Marisa Reda - Photoblog

January 10 on 10

2012-01-10T07:30:00.003-05:00

Happy New Year!

In November, I started a project with some fellow photographers called 10 on 10. Each month on the 10th, I will be sharing a series of 10 images from a typical day. Here is the first one for 2012, January's 10 on 10:

Grandpapa loves to buy lots of little gizmos and gadgets for the kids for Christmas. Two such presents were this speech bubble dry erase board and the other was a balloon animal kit. Something tells me the boy had a few scary moments with bursting balloons.

The tooth fairy forgot to visit the little miss on the appropriate day (epic fail on my part).

S did not seem to be too upset by the tooth fairy's tardiness.

I realized yet again that my kids love their Nanna's cooking. I need to step up my game and learn how to prepare a few of my mommy's authentic Italian recipes (like ravioli).

Hubby trying his best to book a family getaway for Spring Break. Not going to happen. :(

We are yet again behind in our weekly Faith First assignments. My kids wonder why, and then I remind them that it's because they always give me enough grief after school with their regular homework that I am not in the mood to fight with them for completing these workbooks.

I often wonder why I even bother with this, I am not exactly the most devout Catholic. And Lord knows I do not agree with a lot of the religion part (the faith part I am okay with).

Love that we can go swimming in winter when we visit Grandmama and Grandpapa.

My 9 year old actually used the term "booyah" this weekend. Oh yes he did!

Hard to believe that she is going to be seven in 8 days.

Continue on to some talented ladies, Brandie Pahl and Sarah Costa.

December 10 on 10

2011-12-10T10:00:00.001-05:00

Last month I started a project with some fellow photographers called 10 on 10. For a refresher, you can visit my previous post. Each month on the 10th, I will be sharing a series of 10 images from my day. Here is my December 10 on 10:

breakfast time

Christmas calendar

Enjoying the chocolate they discovered behind door number 6

Making her bed before getting dressed for school

This is one of my favorite photographs of my girl. I submitted it months ago and received my complimentary copy of the book it was published in.

Lighting a candle in remembrance of 14 brave women who lost their lives 22 years ago on this day. For the uninitiated, read here.

the walk home from the bus stop

hot chocolate break before we attack homework and dinner

Ici on parle français...

She's not a fan of French ;)

Head on over to the wonderful and talented Sarah Costa.

November 10 on 10

2011-11-10T07:56:00.006-05:00

Over the past few years, I have been a member of various photography boards and groups. Last month, I decided to join a fantastic photography forum called The Bloom Forum. One of my main reasons for joining yet another board was that I felt that I needed something new, to be surrounded by different people with different perspectives, something that would ignite a little fire in me. We all need new challenges, whether we are seasoned professional photographers or enthusiastic hobbyists (like me).

So with this new forum came some new acquaintances, some old friends, but most of all some great new (to me) challenges and projects.

Enter the 10 on 10.

Each month on the 10th, I will be sharing a series of 10 images from my day. What I love about a project like this is that you can just step back and snap away. No need for posed shots, perfect light, heck even focus is optional (not really). LOL

And the really fun part? Twelve photographers are taking ten photos and posting them on the 10th of each month. You may have come to my blog because you know me, or you may be coming here from the first photographer in our circle, my friend Misti Dawson. I’ll post a link to the next person in the circle at the end of this post so you can jump over to that photographer’s post. If you go around the whole circle, you will end up back here. Sound like fun?

Here goes...Novemeber's 10 on 10:

You'll notice that focus was optional on the first two pics. ;)

Still have some leaves left on the maple trees in the front yard.

My new thing, going to the gym...

...because having this around is too tempting.

We remember those who have sacrificed for us...

I love the way my 6 year old writes phonetically.

Grocery store fun while waiting for his sister (who was at after-school soccer).

You can head on over to the wonderful and talented Jolie Starrett. Jolie (don't you just love her name) and I have known each other, from various photography boards, for a few years. I have always been a great admirer of her work, and I am sure that you will become an admirer, too. If you like what you see, don't be shy leave a comment. Photographers LOVE comments. ;)

Day 30 - 30 Day Challenge

2011-10-12T14:20:00.000-04:00

Day 30: Self-portrait

Embrace the imperfections.
Live in the moment.

