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The Way I View “New Beginnings”

In honor of “New Beginnings”, I first want to wish everyone a truly blissful, healthy, and prosperous 2012!

Through a wonderful online photography board I belong to, ClickinMoms, I have joined with a group of 12 other photographers who each will create a blog post on the second of every month that will photographically show “The Way I View _____.” Each month will have a different theme relevant to that time of year. The idea is that each of our posts will link to the post of the next photographer in the circle, so if you click on all 13 of the links, you’ll have made a full loop through a diverse and gorgeous body of work. I LOVE the themes that have been selected for each month, and I am both awed and intimidated to be included amongst such an amazing and inspiring group of photographers, and women!

We are starting off with the theme “New Beginnings.” I had such a hard time thinking of something that wasn’t too clichรฉ and that would contribute itself well to creating images that would make my heart sing (which is always my primary goal with my work!). I also decided that I wanted to “introduce” you to all three of the members of my little family, so I figured the best “New Beginnings” way to do that would be for each of us to pick a New Year’s Resolution. And it just so happened that each of our resolutions ended up being about working really hard this year at building on a passion!

Last year, in addition to her singing, Emily decided she also wanted to learn how to play the guitar. She loves music in general, and her cousin Sawyer and Grampa Gary are both wonderful players; their enthusiasm has rubbed off on her! So her resolution this year was to carve out at least two hours per week (in addition to her weekly lesson) to practice. And I am benefitting too, because I kinda love hearing her, especially when she plays “Love Me Tender,” which she does so beautifully! (And I will love it even more shen she has a few more songs under her belt ๐Ÿ˜‰ !)

Tom’s resolution this year relates to his most recent obsession, which is hockey. He played as a kid, and he’s picked it up again in the last couple of years. This year he’s excited to have been invited onto a more advanced team in addition to his regular team, and his goal is to score at least one goal for his advanced team. I have no doubt he will accomplish that and more! (You’ll note that sports photography is NOT my forte…)

And mine, as it has been for the last few years, is to work hard on building my photography skills. I have the basics down, but this year I want to really learn to master light, including (gulp) flash but especially to capture that warm, almost iridescent quality I see in my mind but can’t quite reliably translate to my work. I also want to work on shooting more mindfully and slowly and less haphazardly. I want my work to become more creative and beautiful, meaningful and emotional. I plan to read voraciously and am working through books with friends so we can both push and inspire one another, and I will take one or two workshops this year as well. But mostly, I will practice like crazy!

Whatever your goals are for the new year, I wish you joy and success in your journey!

Please continue on with our little circle by seeing how my friend Sarah Combio interpereted her “New Beginnings!”

  • Anne - February 2, 2012 - 6:33 am

    Oh my goodness that photo of Em is soooo gorgeous ! I love your post, so excited to be in this photography project with you this year ! <3ReplyCancel

  • Alli - February 2, 2012 - 6:47 am

    Love ALL your new beginnings images! The light in the image of Em playing guitar is perfect! Love the action in the hockey shot & I can totally relate to the photography goals! I am inspired!ReplyCancel

  • Melissa - February 2, 2012 - 8:33 am

    I love these, but especially Emily playing the guitar! I’m so happy you joined us this year and I can’t wait to keep up with your photography journey. ๐Ÿ™‚ReplyCancel

  • christina - February 2, 2012 - 9:41 am

    Emily looks like a natural with the guitar! Loved these, and also loved peeking at your photography goals ๐Ÿ™‚ReplyCancel

  • Katherine Durham - February 2, 2012 - 12:01 pm

    Love the ones of your daughter playing guitar!! Good luck to you this year! I can’t wait to see more!ReplyCancel

  • staceyrw - February 2, 2012 - 12:29 pm

    MMMM….Bubbly! Great photograph!ReplyCancel

  • Lisa Benemelis - February 2, 2012 - 1:23 pm

    I love your new beginnings images as well as the story behind them. <3 You are so inspiring and I'm glad I've gotten to know you a little better.ReplyCancel

  • Erica - February 2, 2012 - 1:49 pm

    Love seeing your images!! Especially the one of Emily playing the guitar!!ReplyCancel

  • Kristin - February 2, 2012 - 1:53 pm

    Jessica, I loved getting to know you each a bit better! What a great start to this project!!ReplyCancel

  • joyce - February 2, 2012 - 2:18 pm

    Gorgeous shots of Em with her guitar!! I love how you written down your goals for the year <3 I can't wait to see what is in store for you this year ๐Ÿ™‚ReplyCancel

  • Rachel Potter - February 2, 2012 - 2:30 pm

    Jess, I am SO proud of you and excited to see you featured here!!! Love your goal list.. I need one of those!ReplyCancel

  • April Nienhuis - February 2, 2012 - 6:22 pm

    Fantastic goals Jessica! I can’t wait to see your growth over the next year <3ReplyCancel

  • Krista Campbell - February 2, 2012 - 7:12 pm

    So beautiful Jessica!ReplyCancel

  • Beira - February 3, 2012 - 6:19 am

    Love the shots of your daughter–so beautiful! I am sure you will reach your goals with such focus and determination. Can’t wait to see the growth you bring yourself in 2012!ReplyCancel

  • gigi - February 3, 2012 - 6:51 am

    Wonderful goals Jessica – so inspiring! I can’t wait to see your photography goals more throughout the project. Emily looks like she is rocking her resolution and that is (no surprise) some gorgeous light!ReplyCancel

  • Kelly R - February 3, 2012 - 7:42 am

    What an exciting post! <3 And your "goals" list…
    Love love love this!
    Uh – and Ems is just gorgeous!ReplyCancel

  • sarah cambio - February 3, 2012 - 11:36 am

    Beautiful! Love the goals!ReplyCancel

  • Katrina Stewart - February 3, 2012 - 11:51 am

    What wonderful goals. l LOVE the picture of Emily. So looking forward to seeing what else you come up with this year.ReplyCancel

  • Jodi - February 4, 2012 - 8:59 pm

    I giggled at you saying that you’ll love that song more once she learns a couple of others…. I totally remember those same thoughts as my kiddos learned piano! I’m excited to watch you this year and to be part of this project with you, Jessica!ReplyCancel

  • jessica r - February 28, 2012 - 12:58 pm

    Lovely work and I love your goals! I can’t wait to see how much more you grow, I really love your work ๐Ÿ™‚ReplyCancel