Saturday, August 21, 2010

Getting out of the rut

I’ve been in a picture taking rut lately. Also, a blogging rut. And I think they’re related. See, I’ve found so many wonderful blogs lately – blogs with really funny writers or inspirational people or amazing photos or all three plus more – that I’ve started to question why I was taking pictures or blogging about my life when I wasn’t nearly as good as these other people. I’m not really a writer and I still have tons to learn about taking good photographs, and so since I felt like I couldn’t compete (or something) I kind of gave up for awhile. I figured I’d just let everyone else do it.

But that’s stupid, right? Cuz the reason I started blogging in the first place was to let my friends and family see a little bit of our life, tell everybody who cares what’s new with the Lemmons and show off my cute kids. And who can do that better then me? I finally realized that I’m not trying to create a blog that has a thousand followers or hundreds of comments daily – that really doesn’t matter. And honestly, since all I’m really doing is sharing stories and pictures of my kids and Ben and I, it’d be pretty weird if I had tons of people I don’t know reading my blog. I’m not that interesting. :)

I feel so much better after realizing this! And I can’t believe I let it get to me so much. Silly, I know. So I’m really happy to be blogging again, without all these useless feelings of competing with people I don’t even know, especially when it’s not even a competition (I have too much of my Dad in me – everything is a competition!). And I’ve challenged myself (see, there I go competing again!) to get my camera out every single day and try to take at least one picture that’s different than the ones I generally take. Or if it’s not happening that day, to at least get my camera out every day and get in the habit of taking it with me everywhere. Cuz if I want to improve the quality of my pictures, the only way to do that is to practice more. So I am! And it’s so much fun! I’m really enjoying myself more, and I’m enjoying challenging myself to get lower than I normally do to take a picture, or higher, or closer or farther away, or use more light or less light. It’s only been a couple days since I started, but I’m really glad I did.

Without further ado or soul-bearing, my favorite pictures from the last few days.

OutsidePlay

Outside Fun 034

Hydranga Collage  

Outside Fun 076

006

Puzzles and Dirt 012

MichaelDirt

 

Puzzles and Dirt 032

Puzzles and Dirt 097

5 comments:

Natalie Lundberg said...

cute pictures! the one with the with lily and Micheal on the steps...Micheal looks like Ben

Stephanie Vogel said...

I love the last picture, pure joy. It's the best. I feel the same way sometimes, like who would enjoy my blog? Lol whatever someone has got to out there!

Claire said...

Oh, Emily!
I was laughing out loud at this post ONLY because I have been so guilty of the same thing! I am so impressed by your goal to take pictures every day that I'm going to do the same thing, BECAUSE I can see a huge difference in your pictures already! Exclamation point! Seriously. Your pictures look incredible. Please feel free to share any tips you've found helpful. I would love for my pictures to look like yours.
Good job!!

Vanessa said...

I'm so glad you've climbed out of the rut--These pictures are great. I've always loved your pictures, but that won't matter unless you love them so keep learning from the other blogs and keep using your camera to get better, but also keep blogging because your kids are too cute not to blag about!

Katie said...

These are great.