Reasons Why Anyone Can Enjoy Photography

 

Too many times I hear or read comments from people who think that the only way you are allowed to like photography is if you’re a professional, have gone to post-secondary or some other form of training and already know all the technical stuff that goes with it.

It’s disappointing because I really enjoy photography. As a complete amateur I usually have NO idea what I am doing when taking pictures. Just over the past couple of months I’ve been teaching myself how to adjust the shutter speed and aperture, that‘s how little I know. I’m not a math or science person, which makes that part of photography incredibly difficult for me to learn.

It just makes me really sad that there are so many people out there who make fun, or look down on people trying to learn the art of photography by themselves or simply do it for enjoyment.

So I started thinking a lot about why some people like photography and it turns out there are so many different reasons!

This is why I like photography:

• Capture moments worth remembering
• Express yourself creatively, use as a creative outlet
• Slow down and notice the beauty in things
• To show people your perspective and how you see things
• Share, connect and story tell
• To provoke emotions, make people think and question things
• Get a closer look, to help educate and inform

You don’t need a fancy degree or diploma to enjoy photography. You don’t have to fully understand how to use your camera and all of it’s settings. You don’t need to be considered a professional or an artist. 

Don't get me wrong though, I do think that going to post-secondary or having training in anything, even photography, is a huge accomplishment that people should be proud of! There is no shame in getting an education, or continuing to learn something you're passionate about. And there is definitely no shame in making a living doing something you love!

Just take pictures, and enjoy yourself!

What do you like about photography?

Thanks, 





Here are a few pictures I took with a slow shutter speed while swinging at the park with Sidney and Nick:

Drawings By Me

Drawing used to be one of my favourite hobbies. Throughout elementary, and then junior high I spent almost all of my free time drawing. In high school though, I hated art class. I hated being told what to draw and paint, and how to do it. There was no freedom in it and so my love of art dwindled away. 

During last summer though I got back into drawing through an art program and came out with some pretty decent stuff. I'm not saying I'm some brilliant artist, but considering I haven't done much drawing since 2006 I would like to think that I did alright.

Corvette drawing - April 2012

Mia Farrow - May 2012

Frank Sinatra - May 2012

James Cagney - June 2012

Jack Nicholson - June 2012

Sidney age 2 - July 2012

Thanks, 

Day 23 - My Hobbies

31 Day Blog Challenge - March

My Hobbies:

• Gardening
• Drawing
• Painting
• Crafting
• Photography
• Baking
• Vintage treasure hunting
• Reading
• Writing

Check out my previous challenges:

Day 1 - Portrait
Day 2 - Favourite Quote
Day 3 - What Makes Me Happy
Day 4 - Best Childhood Memory
Day 5 - Favourite Movies I Never Get Sick Of
Day 6 - Random Acts of Kindness
Day 7 - My Dream Job
Day 8 - Pet Peeves
Day 9 - What's on Your Life List?
Day 10 - Daily Routine
Day 11 - The Last Books I've Read
Day 12 - Something I Miss
Day 13 - Regret

Day 14 - Music

Day 15 - I am Awesome!
Day 16 - My Biggest Accomplishment
Day 17 - When and Why Did You Start Blogging?
Day 18 - Where Are You Happiest?
Day 19 - 5 Blogs I Read Regularly

Day 20 - What Do You Collect?
Day 21 - My Biggest Fear
Day 22 -  Alone Time Behaviour

Thanks,

Little Shop of Hemp - Now Open on Etsy!

I Opened My Second Etsy Shop:

I did it! I opened my new Etsy shop yesterday, Little Shop of Hemp, where I will be selling my handmade hemp jewelry and accessories. As of right now I only have a few items posted, but over the next few days I will be adding more.
 

Why Hemp Jewelry?

 

Hemp is a really great material. It's environmentally friendly, vegan, strong and long lasting, and very comfortable to wear. Plus, the design possibilities are endless! I have a hard time deciding what to sell and what to keep for myself. What I really adore about hemp is that it can look really casual, or funky or even beautiful.

 

And it's nerve racking when you put yourself out there. And by yourself I mean your creative work which is like a part of you. I don't know if anyone will like my stuff, or if anyone will even buy anything but for some reason I just felt like I had to do it.

 

I'm finally learning to push myself out of my comfort zone.

 

Thanks for taking the time to check this out!

Happy New Year! 2013

Happy New Year!

It's officially 2013 today! Which means it's time to reflect on the year that has passed and plan for the year ahead.

Just the other day I was thinking to myself, "How would I rate this year? Good, or bad?"

Because every year I either title it as a year that was overall a good year, or a not so good year. So of course my mind started racing. Is a year considered good if more good moments happened? And vice-versa? Is it based on how many good things have happened over bad things? Can one good moment outweigh several bad moments? How do you tell if a moment is bad or good?

Then I thought to myself, how can an entire year be good or bad? There is no such thing as a good or bad year.

I had to stop myself from thinking into this too much, because it's just one of those things that doesn't actually have a real answer.

I did end up reflecting on certain things that have taken place in my life over the past year that have shaped me into a better person, or lead me in a better direction. I feel as if I am finally becoming the person I was always meant to be. Truthfully, I think this is happening because of all my "failures." Like having to move out of our apartment, the job hopping, having to wait to go to college, etc.

