I actually took pictures and did it for more than three weeks, but only 10 days worth showed up here on the blog.

I think it’s fitting that my Day 10 post was about ImagingUSA and Dane Sanders’ talk there. Why? Because that conference as well as several of the other amazing workshops I’ve been to since January has helped me get to where I am today… and I think it’s part of why I stopped blogging my 365 challenge photos. I was so overwhelmed by all the information, two full-time jobs and keeping up with clients that my personal project took a backseat.

But no more excuses, I’m going to start back up and I’m not planning on quitting this time.

Yesterday was hubby’s birthday and we got balloons, a cookie cake and celebrated with our friends. Here’s a quick snapshot of his cake with H.B.D. on it.

Why H.B.D. you might ask? (The Cookie lady did who rung up the cake!) Well, Dave doesn’t like a lot of icing so abbreviating “Happy Birthday David” turns into H.B.D. We started it a while back and now it’s just a tradition, too funny.

Nashville Birthday Party Photography, Brentwood Birthday Party Photography

He is definitely the motivational speaker for photographers. He asked all of the photographers (there were thousands!) the question: Do you remember why you started taking pictures?

For me, I started taking pictures to capture the amazing moments that I had with my family. I know that I was a big picture-taker in elementary and middle school. Then, finally in high school I asked my parents for a “nice” camera. Thankfully, I have parents who love and support me and had the ability to see that my picture taking wasn’t just a fading hobby, but much more than that. I know that the treasured moments we share with our family and friends pass by all too quickly and if we don’t document them, they could fade away.

I don’t want those special moments to pass by for you or your family. I have a heart for people, I love to become part of your family for a day, get in your world, find out what you’re passionate about and capture all of the emotions that come with those things.

He called letting life pass you by “going on automatic.” For photographers, when we shoot in automatic mode, it means we’re not in control, we can’t manually adjust the settings to make the photo the way we want. So for a life-analogy, not going on automatic means living your life awake at the wheel, being alive and active in every aspect of your life and going ALL IN on anything that you’re doing.

So for 2010: I’m going ALL IN. I am taking my photography to a whole new level. I’ve had some amazing mentors over the past 6 months walking with me, helping me learn more about the craft of photography, learn more about how to run a successful luxury photography studio and to treat your clients the best. Bottom line: you’ll see changes in how I do things and all for the better.

This shot is taken in front of my lovely friend Jordan’s house {shoutout!} when it felt like zero degrees.

Fast forward to this morning when we wake up and find…. NO snow on the ground. None is even falling. So we all go about our day & then finally just before lunch it starts coming down really hard. Throughout the day it just gets worse & worse and then tonight it gets down to the 20s so now it all freezes and is just ice.

Well at least it makes for gorgeous photos. I think snow and black and white photos is ridiculously beautiful. Enjoy!

{P.S. I’m posting this a day late because I’ve officially gotten bit by the Twilight bug & I was up last night reading the last bit of New Moon.}

I never claimed to be a food photographer, and I’m not even sure if you can make really GOOD mexican food look fantastic, it just tastes good. So here’s a photo of our chicken fajita meat!

This photo is from our fun ride home today… enjoy!

Also, I’m reading my camera manual & will begin posting what I’m learning from that too.

For more in depth info about Sun Flare and how to achieve it, check out this post by Melissa Jill – it really helped me and I hope it helps you too.