273/365... Clickin' Moms Mentor joy

For nearly two years, I have been a member of a photography forum called "Clickin' Moms". It was my goal to learn all that I could about how to work my camera and take good pictures of my family and friends.

I knew that when I joined Clickin' Moms, I was going to learn about photography. (Duh!) What I didn't know was that I was going to meet some truly amazing women (and some men) who are supportive, caring, encouraging, and inspiring. I am continually in awe of the talent that is shared on the board on a daily basis.

In my two years as a proud member of Clickin' Moms, I have been a "newbie", "Shutterbug", and a "Hot Shot".

Today, I became a "Mentor".

I owe it all to my amazingly talented friends at CM for the "Mentor" badge that I will wear with honor and pride.

Clickin' Moms Mentor joy.

272/365... Pumpkins, gourds, and roosters joy

It's not officially fall until a child can take home a pumpkin... or two.

A special thank you to Jim and Sherri for your kindness and generosity. My children will always remember what sound a rooster makes.

Pumpkins, gourds, and roosters joy.



In other news... Happy Anniversary to my dear friend, Jen, and her hubby!!! Wishing you a lifetime of happy anniversaries! Love you!

271/365... Clouds joy

My mom and I were just talking about how we have noticed how pretty the clouds have been lately. We have used words like "wispy", "billowy", "poofy", etc.

This morning I had to take a picture of the clouds because... "a picture is worth a thousand words".

I also had to prove that we aren't just making things up.

Clouds joy.

270/365... Walk to the park joy

I felt like a bad mommy this morning. I was cranky. The kids were crying. I wasn't getting anything done. I couldn't do anything right.

We all needed a break.

So, we walked to the park. The crankiness and crying quickly turned into laughter and smiles.

It's amazing what a little walk to the park on a beautiful fall day can do for the soul.

Walk to the park joy.

269/365... First Birthday joy

That smile says it all! She already loves her birthday (and cake)!

Happy 1st Birthday, Madison! We love you!

First Birthday joy.

268/365... Cranky day joy

He woke on the wrong side of the crib this morning. This scowl was on his face for a majority of the day.

When we put him to bed for the night, he gave us the biggest smile that warmed my heart.

We are all allowed to have a cranky day... as long as it ends with a smile.

Cranky day joy.

267/365... Reading joy

Each of my children have a great love for books. We have a routine of reading to each of the kids before naps and bedtime. It's one of my favorite times of the day. When we are done reading to them, our babies love to read to themselves.

It's little moments like these that I wish they would just stay little.

Reading joy.

266/365... Breathtaking sunrise joy

The day began with a breathtaking sunrise.

The day ended with a sick child on the couch, a sick child in his bed, and a sick child sleeping on my lap. The fourth child was sick earlier this week so he is not allowed to get sick again.

My joy?

The day started with a breathtaking sunrise.

Breathtaking sunrise joy.

265/365... Hosta haircut joy

When my oldest is at school, the younger three tend to get into mischief. Today, they decided to give the hostas a haircut.

It's a good thing that the season is near the end rather than the beginning.

Hosta haircut joy.

Disclaimer: My children were perfectly safe sitting in the window sill. Their feet were touching the ground. It was the thorns from the rose bushes that I needed to worry about.

In other news, Happy First Day of Autumn!!!!

264/365... Silly Bands joy

My kids are crazy about Silly Bands!

The kids can make good estimates as to what shape they are. They can sort them. They can count them. They can play with them.

Silly Bands are a great learning tool!

Silly Bands joy.

 

263/365... Rented 70-200 2.8 lens joy

After a few days of rain and overcast skies, it was nice to see the sun again.

It was an extra special treat to enjoy the sun with the rented 70-200 2.8 lens.

Do you think the rental company will notice if I keep it?

Rented 70-200 2.8 lens joy.

262/365... Chuck e Cheese and caramel corn joy

I wrapped up the weekend by taking my older two babies to Chuck e Cheese for a birthday party and then we went to the soccer field so I could shoot the girls in their element!

I think it may be a close call as to what my babies enjoyed more... the fun of Chuck e Cheese or eating the homemade caramel corn at the soccer field!

Chuck e Cheese and caramel corn joy.

261/365... Matt and Amanda's Wedding Day joy

I woke up this morning with a huge smile on my face. I was going to photograph my first wedding in just a few hours!

The first thing I did when I got out of bed was look outside. The weather forecast had called for a beautiful Saturday all week long. So, where did these rain clouds come from?

I know that God is in control and I trusted that He would provide a beautiful wedding day for Matt and Amanda... regardless of the weather.

And it was a beautiful day, indeed! When you witness a love like that of Amanda and Matt, little things (like the weather) go unnoticed.

I always cry at weddings (and Hallmark commercials and Extreme Makeover shows). I was actually a little worried that being behind the lens would keep me separated from the romance and emotion of the day. I wasn't sure what to expect since this was my first wedding.

