Life in Focus

They saw wonders

Last Friday, I had the awesome opportunity to spend time with 19 young shutterbugs, connecting with nature through photography.  I asked for 12 but 19 eager kids toting cameras and wearing big smiles arrived...and it was the most wonderful and profound afternoon I have spent in a long time.

We talked about composition and how to see through their lenses. We talked about how they are all artists and that their digital screen is their canvas.

We talked about their one unique and beautiful perspective on the world and how to capture and record it with their cameras and their hearts.

For a moment, I got concerned that they might look upon a landscape of mostly browns and dried bits of what once was alive and vibrant...and not be able to see.

But from the moment we stepped outside and I heard their squeals of excitement and saw their eyes open wide, I knew they could see.

They saw pinecones lined up like soldiers, the tops of trees against a never ending blue sky, and the dew dripping from a red, ripe berry.

They saw a leaf in the shape of a heart, a squirrel's discarded acorn caps, and tiny dried flowers with beautiful shades of pink against a backdrop of evergreens.

They zoomed in close on pattern, color, and texture. They zoomed out and saw an exciting landscape full of adventure.

They got down low and looked up. They stood on the highest hill and looked down. They saw moving clouds, the tips of whispy grasses, tiny spiders, and a rock covered with moss.

 They got quiet and stood still, carefully studying the face of a dried and drooping sunflower that towered over them.

They made pictures with their eyes and their hearts and each time they snapped the shutter, they ran over in a flurry of excitement to show me what they had created. At one point, I stood back to look up, take a breath, and watch the whole scene around me. As I saw them all connecting with themselves and with the world around them, smiles of pride on their faces and encouraging each other, I was moved. I quietly watched one little boy as he carefully reviewed a series of images he took of a tiny pinecone and then tears of joy filled my eyes when I heard him exclaim, "I love this one...it's going on my wall!"

Of all that I was hoping to inspire in them that day, I never imagined all that they would inspire in me. They saw beauty in a barren garden of summer's remnants and they found  joy in every little detail. They saw wonders and it was magic.

Welcome to Life in Focus Studio!

I'm so excited to announce the very humble beginnings of a dream...

Welcome to Life In Focus Studio!

In every walk with nature, one receives far more than he seeks. ~John Muir

 

Link for the Life in Focus Studio shop

Link for the Life in Focus Studio Facebook page

Thank you so much for stopping by! :)

 

 

 

Kids With Cameras :: Learning to See

A few days ago, I took the opportunity to go on a photo walk with my beautiful teenage daughter. She has a natural eye, a sincere love for nature, and a growing passion for learning to see through a lens. Getting the chance to teach her and be her cheerleader is an amazing gift! This day was extra special, however, because it was the day that my very first DSLR went to a new home in her creative hands.

I've been waiting for the right time to give her this camera and I knew that this was the day that she was ready. We went to our favorite park and headed down the most inspiring trail full of trees, wild flowers, and life all around.

Watching her stare up at the tall trees with camera in hand, I could see her heart and soul flourish.

I did some teaching and guiding along the way, but mostly this day I just watched her and was so excited to be on the sidelines to see what she saw. It was thrilling!

There is something very powerful about looking through a lens and learning to see. It transforms our perspective and creates a new appreciation for the world around us.  It helps us focus on the beauty that could easily go unnoticed in our busy, hurry-to-the-next-thing lives. It teaches us to slow down, be aware, and find joy in simplicity...a butterfly's wings, the petal of a flower, or even the great big awe inspiring sky!

To hold a camera is not just a medium to create images, but it's a powerful tool for a happy life. What an awesome thing it is to give that tool to a kid. After watching my daughter on this day, I'm pretty sure she will never see the world the same way again.

 

 

Around Here...

Around here, it's been a whirlwind of activity for the past couple of months and I've been doing my best to keep up with it all! And so is she...although we've discovered that sometimes it's best to just park yourself at the top of the steps so you don't have to run up and down so many times! :)

Around here...

This boy came home from college after a very successful first year away and we are so proud of him!

This girl made a speech, got elected as a Drama Club Officer, earned 5 amazing undergraduate awards, and finished her junior year of high school with flying colors.

This boy turned 14, made a speech, got elected as Senior Patrol Leader, began work on his Boy Scout Eagle project, and completed 8th grade with great success.

These two began Cross Country training together and I'm so happy that they will have time together as a Freshman and Senior next year!

