Jen & Mo’s Winter Morning Wedding
Back in April I decided I wanted to do a photo challenge. I’d seen several online (Facebook, Pinterest… you get the idea), but none of them really resonated fully with me. So I decided to take a few of the best ideas from several of them I’d found, and mush them together into my own challenge.
The rules were simple. 30 photos. 30 days. You could do them in order, or you could do them as inspiration hit. I also made it a personal goal to have the photos be “new”, and not something from my “archives”. I posted my photos every day on Facebook, to keep myself accountable as much as anything.
Unfortunately, I ultimately ended up breaking two of my rules. First, I had two specific days that I use old photos for. One was of cupcakes I’d made for a friend’s wedding, because I didn’t have the time to make fancy cupcakes just to take a photo. The other was a picture of my parents together – and since my mom passed away in 2007, it wasn’t exactly possible to take a current photo. The second rule I broke was the timeframe. I wound up with a terribly sick daughter who decided to share her fortunes with the entire family, and we were all quite sick for a couple weeks. So, I took some time off in the middle of the challenge. But when I picked it back up, I pushed through to the end. Ultimately, I decided that I’d made the challenge and it was simply OK if I changed my own rules. :)
This challenge was fun. Not every photo taken was “showcase” quality. Some were. It was fun taking a single word (or maybe two) and seeing how my brain chose to interpret them for the day. It got me thinking about the world as a subject again – not just people, which has been the curse of being a wedding and portrait photographer. I think I may do another challenge again soon, and if I do, I’ll be sure to post it here too!
So, without further ado… here’s what my challenge ended up looking like. I’m posting in the order taken, not the order they are outlined above.
Day 1 – #6 Dreams
There’s nothing quite as peaceful as watching my daughter sleep. I get a chance to breathe, and just looking at her makes me smile.
Day 2 – #9 Texture
I spotted this awesome growth on a tree at Jenning’s park in Marysville.
Day 3 – #4 Budding Tree
Budding cherry tree in the Skagit Valley. I guess Roozengaarde isn’t ALL about the tulips.
Day 4 – #23 Time
This is the clock in the Seattle transit tunnel’s Pine street station. It’s HUGE.
Day 5 – #13 Eyes
Big eyes, big eyelashes… beautiful soft face. Now THAT is a bath pic a kid can be proud of.
Day 6 – #2 Raindrops
I love the way the raindrops are dripping off the bottom here, and the way the lights from the store behind it are reflecting on the wet ground.
Day 7 – #29 Urban
A rainbow on a rainy, but sunny day in Seattle.
Day 8 – #22 Memories
These are the wedding favor boxes/place cards from my wedding. I’ve held on to the bride and groom ones.
Day 9 – #19 Motion
I once heard someone say that growing up means losing sight of the beauty in the world. As kids, we see dandelions as beautiful flowers to pick for our mothers, and granters of wishes (if you can blow just right). As adults, all we see are weeds. Part of what I love about being a mother is the chance to recapture some of that wonder in the world around me by seeing it through my daughter’s eyes. So find a dandelion, and make a wish…..
Day 10 – #11 Bokeh
Bleeding Hearts – one of my mom’s favorite flowers.
Day 11 – #28 A Bird
I saw these floral bouquets in Seattle, and was priming to take a photo of roses for the “flower” challenge. Then I noticed these adorable little birds that were tucked inside the arrangements. I decided they were a much better subject!
Day 12 – #21 Night
I love orcas, and so naturally this is one of my favorite fountains ever! I love that it’s close to home.
Day 13 – #25 Truth
Life is, indeed, too short for bad coffee.
Day 14 – #14 Vintage
My grandma’s “pearl” costume jewelry. I remember playing with these when I was a little kid.
Day 15 – #26 Toes
Post bath pruny toes!
Day 16 – #15 Emotion
Who says you can’t find something beautiful in a temper tantrum? heh
Day 17 – #8 Low Angle
Raindrops on a puddle
Day 18 – #3 Sunshine
Sunshine peeking around a building in Seattle
Day 19 – #12 Contrast
This is a high contrast shot I took during a lighting class out in Mukilteo.
Day 20 – #1 Self Portrait
Cell phone selfie with my sick baby girl (she had a 101 degree temp going on!)
Day 21 – #27 Comfort
Cat in a basket. Apparently the trap worked.
Day 22 – #18 A Flower
Lilacs as the sun begins to set and turn the sky pretty colors.
Day 23 – #24 A Hobby
These are cupcakes I made for a friend’s wedding. I love when I have time to just bake, but it definitely takes a lot of time and energy.
Day 24 – #10 Laughter
This photo was taken on my first day back from the break. I love how big Rory’s smile is, laughing at her daddy’s reaction to stealing his hat.
Day 25 – #17 Silhouette
This is from a wedding we did in Mukilteo at the Rosehill Community Center. Great sunset silhouette.
Day 26 – #20 Architecture
Architecture – the art or practice of designing and constructing buildings.
Day 27 – #7 High Angle
A friend of mine and her son sharing some mommy-and-me loves
Day 28 – #16 Morning
The morning of the 10-mile backup into Seattle. Apparently I picked a bad day to go in.
Day 29 – #5 Love
My little family. It’s pretty awesome.
Day 30 – #30 Inspiration
My parents have always been an inspiration to me. They pushed me to follow my dreams, and for that I am forever thankful!
Whew! You made it all the way through! Thanks for looking. Please feel free to share the photo challenge graphic above, and if you do it, I’d love to see the results! Just email me at info@melissamiksch.com or send me a message via Facebook!
Melissa
Melissa is the lead photographer at Melissa Miksch Photography. She loves being behind the camera almost as much as chocolate, slobbery toddler kisses, and anything sparkly.
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