Their wedding ceremony and reception were at a private residence so they had signs on the side of the road for their guests to show the way. It was the second that I saw the first sign that said "Matt + Amanda" that it REALLY hit me... I was going to do so much more than take pictures of a wedding. The images that I was about to capture were going to tell their Wedding Story... a story that will be shared and retold countless times to their grandparents, parents, siblings, aunts, uncles, children, their grandchildren, their great-grandchildren...

So, I laughed. I cried. I smiled. I marveled at their love.

I put my heart and soul into capturing Matt and Amanda's Wedding Story.

Matt and Amanda's Wedding Story joy.

In other news... when the culling and editing is complete, Matt and Amanda's wedding story will be the first post to be featured on my new Shannon Joy Photography blog!


 

260/365... My many roles joy

Teacher. Student photographer. Mommy. Wedding photographer. Wife. Sports photographer. Mommy.

These are some of the roles that I have this week.

My role as mommy and wife are always first.

My many roles joy.

In other news... I'm also showing off my new hair color that I absolutely LOVE!!!

In other, other news... shooting my first wedding tomorrow!! Can't wait to capture Matt and Amanda's wedding day!

259/365... WPPI Road Trip joy

I was in photographer heaven today... better known as the WPPI 2010 Road Trip in Chicago.

I truly was in the midst of some of the greatest photographers I know... Sal Cincotta, Bob and Dawn Davis, Mike Fulton and Cody Clinton, and Jasmine Star.  I was informed, energized and inspired.

The best part of the day (besides learning from some of the greats) was chatting and getting to know fellow photographers.  In this industry, I have met some of the most genuine people... people who I would love to travel to Las Vegas with for the BIG WPPI show!

I brought home a notebook full of notes and a bag full of pamphlets, note cards, etc.  More importantly, I brought home the reminder in that whatever I do, keep it real and just be myself.

That is just what I intend to do.

I had a great time at the WPPI Road Trip in Chicago but then I was ready to come home to my small, country town.

WPPI Road Trip joy.

In other news... Happy Birthday to my dear friend, Lori, and her sweet baby girl, Alexandra!  Hope you both had a great day!

258/365... New fall hair color joy

Fall is certainly in the air. The air is crisp. The leaves are turning and starting to fall.

This momma now has a new fall hair color. And no... I haven't taken a picture of it yet but I LOVE it!!!

New fall hair color joy.

257/365... Teaching kindergarten joy.

It's been a little over 2 years since I've taught in a classroom. There are days that I really miss it.

I subbed for my son's kindergarten class today. When we were walking out the door to go to school, my son said, "Mom, you look more like a teacher than a mom today." (I think it was the denim and khaki.)

I truly enjoyed being being a kindergarten teacher today. They are a wonderful group of students. When the day was over, I loved coming home to be a mom.

Teaching kindergarten joy.



In other news... the reason I'm subbing for my son's class is because his teacher has chicken pox! Please keep her in your thoughts and prayers for a quick recovery.

In other, other news... I'm so honored to be featured on Wendy Vonsosen's photography blog. Check it out here

256/365... Thumb sucker joy.

The baby of them all is my only thumb-sucker. I happen to think that it's adorable.

Thumb-sucker joy.

255/365... Six Flags Great America joy

Six Flags is so much more fun through the eyes of a parent.

First stop... two story carousel.





We let these two tell us where we were going next.



A trip to an amusement park isn't complete without a picture with one of the characters.

A trip to an amusement park also isn't complete without going on a water ride and feeling oh so gorgeous for the rest of the day.



After lots of kiddie rides (with the exception of going on a fast roller coaster with my niece), our last ride was the Little Dipper roller coaster.

The girls sat next to each other. My son wanted to sit next to my mom. I sat next to the diaper bag.

My son had a hard time understanding why we couldn't go on it again. An hour and a half wait... that's why.

My daughter called it the "Tickle My Tummy" ride.

This roller coaster used to be at Kiddie Land. My mom clearly remembers riding on this exact roller coaster as a young child.

It was the perfect "last ride".





It was a day that we will all remember for years to come...

Six Flags Great America joy.

254/365... Soccer star joy

My little man had his first soccer game ever today. He was so proud to be the goalie that I don't think he noticed the ball going into his goal 3 times.

He did notice the goal that he scored for his team. He said that it was fun to score the "homerun".

He's my little soccer star.

Soccer star joy.



In other news... remembering what happened 9 years ago like it was yesterday... never forget...

253/365... Kindergarten is hard work joy

When I picked him up today, I instantly saw the change in the energy level from that on Monday. On Monday,all of the kids ran out the door to their parents. Today, there was no running. It was pretty obvious that they were ready for the weekend to recharge.

Kindergarten is hard work joy.



In other news... Happy 5th Anniversary to my sister-in-law and brother-in-law! Lots of love to you both!!