Dairy Queen features a candy cane blizzard in December, so after today’s work was done Livia and I went out for ice cream. We found what we were looking for, right before the dinner hour actually. Dinner tonight will come later, after all that sugar and milk has absorbed into our systems.
With ice cream in hand we went searching for something to photograph. This “we” was really a me scenario; Liv was a captive audience, literally strapped into her seatbelt while I drove all over kingdom come.
I chased after a setting sun in attempts to perhaps catch its rays through a wreath in a parking lot. After that I drove further, capturing the shot that wins for today’s image. Then we slowly made our way home, stopping in a small cemetery to grab a few more shots. (This is where Liv questioned me, “Are we allowed to drive in here?” and then, “When are we going to be home?” Oh the sad life of a photographer’s child.)
My hunt for something deemed photo-worthy is one story out of a few hundred stories in the December Photo Project. The more I hear from you, the more I know that we’re all doing the same thing, for 25 days straight in December—we’re looking for something beautiful or something noteworthy, something worth using up one of our 25 days.
So where did you stop and shoot today? What risks are you taking? What’s your favorite subject and what draws you to it time and time again?
This little guy is the cutest, isn’t he? His mama is a good friend of mine and I saw them both at bible study this morning. We have a ridiculous number of absolutely charming little boys at church. I feel kinda lucky to be able to capture his sweet face for the December Photo Project.
I pulled my little Canon from my purse today and was ready to photograph a soup lunch out in public when I realized the battery had died. Oh well!
This image, a very December-y one if I do say so myself, will suffice. Snowflakes a la Jeannette, my college friend who had halls full of girls making beautiful things back in the day. I think of Jeannette with a smile every time Livia and I make these familiar folds and cuts.
I present to you the beautiful Emily Lovelace in the doorway of Sebastian’s Table in downtown Lincoln. At this point of the day we were very merry indeed after a lunch of stuffed peppers, seared scallops and sangria. I needed a solid nap afterwards but settled for some coffee instead.
Perfect way to make a Monday delightful? Lunch with a friend.
Exactly how committed am I to my challenge-within-a-challenge? Um yeah, only kind of committed apparently!
It is COLD outside, friends. Ridiculously cold. Last night Jeremy and I briskly walked the three blocks from a downtown parking garage to the movie theater and I almost died. Our car used it’s magical powers to tell us it was 1 degree outside, which meant the windchill was something heinous.
That’s my sob story and that’s my explanation for why today’s image was taken in my warm basement. Livia’s been dying to do crafts, so we cut paper into snowflakes, colored them when desired, and watched the Grinch on tv.
Oh the weather outside is frightful…
Lobster bisque at the Green Gateau
Tiramisu cake made by my parents(!)
A 36 year old
Matching legs
Dinner with my husband at Blue Orchid
Thanks to everyone who has sent birthday loves and wishes my direction today! I am so grateful for you all. xoxoxo
Goodbye, green grass, green trees and flowers. Hello, stark landscape of winter. You have arrived. I shall pretend to get along with you for a few weeks and then I might not like you at all by February. Sorrynotsorry.
Light fixture in the waiting room this evening.
I waited for other clients to leave, then knelt on the floor after considering laying down on it. The floor was cold, for anyone who was wondering.
For that matter, all of Nebraska is cold. Brrr.
My challenge for the DPP this year is to, well, challenge myself. Instead of taking a shot of a Christmas wreath in my own house (ain’t nothin’ wrong with that!) I might try taking a shot of a wreath hanging at the mall because I’m a little more cautious about shooting at the mall. Instead of photographing Livia on our front porch I might try my hand at street photography—something I have always wanted to do but lacked the boldness in approaching people.
Today I put my camera around my neck as I walked into Le Quartier to pick up lunch for a friend. I felt awkward walking into the bakery with a camera, but I also knew I couldn’t take a picture if I didn’t have it. While waiting for their fabulous tomato soup and chicken sandwich I spotted a profile in the back office that looked familiar. My friend Keri apparently now works at this particular location! I flagged her down and got her to pose for me. It was pretty great. Seeing Keri, my fellow artist and all-around encourager, gave me the boldness to grab today’s DPP shot.
And then things got even better. Keri introduced me to the chef who runs the shop (her name is escaping me, argh!) and I got to walk into the kitchen and snap a few more pictures of her decorating a cake. (I also heard of this incredible cake she made for the new senior pastor at Grace Chapel, Ben Loos. Congrats, Ben!)
Keri’s shot wins the day, but it was such a learning moment for me, such a moment of opening the door to opportunity and being prepared to walk through it. This is why the DPP excites me. I’m hearing story after story of people looking for beauty and taking the time to capture it this December. Thanks for joining me, friends. It means a lot.