I went to California with my big brother and sister-in-law to help my niece create the wedding of her dreams. It was beautiful and so much fun!

I created our very own lemonade stand in my kitchen as a little "Welcome to Summer" surprise!

We made chocolate chip cupcakes with chocolate chip butter cream and they were YUM!

I fell in love with a goat...but that's a story for a different day! :)

We celebrated Father's Day with a delicious feast and I was just so thankful to have that time with both my dad and my husband, two of the most amazing daddys I know.

I ran in the Color Run 5K with my colorful kids and colorful friends and it was so much messy fun!

And now that Summer is officially here, the kids are all home, and we're settling into a routine, I'm looking up and taking a deep breath...

Heading out to our favorite park as often as we can...

Matching and folding a whole lot of white socks (whew!)...

Spending time just being together...

Sitting around the campfire and gazing at the stars...

And eating ice cream with rainbow sprinkles whenever I get the chance.

Here's to a beautiful Summer full of blessings!

 

 

 

An opportunity to learn

Over the weekend, I cashed in a super special birthday gift from my husband and it was simply amazing. National Geographic Traveler came to our area to teach a day long seminar on travel photography and I had the incredible opportunity to learn from them!

I was so excited and eager that I was in my seat and ready to go 30 minutes before it even started!  I soaked in every word and was in awe of the gorgeous images shown on the giant screen in front of me. There were even moments during the seminar when I was so touched by the beauty of their work, that I literally got a lump in my thoat and felt chills on my arms! It was in those moments, that I knew I was in the right place.

The day completely exceeded all of my expectations and I walked away with my head just spinning with ideas and inspiration for my own photography and stories. I'm so grateful to have had this opportunity and I just can't wait to dive in to all that I learned!

As I laid in bed last night, my mind just racing with possibility, I was reminded of this quote by Steve Jobs:

Find something you love so much, you can’t wait for the sun to rise. 

I do believe I've found it.

Here's to a passion-filled Monday!

 

Once Upon a Walk :: The Snow White Edition

One of the wonderful things about our beautiful state of Michigan is it's four distinct seasons. They each offer us a different perspective and the opportunity to begin again with fresh eyes. However, this particular Winter has been sooooooo long! As in, one of the longest and coldest and grayest that I can remember. Or maybe it's just that I'm getting older and can't seem to keep warm - we're talking socks to bed, people! Anyway, Spring is on it's way and it is my favorite of the four because of the way we get to witness the world around us literally come alive after a very long and peaceful slumber.

A couple of weeks ago, we had a surprisingly Spring-like day where the sun came out and the temperatures rose past freezing. It was so beautiful and very much appreciated! As soon as my husband got home from work, we jumped in the car and headed out for a walk in the woods. As we walked, I couldn't believe how the forest started moving with activity. The animals came out of their hiding places as if to step out on stage and perform the "Spring is Finally Here" dance. The birds sang and followed us, almost like they were playing peek-a-boo as we moved down the path. It was so thrilling and I remember thinking that this must be what Snow White feels like! And I do believe that these sweet creatures were just as excited as we were.

Every walk with nature tells a story and I love to listen. Spring is finally on it's way and we are ALL very happy about that!

when you give a kid a camera

                                                               
I think one of the coolest gifts we can give a kid is a camera.  With digital photography, it has become more affordable than ever for children to experiment, play, and shoot as many photos as they want.  The best part?  It is really more than just another electronic gadget to throw in their arsenal of beeping, buzzing, and "must be charged" toys, it is a tool that will enrich their lives in so many ways. 

When you give a kid a camera....
they will express themselves creatively and have fun while doing it
they will slow down, hold still, and observe the world around them
they will begin to "see" what they might normally only "look" at
they will tell their story from their perspective
they will learn how to focus on details and appreciate the little stuff of life
they will go outside to explore and capture their connection with nature
they will find beauty and importance in the routine of the everyday
they will be proud when their images can become framed pieces of art to keep or give as gifts
they will have a tool that can help them grow into adulthood with awareness and gratitude

There is something truly amazing about watching a child explore the world around them with a camera in hand.  It's almost as if they are seeing things for the first time when a leaf, a footprint, or even a bowl of cereal become objects of significance and wonder. Watching my own children enjoy life through a lens has been such a treat and has also reminded me on several occasions to slow down, observe, and appreciate what's right in front of me. That's good stuff!

                              

When you give a kid a camera, you are giving a very special gift.