summer rambliness + picture things

“And so with the sunshine and the great bursts of leaves growing on the trees, just as things grow in fast movies, I had that familiar conviction that life was beginning over again with the summer.” 
― F. Scott Fitzgerald, The Great Gatsby

This summer, thus far, has been spectacular. 

I actually managed to secure a job, and test into a college level math class.  It's weird, getting up and working eight hours a day/attending night classes twice a week has been exhausting, but it's taught me to value free time.  Also, coupons for free gas/food.  Also, anything free in general.

But in between all of that has been great.  Vacation happened, as well as my studio's summer showcase.  Movie premieres, coffee dates, and sleepovers have occurred.  And I've basically lived in cutoffs/sundresses when I'm not working. 

And on a side note, my family managed to order almost $40 worth of food at Taco Bell last Sunday.  I didn't even know that was humanly possible.  #ipromisewerenotobese #bigfamilyprobs #WHATDIDWEORDER

photographic proof. it really happened people. srsly. 

On a completely unrelated note, I finally edited all of the pictures I took during vacation.  It took me about three weeks, but hey; it's the journey, not the destination.  {Or something philosophical like that.} 

Note: I am not a photographer, nor do I think I am. I just like shooting things with my cannon. *ba dum tshh*

Anywho, if things get quiet around here this summer, it's because I'm out doing things. Like reading. And sleeping. And hopefully getting a tan. {Hey, a girl can always dream.} 

~ Abby

    

so much black and white + 100th post

I don't know what has happened to me; I've always been a color kind of gal. But lately, -- and by lately I mean the past six months -- I have been on a black and white kick. And though I'm loving it, I'm showing color in 4-H this year, so I have a mountain of black and white photos that I don't know what to do with. {Not to mention that these are all taken with my phone -- my SLR is currently out of commission. But hey, when life gives you Apples you take slightly blurry/grainy pictures and try to make the most of it.} 

Which do you prefer? Black and white, or color? 

~ Abby

p.s. i just now noticed that all of these are of children. is that weird? i guess i have a lot of random kids running around in my life. so i photograph them. okay.

p.p.s. blogger tells me that this is my 100th post, apparently. geez louise, i need to get a hobby. also i am embarassed of about 95 of my blogs.  I REGRET NOTHING!!!

p.p.p.s if you follow me on flickr, you've probably already seen these. sorry folks. 

of summer and cat fur

Yesterday was one of the first truly warm days of the year. To celebrate, my little sister and I went to a little small town book store; one that smells like sunshine and old books. I bought an SAT study guide, and she found a treasure trove of old Nancy Drew mysteries. The picturesque-ness of the moment was only *slightly* ruined when I opened a box of old records, and a cloud of cat fur flew out. Which subsequently caused only a *slightly* embarrassing sneezing fit, as well as our premature departure from the store. #catsareevil

To redeem the situation, we bought lemonades and found a nearby bench to sit on. We sat and smelled the freshly cut grass, counted passing pickup trucks (18,) and watched cute old couples walk their dogs. And I didn't think about my upcoming finals even once.

okay so maybe i did once but then i watched the new Catching Fire trailer to forget my troubles #yolo

How was your weekend?

~ Abby

candid shots + a really awesome quote

"Sometimes people are beautiful. Not in looks. Not in what they say. Just in the way they are." 

- Markus Zusak

This girl is beautiful. 

Not only in looks, {but really now, isn't she gorgeous?} but in the way she is. 

 I'm really beginning to appreciate a side of photography that is still very new to me -- candid shots. There's something just really beautiful about catching a bit of life, and freezing it. And candids/snapshots capture a realness and honesty that posed self portraits just can't convey. 

And that my friends, is beautiful. 

~ Abby

candid moments

via my flickr stream

I have developed a deeper appreciation for snapshots. And black and white photos. I feel like sometimes I get wrapped up in making a shot look as 'good' as possible. It's like I have a mental list in my head of what makes a nice photo -- and if a picture doesn't have good composition, contrast, and a unique subject, then it isn't worth keeping. So as a result of my faulty thinking, I very rarely took snapshots. 