You don't need to lose those last 10 pounds, you don't need to wait until you get that haircut/dye job, you don't have to worry about your mirrors being full of rain-spots (hello!), or that you left your good camera in the house. Snap that picture of yourself, make sure to be in the shots with your kids, your spouse, your friends. Don't get stuck being the one behind the camera ALL THE TIME.

It's been a great 30 days. On to the next challenge!

Day 29 - 30 Day Challenge

2011-10-12T10:14:00.000-04:00

Day 29: Black & White

Monday was Thanksgiving Day here in the Great White North. We invited both sides of the clan to enjoy some turkey on Sunday night, so I cheated in both celebrating Thanksgiving on the eve and in taking my Day 29 pic a day early.

Day 28 - 30 Day Challenge

2011-10-10T12:56:00.002-04:00

Day 28: Flowers

This is pretty much all that is left in my planters. Fall is definitely here, although you could never tell with the unusually warm temperatures that we are experiencing.

Day 27 - 30 Day Challenge

2011-10-10T12:45:00.000-04:00

Day 27: From a distance

Her brother was at a birthday party, and she often says that she doesn't know what to do when he is not around.

But I often find her entertaining herself when she is alone. She has always been able to keep herself busy, and she loves to play inside her own head.

Day 26 - 30 Day Challenge

2011-10-10T12:23:00.000-04:00

Day 26: Close up

He's a very sensitive boy, will cry at the drop of a dime. Part of the reason is that he is a perfectionist. He's also a crazy intelligent boy, who often astounds me with his vocabulary. I would give anything to see the world as he sees it, for even the tiniest amount of time.

Notice those veins on his temple? I have the same thing happening on mine...we have thin skin. ;)

Day 25 - 30 Day Challenge

2011-10-07T14:13:00.000-04:00

Day 25: Something pink

There is no shortage of pink in our household. My girlie girl loves pink, as you can see by a few of the things in her bedroom.

Here she is reaching for her new eyeglasses, sitting on the bedside table, next to her Minnie Mouse alarm clock in her pink bedroom.

Day 24 - 30 Day Challenge

2011-10-05T22:02:00.000-04:00

Day 24: Animal

I don't do dogs.
I certainly don't do cats.

Fish...meh!

Meet our betta fish Speedy (at least I think that's his name). He is our second one, the first one was very hearty, lived with us for about 2 years, until we went on our fishing trip this past summer (how's that for irony). The kids were very sad when we came home to him floating in the tank; apparently the fish food we left for him didn't dissolve properly.

Hoping this little guy doesn't go belly up too soon.

Day 23 - 30 Day Challenge

2011-10-05T21:43:00.000-04:00

Day 23: Sunflare

We had a few days of rain, feels great to feel the warmth of the sunshine, even through a window. This is my favorite spot, late afternoon on the couch underneath the biggest window in our home. All that was missing today was a warm latte and a good book.

Day 22 - 30 Day Challenge

2011-10-05T21:11:00.000-04:00

Day 22: Hands

There has been lots of talk of MJ lately, with his doctor on trial and Le Cirque du Soleil's show Michael Jackson The Immortal Tour premiere in town this past weekend. This song came to my mind with the theme of the day...

Day 21 - 30 Day Challenge

2011-10-03T15:16:00.000-04:00

Day 21: Faceless self-portrait

The weather has turned, last week was hot, hot, hot and now we are experiencing Fall weather in all it's glory: cold, rainy, leaves are turning. So we start to do the things that keep us sane in the colder months.

Day 20 - 30 Day Challenge

2011-10-03T15:11:00.000-04:00

Day 20: Bokeh

From Wikipedia
Bokeh: In photography, bokeh is the blur, or the aesthetic quality of the blur, in out-of-focus areas of an image, or the way the lens renders out-of-focus points of light.

