159 - Caption Contest

Newborns amaze me. If you're around me when I'm around a newborn, chances are I'll be doing the following three things:

1. Holding the baby (for hours, if you let me)
2. Staring at the child with my mouth half open, smiling, my eyes happily lit up
3. Saying something along the lines of, "I just can't believe it! He's such a real little person!"

I've done more than my fair share of babysitting in life (I started at age 10), yet I just don't think I'll ever get over the awe of a newborn. It really is incredible to me to witness those new little people. From their tiny little fingers and toes, to the first time you see them open their eyes, to the way they identify Mom so easily, to how they find a way communicate when they need something... it's simply breathtaking to watch the smallest people you know live their lives.

One thing I especially love are the variety of faces these little people can make. Jack made my day with some of his expressions, and I thought I'd share a few outtakes with you. (And tell me if you can't already imagine him as the "grumpy" old grampa everyone loves!)

However, I'm gonna shake things up a bit: YOU get to write the captions! Over the next week, leave your caption(s) for the photos in the comments section (at the end of this post), then I'll update this post with the ones I find most entertaining. I know, not the most amazing prize, but hey, nobody can argue about the cuteness of the subject. =)

UPDATE: The caption winners are listed below! 

"Did I look like I wanted to be woken up? No, I didn't."  (from Jacob)

"Mmm, let me give that one some thought..." (from Barb)

"Ommmm, Ommmm... I'm practicing yoga... Ommmm, Omm...zzz zzz zzz..." (from Jacob)

"How many times do I have to tell you? I'm a Michigan State fan, not a U of Michigan fan! Please don't insult me again!" (from... myself... because it's so true in this family!)

And the Winner is...

Alright, the moment is here...

It's time to announce the winner of the Purple Orbs contest! 

I know I'm a couple days late, but better late than never! It just builds the suspense, right?  =) So, without further ado, the winner is...

... #5, Miah!

I used the random number generator, and she's the lucky winner!

But... well, here's the thing... I appreciate the feedback you all gave me, and I really like when everyone gets something, so this is what I'm going to do. For everyone who participated, you can choose one of your favorite images from this blog. Then, leave a comment on this post, email me, send a message on facebook or twitter, and let me know which you'd like. I'll then send you a high-resolution copy of the image.

And Miah, since you are the rightful winner (and it is fun to be the "big winner" -- c'mon, I know that!), instead of one image, you can pick out three images to get hihg-resolution copies of, should you wish. =)

Now, here's a quick explanation as to why I needed your help with those photos...

One of the ministries that's come out of our church is Ayuda Community Center. It's about 3 blocks from where we live, and they have all sorts of fantastic programs and services available to the community (check out their website - it's pretty awesome). One thing they do every year is an art auction as a fundraiser.

So, this year they asked me to submit something! I was honored but also a bit intimidated! It's really the first time anyone's asked me for anything... and I didn't know what to send! I tend to like photographing people best (even though it's been a challenge to "find" people lately - but more on that some other time), and plus, if it's not "fine art" or from another place (say, India), who wants to buy a photo of another person, right?

I started looking through some of my stuff, and found the "purple orb" photos to be some of the most interesting/creative, in my opinion. I know other people like different things... but I personally found them kinda cool. I just wasn't sure which one to choose, so I needed some help!

Above are the three photos, in order from #1-#3. (You can also see them larger here - this is just a quick reference).

I was leaning towards #1 from the beginning. I will probably end up submitting that one, as it seemed to be the most popular with those of you left comments, as well. Actually, I plan on submitting #1 and #2, and letting Ayuda decide if they want to use just #1 or do them as a series.

But here's the secret (and Miah, you pretty much caught on to this) -- #1 and #3 are actually the same photo. I just rotated #1 ninety degrees counter-clockwise to "create" image #3. Josh also noticed and asked me about it. I just wanted your feedback because I liked it at both angles and was having a hard time choosing. It's always great to get feedback, and it's so helpful hearing what other people think and why. It helps make me better!

So, thanks for all of you who participated and helped me out - I appreciate it! Perhaps I'll have to try another contest sometime... with more prizes, of course. =)

100 - Purple Orbs

Alright, I'm back! I've made a decision and I also need your help!

As you've probably noticed, I've gotten a little bit behind on some of my posting. I'm not a whole lot behind - just one week, officially - but it's enough that it's making me make slightly annoyed faces at myself. And when you start making slightly annoyed faces at yourself.... well... it's slightly annoying!

I had really hoped to catch up and be back on track by the end of April - you know, get a fresh start with the new month of May. But I really wasn't thinking too logically, because the big benefit dinner at work (our biggest event of the year) was May 7. Meaning the first week of May is now one big blur where I'm pretty sure I did things like eat and sleep and maybe even talk to Josh, but really only recall working, working, and well, working some more.

I'm still recovering, and there's still a lot of follow-up to do at work, but I'm hoping I can get back into a regular pattern of posting. And to do that, I think I need to extend myself some of that grace I promised myself way back at the beginning. 

So, you got it. My decision is that I'm starting fresh. I just need to stop trying to "catch up" and just start going from where I am. Hmm, sounds like a lesson I should apply to a few other areas in life, too. =) 

Now, here's the exciting part: I need your help!

Above is a flower I shot this week. I've obviously had a fun time capturing the colors and textures of different flowers and aspects of Spring this year, but this time I wanted to get a slightly different perspective of things. 

Below are three more shots of the above flower... I want to know which you like best (or perhaps your order of preference), what you find interesting about them (or don't), and your thoughts on why you do or don't like those things. Please leave me your thoughts as a comment on this post.

And.... da, da, da, dah! Since this is my 100th post, it seems like a good time to have my first giveaway! I know it's not that big of a deal, but this has to do a little bit with a project I'm working on, so if you help me out, you'll be entered into my mini-contest!

Leave a comment by Friday, May 14 at 11:59pm EST, and on Saturday (ok, maybe Saturday or Sunday) I'll use a random number generator to choose the "winner". I will then send you a high-resolution copy of your favorite image! Hooray!

So... here we go! For the best impression, you might want to look at the large version of each (just click on the photos to do so).

Image #1:

Image #2:

Image #3:

Don't forget to check back in next weekend to see if you're the lucky winner! ;-)