Capturing a Moment

I have said it before.... I am not a good photographer.  I get so messed up when it comes to settings - I never remember when to "bump my ISO up" or  "change my f-stop".  I've had lessons, I've read manuals, I've had tons of great photography advice from friends who are photographers, but it still reads like a foreign language to me.

I seriously take 100 pictures to get 2 great shots - I drive my family batty.

Maybe that's why I did Instagram so much......

Bubba goes to school with this amazing photographer's kids and I see her all the time at drop off - she has such a knack for taking a great shot...she makes every kiddo look like a million bucks.  Seriously - check out some of her work - it's jaw-dropping.

So when she announced a "capture a moment" photo contest, I was hesitant.  How on earth can I take a picture worthy to even show her....yikes!!!  But I really wanted to win....a mini day-in-the-life photo shoot with her.  We haven't had pictures taken since Bubba turned one.  We needed some gorgeous pics that only she could take.  I was in.  Photography classes at accredited online colleges should be able to teach you how to capture amazing photographs using the different features and settings of your camera.

So I followed Bubba around, but my ISO was too high and most of the 150+ pictures I took were grainy!!!!!! ARGH..

Here is a few from that day....

And maybe it's just me as the momma, but these pics make my heart go pitter-pat.  And that is exactly what Heather was trying to inspire us to do - take the pictures of the everyday moments that will last in our memories.  And these certainly will.

So I am in the contest....and now I really want to win......I mean really.......

So, I am asking you to PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE take 2 seconds and vote for Bubba & Sis - I submitted the picture of them hugging at the bus stop.  It's not the prettiest picture in the collection.  My sweet friend's picture of her kids playing patty-cake is amazing technically and pretty darn cute.... But again, my kiddos hugging pulls at my heart strings! And it is a moment that thanks to Heather, I will always have!

I'd appreciate your vote! Thanks friends!

Click here to vote.

Bubba's First Christmas Program & This is All I Got?

Bubba appeared in his first Christmas Program this past week.  It is particularly sentimental to me as this is my last child beginning all the memorable events.  8 years after my first began all these fun things, I am more prepared and wiser about what to capture.

I have a nice DSLR camera and I "semi" know how to use.

I have a nicer video camera and some mad video-making skills to make a nice finished product.

And if all else fails?  I have an iPhone 4 that has a decent video camera.

 nice banister.

 could we be any less sharp?

 cute smile but there's that damn bannister again.

argh - even the red eye fix can't make this one look decent.

Was I prepared?

uh. no.  my battery was dead on the video camera.

The iPhone was too far away.

And even with my zoom lens, the lighting was terrible, creating an artificially colored look to my pictures.

no, there is no perfectionist qualities in me...what are you talking about?

I get so frustrated with the fact that I have a fantastic camera and I can't seem to capture a decent picture. No matter how much I read up on it, get advice from friends and websites, or even have someone else put the correct settings on  it, I can't take a decent picture......


And visiting all these amazing photography blogs doesn't help.  It just makes me jealous.


About half-way through the program, I set my camera down and just watched.  I soaked all 2 minutes of him shaking his jingle bells and rocking Baby Jesus in his arms.  And took a mental picture.

And that one?  That one came out absolutely perfect.