meganbeth.com

Before things start to get really crazy around here, I wanted to remind myself why I love shooting, and shoot some things for myself. Just because. Nothing in particular, nothing spectacular, but because I love photography. So in the past few weeks my camera has accompanied me to the grocery store, Chipotle, and my mini field trips to see what crusty things I could find. If you hadn’t noticed, I have a slight gravitational pull towards blue/green things, and all things crusty. The older and crustier, the better.

Every year I try to make time to get down to the Tidal Basin and check out the cherry blossoms while they are coming out. Alberta and I went on a gorgeous Sunday, and they were pretty spectacular. But be forewarned: DO NOT go on the weekend. Not everyone has the stellar parking skills such as myself and won’t be able to handle it. (And just for the record, I parked right on Constitution Ave right by the Washington Monument…I told you I was good)

I normally do not let people take pictures of me, but this was for educational purposes only. I was teaching Alberta how to use my camera. And by USE, I mean shoot on Manual.

YUMM. By the way, it is illegal to sniff, cut, break, or climb the cherry trees. Ok, maybe not the first one.

Moms.

This little thing is what all the fuss is about.

As we headed back past the Washington Monument, these kids were laying on the ground up against the monument…interesting. Couldn’t figure out what they were doing.

On our way home we detoured through little neighborhoods, and wouldn’t you know it we found a couple of streets lined with huge SUPER old cherry trees. So old, that the trunks were sprouting their own little cherry blossoms…how stinkin cute are they?!

The gorgeous cherry trees were in yards that were just as stunning as the trees themselves. If you own this house…I love it, and will trade you two cupcakes a week, for the next 4 years, for it. Please.

No excuses. I know. BUT I believe I have a very good reason for my lack of blog posts. I’ve been having some internal conflict as of lately. To translate it, and sum it up for you lovely readers in a few select words: I SUCK.

And for the non-cliff-note version: In the last few months I’ve been struggling with my work. Struggling in the sense that I just don’t think it’s good enough. Is it good? Well that’s a matter of opinion, but in MY OPINION, they’re not spectacular, phenomenal or stunning. The images I have been producing just aren’t where I want them to be. They aren’t coming out as fabulous as I see them in my head.

Enter Manual. For those non-photographers out there, shooting on Manual lets you control all the settings on your camera. So for the past few months I have told the ‘oh-my-god-I’m-shooting-on-manual-nervousness’ to shut it! And well, although I know all things take practice, I am much more happy with the quality of my images. Does it take more time, yes, of course, but I’m willing to take the time and correct the settings in camera to produce some uber fabulous images.

For Easter I decided to stop at the bakery around the block and pick up something chocolately to bring to moms. Just Cakes never disappoints. And if you’re looking for wedding cakes, I can’t recommend them enough.

Although Alberta’s apple pie never disappoints either…YUM!

Mom’s yard has the cutest little details…and well I LOVE details.

Little birds have been building a nest in the wreath on the front door. I decided it was time to check it out, and see if any of the eggs had hatched. I opened the door and got a stool to see over the back of the door and OH HOW ADORABLE is this little guy! He looked so brand new, and I think he even gave me the finger cause he wasn’t in the mood for a photo shoot. Said his do wasn’t grown in yet.

Every year on Easter we have our Strong Egg competition. We dye the eggs, then two people face off with each other. One person taps their egg to the end of the other persons, and so on. The egg that doesn’t break through all the smashing wins.

I seem to remember Amanda always winning, I think she riggs it.