Illusions

Meet Sophie....my brother's very silly labradoodle...and Ben's bestie. The other day when we were out on our walk. The pups were playing away in the lake. I crouched down low and proceeded to snap some pics...Sophie caught eye of the phone and headed straight toward it. Click, click....

I was surprised to see the result when I arrived home. It appears as though she is walking on water. It's amazing what happens when we experiment a little with position, perspective..... etc. This was a happy accident, but it's inspired me to get a little more creative while snapping pics of the puppy dogs.

Today, share a little illusion... or perhaps a happy accident of your own. I'd love to see.

Every Child Deserves a Shot@Life

Today marks the launch of the United Nation Foundation's Shot@Life campaign. Tracey and I are excited to support Shot@Life and their mission to provide much-needed vaccines to children around the world.

I think about my own children and the relative ease I have here in the United States to get the vaccines I need to protect them from preventable diseases. I'm aware of the options and can access information about vaccines to make an informed decision on behalf of my children. I can afford the costs of vaccines. I have a pediatrician I trust. And I have the means to transport my children to obtain the vaccines we need. This is privilege. One in five children around the world don't have access to life-saving vaccines in developing countries, so they need our help. For just $5, you can protect a child from polio and measles. For just $20 you can help give a child a lifetime of immunity to protect him or her from pneumonia, diarrhea, measles, and polio. To help give a child a Shot@Life, I hope you'll join us here.

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An added note from Tracey:

Thanks to all of you who are using your photography to support Shot at Life! The collection of images for our #shot4shot project is awesome. Take a peek here and keep up the amazing work! You are appreciated.

on my way back home

There is gratitude during those minutes following a long day of work. A lesson in cultivating a spirit of self-love, and acknowledging the things that are important to me. It's a bit strange. I cannot wait to go back to the ones I love and yet very much enjoy feeling that sense of completion, of connectedness with my self.

For the past few weeks I've developed a habit of taking photos on my way back home. I love how they reflect those moments in between the many demands and commitments of daily life, and remind me to slow down, and give thanks for everything that happens to me.

How about you? Do you have those moments during morning or evening commute? If yes, do you pull your camera and capture them? Please share with us today.

spring's spark

Coming fresh off of Easter weekend, I am feeling ignited by a surge of spring's spark. From blossoms to blooms, sweet treats to Easter eggs, family to festivities, it seems that everyone was savoring a little piece of this season.

Although I captured a number of pictures this past week, for my Best Shot Monday, I have chosen to share something that spoke of tenderness, courage and hope. Capturing the intimate intricacies of something like this tiny peach blossom with my new Olloclip (which has a macro option for my iPhone) makes me swoon. I do believe I have found yet another creative muse!

Now it's your turn to share your Best Shot today. We can't wait to see what captured your spirit (and your lens) this week.

two of our best

It's probably no secret that I use my iPhone about 99% of the time. I'm the first to admit that it's become my most favorite muse since I got it. And Instragram is my favorite way to use my iPhone. I've only recently begun to try different apps but I keep going back the the quick, easy and ever-effective Instragram.

I'm not the only one around here that is smitten. My teenage daughter also has been stung by the iBug (and she doesn't even have an iPhone). So, we spend our time passing my phone back and forth. Logging each other in and out and in again into our Instagram accounts. We shoot and share and show each other our handiwork. We oooo and aaaah at our work. We get excited about how we each see the world, compare secrets of each shot, we encourage each other.

Although it can be challenging sometimes, the trading back and forth, the logging in and logging out, I actually really enjoy it. I like getting to be a part of my daughter's photography process like this. I get to watch and witness her as she creates her art. It's a gift. At least until she gets her own iPhone.

I chose to share these two shots today as our Best Shot Monday. The image on the left is her best from this week. The right image is mine. I think we make a pretty good creative team.

Won't you share your Best Shot from the past week on this fine Monday?