Instagram and Photography

March 6, 2014 /

Over the past seven months I’ve slowly learned how to use my smart phone.  There’s still much to uncover, I’m still trying to add my contacts, but for right now, I’m content being able to check email on the go, see the weather forecast, make out my shopping list, check Facebook {although I’m really trying to limit that one}, and keep up with Instagram. 

Most of you have probably been on Instagram forever, but I have a Windows phone, and until this fall, there wasn’t an app on the Windows phone for Instagram.  Now, we have the capability and I’m trying to learn how to better use it for photography. 
Mary Beth, from Annapolis and Company, has a fantastic series, “The Everyday Project”, which walks through how to take better photos on your iPhone.  She shares photo tips, some great apps for editing your photos, and you can follow along with others using #theeverydayproject.
There are still some apps that I’m unable to purchase for my phone, but I have found Instagram to be much more enjoyable than Facebook.  
You can follow me on Instagram, if you’d like, just click on the button on the right hand side of my home page.  
Photography has become a fun hobby for me, one that I wish I had more time to develop.  My children are great subjects, although they do move around a lot and don’t always want to cooperate when a camera is in their face.  I’ve been using a Canon Rebel T3, for a little over a year now, and I have loved it!  You might remember this post where I shared about our sweet friends giving us a camera.  
For my birthday last week, my husband got me a new lens!!  I’m so excited to be able to expand my photography skills and get some great shots of my kiddos.  I have a ton to learn, but judging by the 165 pictures I’ve taken since Monday night, I’m loving it!  It’s amazing the difference a  lens can make. Here are some {unedited} pics I’ve taken so far.  

//The flowers are cut from our winter blooming plant outside.  It’s a Camellia, but I’m not sure if that’s how you really spell it, and the kids are awake, so I’m not going to take the time to look it up; I need to wrap up this post.  They’re gorgeous flowers and I love having fresh cut blooms on these colder days. 
//If you look closely you can see Mason’s little hand resting on Jennavieve’s arm.  Jennavieve has spit up down her chin, and I just loved the little expression on her face.
//Yes, I took a picture of a chair.  Did you know that the greatest subjects to practice photography on are inanimate objects?  They don’t move.  They don’t get irritated with you.  Perfect.  My friend, Callie, even suggests using a baby doll propped in different places around your home to know how to find the best lighting for taking photos of your kiddos.  
//We are moving in June, but Bradley is still planting a small garden this year, using up our remaining stash of seeds.  These little guys poked their way through over the weekend.  I’m going to need to find a place to store them once our house is on the market.
//The sweet faces of babies…and the not so sweet faces.  Jennavieve has a bit of a temper, and she is the loudest child I have ever encountered.  They say the fourth is supposed to be chill and go with the flow.  Well, this little lady likes to make herself known!
//You are seeing correctly: Mason’s mouth is a little bit purple.  I found him chewing on a very large purple crayon, thankfully before it was swallowed.  
Happy Thursday!  Happy March!  
And, remember that this is the day the Lord has made:  REJOICE!  
Even if you’re struggling, your house is a mess, you lack sleep, and just want a minute to yourself.  

Choose to be full of joy.  
Because our joy doesn’t come from those things, it comes from Christ in us, the hope of glory.  

11 Comments

  • leslie.kidd

    March 6, 2014 at 3:23 pm

    Zoey chewed on a crayon/colored pencil thing this week, too! Her mouth, teeth and tongue were sooo green! It took quite a bit of scrubbing and tears to get it all it out!! Thankfully, I got her back to a normal pink/skin color!!! Crazy what they do in those seconds your back is turned!!!

    • leslie.kidd

      March 7, 2014 at 12:29 pm

      It was so much I couldn’t not clean it off. It seriously looked like she had been eating several bites of it! It was ridiculous! 🙂

      I forgot to add that I totally agree with smartphones being a great tool, esp for moms! I love being able to quickly access something online and use those few quiet minutes to surf for a little bit! 🙂

  • Mindy

    March 6, 2014 at 5:15 pm

    Great photos! I haven’t entered the land of smartphones yet. In fact, I don’t have a cellphone at all. I know, the last of a dying breed. But I do have the same Canon camera and would love a new lens. Which one did you get? The chair photo is great. 😉

    • Lauren Washer

      March 7, 2014 at 12:01 pm

      I’m impressed! I really never wanted a cell phone, but now that I have one it would seem hard to get rid of it. I got the 50mm one. It’s relatively inexpensive and my photographer friend highly recommends it!

  • sherri lynn

    March 6, 2014 at 11:55 pm

    Lauren these pictures are so good! I’m glad that you’re enjoying your new lens so much, and it looks like you’ve already mastered it! Love these shots from your life. That last picture of Mason is so good, I love his eyes!! And Mason’s hand resting on JV is so sweet! Good job with working on your photography skills – can’t wait to see more pictures!

    p.s. I’m also glad you’re using IG more! That’s definitely my favorite social medium, and I love seeing pics of the kids throughout my feed 🙂

  • Mary Beth

    March 10, 2014 at 11:18 pm

    I LOVE how the lens is treating you! Did you get a 50mm? It’s the only one I own, save for the little kit lens mine came with, and I tell everybody it is worth its’ weight. And ten times over. You have the best little subjects to work with! And yes to still objects. That’s how I got really into food photography. 🙂