This was the week for our family Christmas portrait sessions. I think the receptionist at the budget portrait studio swallowed her gum when I told her we’d be bringing in four children under age four. On the first try, my oldest son hid behind the props and wouldn’t come out. The only picture we have of him from that shoot was one where he was peeking out from behind the child-size sofa. That session ended in tears… On the second try, we got a super-goofy guy. The kids liked him, and combined with shameless bribery and lots of sweets, we do have a photo that has all of us in it. Next year I may sell a kidney and hire someone who will come to us. I can’t take professional photos of all of us, but this is all the more motivation to take better candids.

Last week I was brave enough to post my blog link to facebook for the first time. I’m grateful for the tips and feedback! (My husband especially thanks my cousin for adding external flash to my wish list… 🙂 )  There are good and bad parts about posting the learning process, for sure. It is discouraging to be only at the beginning point of a new hobby, but weekly posts mean I won’t drop it. The very best part of the past week has been finding out who else has done this, and picking up new approaches here and there.

While I was at the why-am-I-doing-this phase of last week, I went to my recent favorite site for inspiration. Shutter Sisters hosts a monthly One-Word Project challenge. Each month they choose a single word, and participants submit related photos (very loosely related…). Anyone can play by uploading photos to the OWP Flickr group. The site administrators choose a photo a day to highlight on their blog. Usually the featured photos are very reflective.

November’s word was focus. What makes me focus? Obviously, a camera… reading… But really, it’s connections with people that make my day (or don’t) – relationships with people close to me, family and friends, my kids.

The following pictures are ones that keep me focused. They remind me of the fun of granting someone else’s wish… and they help me remember the reasons I started doing all this in the first place. I want to be able to recognize the little things about my kids that make them who they are – just to see & validate, with nothing more needed.

my wish granted

your turn!

I’ll close with another angle on one of my kids. This one, today, helps me focus on the fact that this is just a hobby for me – I’ll keep at it as long as it’s lighthearted & fun! Parenting, though… that’s some serious business. I have my work cut out for me:

and... leaving one for you!