Spent a small part of the afternoon taking some Autumn pictures for our company website/newsletters. Remembered today's theme for the challenge while working, so you get a golf ball and some gratuitous bokeh.

Day 19 - 30 Day Challenge

2011-10-03T15:00:00.003-04:00

Day 19: Something orange

Scores - our favorite family restaurant. The kids (and the adults, too) love this place. You can usually find us there when we want to celebrate something special like the last day of school, the kids' birthdays, etc. On this night we went "just because" and I snapped this picture on the way in.

PS: The ribs are delicious.

Day 18 - 30 Day Challenge

2011-09-29T21:38:00.000-04:00

Day 18: Your shoes

I have been wearing these sneakers A LOT this week. Joined a gym with two friends, and yesterday I joined my kids and their whole student body for the annual Terry Fox National School Run. Millions of students across Canada participate in an inspirational nation-wide day of fundraising for cancer research. As a cancer survivor, it's a cause that is near and dear to my heart.

Day 17 - 30 Day Challenge

2011-09-28T18:34:00.000-04:00

Day 17: Technology

Might I actually be the first one posting today's challenge?

Huh!

Trying a little different (for me) post processing.

Hello there, me in the laptop camera.

Day 16 - 30 Day Challenge

2011-09-28T13:46:00.000-04:00

Day 16: Long exposure

Can't decide which I like best, so you get two shots for the price of one.

Day 15 - 30 Day Challenge

2011-09-27T14:46:00.000-04:00

Day 15: Silhouette

Silhouettes are one type of photograph which I can honestly say have never taken the time to learn how to shoot properly.

I had a willing participant yesterday (my son) but unfortunately the results were less than desirable. So, today I decided to read up on the technique and try again with some trusty dinosaurs.

There was some minor post-processing involved, but I actually like the result and may print it out for my son's room.

Day 14 - 30 Day Challenge

2011-09-27T13:41:00.000-04:00

Day 14: Eyes

George Herbert - "The eyes have one language everywhere."

Day 13 - 30 Day Challenge

2011-09-24T14:15:00.003-04:00

Day 13: Yourself with 13 things

I seem to be a sneaker/flip flop ~~whore~~ enthusiast. I was actually quite impressed with myself a few weeks ago when a 5th grader at my kids' school complimented me on my Chucks.

*Hands in the air...awesome, I'm the cool mom*

Day 12 - 30 Day Challenge

2011-09-23T20:55:00.000-04:00

Day 12: Sunset

When the clouds rolled in late this evening, she was more than happy to help out with today's challenge.

Day 11 - 30 Day Challenge

2011-09-22T18:57:00.002-04:00

Day 11: Something blue*

Nothing like the start of a new school year and a fresh box of Crayola crayons.

* Looks purple, but I swear it was a blue crayon. ;)

Day 10 - 30 Day Challenge

2011-09-22T17:54:00.000-04:00

Day 10: Childhood memory

I grew up surrounded by boys. I have two older brothers, my neighbourhood friends were all boys, even the cousins who were closest to me in age were boys. Needless to say, I was a major tomboy. Despite my mother's best efforts of buying me Barbies and dressing me up in cute skirts and dresses, I loved playing with Hot Wheels, Lego and all things sports.

Hockey sticks and pucks are for wimps. Nothing like playing hockey on the living room floor with a little ball made out of rolled up aluminum foil and two gently used pencils. I can still hear my mom yelling at us to knock it off, worried that we will end up with holes in the knees of our pants due to the carpet. But the holes are worth it if it means making that critical save when the game is tied up.

All for the prize, the illustrious miniature Stanley Cup.

Day 9 - 30 Day Challenge

2011-09-20T21:33:00.000-04:00

Day 9: Someone you love

They try my patience at times, but for the most part they fill my days with love and laughter.

Day 8 - 30 Day Challenge

2011-09-19T14:08:00.000-04:00

Day 8: A bad habit

He does this. A lot. Can't say that I blame him, because I did it, too. Not quite as much as he does. He was confused when I told him to bite his nails to set the stage for this picture. I am usually screaming at him to get his darn hands out of his mouth.

