We’re kicking off the month of February with none other than a PHOTO CHALLENGE!
For those of you who are new around here, you should know that I like to offer a photo challenge once in a while …. because sometimes it takes a challenge to help us step outside our box, think of a new angle, or do something with our camera that perhaps we haven’t considered before. A few recent photo challenges: Reflection in November, Look Down in October, Table Top andFrom the Ground in September.
This time we’re taking on a theme. And that theme is WORK.
Sometime in the next couple of weeks, get a few pictures of a loved one or co-worker doing their thing at work. Try interesting angles. Pay attention to details that make that workplace what it is. I recently snuck around in my friend Karolyn’s classroom. Each image tells part of the story that is her life as a school teacher (and she’s a pretty awesome one at that, if I may say so myself).
If this inspires you to head to the workplace and take a few pictures for your spouse, your friend, your co-worker, your parent, your child, your neighbor, your boss … great. If you feel inclined to take it a step further and submit a picture or two, cool.
I’ll choose my top 10 favorites to share on my blog. My favorites are chosen based on really strict and specific criteria. Not. It’s more like the Oooh-That’s-such-a-great-shot! feeling I have when I see the picture. Because I’m technical like that. Note: Sometimes my picks are based on the idea, not necessarily the amazingness or quality of the actual image. However, if the photograph is a really fantastic image, that is certainly in your favor.
A heartfelt thank-you to all who submitted pictures and especially those of you whose pictures are featured in the video.
It was so hard to narrow down to my usual Top 10 favorites. So I put a whole bunch of awesome submissions together with music instead. I did force myself to choose just one winner because someone needs to win a Project Life kit! Congratulations to … Cali in Provo, Utah. I just love the way this shot speaks volumes about her role as a mother. I love the composition … and the fact you can tell it was taken in her car mirror … and her sweet babe content in the car seat … with her little bow and binky. And I love that she put herself in the picture. The end.
It’s a picture my brother took. Totally inspired the next photo challenge. So this is the challenge: Take a picture of a reflection. Any kind of reflection. Maybe the image includes people. Maybe not. Maybe you put yourself in the shot. Maybe not. It’s whatever you want.
If this inspires you to take a cool shot, great. If you feel inclined to submit your picture, cool. Email your picture to submissions@beckyhiggins.com. Be sure to include your name and where you call home.
Deadline: Monday, Nov. 15th.
As usual, I’ll choose my favorites to share here on my blog for continued inspiration on taking pictures and documenting life. Someone will win Project Life. For a little more photography inspiration, just click on the Photography category at right. Or type “photo challenge” in the Search field to the right.
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Speaking of my brother, I’m so super proud of Andrew. He took a leap 4 years ago, started his own business, and has now helped over 150 companies with their graphic design and websites. I am one of his very happy clients. Check out Cambio Labs if you have graphic design, logo, or website needs. Andrew’s so modest (when he’s not being a punk) and probably blushing right now that I’m mentioning this.
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Speaking of design, I know many of you are wondering about the results of the holiday card design contest. Winners announced and free downloads posted next week. Yippee! And … I will be sharing information and pictures of the new Project Life stuff too. Next week is going to be BIG and FUN.
In the last post I shared some thoughts on retreat. And after reading through 300 comments, I see that this desire is common among us. To retreat means to recharge, reflect, recommit, review, remember … RENEW. To retreat helps (most of) us be a better spouse and parent and friend and giver. When we make a little effort to create soul-nurturing time, we are better for it. And everyone else around us benefits. Most importantly, our family.
So thanks for sharing your thoughts. Thanks for telling us how you retreat. And as always, thank you for stopping by and being a part of my blog. You are dear to me.
Now. People. All this talk of who needs a getaway scrapbooking retreat and it’s killing me. You ALL deserve one! So thank goodness this is a completely random selection because I could never hand-selected one winner based on their comment. Congratulations to Angela! Angela, your cousin Teressa nominated you and said this about you: “She is the toughest person I know. Her husband had an accident a year ago and has a very serious brain injury. She not only has cared for him, her 5 kids and all their school and athletic activities but also has had to take on a full time job. She could use some time because she is the most amazing woman I know.”
Angela, go ahead and email lorimuse2@yahoo.com and they’ll hook you up with free admission to a much-needed scrapbooking retreat in Utah next month! Teressa, you are thoughtful and selfless and a obviously a dear friend to nominate Angela. Thank you for your example.
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{ Photo Challenge }
I want to emphasize again why I do this. The purpose of the occasional photo challenge is to inspire you to try something different with your camera … to keep photography interesting for us all … to encourage you to take more pictures of your everyday life.
This week’s challenge? LOOK STRAIGHT DOWN. Look at the difference between these two pictures:
Is one picture better than the other? Most certainly not. But I personally find the top view more interesting and more of what my actual view is when ironing clothes.
