2011 Favorites–August

I am so enjoying this project of sharing my favorite 2011 pictures.  It has been so much fun to relive such wonderful memories of this past year.  And I’ve gotten a few sweet comments from those of you who are following along and are enjoying the process as well … so thank you!

August’s pictures were especially fun to go through because there were a lot of vacation pictures.  Of course, that just made choosing my favorites even more difficult.  I could’ve literally picked dozens!  Nevertheless, these were my final picks.  If you live in cold climate like we do right now, you can also join me in living vicariously through these warm, sunny, summer pics…

1.  I love pictures of paths!  Don’t these woods look so lush and inviting?  The woods surrounding our home are currently bare and drabby looking so I’m especially enjoying this picture today.  Paths represent a journey and isn’t much of life all about that journey?  I enjoy a good journey, especially since I never have to walk the path alone!  Praise God for his presence in the journey!

2.  The picture is all about repeating patterns – something else that I really enjoy taking pictures of.  My eyes spot repeating patterns everywhere and I love how those patterns are captured with my camera.  This picture also represents another really fun vacation memory!

3.  Ahh…my beloved, hat-wearing Matthew!  I just love this kid!  He’s still extremely into that hat and wears it almost everywhere.  I can’t wait to look back on these pictures someday and remember this wonderful stage in his life when he couldn’t bear to be away from his hat.  From a photography standpoint, I really like the colors in this picture as well as the off-center composition.

4.  Some might say that the kite should be in focus in this next picture, however, what I love about it is the fact that the only thing that is in focus is a small section of string.  To me, that narrow depth of field makes the photo interesting.

5.  I chose this next one because it represents one of my favorite vacation memories – kayaking down the Platte River with Joel in the early evening, when there was very little human activity anywhere on the river.  I remember being completely enthralled with the reflections on the water.  It was and still is stunning to me!

6.  This picture is so precious to me – even if it was staged for the camera.  Being out in such a beautiful place, it’s hard not to praise the Creator of such beauty.  I love what those raised arms represent … surrender, praise, gratitude, awe!

7.  Oh goodness … a gorgeous sunset over Lake Michigan … absolutely stunning!

8.  This next one was taken on the first day of school … in the grocery store café area.  Not only is it precious, but it’s a reminder that good light makes a huge difference (of course, it doesn’t hurt to have really cute subjects!).

9.  I took a lot of pictures of my mums during the late summer and early fall months, but this one is, by far, my favorite.  I love the composition, the rainbow-like colors and the slight texture I added in the editing process.

So there you have it … another month of favorites.  Thanks for hanging in there with me!  I’ll post my September favorites early next week.  Enjoy your weekend and have a safe and Happy New Year!