I have found a group of women in the Springfield area who enjoy photography as much as I do and who encourage and support each others own personal journey. In addition, we all realize the value of capturing not just those “special moments” but the every day moments. Together we are embarking on a 12 month photography project.

Each month we will try and take personal images and blog on them. The theme will be “What ___ looks like.” Each month we will each choose to fill in the blank with our word of choice. Some of us may choose to use the same word all year and some may choose to change it up each month. We will each link to the next photographer until our circle of is complete.

We hope this project inspires you to take more pictures of your own families! Make sure to read through to the end and then visit the link to Tara Long Photography!

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This month: What a weekend away looks like
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The fall has been VERY busy for me photography-related.   However, when a dear friend of our family (and the little girl I used to babysit!) was getting married in Chicago it was cause for a HUGE celebration and a weekend away.   Her wedding and reception took place at the Crystal Gardens at Navy Pier, so my husband daughter and I decided to make a fun weekend out of it.   We had never taken Josie downtown Chicago and we knew it would be a blast.   Between having tons of fun in the hotel room, meeting the pirate at navy pier (who she kept calling “Jake”,) playing at the Children’s museum, having a CRAZY fun time at the reception and the brunch the next day…this was one of those weekends that I know Josie will remember for years to come.

I have found a group of women in the Springfield area who enjoy photography as much as I do and who encourage and support each others own personal journey. In addition, we all realize the value of capturing not just those “special moments” but the every day moments. Together we are embarking on a 12 month photography project.

Each month we will try and take personal images and blog on them. The theme will be “What ___ looks like.” Each month we will each choose to fill in the blank with our word of choice. Some of us may choose to use the same word all year and some may choose to change it up each month. We will each link to the next photographer until our circle of is complete.

We hope this project inspires you to take more pictures of your own families! Make sure to read through to the end and then visit the link to Courtney Westlake Photography!

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This month: What Life Up Close Looks Like
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Before I share my visual images, I have to share a little background.  A couple weeks ago I received a 100mm 2.8L macro lens on loaner.  I used it a few times for some newborn images and fell in LOVE with it.  The ability to capture not only the tiny toes but the little ridges in their fingernails was amazing!  I knew that had to be my next purchase.  Since I am no longer booking outdoor toddler or family sessions (outside of my baby club families) I knew that my 70-200mm 2.8L would die a slow death in my arsenal of lens.  And so I did it, I listed my 70-200 for sale and bought the macro.

This is definitely my new favorite lens both professionally and personally.  I love the creamy bokeh it produces in portraits and the tack-sharpness it has with the tiniest of things (check out the little dangling ant below!)   Earlier this month while playing outside with my daughter and husband we came across a HUGE bug.  We weren’t sure what it was, but it was pretty cool.  My husband said “go get your macro!”  Not only was I able to capture the beady little eyes of the bug, but I also captured the sweet angelic eyes of my little “bug.”  And of course, my easiest subject to photograph, our dog Amy.    I absolutely adore how you can see the sky in her eyes as she sweetly laid in the grass.

So here you have it.  All shot with my beloved macro lens.

Now, check out the blog of Courtney Westlake Photography here and continue the circle!

I have found a group of women in the Springfield area who enjoy photography as much as I do and who encourage and support each others own personal journey.  In addition, we all realize the value of capturing not just those “special moments” but the every day moments.   Together we are embarking on a 12 month photography project.

Each month we will try and take personal images and blog on them. The theme will be “What ___ looks like.”   Each month we will each choose to fill in the blank with our word of choice.  Some of us may choose to use the same word all year and some may choose to change it up each month.  We will each link to the next photographer until our circle of is complete.

We hope this project inspires you to take more pictures of your own families!  Make sure to read through to the end and then visit the link to Ashley Dae Photography!

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This month:   What Summertime Looks Like
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Playing in the water:  Josie loves to “help” her dad water the plants in the evenings.  Often times this means there is more water on my 2 year old than actually in the plants.

Family Reunions:  Every couple of years my mothers side of the family has our family reunion. It is so great to catch up with everyone and Josie just adored having fun with her cousins.

Lots of Studio Shoots:  With this dreaded heat it means that a lot of folks don’t want to deal with the crazy heat and instead opt for my indoor studio.  One day I was setting up for a session and Josie decided to come in and visit me.  What resulted were some adorable pictures of my girl.

Now-   keep going through the circle to the website of Ashley Dae Photography.