Another example:
Anything wrong about the regular view of Claire’s closet? For sure not. Again — it’s just trying a different angle.
So this week, stand directly above something or someone to take a picture. It may mean getting on your tippy toes. It may mean standing on a chair. Be sensible and careful. I don’t want any emails telling me you got on top of a chair and toppled over and cracked your wrist. None of that, okay? If you’re interested in submitting a picture to me, email it to projectlife@beckyhiggins.com. Submissions due by Saturday 10/9. I’ll post my top 10 favorites next week … for the love of sharing off your talent and keeping us all inspired.
If you’re not interested in going with the challenge or submitting a picture, perhaps you’ll at least now feel inclined to take a picture of something as mundane as your ironing table or closet. I would have loved to have a picture of my mom’s clothes in the 60s. Or my own clothes when I was little. Just something to think about.
First of all … have you browsed through the comments left on yesterday’s post about what everyone’s little traditions are for family meal time? I love seeing how so many of us value this family time and totally enjoyed reading so many similarities and definitely the unique rituals as well. So fun!
Congratulations to Brek who was randomly selected. She said: “It has become tradition in the last month for our boys (3rd grade and kindergarten) to tell us which girls they chased at recess. Its hilarious!” Brek, shoot an email to customerservice@beckyhiggins.com and we’ll get you hooked up with a free 3-month membership with e-mealz.
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Last week I shared a photo challenge: Take a picture that has a whole lot of nothing and a little bit of something. Try something minimalist through the lens of your camera. As usual, I was really inspired by your submissions. Today I’m sharing my top 10 favorites with you, hoping that you too will feel inspired to try something different with your camera this week.
Photo by Ellie. Taken with the purpose of making a Grandparents Day card, which simply meant adding text. PS: I noticed Ellie used my handwritten font. If you haven’t downloaded that for your own use, it’s still available & still free. You can find it on the sidebar of our Free Stuff section.
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Photo by Tracy. Seriously, could this be more precious? Love the pop of color in contrast with the stark white.
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Photo by Colleen. She says this shot reminds her of the song lyrics most of us have heard before: “I hope you still feel small when you stand beside the ocean.” I love how it reminds me how small we all really are.
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Photo by Rhonda. She took this of her friend’s daughter – Lucy. Love the golden tones & freckles.
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Photo by Emilie. Taken in Wildwood, New Jersey. Don’t you just breathe better looking at a picture with all that sky?
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Photo by Adele. She calls her subject “our Favorite Little Bit”. ; )
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Photo by Jacenda. Glory.
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Photo by Cindy. Her husband and daughter enjoying a beautiful day in Colorado.
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Photo by Kate in Australia. I love how you have to look at it an extra couple seconds to see their silhouettes. I imagine they’re a family.
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If someone was to make me choose a favorite, impossible as it seems, I’d choose THIS one:
Photo by Kelsey. Shot this of her daughter Reganne this past Winter. Love how this composition shows more of the journey and not just a girl walking in snow. Kelsey, I am hooking you up with a Project Life kit — congratulations!
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Remember:Project Life is on sale right now! $10 off the kit through the end of the month. Which is tomorrow. Don’t miss this chance to save some money on one of the most worthwhile projects you’ll ever do. And grab a couple more for gifts.
I’ll let these photos speak for themselves about the awesomeness and the pureness of this sweet new babe. So happy for our friends who welcomed a third son into their family a few weeks ago. And seriously — can you believe the hair!? Incredible.
Say hello to River.
River’s very proud older brothers, Ryder and Riley:
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Now let’s chat about this last picture for just a second. It’s very minimalist. Lots of white space. Notice how when you look at it, it feels very restful on your eyes and also has a very clean look?
This, my friends, is our next PHOTO CHALLENGE. I have these photo challenges on occasion to help us try something different and to encourage growing our skills behind the lens. It’s not a contest. (Although I am known to give away a free Project Life kit to someone each time I do a challenge.)
So get out your camera. Take a few pictures with a whole lot of nothing and a little bit of something. Remember: We’re going for a very minimal look here. Not just putting your subject off-center. But having your white space be abundant and simple, simple, simple. That “white space” could be the sky, the floor, a sheet or blanket, anything simple … use your imagination.
If you’re up for the challenge and want to share a picture with me, email your submission to projectlife@beckyhiggins.com by Friday 9/24. I’ll be sharing my Top 10 Favorites next week.
Oh, and by the way — One of the great things about shooting in a minimalist way for newborns? Just add a little text to that white space & your announcement is done. Easy as that.
I’m pretty sure this is my favorite angle right. Taking a picture from the ground gives you such a unique perspective and makes for a more interesting shot than most of our everyday shots. And PS – you don’t have to be on your belly! You can get the same results by holding your camera at the ground level.
