I’ve never taken the time out to read what was on top of Lincoln’s head. I always knew there was some writing there, but I don’t I ever cared too much to read it.
Today was different. I was trying to find unique angles and wound up getting closer and closer to the Mr Lincoln. I loved how the memorial is called a temple. Somewhere for people to really reflect and appreciate on what he has done for our country. No better way to honor a great man than to build a massive memorial dedicated to him.
I can’t believe with all the great weather we’ve been having the water is still frozen. Isn’t that crazy! It reminds me of a picture I saw earlier in the winter of tourists standing on the water because it was so frozen. I had thought about while I was there but decided it was probably not a good idea. HAHA
Everytime I visit this memorial (which isn’t very often), I always think about Andrew and I’s engagement. We didn’t get engaged here, but we our good friend, Nat took our engagement pictures here. It’s such a beautiful memorial. When I was younger and we’d drive by it, I always thought it looked like a nice place to get married. You’re surrounded by trees and the beautiful memorial. Very little people visit here so it’d be perfect for a small wedding. I’m not sure if thats possible but it would be nice.
Funny, next week is Andrew and I’s 9 year dating anniversary. I can’t believe it’s been 9 years. Time just flies by. And I wouldn’t want to be flying with anyone else but him <3
This morning seemed like a regular morning. I woke up got and got ready to go to the gym. However, I didn’t go to the gym right away, I went to the Capitol to go shoot the sunrise. There were some gorgeous pinks and purples in the sky but I couldn’t find a perspective that I really liked. I’ll probably have to look at the images some other day with fresh eyes. So, I walked around the little reflecting pool and was trying to be a little more attentive to everything around me. That’s when I noticed the moon.
Usually it’s so bright and beautiful but this morning it was covered by the clouds. And thats when I noticed the lions by the Ulysses S Grant statue. It looked like they were staring right at it. Now I know I said a few days ago that I was going to try to be more mindful when I’m shooting, but the whole time I was trying to capture this image, I kept on thinking about President Underwood and what’s been going on in House of Cards. It’s been my latest TV obsession. AHHH what’s going to happen in the Underwood administration and how will they handle the pressures of their higher rankings. And is it me or is Doug extra creepy in this season?
Is it just me or is the daylight savings time change messing with you too? I don’t know, when I was little I never really noticed. As I’m getting older the more and more it effects me. It’s kinda crazy how I’ll look at the clock and won’t believe the time. What’s also crazy is this weather we’re having. I just got back from a walk with Frankie and I was wearing a tshirt! a TSHIRT! and last week at this time we had ice all over the ground.
Looking at this picture makes me feel calm and relaxed. It reminds me of how beautiful and peaceful the winter can be. And theres something about those winter clouds that are so much fun to capture with your camera but I don’t think I’ll miss it anytime soon. I won’t miss having to pack on the layers of clothing and making sure I have my hat and gloves.
However, I’m SUPER looking forward to the spring. I love spring in DC. Not only for the cherry blossoms, but people just seem to climb out of hibernation and be happy.
This blog post is going to be a little different. Why? Because I just got back from a pretty awesome photo workshop. It wasn’t just any ol workshop, but it was one about expressive photography and mindfulness by the awesome Julie McCarter.
So what is mindfulness and what did I learn? To take time and really concentrate on how I feel. My first thought was, “oh man, when I wake up for sunrise, I usually just feel sleepy”. But that’s not it. Sometimes I feel like I’m dragging myself out to go take pictures and I don’t want to do it until I finally get to my location. Other times I’m SOOO excited to take pictures and theres nothing else in the world that I’d rather be doing. So that’s when the mindfulness will kick in. How can I use my own emotions and convey that in my images? Basics of photography come in handy but its also all about experimenting and trying new thing with exposure, composition and even post processing.
I always knew there had to be emotion in photography, but I kinda thought that sort of just happened all on it’s own. I never thought about how I feel and how I could portray that in my photography. When listening to Julie speak, I got really excited about the possibilities. But it also made me a little scared too. I wasn’t exactly sure why until I got home.
You see, I have a lot of exciting things that are about to happen. I mean REALLY exciting. And I can’t wait to share them with you all but at the same time these things scare me. What if I’m not good enough? or what if people start judging me?
I think the root of all these emotions and feelings have stemmed from the fact that I want to make you happy. Yes, I want to make you -my reader- happy. But the only way for me to do that is to be more honest. So from now on, I am going to try to be more mindful when I’m out shooting my photos but I’m also going to be more mindful in my blogging. I’d love to have a deeper connection with you and the only way to do that is to be myself.
So for now, love you lots! I can’t wait to see where this new way of thinking will take me and you know I’ll be back tomorrow with a brand new image 🙂