Photo of me by Kevin Allgaier.
Digital frame found here.

Photography. The art of capturing a moment that results in an image. Our way of trying to visually freeze bits of time. I think most of us can say that we deem photography as a blessing. I know I do.

You don’t have to be a well-trained professional to take a decent picture. I learned this a long time ago. I have had a few hits among many misses. I still flop in the technical department. But I truly love the act of taking a picture. I genuinely enjoy doing things with pictures (like framing them, scrapbooking them, and doing Project Life). And I think I’d be utterly lost if I didn’t have a camera to aid in my quest to tell my family’s story.

I know many of you feel the same way.

So today, I just want to express how grateful I am for this art form. I am grateful for the technology of digital photography. For the ability to turn an average shot into a magnificent image in a matter of seconds with digital editing. For iPhoto, which is where I organize all our photos (and it has great editing as well). I am grateful for amazing photographers who actually are professional and know what they’re doing. I get so inspired by seeing others’ work. Too many artists to get specific. I am grateful for Costco, which is where I print all of our pictures at a way affordable price.

I’m even grateful for Mrs. Blickenstaff … wherever she is. She was my high school photography teacher. She gave me a D one semester. The only D that ever showed up on my report card and I still don’t know why. But whatever. It was in high school that I started developing a little skill in the hobby.

I am grateful for my dad who instilled in me a love for taking pictures. He had a manual SLR for as long as I can remember. He turned our downstairs bathroom into a dark room from time to time and I still remember the smell of those developing chemicals, the negatives, the boxes of photo paper, and that vintage photo enlarger. My dad truly was my first photography teacher. He took awesome pictures of our family.

I am grateful for my parents, who gave me my first camera just in time for camp in 6th grade. A bubble-gum pink LeClick. I don’t remember many other gifts that made me feel more elated than that 35mm point & shoot camera. And thank you to David (hubby) and Kevin (my brother) who were the ones to twist my arm in 2002. That was when we got our first dSLR. I was hesitant. I usually am with new technology.

Okay. I could go on. You get the picture (no pun intended), but I’ll stop here. In celebration of photography … I have a couple fun things to give away.

1. “The Valentine” camera strap cover by Shey [B]. I just got this for my camera and another one to give away.

2. This new book by Pascale Wowak. It’s called Getting Started in the Photography Business – From Head to Toe and you can go here to check it out. The book offers insight for those interested in taking their hobby to the next level. Plus, dozens of gorgeous photographs.

If you want to save a little on a camera strap cover, go here and enter BECKYHIGGINS at checkout to receive 10% off your total purchase. This is good through March 19th.

If you want to get free shipping on Pascale’s book, go here and enter the code WESHIP at checkout. This is good through March 22nd.

Leave a comment with your first name, city, and state. Tell me if you’d like the strap cover or the book. If you want, include your #1 favorite tip that has helped you to take better pictures. I’ll randomly choose a couple winners this week.