2011: My Year in Photography

It's hard to believe another year has quickly gone by. As we are all busily getting ready for the New Year festivities, I would like to take a moment to look back and reflect on all of the things that made my year 2011. For me, 2011 will forever be the year I won't soon forget. It was a year of challenges, changes, joy, sadness, adventures, learning, endings, and new beginnings. Prior to 2011, I looked at my DSLR as if it had a mind of it's own...and so I would just leave it in the closet to collect dust. And then I finally decided, if I truly wanted this I had to do something about it. I've learned so much within the past year, about photography and most importantly about myself. We all have the amazing ability to learn, and I truly believe with all my heart if you set your mind to learning something...you will. Like the old saying, "Where there's a will, there's a way." I know I have so much more to learn, and so here is for new challenges, opportunities, love, health, and most importantly new beginnings in 2012. I can't wait to see what the new year will bring!! Here are a few of my favorite photos of the year....enjoy and Happy New Year!!!

Here is a new one to ring in the New Year!

      (manicure inspiration by the lovely Emily from Cupcakes and Cashmere)

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It's the most Wonderful Time of the Year

Oh it's that lovely time of year again where you can smell the heavenly scent of gingerbread cookies baking, the presents are being wrapped in all of the pretty colors, shoppers are hustling and bustling for last minute gifts, the radio is playing holly jolly Christmas songs, and the trees are glistening beautifully and bright. It is hard to believe Christmas is only 3 days away....we seem to get in the holiday spirit so early but when it is finally here, we are all wondering where the time has gone. I have always loved the preparations for Christmas....the decorations, the trees, the lights, the beautiful gift wrap, the ornaments. And so I embarked on a monthlong project taking photos of a few of my favorite season inspired things. Our Elf on the Shelf Jack gave us a little visit too, and proved to be quite entertaining. I wish you the merriest holiday wishes...enjoy!

This was my favorite ornament...so pretty and shiny.

I found a mouse photographer ornament!

Yummy homemade cookie trees!

Boy was he in for a surprise when he would wake up...

Jack decided to cannonball into our sugar bowl.

Is it obvious how much I looove sparkly lights?!

'Tis the season of giving.

I kinda really love my new hat/headband =)

Christmas: New York City style. 

The beautiful Rockefeller Center Christmas tree.

Oh pretty lights.

Love That Shot: Fairytale Collection Feature

A few days ago I received an email from Love that Shot about a special giveaway to celebrate their brand new collection of photo textures. They were going to choose some photos from readers to showcase their new textures coming soon. So I submitted a few photos for the giveaway and I nearly jumped, no wait...did my version of the Mary Poppins'      
supercalifragilisticexpialidocious dance with a few hops and squeals out of excitement, when I saw my ballerina shoes photo chosen as one of the images for the new Fairytale Collection. Their collection is stunning, and indeed a fairytale! Thank you Love that Shot for choosing one of my photos...and check out more beautiful photos and the lovely textures by pressing the link below...enjoy!!

Furry Faces/ I Heart Faces Photo Challenge

This week's challenge for I Heart Faces is "Furry Faces". Here is one of my favorites! 

Check out more Furry Faces at...

Snowball

I recently took a few photos of my friend's puppy Snowball for the holidays... and boy did he do everything to keep us on our feet! We thought of this cute idea and attempted at wrapping the lights around him. He stared at us with confused eyes as if saying, "Do I look like a Christmas tree to you?"...then strolled away with the lights glittering and dragging behind him. Needless to say this little guy had us chasing him around the lawn and was oh so clever....only turning to the camera when a treat was given! As I replayed the images through my head, I couldn't help but think there wasn't a photo I shot that was remotely close to what I envisioned. But as it turns out, I was absolutely smitten as I looked through the photos at home. Snowball had worked his charm unknowingly...and he even managed to channel his inner snoopy. Now that's what I call cute and spunky. Enjoy!