My Month in Photos

During February I participated in a fun challenge on the popular iPhone app Instagram. Chantelle at Fat Mum Slim created this widely popular photo scavenger hunt for the 29 days of the month. You know how much I love my photo scavenger hunts, so I was quick to hop on board and even recruited my mom. Have a glimpse into my month, and join in the fun during this month! The list for March is posted at the bottom.

Day 1: Your View Today

Day 2: Words

Day 3: Hands

Day 4: Stranger

Day 5: 10 AM

Day 6: Dinner

Day 7: Button

Day 8: Sun

Day 9: Front Door

Day 10: Self Portrait

Day 11: Something you Love

campfires & s'mores!

(don't worry, I'm not a pyro)

Day 12: Inside Your Closet

Day 13: Blue

Day 14: Heart

Day 15: Phone

Day 16: Something New

Day 17: Time

Day 18: Drink

Day 19: Something You Hate to Do

Day 20: Handwriting

Day 21: a Favorite Photo of You

Day 22: Where You Work

Day 23: Your Shoes

Day 24: Inside Your Bathroom Cabinet

Day 25: Green

Day 26: Night

Day 27: Something You Ate

Day 28: Money

Day 29: Something You're Listening To

You can join the fun even if you don't have an iPhone or Instagram! Post the photos on your blog, twitter, Facebook, anything! I hope your first day of March was wonderful! xo

Every Kind of Love

Love forever. Love at first sight. Motherly Love. Sisterly Love. Brotherly Love. Love birds. Love bugs. Romantic Love. True Love. First Love. Sweet Love. New Love. Love between friends. Love yourself. Spread the Love. Love is.

I know I am a day late, but I threw together a quick video of all the photos of hearts & love I have found over time using my iPhone. Enjoy! ♥

Song: Valentine by the oh-so-talented Kina Grannis

Valentine from Chelsea Chamness on Vimeo.

February Ten on Ten

Hi! Not sure what a ten on ten project is? A photo every hour for 10 consecutive hours on the 10th of the month. Here is a glimpse into my day, iPhone style!

7:30

8:30

9:30

10:30

11:30

12:30

1:30

2:30

3:30

 4:30

 Happy Friday everyone!

♥♥♥

Childlike Joy

Today, allow yourself some happiness...carefree kid style. So often life is so serious and it is hard to remember to just slow down breathe, smell the flowers, and jump for joy without reason. Little kids run, jump, play, laugh, smile, and exude a certain joy that seems to slowly diminish as we age. I am not saying we are dull, boring adults who have fun...heck no. Just life gets busy, we have obligations and responsibilities and don't have the same freedom as we did when we were but wee little ones. But I just wanted to say, take a break from you busy schedule today to engage in a little child-inspired fun.

Jump rope. Buy a giant lollipop that is bigger than your head. Make a snow angel. Ride a carousel. Take a spin on your kid's scooter. Color outside the lines. Finger paint. Play with your food. Make a root beer float. Play in the dirt without worrying about..the dirt. Buy a balloon. Make a daisy chain headband. Go treasure hunting. Play hopscotch. Draw with chalk. Fly a kite. Play checkers. Drink chocolate milk, purposely growing a milk mustache. Play hide and go seek. Eat a fruit roll up. Eat cake for breakfast. Watch old fashioned cartoons. Make a flip book. Spin in circles until you get dizzy. Take a trip down the slide or touch your feet to the sky on the swings. Browse the children's books at the library. Lick the bowl after making a batch of brownies. Buy something from the ice cream man. Don't just walk, skip. And of course, let your imagination run wild.

