THE PETERSENS

My sweet friend, Autumn, and I went strawberry pickin’ today with the kiddos.  We did the same last year, but Elena wasn’t here yet and Caleb was still itty-bitty.  So, it felt pretty different this year, but a good different.  That was not the only thing that was different though…THIS YEAR, there was a “special” visitor at the strawberry farm.  THIS YEAR, there was a TURKEY.  Yes, a turkey.  An honest-to-goodness, real, live, gobblin’, trottin’ turkey.  Oh my.  And, you know what????  It followed us.  It stalked us.  It scared us.  People, my dear children were frightened out of their little MINDS.  Poor things.  I think JL will be okay (we have actually laughed quite a lot about the turkey since this morning), but little Caleb was pretty traumatized.

So, I am thinking that this particular memory goes in that category of “so-extremely-scary-at-the-time-but-so-completely-hilarious-later”.  What do you think, Autumn?  Well, besides a few shed tears and some elevated heart rates this morning, my birthday has been off to a great start so far!  Thank you, dear friend.  I love you!  Can’t wait to continue our tradition of strawberry pickin’ next year…just maybe at different, turkey-free farm.

The two WF community groups combined one Wednesday for a fellowship.  Here are a few pictures of some of the sweet kids who live here in Wake Forest!

My dear and artsy friend, Kristin, graciously invited me to join in on an engagement photo shoot last night and it was soooo awesome!  I am always happily surprised by how much fun I have creating with the camera lens and by how well me and K hit it off.  We have a ton of fun together.  She loves to laugh and I like people who laugh a lot.  She is also uber-encouraging with her speech…always Gospel-centered!  Needless to say, she is becoming one of my fave people.  Love ya, Kristin!

Here are TEN things I learned from this particular photo shoot:

1.) Doing photography requires a lot of physical exertion.  We tromped up hills, down hills and pretty much all over downtown Raleigh (at least that’s how I felt).  I woke up this morning awfully, horribly, terribly SORE everywhere.  I think this is evidence for two things–one…photography is way harder than it looks and two…I am really out of shape.

2.) Being the sidekick/assistant, I have to be willing to get down low and a little dirty.  Lying on the ground, scratching up my elbows and contorting my body around K so I don’t ever, ever get in her way while she’s in her element.  The couple never looks at me, but yet I still have to capture wonderful, creative moments.  The challenge to think creatively really drives me.  I love it!

3.)  Taking photos (for me) is like a drug.  It’s addicting.

4.) I need to practice MORE.  I need to take MORE photos.  It took me a good 1/2 hour into the photo shoot to warm up and feel comfortable with my camera.  Which means I missed a lot of different locations and shots.

5.) If I am going to utilize natural lighting for photo shoots, I need to bring a snack/drink in my camera bag because the good natural lighting takes place over dinnertime right now.  K and I were pretty ravenous by the end.

6.) Designate a place for my lens cap, so I always know where it is.  Left butt pocket, right butt pocket, wherever…because it’s bound to get misplaced or lost.  I lost my lens cap last night and I’m pretty sad about it.

7.) Don’t be scared to shoot a picture, even if it is different or if I am not sure how it is going to turn out.  It’s always better to try than to not try.  K tells me this a lot and I think it’s helpful because I can always learn from my photos (the good and bad ones).  What was good, what was awful and what might be better for next time around.

8.) Kristin is RAD (this is one of her fave words)!!!!

9.) I am so thankful that by the grace of God, I have been given two eyes through which I can see the beauty of the world He has given us.  To capture even the smallest bit of His creation through the lens leaves me in awe.

10.) Pray, pray, pray!  K led us in prayer before the couple arrived and it was so good.  Even with photography, I desire that I would work as unto the Lord and not unto man.  I don’t want to be driven by fear and anxiety, but ask God to help me be creative for His glory!

So, I guess I’ll be taking more pictures soon hopefully!  Meanwhile, here are a few photos from last night’s shoot: