For the LOVE of Photography!

Well, I recently decided I am NOT getting any younger and I better find something in life that I am really passionate about. I have always loved photography and editing programs. I almost majored in graphic design in college, but thought I should stick to an emphasis I would use, HA which is ironic since I have not done ANYTHING with Public Affairs my entire professional career. I guess when we look back there are always things we would change, oh well!

Anyways, we purchased our 1st Digital SLR camera almost a year ago. After my husband did months of research (he does this with any large gadget purchase) we decided on a Nikon D90. My best friend has the same camera and loves it. I was busy planning a wedding, buying a house and working a full-time job, so I didn't jump into messing with the camera right away. My firefighter on the other hand was kind of obsessed with our new toy!! He was reading all about how to use it. He was taking all kinds of pictures. Since he loved it so much, I bought him a 50mm 1.4 lens for Christmas and his grandma bought him the program Photoshop CS5. As you could imagine he was stoked!

The next few months flew by and I hardly ever picked up the camera. I was so fascinated with photography though as we went through the wedding process. We had booked some AMAZING photographers. You can visit there website here www.palosstudio.com. They are wonderful. So sweet and very talented.

The wedding passed and I found more time on my hands. I decided to get more acquainted with the camera we purchase. I started reading blogs, books, etc. Then I found the website Pinterest... Oh my was I in trouble. This website is amazing on so many levels. I started seeing all of these adorable newborn pictures. I have always been a tad obsessed with babies... My husband is probably in trouble haha. After seeing this I started doing some research. I found a local photographer Jen Gagliardi Photography was hosting a Newborn Photography Workshop. I was intrigued. I asked my husband if he was up for me spending the money on the class. Being as supportive as he of my dream (probably since he has about as much interest in it as I do) he said YES! YAY!

I took the class last weekend and OH MY I am officially hooked. I have found my dream job. I love photography and babies of course. I have gained the confidence to go ahead and pursue my dream. My wedding photography has even offered for me to tag along with them to learn more... What a amazing opportunity. Below are some of the pictures I have taken over the last week. I hope there are many more to come!!!

My 1st DIY Project....

Ok... So, I have been struggling with how exactly I can decorate on a budget. Being in our house a little over 5 months, I should be further along then I am. I feel like I am wandering aimlessly through all of the local decorating stores... Michael's, Home Goods, Tai Pan Trading without ANY luck. I leave each store and think to myself how on earth am I not finding anything?! I think the main problem is I am cheap and can't bring myself to buy anything I feel is over priced.

This left me with only one option. Try and make some of the stuff I have around the house work for me. Which left me taking baby steps towards DIY projects. The project I decided to tackle first was our bedroom lamps. I new I wanted to accent the room with a teal color and I knew our lamps had to go or be spruced up... I bought a can of light blue spray paint from Walmart and my project was under way. Unfortunately, I had a few stumbles along the way. I will start by showing you exactly what our lamps look like before.

Before

Ok... So after I did the prep work, I was off and spray painting. I felt like a baby taking my very first steps. I was stumbling along the way and covering myself with more spray paint then the lamp. After the 1st coat of paint, I realized I was not IN LOVE with my product. The color wasn't right, so I thought I will paint them a different color... Maybe ivory?! This caused an even bigger mess then I expected. The paint was not compatible with the original blue I painted on the lamp. Who knew paints could not be compatible?! Not ME, but I sure do know now. ;) Below is a picture of what I was left with... I was panicking at this point thinking my husband will never let me do another DIY project if I can't fix this.

During...Not LOVING what I was getting!

 

 

 

Oops!!!! That doesn't look right. I did the unthinkable and admitted I was at a loss and needed some assistance. I asked my husband to help me. He said I could sand it down and paint it again. Thank goodness. This was news to my ears. I ran to Home Depot, bought some sand paper and a new spray paint. I was in the process of recovering the mess I made. It turned out to look just like I had hoped. With new lamp shades and beautiful new paint. Our room is really starting to look more and more like what I was expected.

AFTER... SOOOOO Cute!

I am officially HOOKED. I will now becoming obsessed with revamping the little details around the house. Of course, I will still have to add new items to the mix since I have never had to furnish a entire house before, so I am in need of more materials. Anyways, it will be a fun process. I am starting to really enjoy the decorating process.