Coax out your inner child and I promise you will be smiling and feel lighter. Here is to a carefree, delightful, fun Friday! xo

1 Year Ago - a Look Back

Unfortunately, life got too crazy for me to keep up with my project 365. Someday I hope to start a new one and come up with a process that allows me the time for a daily photo. My downfall I think was in the posting, I didn't always have time to upload, edit if I felt so inclined, and post on my blog or flickr. And in retrospect, I was too focused on having a perfect photo each day, however, when looking back, some of my favorites were those not so perfect ones taken on my iPhone or photos that simply triggered a memory or emotion. So for those of you who are toying with the idea of taking on such a project, or struggling with the logistics...my advice? Stress not. Simply take a photo, any photo, with any device and do not stress over the imperfections.

But that being said, one of my favorite benefits of the project is the visual journal you are left with at the end. Looking back and recalling what I did on a certain day, or revisiting something beautiful I was lucky enough to stumble across. Over at Shutter Sisters today, Kristin inspired us to look back and see what we were doing on this day, January 29th, one year ago...a day which has no significance to me off the top of my head. But when I dug into my archives and found this photo, I was instantly transported to that lazy relaxing weekend cruising around town, and hanging out at Starbucks with lattes in hand and enjoying each other's company. I remember taking this photo not only because I felt so happy, but I was also pleased that my name was spelled correctly (trust me people struggle with this often).

:: January 29, 2011 ::

And today one year later, was spent exploring the beaches of Laguna Beach, again just the two of us. Playing in the tide pools, people watching, observing family photo shoots, window shopping along the artsy streets...and soaking in the bright, sunny, beautiful day. With my iPhone camera, polaroid camera, Nikon, and of course my one and only Brent... Perfection! 

:: January 29, 2012 ::

Any idea what you were doing January 29, 2011? Very different or similar to today? Missed you all, I expect to back on track with regular blogging soon. Love you all! xo

P.S. my simple pleasures for the weekend were:

Laughing until my sides hurt & tears ran down my eyes

Spending time with dear friends

Breaking a bundt cake but channeled Tim Gunn and 'made it work'

Sleeping in past 8:00 AM!

Watching other photographers in their element

3 hours of boardgames

A much needed text message from a dear, dear friend

Swimming 65 laps without taking a break

30 Days of Gratitude

Oh my wonderful, wonderful blog followers. How I miss you. Life has been a swirl of craziness and my free time has been pretty nonexistent. Not in a bad way though, it's been filled with moving to a new place, photography jobs, lots of family gatherings, baking up a storm, babysitting...but as always, thank you for stopping by and I am grateful for all my readers! ♥ That being said, here is the rest of my 30 days of Gratitude!

::Day 13::

I am grateful for the gift of photography. It has truly made my life better!

::Day 13::

I am grateful for new places to explore! For little weekend getaways to recharge.

::Day 14::

I am grateful for gum. Stupid I know, but I love my gum, you won't find me without a pack! It helps me concentrate.

::Day 15::

I am grateful for new friends!

::Day 16::

I am grateful for the beach. Can't say it enough.

::Day 17::

I am grateful for companionship.

::Day 18::

I am grateful for my new Polaroid camera! So fun to play with and I have always wanted one :)

::Day 19::

I am grateful for all the encouragement I receive from everyone...friends, family, strangers, even the perfect saying.

::Day 20::

I am grateful for those moments of inexplicable beauty.

::Day 21::

I am grateful for our upcoming Christmas vacation in Idaho! I need a break and I love it up there.

::Day 22::

I am grateful for a plate of hot, homemade cookies! Mmmm

::Day 23::

I am grateful that 3 of my 4 grandparents are still around. I feel very very lucky!


::Day 24::

I am grateful for family gatherings. I love my family, I love Brent's family and a day centered around family, food, and being Thankful? Yes please!

::Day 25::

I am grateful for leftovers. Nothing like a good Thanksgiving leftover sandwich!

::Day 26::

I am grateful for other friends who share my passion for photography!

::Day 27::

I am grateful for Fall. My favorite season is almost gone but not quite!

::Day 28::

I am grateful for days of acting like a kid!

::Day 29:: 

I am grateful for knowing I can follow my dreams.

::Day 30::

I am grateful for life's wonderful everyday moments.