It's almost like, when there's nothing to lose you feel more confident in chasing your dreams.

And that's what 2013 has in store for me.

I'm forcing myself to be brave, to try new things, new adventures and to swallow my fear of failing and just go for it! In fact, I've already started this in the past couple of months.

In 2012:

• Graduated high school.
• I started my first blog.
• Submitted a short story for a contest (never heard back, but the point is I sent it!)
• Opened an Etsy shop.
• Started being creative again.

My 2013 Goals:

Personal:

Health - Over a year and a half ago I was a much healthier and fitter person. I ate really good, exercised routinely and took care of myself. I don't have any good excuses for why I let myself slide back into bad habits (eating out a lot, being lazy), other than it was a rough couple of years financially. So this year I want to make a conscious effort to lose weight and get in shape.

Parenting - I used to do a lot more with Sidney. We were always going out and doing things but in the past few months we haven't been until just recently. Partly because I was working a lot before, and then when I wasn't working we didn't have much money. Since we've been busy most days over winter break, it's reminded me how much fun going out is, and that yes it's worth the extra effort and money. Also that there are tons of stuff to do that is free, or very inexpensive. So in 2013 I want to do more, to go out more and be a better, funner parent.

Growth - I want to simplify my life. Declutter my belongings, re-organize my room and start practicing mindfulness. I feel like this will help me to grow as a person. I'm also doing The Magic by Rhonda Byrne, but instead of blogging about it I'm just keeping a journal for now. There's also a course called Seven Paths to Freedom by Curtis Rivers I want to follow as well, maybe after I have completed The Magic.

Professional:

Blog - I would really like to expand my blog and make it better. It's been a good experience so far and I'm enjoying it a lot. I have a lot of ideas I want to do. Add recipes, crafts, maybe even do a series of interviews with other teen moms. I have a feeling this will be a good year for my blog.

Etsy - I opened my vintage shop on Etsy in October and since then have already made 13 sales. I am having so much fun on Etsy and it's proving to be a profitable venture. I have a lot of hobbies and I hope to turn some of them into Etsy shops as well. In fact, I'm working on a new shop right now and will be selling hemp jewelry. I hope to open it in about two weeks. I might even look into participating in craft shows.

Writing - Writing is a passion of mine. I don't put as much time into it as I would like to, or should, but my blog has been helping me get back into the habit of writing every day. For as long as I can remember I wanted to be a novelist. And for the past five years I have been kicking around this one story idea but have been too scared to write it. I've always just thought that I had to write it perfect so that others would enjoy it. Now I've decided to just write it for myself, the way it should be. This year I want to at least start my novel.

College - Once winter break is over and Sidney goes back to school next week I have to go find out about funding and apply for college. If everything works out, and it should, I will be attending college (finally!) this fall! This is huge for me.

Work - Again, once winter break is over I need to start looking for a part time job to help bring in some money. Unfortunately there aren't too many places hiring but I feel confident I will find something within the month.

So that's it. My plans/goals for 2013.

What resolutions or goals have you made for 2013?

Thanks,

Joys of Thrift Shopping



1950's Butterprint Pyrex Bowls

One of my favourite pastimes is shopping! But not at just any type of store. I love THRIFT shopping! I just find it absolutely thrilling to go into a thrift store and find the most amazing treasures amongst all the other items. For example, just the other day my husband who is a great appreciator of old art and artists discovered a painting by the British artist Henry Cooper. It’s old, worn and flaking but to Nick it’s an amazing find.

I’m a lover and collector of vintage items. Mostly house wares and home décor, but also jewellery, furniture and board games when I can find ones I like enough. I guess that’s why my mom and I decided to open our Etsy shop, Little Shop of Treasures; we both love vintage shopping! I have the hardest time walking away from an item without purchasing it. I think it drives Nick crazy.

A lot of people think negatively about second-hand items, like having something that’s been previously used makes it dirty, unwanted or useless. In reality, vintage items are typically built much better. I mean, if a coffee pot has survived 50 years without a chip or scratch, it must be built well. To consider something dirty is just silly. Everything gets dirty and yet it can be washed to look just like new.

Not to mention the money you will save by shopping second-hand. Most thrift stores offer items at a quarter of it’s original price, sometimes even less. Toys, clothes, shoes and purses, furniture, appliances, home décor items, books, movies and music. You can find anything at a thrift store! And don’t forget about yard sales, those things are awesome!

What’s your favourite pastime? Do you collect anything?

Thanks,

Putting My Photography Out There

It's important for people to have hobbies/interests. In fact I have many but one of my favourites is photography. 

I consider myself a self-taught, amateur photographer. I would love to take a class or course, because learning can sometimes be faster and easier in a class setting. I mean, you have to put the time in and learn the exercises when you are in a class but at home I often get distracted by things that need to get done over the things I would rather be doing.

Anyway, that aside, I do take the time every now and then to go out with my camera and shoot some pictures. And since I secretly wish I could be a professional paid photographer I decided to make a Facebook page to show off my work to friends and acquaintances. This is an idea that is terrifying to think about it. I've never been the type to put my work out into the world to see. Which is exactly why I started that Facebook page, and exactly why I started this blog. You know, forcing myself out of my comfort zone. 

So maybe if you aren't too busy you could check it out, too?

Nicole Nemeth Photography

Thanks,