View from the Prairie Box

Steven Curtis Chapman Christmas concert tonight!

“Oh wait!”

“What?”

“I need to get a shot of you.”

“Okay. I’m gonna play the piano.”

“Sounds good to me.”

Photography with Hope the Piano Player on a sunny afternoon in December. December Photo Project, day 10.

Sometimes it’s hard to study the bible when eyes like these are looking in your direction. And don’t get me started on this boy’s cheeks! He is scrumptious. This morning he was alert and in the mood to chat. Swoon. Sarah and Jordan sure make beautiful children.

December Photo Project, day nine.

The voices inside my head had a lot to say about this shot:
You forgot your camera. Again.
Don’t knock on a neighbor’s door.
Look, the sun is already going down!
Not another selfie. Groan.
A self-portrait is fine, just do it.
No.
You have to. See that setting sun?
There is too much of you online right now.
No one wants to see another moody picture.
Thirty-seven shots and five are in focus?
Take your pick!
Looks like you’re an art student.
So?
Isn’t every artist an art student?
That edit looks dumb.
No, it looks fine.
Post it already.
Whew. Day 8 of the December Photo Project.

December Photo Project, day 7.

Sometimes the right place to shoot your DPP is in the entry to your favorite little Japanese restaurant and there’s only room for one parent to sit. Let’s just say Mom dodged a bullet today and Dad took his seat in the spotlight. Happily full of udon soup and sushi, we got the shot and walked out into the warm sunshine-y December afternoon.

I began to think of throwing a big party for my birthday some time ago, only the idea of narrowing down an invitation list made me sweat. So I didn’t narrow down anything, rather I hosted a brunch for all the women at our church (we have a smallish sized church body) and rather self-centeredly did so on my birthday. It was kinda awesome and I only questioned my sanity a few times in the process. I asked several girlfriends to help set up and clean, and a potluck-style brunch meant I didn’t have to cook anything more strenuous than coffee—and even then I only prepared one pot.

I had a really fun morning with a lot of wonderful women, chocolate cheesecake and laughter. Thanks to all who came and all who helped. I love you, chicas!

December Photo Project, day 5.

Here’s the oh-crud-I-forgot-to-shoot-a-DPP-pic-today-I’ll-try-to-snap-something-in-Trader-Joe’s shot.

December Photo Project, day four.

My mom is such a good sport! And she’s so pretty, too. I was dropping all my crafty items on the floor in a rush to whip out my camera while she was walking towards me at JoAnn’s Fabrics today. And then the cashier commented on my activity, so really, I was the opposite of discreet. But I snapped one shot and I love it. DPP on a sunny Friday. Check and check.

December Photo Project, day three.

I ran to grab my camera and she ran to grab a prop, her almost-four-year-old son. I don’t know that I’ll have any friends left after this month of covert and not-so-covert portraits. ;)

I am pushing myself to shoot people this month. So far I’ve forgotten to take my camera with me and I’ve forgotten to ask someone for a shot when they came to my door. I ended up at Maralee’s doorstep today for a brief moment and, voila!, I had my moment. Good thing Maralee never leaves the house. When I run by and she’s not there I assume great tragedy has befallen her. Good thing for the DPP that I *do* leave the house as it’ll give me ample opportunity to fulfill my own challenge of photographing human beings over the next 21 days…

December Photo Project, day two.

I wonder how many times the HONY photographer gets told no? A lot, I bet!

Rebecca B. didn’t tell me no this morning because I didn’t ask her. And yes, I realize how annoying that is to have someone point their camera at you. I totally took advantage of her and I am 100% happy I did so. (She’ll forgive me—just look at her joyful face.) I couldn’t resist the light flowing in through one basement window, the way it washed right over Rebecca as she stood patiently making coffee for our women’s bible study at Redeemer. I love the grittiness of the scene around her. Something in me greatly delights in capturing life as it is, not being afraid of some peeling paint or exposed ductwork.

Thanks in advance to my name-twin for letting me post this (even though I didn’t ask). I hope you see here what we, your friends and admirers, see in you: a beautiful, open, friendly and generous heart.