If you still haven’t done this, give it a try! My purpose in putting a photo challenge here on my blog once in a while is to encourage you to try something different with your camera. Most of you reading this right now love either taking pictures or doing something with your pictures, or (hopefully) both. The more we expand our skills in taking pictures, the more we’ll enjoy the hobby, and the more we’ll want to document our life. And that’s so much about what I love. And what you love.
Out of all the submissions you sent for this challenge (not a contest, but a challenge) … these were my favorite shots. I tried to do a top 10 (round number, popular number … I don’t know) and seriously couldn’t let one more picture go. It was hard enough narrowing down this far. So many super cool shots. Great job, everyone!
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Photo by Amy: Tea party, anyone?
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Photo by Abby: Sidewalk chalk. Digging the composition.
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Photo by Judy: Oh happy day!
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Photo by Melissa: She was watching her 2 nephews and found them like this. After snapping the picture she asked what they were doing. The youngest replied, “Yooking at da bug. It’s disgusting!”
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Photo by Megan: According to her, Anna Maria Island, Florida is one of the coolest places to shell in the morning. I can’t imagine why. ; )
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Photo by Meggan: Awww. Every kid falls asleep on the floor once in a while. This is for sure the best angle to capture that when it happens.
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Photo by Cinta: I don’t know what’s better — the photograph itself or the fact that you can see his little lips puckered to say “choo choo”!
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Photos by Kim: She took both of these shots — very different activities — in the same day. First of all, who can say they’ve taken a shot like this in the classroom? I’m so going to do that. Love it. The other shot is from her yoga class. Isn’t that beautiful?
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Photo by Stacy: I have to share what she said in her email. I hope you will feel inspired by reading this:
“I adore this photograph. It showcases an everyday mess in our home … and us trying to make the best of it. Life with a small child is not grand and opulent. But I am very grateful that I have the chance to witness these tiring days – and to document these humdrum moments that are sprinkled with magic. Photographing the everyday moments in our life has taught me that we don’t need grandeur and niceties. I’ve always thought that I needed a grand story to tell. I’ve learned that our life is the grand story. Our very existence. Our humdrum days. Our everyday moments. Our life.”
Amen Stacy. Amen.
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Photo by Erin: Now that’s a photo from the ground. Her husband and 5 others rode their bicycles 207 miles from Phoenix to Rocky Point, Mexico to raise money and awareness for the poverty stricken in Rocky Point. Erin says, “When my husband looks at this picture he says it makes his body hurt because he can feel the bumps in the road!”
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Last but not least … I’m going to name this my absolute favorite submission for this challenge (and will send her a Project Life kit) …
Photo by Susan: Oh how I love the simplicity, the slight reflection on the floor, the fact that a couple toys are scattered about, the way her baby seems to be dancing, the cropped comfy pants, the closeness of mom + baby, and the overall way this seems to capture just a tiny glimpse of motherhood.
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I’m so inspired. Thank you for all your submissions.
First of all, the results are in. Thanks for your “with” and “without” votes on the floral arrangement. The winning vote is to include the greenery! But get this. It won by just 22 votes, from the 535 votes that were cast (465 on blog + 70 on facebook). No wonder it was a tough decision!
Major thanks and big hugs to Vicky and Debbie — 2 kind & willing volunteers who (via facebook) offered to count all those votes. That was super generous, and I appreciate them. I am sure there is a way to do a quick survey like this on my blog and on facebook (thanks Kee for reminding me!) … and so I’ll definitely look into that for the next vote. ; )
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You guys are so much fun! Many of you took the challenge to set your camera down for a different photo angle. And many of you submitted your picture(s). Thank you for sharing a piece of your life and surroundings with me! I loved looking at every single picture. I was touched by the notes you shared on significant findings in your own pictures. Realizations that were had. Special occasions that were captured. Everyday stuff that might have otherwise been missed.
Some of you took it “down” even farther and got your camera all the way to the ground/floor. If you submitted a photo from this angle, I have it and will keep it filed for this next challenge.
So — for all who are interested, this week’s photo challenge is to set your camera down on the ground. Inside, outside, wherever you are. The key is to take a picture from the ground, not necessarily of the ground. : )
I was on the ground to take this shot of a street in Tallinn, Estonia.
I was on the ground to get this, when our kids had passed out after snuggling up to watch a movie together. This is a picture of looser schedules on Summer days.
I can’t wait to see what you come up with! Submit your floor photos to projectlife@beckyhiggins.com by this Thursday, 9/9.
Photo by Amy: Creating on her flight. Love that she got herself in the shot.
—– Photo by Keri: Grandparents over to help the four-month-old twins with their bedtime feeding.
—– Photo by Rhonda: Wishing I could have had a slice of this when it came out of the oven.
—– Photo by Kim: Taken the day her sixteen-year-old son got his permit driver’s license.
