A Day at the Park

When you live amongst such beauty, how could you not enjoy photography?

I have always been the person you see with a camera in hand.  In fact, my friends have made fun of me for years for it.  They are also aware that if I am around, there chances of getting caught on camera is high.  I don't know if that is a good thing or a bad thing for them.

Today, I wanted to share another group of photos that I recently took at a local park.  This park has always been beautiful with a large pond, greenery and a cave.  Over the years, it became rundown and wasn't always the cleanest park in town.  However, recently the park board has been working very hard on cleaning up.  They redesigned the entire park, but left the best parts alone.  Now it is an enjoyable place to be again.

Enjoy!

This small stream flows from the cave inside the park.  The cave was discovered in the early 1800's and was used by the family that lived on the property for food storage.  

It is said that the cave was also used by Jesse James as a hide-out when he passed through this area robbing banks.  (We have alot of Jesse Jame cave hide-outs in this area--he must have liked caves alot!)

The new bridge.  The rocks holding it up were recycled from the old wall that surrounded the pond...awesome.

I loved this shot.  I was playing with the ISO to capture the water movement and ending up creating something looking like a painting.

After several years, the cave has been opened back up for touring.  One day when I am feeling capable and have the right shoes on, I think my camera and I will be heading inside.

Don't forget to look around you and enjoy the beauty God has given you.

Go out and create your world!

More Missouri Beauty

I am lucky enough to live in an area that has much green space, trails and gorgeous parks.  When I have the time, I love to grab my camera and go walking.  There is so much beauty all around us that if we aren't watching closely enough, we miss it.  I didn't really discover this until I started teaching myself photography.

This is the one hobby that allows me to make something beautiful when my body doesn't cooperate with me...which can be more often than not with fibromyalgia.  With my recent order from the doctor not to use my left hand for three weeks, I was crushed.  Now what do I do with myself?  Grab the camera of course.  It's not the easiest to focus, but I think I have it figured out.  So, I am going to share some more beauty with you in the follow days.

Take some time to look around and create something beautiful in your world.

Beauty in the Ozarks

Recently, I had the opportunity to grab my camera and disappear for a couple of hours.  That does happen as often as I would like.  So, I snatched the small window of time that I had and headed to a local park to capture some beautiful shots.

These shots were taken at Rutledge-Wilson Farm Park in Springfield, MO.  It is a great park for children's learning of farms.  It has a lot of beautiful open areas, trails, barns and, of course, play equipment.  For a photographer, it has so many places to catch wonderful shots, you couldn't catch them all in one day.

I am lucky enough to live in the Ozarks, where there is always beauty abound.  I never run out of places to take my camera.  Finding that perfect shot only requires that I am paying attention.  With or without a photographers eye, you will find a great photo waiting to happen.

So, go out there and create your world.  If you can envision it, it is only waiting for you to bring it to life.

Spring Has Sprung

For spring in Missouri, it has been extra warm...early.  I'm not complaining at all.  I love spring.  To see all the vegetation come back to life is refreshing.  It seems to give everyone a new hope of better days.

I have been waiting for the day that I could take some pictures of something other than dead trees, brown grass and just plain dull colors.  Finally, I have beautiful flowers on my pear tree.  I had to snatch my camera up and head out in the yard for some photography.

This last picture is my favorite of the day's shots.  The gorgeous, delicate white blooms with the bright green leaves.  Did I mention that I LOVE Spring!?

Go out and create your world, however that may be.

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Family Fun Day

Yesterday was an entire day filled with family fun.  First up was shooting at our farm.  The hubby got a new shotgun and couldn't wait for a pretty day to go out and shoot with it.  He, our daughter, and a friend had alot of fun shooting skeet, while I got a chance to finally shoot people with the new camera I received for Christmas.

Here are a few shots (get it...ha, ha):

I love these first couple of shots.  I can't believe that I was able to catch the shells flying from the gun.  I think for a beginner, these were great.

After the shooting was done.  We all headed back home to get ready for a load of laughs at the Jeff Dunham concert.  I have always thought that his shows and DVD's were funny.  But, seeing him live is even better.  The Achmed doll was not cooperating at all, but Jeff just went with it and ad-libbed.  It was hilarious.

After I recuperate from all the laughing, I shall get back to being creative.  I still have a list of projects that I want to do, and will.  Please stay tuned for them.  In the meanwhile, my provoking thought for the day is:

Go out and create your world, but don't forget to laugh a little along the way.

Precious Moments Chapel Photography

The last couple of days have been gorgeous for Missouri weather at this time of year.  Although, the wind had been insanely strong.  Even though there are only buds on the trees and a few flowers popping out for spring, I couldn't pass up the opportunity to grab my camera and take a day out in the 70 degree weather.

I live less than an hour from the Joplin/Carthage area, so I decided to trek off to the Precious Moments Chapel in Carthage, Missouri.  It is one of the most peaceful and gorgeous places.  I have been going regularly for years.  Every time I go, I leave with this feeling of inner peace.

I thought that I would share some photos.  You can view the entire collection at Kimberz Photostream .  In the meantime, here is a sneak peek.

I can't wait for everything to green up to go back.  In the blooming season, the Chapel's grounds are gorgeous.  Stay tuned for those.

As always, stay creative.  Get out there and create something beautiful.

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A New Beginning

Although we are now 6 weeks into the new year (2012), I am determined to follow through with a promise to myself (call it a resolution...I HATE THOSE!).  I decided as the new year rang in that in 2012 I would improve myself anyway I could.  So far, I feel happy in what I am doing.  I have purchased my new DSLR camera and have taken a basic class to use it.  I have been teaching myself how to use the camera and practicing whenever I can.  I have fibromyalgia, so winter is not my most favorite time of the year.  I have spent the past 6 weeks going through closets, cabinets, and drawers.  Purging/Throwing out old stuff that is no longer of use to me.  I have improved storage in my home in creative ways...thank you Pinterest.  I have taken two trips out with my camera in hand and practiced.

OK, so you can see I have been a busy girl.  To make a long story short, I am at the stage now that I have picked up blogging again.  Hopefully this will help keep me even more accountable to myself.  I don't expect to blog daily, but at least once a week in the beginning.

I want to keep my promise and share some of my hard work with you.  I hope you enjoy it.  I welcome any and all comments and critiques.  Thanks for listening to me ramble...ha!