, simply, want the shot–which is all I ever want. It’s been said many times, and I completely believe it…it really doesn’t matter what equipment you use, if you know the basics of lighting and composition–your photo is going to look pretty good. Add in some emotion, create a mood, and you’ve got a photograph worth showing off. All of these photos in my collection here, feel like that to me. I mentioned in my last blog that I don’t leave the house much to get out shooting…and, while that may be true, I’m out often. My sister, myself, and a group of friends, camp. I bring the kids to the cabin as often as possible. We play outside, in the yard, all the time, all seasons. We walk the neighborhood and visit the local playgrounds. I visit family, and friends, a few times a year, and I try to shoot a selfie whenever I’m out for work. When you add up all of those things…you have a lot of opportunity to take photos. (Also, I have a lot more photos with my little one than my older for two reasons…one, she’s in school during the day; and, two, she’s at an age where getting her photo taken, by mom, is awful. Unless it’s a selfie for Instagram–and, even then, it’ll probably get deleted within a week, or two.)
I have SO many more shots than this from last year, but these are the ones that I love the most. Many of them have been printed and hang on my walls, and/or sit on my shelves.
The last wedding I shot for the year–I was on Harriet Island in Saint Paul.
We dragged this horse home, from the garage sale down the road and named him Trigger.
A rainy, dreary, Memorial Day weekend at the cabin. We played board games for hours, and then went home a day early.
Leading me through the sidewalk, chalk streets, we had just created for his cars.
Another rainy day at the cabin–dreaming of swimming.
Jumping into the lake on a warm, summer, day.
Packing up to leave the cabin.
The best sittin’ tree around.
Watching an airplane go by while playing homemade games in the front yard, on one of the hottest days of the year.
Climbing the bleachers of his sister’s track meet.
This kept him busy for almost an hour. It was great.
His first, real, time getting all bundled up to play–we still had a few items of clothing left to go.
A, snowy, play day.
Back yard, dandelion searching.
Watching the boats go by while cooling off in the river during a camping trip.
This truck goes everywhere with us. This was a camping trip at Interstate State Park…still in pj’s after a rainy, stormy, night. This was also when I realized he sleeps wonderfully in a tent–just not in a bed.
Out for a walk, we stopped to play at the hockey rink, in the spring.
Rocks on the shores of Lake Superior.
Waiting for me to move, so he could come up.
We were working to make apple butter–he bit into six apples before I realized what, exactly, he was up to.
Leaving a Minneapolis session on a rainy, November, day.
At work.
A sleepy, sick, day.
A nice weekend at the cabin.
Tuesday morning, after an airport trip, running through Ikea.
Leaving rainy Minneapolis, on my way to Nebraska.
One of the first books he ever liked to read on his own.
Even at 34…I still find myself with pockets full of rocks.
Making meringues for the first time.
A new puzzle that worked perfectly for driving trains on.
This game kept kids from the age of 2, to 13, completely happy for a long, LONG, time.
Driving toward the shore–this was the weekend he also drove that thing backwards, into the lake. That’s why there’s always a life jacket on.
A regular day at the cabin.
Football and swimming…another weekend at the lake.
Walking through the hockey rinks n the spring.
Watching tv.
NYE–my husband, video games, movies, and snacks.
Contemplating going in, or staying on shore. He stayed on shore. We played in the sand.
Another track meet bleacher climbing shot.
Everyday, after walking the big kid to the bus, we would go to watch the construction vehicles at the neighborhood park.
At the cabin, running like a madman in the wind.
My big kid, and nephew, spent the night in Grandma’s camper. I was enjoying my coffee…wondering how their night went here.
Ready to go to Grandma’s to spend the night…well before I was.
A great place for a photo in downtown, Grand Marais.
This game is saved for days when I have a big cooking project. He plays for, at least, 30 minutes.
Hiking at Wild Mountain, on a gorgeous, September, day.
A little Christmas baking.
Taken near Minnehaha Falls in October. You can see the Eagle coming in on the upper left hand side of the photo.
Grandpa and grandson, walkin’ and talkin’.
A NE Minneapolis art area.
Walking through Minneapolis after appearing on WCCO’s morning show.
Watching the boys dirt bike. He tried his hand at it earlier and has yet to become a fan of it.
I find the most random things, in the most random places.
The entrance to Frostbeard Studios–the little guy and I did some Christmas shopping there.
Walkin’ along with a bag of pretzels–just like Grandpa does.
Again…the truck. He digs roads for it to drive on. I help.
At a shoot.
My bog dog spent hours, daily, this past Fall, watching the squirrels.
A new, fun, toy. This toy is still just as cool now as it was a year ago.
Once the big kid heads to school…he cuddle buddy is left with a bed ALL to himself. He starts his day around noon everyday.
Raking at the cabin.
Walking the trails, after waking up WAY too early while camping at Wild Mountain.
Waking up to a new day. (While mom checks her phone to see what time it actually is…feels like 4am still.)
Her best cheer leading moves–while jumping around on the bleachers at the neighborhood park.
m. peifer 