Inspired

A new year, a new hobby! Matt's older sister, Meaghan, takes the most beautiful photos as a hobby and I've been inspired to take up photography again thanks to her. I've been commenting on her amazing pictures since this past summer, and I started thinking that I should get back into it myself. I used to have my camera on me at all times when I was in high school and I'm glad I did. Otherwise, I wouldn't have all of the awesome old photos of Matt & I together!
Some friends came over today and we walked to the park behind our house with their kids and Gavin. I was just messing around with our digital camera and took some great photos, which started me thinking. Matt has an older Canon Rebel digital camera and tonight he showed me the basics of how to use it.
I am going to take Lochlan & Gavin to a park in the morning that my friend Shannon told me about today. It is called Monument Valley Park and they have a bridge that goes over active railroad tracks, which is going to make Gavin ecstatic! I am going to test out the camera tomorrow and will post any good photos if I am able to get any. It might take me awhile to get used to the camera, and I'm sure I'll be picking Meaghan's brain non-stop for awhile!
Below are some of the photos that I took today and that sealed the deal for me to start messing around taking photos again.
Shannon and Jon's sweet daughter, Stori:

Shannon and Jon's super stellar boy, Zane:

I took this photo of Gavin through a tiny little hole in part of the playground equipment:

Thought I'd post this to make Shannon smile:

My new photography subject:

Almost got a smile out of him:

The Root Family (Jon, Shannon, Zane & Stori):

Still trying to get some smiles out of him, but he hates the camera! I will succeed in changing this, though, as I need a good photography subject and he's too cute not to use! :)

Thought I'd make a note that my mom also takes amazing photos for a hobby. She likes taking black and white portraits of people (especially children), so I might have to get some tips from her and try doing this in the future.