But one day I was really frustrated with some of my homework, and decided to clear my head by taking some pictures of my little sister. {She was playing with homemade play doh.} Though none of these are 'perfect', I'm so very happy with them. 

I think candid shots capture people's personality incredibly well. 

And if candid shots capture the personality, then black and white candids must capture the soul. 

Do you like candid shots? 

~ Abby

of the future

Lately I've been really, really excited for the future. Mainly for college. 

I have a little more than 3 more semesters to complete before I finish high school. And then I'll be D.O.N.E. *squeals and does a happy dance*

Now don't get me wrong, I've enjoyed high school. I love my friends. I like doing silly, somewhat immature things with them, and I enjoy being young with them. (I hope that makes sense.) But at the same time, I cannot wait for the future. I keep flyers and brochures from my two favorite colleges with my schoolbooks, because looking at them helps keep me motivated. I walk around campuses in awe of the beautiful buildings; picturing myself studying for some test in an obscure corner, or cramming for an exam in a library. It's kind of silly, I know. But I'm indescribably excited to study what I love; to meet new people and start a 'new' life.

But at the same time, I'm cherishing the place I'm at right now. I don't have to worry about bills or loans. I don't have to think about where my next meal is going to come from. I can spend my evening with my nose in a book, or count the constellations with a friend on a rooftop. I am relatively free -- even if it doesn't feel like it a times -- and I am grateful for that.

But I am still so very excited for the future. 

What are your dreams? 

~ Abby

reasons why november is a happy month

via

A lot of people treat November like it's a filler month; the period of time between gorgeous the October, and the silvery beauty of December. But I actually happen to really like November as much, if not more than the other fall months. 

You see, November is when you can begin to listen to Christmas music unabashedly. It's also finally feeling 'wintery', so you can justify wearing tights and scarves and beanies. November mornings are also very misty, and it tends to rain a lot where I live. I don't mind though; November rain > sunshine. 

Also, November is the one month anniversary of Taylor Swift's Red album. (No shame.) It's also perfect for picture taking, and it brings me that much closer to December 23rd. (My half birthday. Yes, I celebrate it. I'll be six months away from being an adult. Woo.) 

Basically, November is a month of book reading, doodling, and reminiscing. It's also a month of anticipation -- after all, November means that Christmas is just around the corner. And let us not forget about The Hobbit premiere. 

Never laugh at live dragons,

~ Abby 

spring mill

On Sunday, my family went on a short road trip. Our first stop: Spring Mill State Park. It was gorgeous. The lighting, the old buildings... Everything. It also helped that there were butterflies everywhere; something that was unexpected, but definitely not unwelcome.

And is it weird that I fell in love with the windows there? Yes, the windows. They were so old and beautiful; they softened the bright sunlight perfectly, making it ideal for taking pictures.

After visiting the park, we stopped at a very high end historical hotel. It was huge, and gorgeous, and spectacular. The first words out of my mouth when we walked in were "Wow! So much fancy!" Needless to say, the hotel staff were not particularly appreciative of my eloquent comments, nor my clicking SLR, or scuffed up chucks for that matter. 

The day ended on a sweet note, with shrimp and awkward, young waiters.

Sometimes it's good to get away. :)

~ Abby



the epic tale of the three peacocks

It all started innocently, with one small purchase on a Saturday night. I bought a pair of peacock earrings, thinking that they were cute and unique. {Note to future husband: I really like avian themed jewelry, apparently.} The more I looked at them, the more I liked them. So of course, I did what any girl would (probably) do: I wore them the next day.

{Note to self: backless, dangly earrings do not hold up well when worn through countless v-ball games and water fights at open houses.}

Yep, I lost one.

I paid *insert large amount for a poor teenager here* dollars on them, and they didn't even last 24 hours.

I was disappointed, to say the least.

But then the sun shone, and my lovely mom and sister surprised me with another pair today. I was very shocked, especially considering how far out they had to drive to pick them up. Just the fact that they thought of me meant way more than the actual earrings.

