Guest Post: Christine of A Quiet Determination

So here it is ladies and gents... I was lucky enough to convince my good blogger friend and amazing photographer to take over for me while I'm on vacay... and she's all I hyped her up to be- trust me!

When Christine from Quiet Determination agreed to write for me, I just couldn't help but ask her to share some photography tips with us-- cuz, dude, this girl has mad skills. Here's what she has to say...
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The lovely and talented Lauren asked me to guest post while she is off on vacation.

Let's just pause for a moment.

Vacation.

Sigh....

Ok. Back to reality. I am incredibly honored as this will be my very first guest post experience and because Lauren asked me to share a photography tip with you. You know, cause I'm the greatest.

Kidding.

((I do that sometimes))

I've only been taking photography seriously for a little over a year now, and while there are still numerous ways in which I have to grow, there is one important tip I was forced to learn at the very beginning.

And that is what I would like to share with you.

The number one rule of photography:

Always have a camera in hand.

I know what you're thinking. That's it? That's your number one rule? Lame.

However, it is one of the toughest parts about being an amateur photographer. I know it was for me, anyway. It was awkward to have my camera around (and sometimes still is) and take pictures all the time. I mean, who was I kidding? Did I really know what I was doing?

No. But I did it anyways.

Let the camera become an extension of your arm. Literally. Ok, not literally. But you know what I mean.

If you're driving and you suddenly visualize an amazing landscape photograph, pull over.

{I may have hopped a few fences for this one, too}

Have an event to go to? Bring that sucker along for the fun.

{I had to sneak my camera in. Hmm... I promise I'm not promoting bad behavior. Sort of.}

The more you have your camera around your friends and family, the more comfortable they will become in front of it. Which will ultimately lend itself to better candid and natural shots.

And hey, let's not forget... it's just plain fun to have more photos, right?

In other words:

Snap away my good friends, snap away.

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So lesson learned. 'Snap away', take lots of photos, and most importantly: go visit Christine at her awesome blog: A Quiet Determination. She also has an Etsy shop where she sells her photography. I drool over her shots. Am-ay-zing.

Talk to you all soon, can't wait to fill you in on the trip!

Ta Ta!!

via

Ta Ta! Goodbye! Hasta La vista!

...or whatever locals of Vegas might say to bid adieu.

Maybe it's more like: "see ya later, I'm going to find a drink, a gambling table... and check out how good I look in this dress!?"

Ya. That's probably it.


So dudes, I'm going on a little vacay. A much needed one-- and I'm getting about as far from working at this mine as possible. From coveralls and steel-toe boots to actually getting to put pretty outfits on, perhaps changing several times a day. Yes, it will be a good one.

But don't worry! I have some riveting posts, and even a guest post(!) organized for my time away. Tune in for this guest blogger dudes, she's an amazing photographer and has some pretty legit things to say.




But in the mean time, one of my besties/ roomies from University will be meeting me to Viva a little Las Vegas for a girls weekend of shopping, laying by the pool, and checking out The Strip, then it's off to meet my boyfriend on the way home in one of our favorite cities.

I'll be sure to fill you in-- there will be some good photo filled posts to come!


Enjoy your weekend! Happy Hippity Hop:)
(easter)

A Guest Post: "Hopes and Dreams"

I was asked to write a guest post for the wonderful blog "Love is Home".

Joelle was so sweet, and asked me to tell about my hopes and dreams. My opinions on this topic have been humbled by experience, but here's what I shared. Visit Joelle's blog to read more!

Note: photos are appropriately from a recent "dream" backpacking trip to Greece/ Turkey

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When I was first asked to do this guest post, I had a rush of excitement… Excitement that was swiftly side-tackled by my inhibitions regarding the subject matter of the post.

“Just write about your hopes and dreams, and how you keep track of them” Joelle asked me… The dreamy child-like “I can do anything” spirit in me thought “you BET your a** I can talk about my hopes and dreams!!” then my confused almost-adult state swooped in with the inhibition and embarrassment I feel about the topic.

