52 Frames - Week Three - Black and White - Edmonton Photographer
My selected photo and a runner up for week three of the 52 Frames challenge.
Week three's topic of the 52 Frames project was black and white.
I had the shot I wanted to use picked out already, and then I noticed this great light coming into Elliot's room from the sun setting out front and decided to play around with it and the shadows it created.
Luckily, he was excited about it too and actually wanted me to take photos of him - win, win!
This was my submission to the week's challenge.
The runner up was this one. Crazy Townes trying to run away down the sidewalk, but I liked the shadows from the low winter sun.
I'm all caught up with these 52 Frames posts now, so I'm hoping to post each week's photos on Monday from now on. :)
52 Frames - Week Two - Rule of Thirds - Edmonton Family Photographer
My submission for week two of the 52 Frames photo Challenge. Topic: Rule of Thirds.
This past week was Week Two of the 52 Frames Challenge. The topic was Rule of Thirds. A way to go back to the basic 'rules' of photography.
We had a beautiful frosty day this week so I took the boys out for a little adventure through this lovely treed area just a few minutes from our house. It was cold, but they still had a ton of fun trekking through the deep snow, and taking turns throwing snow in the air. Townes did a pretty good job of keeping up with Elliot even though he was wearing a giant puffy snowsuit.
Here's my submission for this week's challenge:
I'm going to try to post every Monday with my weekly challenge submissions.
Are you doing any personal photo challenges this year? I'd love to know which ones in the comments below.
52 Frames - Week One - Self Portrait - Edmonton Photographer
My first submission for the 52 Frames photo project I joined for 2017.
For the last two years I have done a very low-key, mostly iphone, 365 project. Mainly so something was done with all of the iphone photos I take of my kids. I won't lie, these photos aren't the most creative or technically pleasing photos. Some days I'd forget and take a quick snap of the kids sleeping and use that super grainy photo just to say I took one that day. During the tail end of 2016 I fell behind. The photos are still sitting on my phone waiting to be uploaded (and my phone's storage space is struggling because of it). I keep saying I'll do it, and keep pushing it further and further back. Can anyone relate? I've still been trying to take daily photos in this new year, but I won't sweat if I miss a few here and there this time.
This year I wanted something fresh and to challenge myself a bit more - and use my DSLR - so I signed up for the 52 Frames Challenge. They supply a challenge topic every week. We have to shoot, edit and submit our photo that week - if you are late submitting, your photo is not included in the gallery. They also give you an extra credit assignment should you wish to accept it.
Aha. Finally a photo project that will hold me accountable. I like it. A lot.
I also thought this would be a great way to try new techniques I may have been nervous about in the past, or try to look at things I'm shooting a bit differently.
The first week was a bit daunting. The topic: Self Portrait.
I struggled hard with this. I've never really taken a self portrait before. I hate being in front of the camera. I won't lie, I thought about bailing on the challenge before I even started. But I decided to push though and face my fears.
I decided to show the other creative side of myself. Most people now know me as a photographer, or a mom, but long before I picked up a camera or had kids I became a musician. Music has always been a huge part of my life, and still is, but I took a break from playing regularly about ten years ago while dealing with life stuff (you know how it is). This fall, I decided it was time to pick it back up again and so I did, and joined a local community concert band. In December I played in my first concert in 14 years. I didn't think I'd be nervous, but I was. It felt so good to be back doing what I had done and loved for so many years though. It also gives me a night out each week for rehearsal, which is a much needed break sometimes.
Here is the photo I submitted for 52 Frames Week One.
Do you have any hobbies that you've picked up again after a long break? I'd love to hear about them in the comment section below!
2016 - A Personal Year in Review - Edmonton Family Photographer
A selection of my favourite personal images from 2016.
I wanted to look back on 2016 through my personal images too. I always try to have personal projects on the go, not only to ensure I have photos of my own kiddos, but also to keep my inspiration up and continue learning and improving the best I can. To me, photography is not only appealing as a creative outlet, but also as a source of constant learning. There is always something new to try, or a new technique to experiment with. I love that about it.
I spent a good chunk of 2016 taking courses. On shooting and editing techniques, video, business, and lighting, etc. I started 2017 enrolled in a course, and am planning out a couple others for winter/spring as well. I practiced. A lot. (My poor kids, haha.) I feel it's so important to keep learning continuously and, honestly, I'm still working my way through some parts of past courses. As a creative, it's hard to be confident in your work sometimes (okay, most times). I always second guess myself. I always worry about messing up. Worry about it not being good enough. I let anxiety get the best of me sometimes. But, being able to go out and get the shot you want, and not have to guess about how to do it is seriously such an amazing feeling and not something I had when I first started out on this journey. It makes all of the past time, difficulties, stress, and worry worth it.
I have high hopes for 2017. I hope to continue learning and growing as a photographer. New ideas. New personal projects. New business plans. New plans for self growth. New hopes of battling the worry and anxiety that comes with the creative process. New plans to stay organized. New plans all around. haha. One specific thing, is I decided to join the 52 Frames Photo challenge this year. I'll have more about that in my next blog post. ;)
In the meantime, I've gathered my favourite personal photos of 2016. Mostly of my kiddos, because that's how I roll. I love seeing how much they have grown over the last year. I hope you'll have a scroll through, and if you've made it this far - thank you for reading!
Happy New Year to you and your loves.
xo
Megan
January
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Goodbye 2016. Hello 2017. - Edmonton Family Lifestyle Photographer
A year in review. My best of 2016 client images.
Wow. What a year.
2016 was a whirlwind of a year. For me, it was a year of change and personal growth. I began the year quitting my day job at the end of my maternity leave; opting instead to stay home with my kids and pursue photography more seriously. I feel so lucky to have this opportunity and am so thankful to everyone who chose me as their photographer this year. I've loved seeing your familiar faces or meeting you for the first time. I've loved taking photos of you and your loves and kiddos.
As always, a new year brings new goals, new ideas and new adventures.
As you may have noticed, my website is undergoing some changes at the moment. I'm working on updating my galleries and pricing structure and will be offering some new session types in the new year. I'm hoping to have everything back up in early January. If you've subscribed to my newsletter or are a past client, I'll be sending you a special e-mail once it's all finished. If you'd like to sign up, you can pop on over to the newsletter sign-up form on the right --->
Because I love looking back on the year that has passed, I've compiled a selection of my favourite images from client sessions this past year, in chronological order. I hope you'll have a scroll through. (I'm working on a post with all of my favourite personal images, so stay tuned for that as well.)
I hope 2017 brings you all a year of love and happiness. I hope all of your dreams come true and you accomplish all you set out to. I hope you take it more easy on yourself. Remember that you are enough. I wish you nothing but the very best. And again, thank you so much for choosing me as your photographer, or simply following along.
Do you have any new year's hopes, dreams or resolutions? I'd love it if you shared them in the comments below. <3
xoxo
Megan