As I began to write this, I had a very clever, thought provoking way to wrap this post up. But it has left me, unfortunately. So I guess while this {somewhat pointless} little story may not be epic, it does explain why I have three peacocks.

Do you enjoy poultry themed adornments?

~ Abby



it's amazing...

What a little editing can do. :)

Before

After

These photographs are of my lovely friend Jana. Isn't she gorgeous? {And trust me, she's got that inner beauty thing going on as well.} It's been amazing getting to know her better during this past school year, and I greatly cherish her friendship. But I have to admit, it kind of scares me to think about the amount of frappes we consumed, and the amount of pictures we took together this year... It's quite terrifying, actually. :)

Anywho, I'm entering these photos in a photography contest Savannah Jean over at Fixed Focus Photography is hosting. It's a great contest, and any of you picture lovers should really go and check it out.

And Jana, it's been a joy getting to know you. I'm really glad that we started talking at photography judging two years ago.

Cameras make the world go 'round,

~ Abby



at grandma's house

I've always loved my grandparent's house. I've practically grown up in this quaint little country home; I'm familiar with every sunny corner, and each of it's little nooks and crannies. I used to gently touch and softly ooh over ever delicate and pretty thing of my grandma's. I can remember being about six years old, and running my hands down the piano's shiny ivory keys, and listening to the slightly off key tinkling. I remember making cookies with my grandma, and then eating them on my grandpa's lap. This place holds so many memories for me -- I can practically smell them when I walk in the door.

Please take note of the Dr. Pepper on the counter. I have trained them well.

Each room is warm and inviting;everything from the well-trodden stairs, to the homey kitchen, to living room with the squashy couches. Simply walking through this place brings back memories of birthday parties, movie nights, and the whispers of past Christmases.

Oh, and apparently it's strange to put marshmallows in your Dr. Pepper? Who knew! :P

Now I'm too big to hide with my cousins under the bed; I've outgrown my grandparent's laps, and I no longer host tea parties in my grandpa's fishing boat. But that's okay. This place is still like home to me, even though I'm not a little girl anymore.

Besides, I'm watching this one learn to love this place as much as I do. And that's more than enough.

~ Abby

a good kind of morning

waking up early and enjoying the peace :: having my morning devotional and finding an extremely convicting verse :: eating butter and honey toast for breakfast :: sipping coffee while listening to the hunger games soundtrack :: watching the sunrise peek from behind the trees :: hearing the rooster crow and the hens cluck while i gather the eggs :: slightly muddy boots after chore time :: listening to anthem lights while getting ready :: ignoring capitalization and grammar rules for the moment :: discovering that an old starbucks frappe bottle makes a nice vase for a few wild flowers:: enjoying the morning breeze through my window, and thanking God for such a lovely day ::

'twas quite a beautiful morning. how was yours?

~ Abby

p.s. i got a tumblr! but you should only check it out if you like silly bits of fluff. :)

p.p.s. do any of you guys have tumblrs? i need more tumblrs to fill up my dashboard...

late night inspiration

At some point between the hours of eleven p.m. and 3 a.m., my brain begins to buzz with creativity. Maybe it's the quietness, or perhaps it's the spicy scent of my chai tea. But for some unknown reason, late night hours bring with them a whole host of new ideas, whether it's new camera shots to try, or a theme for a piece of writing.

I have just now noticed that my mirror looks very smudgy in this picture, and now I'm feeling the need to go clean it. And yes, that is the Eiffel Tower on my shirt, thank for asking. :)

So as often as I can get away with it, I camp out with my notebooks/books, tea, and my ever present camera. I turn on my happy thinking music, {*whispers* Ingrid Michaelson} grab a pen, and let the ideas overwhelm me. Though this will sometimes result in a rather slow morning the next day, this process has also produced some pretty awesome English papers, if I do say so myself. :)

What time of the day do you feel most creative?

~ Abby

p.s. Happy April Fools! I hope your day was filled with fun pranks. Mine, unfortunately was lacking of the aforementioned element, but I did see a group of guys with green hair, so that was interesting. {I also feel as if there may be an intriguing story behind that... :)}