This mid-twenties thing is a weird place to talk about “hopes and dreams”. We are still so close to that child that we were a decade or so ago, and we haven’t quite met the fully-mature adult that we’re discovering. No matter where we are in life- married or single, college educated or not, a parent or not, it is so early to tell if this long list of hopes and dreams some of us have is really realistic. I suppose at any age, it really is ‘early’ because we always have life to live, and goals to strive for. That unknown is scary.

Now, before you go thinking I’m all pessimistic- let me explain. I’m pretty much the exact opposite. I’m a sucker for optimism, goals, talking about the goals, then talking about them again while riding a unicorn to the end of the rainbow. You get me?

I recently graduated with a Bachelor Degree in Elementary Education with full intent of teaching children, ‘creating our future society’, and supporting their hopes and dreams by teaching them all I could. After I graduated I wanted to further the scope of work that I could “help” and “touch people’s lives” within—so I applied for a Masters in Rehabilitation Medicine. Shortly after my rejection letter arrived, I had to take my hopes under one arm, and my dreams under another, and have a little talk with both of them.

I have realized that, in many ways, we can go thinking about a long list of hopes, dreams, and aspirations and not think much about how they are attainable and realistic. I think this is a very important step in creating that “list of 100 things to do before you die”. Take that list one step further with a list of “100 things to do before I die, and the steps I’m going to take to make the goals attainable”. Romantic title, right?

The trick to it is: if you’re going to feel satisfaction in reaching those 100 things to do in your life, make darn sure all the little steps you must take to reach the goal feel just as satisfying. For example, if you want to work as a teacher with children; volunteer with children in any capacity you can, talk to teachers, visit classrooms, and learn about what skills are involved in the job. Take steps to ensure you have those skills… then you can take it to your final list when you’re ready to “work as a teacher”.

Personally, I have learned that instead of wanting to have a masters in rehab sciences, the ‘guts’ of what I really want is to work with people, touch their lives, help in making their lives better, and do that as an occupation. Those are some of the little steps to get to what will hopefully end with “have a masters in rehabilitation sciences” stroked off the list. (stay tuned… round 2 of applications are this year, and I hear if I’m accepted in June.)

So bottom line to this scary topic: hopes, dreams, and how to keep track of them? I say set your sights high, set goals that will make you a happy and inspired person, then brake those goals into mini skills and steps that will lead you to your end goal. And my biggest advice is to ENJOY those little steps and skills, feel good about them, and have them satisfy the ‘guts’ of what you want, because that is where enjoying the moment will come in and make the goals a little less scary.

So dudes, grab your unicorn, reach deep down, pick that child-like excitement up from where it just got tackled to the ground, brush it off, and give it a high five. Because as much as reality is very real… dreaming and pushing for what you want has a big place in the grand scheme of things, too.

So tell me, if you feel so inclined: what are the "guts" of your hopes and dreams?

Shades of Spring: Week Two

Do I ever have a deal for you: one post, two shades, and eight talented photographers. That's right, Shades of Spring stepped it up a notch this week thanks to some awesome readers & contributors.

Here is the Introduction of Shades of Spring
Here are Week One's photos


Check out these springy photos, and the amazing photographers who took them, linked below.

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Lynn of Hearted Girl:White



Alisha of Alisha & Brandon 12.04.10: White

Stephanie of Big Mario: White


Lauren of Outside Voice: White/Green


Christine of A Quiet Determination and Christine Kastler Photography: Green



Leanna of OMG I Moved to NYC: Green



Alisha of Alisha & Brandon 12.04.10: White & Green

Vanessa of Lady Grey: White & Green





Lynn of Hearted Girl: Green



Melissa Jo of Lady of the Flowers: Green


Lauren of Outside Voice: Green

Be sure to look, link, and love these ladies. You won't regret discovering their blogs and photography!

Thanks so much for your contributions, and I'd love to have your photos part of Shades of Spring posts. Simply email your themed photos to:

lcr-outsidevoice{at}hotmail{dot}com

Themes as follows:
April 27- Pink/ Purple
May 4- Yellow/ Orange

Hugs, Kisses, and Colourful Spring Wishes,