—– Photo by Nikki: Current project on her craft table. I’m thinking … baby shower?
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Photo by Laura: Mmm. Yum. Could these possibly be pulled from her own garden?
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Photo by Meggan: Organizing the kiddos’ clothes. How sweet is this?
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Photo by Kevin: On a business trip, in the hotel room. Now I want Quizno’s.
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Photo by Carrie: She finally beat her boys at Star Wars Monopoly! They had to use Hershey kisses because they ran out of cities and settlements. Yay for families that play together.
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Photo by Lori: I’ll have what little Lindsey’s having.
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You know how hard it was to narrow down to just 10 favorites? And you know how much harder it was to choose just one winner? Congratulations to … Meggan! I’m sending you Project Life, girl. I chose Meggan’s photo because she did a brilliant job capturing her task-at-hand while also getting a glimpse of who was hanging out with her. It’s a picture of motherhood, a picture of life, a picture of love. It just really captivated me.
Good job, everyone! Now … let’s see your floor shots.
The following are notes from individuals and families who have generously donated to my brother's family. There are many others who donated beyond the notes you see below and the ads you see on my blog. We can not thank you enough for your kindness and generosity during this very difficult time. From the bottom of my heart, thank you.
Jonathan -- May god give you strength and courage in the coming months. Enjoy your family. Love you wife and hug your kids. Lean on Him. He can handle it. God Bless.
- Tricia Shelton
May you be surrounded by love, friendship and family in this difficult time.
- The Gourlay Family
Dear Jonathan, Tina and family: Our thoughts and prayers are with you. Although we have never met, we felt compelled to reach out to you. We hope that through these well wishes you feel loved and cared for. Life is about our families, communities and sharing love with each other. Through Becky's blog, I know that you have a wonderful family. We hope you know that through Becky's web community, you now have many new friends thinking of you. May you find strength in God and from all the prayers said on your behalf.
- anonymous
I wish you all love, peace, courage, and strength for the days ahead. I'll be praying. Be blessed!
- Sandra
You and your family are in our prayers. God Bless!
- Angie Murray
Thank you, Jonathan, for being there to support Becky while she shared her gifts and talents with me through the years, albeit remotely. This small gift is the least I can do to say thank you. God bless you and your family.
- With loving thoughts, Terri C
Although I've never met Jonathan, I have been following Becky's articles, books, and blog for years—even met her once at CKU Orlando. Like so many that Becky has touched, I've always admired the love, unity, and values of your large and beautiful family. I wish you all love, peace, courage, and strength for the days ahead. I'll be praying. Be blessed!
- anonymous
All I can say is that I believe God has heard your call because He certainly placed it on my heart to respond. It was loud and clear. And when He's involved, great things far beyond what you and I can comprehend will occur and I pray that gives you peace today and the days to come.
- Peggy Krantz
May you continue to find peace and comfort knowing you are surrounded by loving family and friends.
- anonymous
My heart is filled with love and pain and gratitude for eternal families as I have read about the challenge your family faces. Please accept my donation as a small token to help ease the significant, and often devastating, monetary burdens that come with this challenge. Thank you for a fine example of strength during the darkest times we face in life - an example that gives courage to others struggling with trials in their lives.
- anonymous
To Jonathan and family - I am keeping all of you in my thoughts and prayers during this very difficult time.
- God bless all of you, Leslie Schmitt
"Praying for you and your family." 1 Peter 5:7
- Kristina Proffitt
I'm praying for you throughout each day and asking God to give each of you the strength, comfort, and peace to get through this enormous trial. May God bless all of you in ways you never could've imagined and may His mighty and healing hand be especially upon you Jonathan.
- Much love, Lisa in Florida
May you continue to find peace and comfort knowing you are surrounded by loving family and friends.
- anonymous
Dear Jonathan and family, Our heartfelt prayers are with you and your family. May you know in your hearts that there will always be someone, whether here or above, who will always be with each one of you.
- Maria
Jonathan, his family, friends, and coworkers are all in my prayers during this difficult time. Thank you for sharing your story with all of us- it's very inspiring to see Jonathan's strength through this battle.
- Kristen
"Courage doesn't always roar. Sometimes courage is that small voice at the end of the day that says 'I will try again tomorrow' " - Mary Anne Radmacher - The last year has been really difficult for me, but this quote always seems to help. I hope it helps you and your family, as well. Don't forget, miracles really do happen. Hang in there and keep your chin up.
- Love and prayers from NM, Stephanie Taylor
To Jonathan, Tina and your entire family: I wish there were more that I could do to help you. Becky's books have been my favorites since I first read them. Because she shared family photos and stories, I feel like you are all old friends. Good luck and I am sending happy thoughts and sparkly wishes your way!
- Jacki Samolsky
Big hugs and lots of prayers of healing and peace to your whole family.