Day 7 - 30 Day Challenge

2011-09-19T10:31:00.000-04:00

Day 7: Fruit

You know the saying "an apple a day keeps the doctor away"...

Bullcrap, I say.

We went apple picking a few weeks ago, and I have been eating one almost daily. I pack one in my kids' lunch boxes every day, only to see the same two apples go back and forth (I keep thinking if I leave them in there they will eat them eventually).

Now explain something to me, why are they as healthy as can be, yet I am nursing the head cold from hell?

Day 6 - 30 Day Challenge

2011-09-18T10:03:00.001-04:00

Day 6: From a low angle

At the end of a long, fun day...the birthday boy with his balloons. Thanks to all friends and family who spent the day with us.

Day 5 - 30 Day Challenge

2011-09-16T21:39:00.005-04:00

Day 5: From a high angle

Lots going on around here, busy with work, planning a birthday party or two, and volunteering at my kids' school. Grateful to be able to do it all, but thankful that it's Friday.

Peace out until Monday, most likely.

Make sure to visit some other talented photographers who are participating in this challenge:

1. Mel W.
2. Nicole
3. Beth
4. Lisa
5. Allison
6. Angela
7. Jessica
8. Mr. Fun
9. Misti (a.k.a. Mrs. Fun)
10. Tree
11. AmyK
12. Shannon Joy
13. Kimberly
14. Michelle
15. Jen
16. Yvette
17. Shannon
18. Jodi

Day 4 - 30 Day Challenge

2011-09-15T14:58:00.001-04:00

Day 4: Something green

I was going back and forth this morning, trying to figure out what to photograph for Day 4 of the challenge. And then it hit me, on my way home from walking my kids to their bus stop...

Voila! My son's green, frog umbrella. It even casts a lovely green colour hue onto my skin.

Day 3 - 30 Day Challenge

2011-09-14T13:11:00.000-04:00

Day 3: Clouds

I had another picture all lined up, which I had the forethought to snap yesterday, just in case there was not a cloud in the sky today. This morning started off dreary and gray, and then low and behold the sun started to creep out.

Day 2 - 30 Day Challenge

2011-09-13T14:50:00.000-04:00

Day 2: What you wore today

I pretty much live in flip flops from April through September. I hate socks and try to avoid wearing them until absolutely necessary.

The weather has been getting cooler, today is an exception: warm, humid, cloudy, and thunderstorms are on the way. Wearing one of my most soft, comfy cotton tees with my favorite tuxedo capri pants...no need to be fancy today, just working around the house.

Day 1 - 30 Day Challenge

2011-09-12T15:28:00.002-04:00

Day 1: Self-portrait

It's been a little while since I last took a self-portrait. This one is not very original but it's important to get pictures of yourself...and if no one is around to take it, then get out your tripod and your remote and snap away.

Also, take the time to read this interesting article written by my friend Misti Dawson about being in your family photos. She speaks the truth.

30 Day Photo Challenge

2011-09-09T19:27:00.008-04:00

There are many photographers who inspire me, my Google Reader can attest to that, as the list of photography blogs I follow is crazy, super long. But without a doubt, the photographer that inspires me the most is someone that I have followed since 2004. I have watched her talent grow, and feel privileged to call her a friend (even though we have never met in real life).

Her lifestyle photography inspires me to take better pictures of my family. I fell in love with her Project 365 in 2008, it made me want to try new things, which resulted in my 52 Weeks About Me project. What I love the most about her style is that she does not limit herself, doesn't follow the "rules". She shoots for herself, she captures the mundane as well as the exciting, all with equal enthusiasm.

Don't take my word for it, go see for yourself. I'll wait while you go over and witness her brilliance, but promise to come back, K?

So I was reading her blog the other day, and she posted something that lit a little fire under me. I go through spurts of photographing everything and anything in sight, to not picking up my camera for weeks. This is just the kick in the pants I need right now...

Source: White Peach Photography

Sounds cool, non? There are a few that sound challenging, but I think I can manage 30 days. Here goes nothing...starting September 12, 2011.