Showing posts with label photography. Show all posts
Showing posts with label photography. Show all posts

A Leucoma Salicis : Love What Makes You Happy

 

I found this beautiful white moth the other day 🤍 

A Leucoma Salicis  🤍

“Don’t ever be ashamed of loving the strange things that make your weird little heart happy.” - Elizabeth Gilbert



Interesting Facts and My Photos of Our Backyard Squirrels



  I take far too many photos of the squirrels in my backyard, because I find them really interesting and somewhat adorable. I wanted to learn more about these little critters that try to still from the bird feeder, and along the way of researching, I found some interesting facts!  

Fun Facts About Squirrels

  • Squirrel Teeth Never Stop Growing: Much like the Hamster, Squirrels’ teeth grow continuously throughout their lives, which is why they gnaw on everything from tree bark to metal to keep them worn down. I've never seen a squirrel gnaw on anything but this makes sense why we never see their teeth!

  • They Can Jump Up to 10 Times Their Body Length: Thanks to their strong back legs, squirrels can jump from tree to tree with remarkable precision. Their long tails help them balance and steer midair. One particular squirrel that visits our backyard, rather jump from the fence than crawl down. He looks funny doing it, every time, as if he thinks he's a bird that can fly much like his fellow bird-feeder eaters. 

  • Squirrels Can Swim: While they may not be known for swimming, squirrels are capable swimmers and will dive into water to escape predators or cross rivers. I have yet to see this happen, but I do know that squirrels love to have a small pool of water to drink from, especially on a hot summer day! 

  • Squirrel "Memory" is Impressive: While squirrels may not have perfect memories, they do have a good sense of where they've buried their food. They rely on their sense of smell and spatial memory to find their stash later on. This is a good system to have so they can store away food for the winter, however, their process of burying seeds has allowed many different trees and plants to grow, helping keep the world going!
  • Their Tails Help Keep Them Warm: A squirrel’s tail isn’t just for balance; it’s also a built-in blanket! When it gets cold, squirrels wrap their bushy tails around themselves like a cozy little blanket to stay warm on chilly nights. I'm sure it makes their nests more comfy for them and their babies as well.
  • They Love to "Steal": Squirrels are notorious for taking food from bird feeders, but here’s something interesting—they also engage in “food stealing” behavior to distract other animals. They might run off with one nut in hand, only to hide it and distract other squirrels from the actual stash they have.
  • Squirrels were introduced to urban parks on purpose. In the 19th century, U.S. cities released squirrels to “beautify” parks and connect people to nature. This is a good thing to remember, when you feel like a squirrel is being pesty, begging for your food while picnicking :) 

So there you have it, a few little facts about what makes squirrels…well, squirrels!


What are some interesting squirrel facts you know? Feel free to list them in the comments below. 


Learning Photography? Here's How to Make Money

 
  
CC0 Licensed Image Courtesy of Pexels
Learning photography is a valuable skill with superior results to your phone. Even a beginner DSLR such as the Canon 4000D/Rebel offers stunning results. But you will also learn about how cameras work, light, and subject focus for great shots you can use on sites and even sell.
Shoot for a Niche You Can Sell
Anyone can go outside and take pictures of the clouds, insects, and flowers. There’s nothing wrong with this, and it’s actually an excellent way to learn about macro and landscape photography. But pretty much everyone already does this. As with most things today, it helps to have a niche to make money. For example, how about Angel Wings for fantasy photo shoots? Or maybe baby and family photos where you spend time at home to get truly natural images.
Register with Image Websites
One of the first things you should do is register with image sites such as Pexels, Shutterstock, and Pixabay. These sites can earn you some money. It won’t come quickly, and you must play the long game as they work on royalties. But they are also excellent for getting noticed. Remember, there isn’t a bad shot, just experience. When you take a photo that doesn’t turn out as you would like, consider what to do next time, such as aperture and focus adjustments.
Remember, Learning Photography Takes Time
Photography can be one of the most enjoyable hobbies because it is as fun as it is challenging. Nobody becomes the next Annie Leibowitz in a day, and you will need to spend a great deal of time with your camera. Just learning how to manually focus a DSLR under different conditions takes a lot of trial and error, even shooting your pets. It is estimated that it takes around 6 to 10 years, or 10,000 hours to master something. Imagine what you could accomplish in this time.
Set Up an Online Store for Sales
Like art, photography can be subjective, and even though one person doesn’t like a specific image, another might. And this means there is always a market for selling your images. Getting pictures onto sites like Pixabay is a good starting point, but there is no guarantee of money. However, a blog with your images for sale can bring in some cash. Builders like Wix and GoDaddy are very easy to use, and you can have a gallery up and running within a day or two.
Invest in Extra Equipment
It’s the photographer and not the camera that takes great shots. However, you will need some help getting the shots you want. First, lighting rigs are vital, even when outside, because you can’t control the sun. If you want to take images of nature up close, it is recommended that you use a remote shutter control to avoid camera shake. At the very least, invest in a good tripod. Be aware that a full-sized tripod is considered commercial and isn’t allowed in some places. 
Summary
Nailing down a niche is a great way to make money when learning photography. You will also need to put in the time and effort to master the camera. And buy some extra equipment too.
 

Live Your Life - In This Present Moment


Just a little piece of art I made. A reminder to live in the present and find joy in every corner. Walk your path as best as you can, and never give up. Find happiness in the little things. Make your own rainbows. Enjoy your life!


"Learning to live in the present moment is part of the path of joy." -Sarah Ban Breathnach


Learning About Plants With The PictureThis app



Thanks to the PictureThis app, I now know what is growing in my backyard! This is apparently Sweet William, an ornamental garden plant that will produce little pink flowers 🌸 I love using this app to learn more about plants!



Click HERE to check out the PictureThis app and start learning about your plants, flowers, weeds, and more! 

Personalizing Blankets With Collage.com

Disclaimer: I received the following product(s) in exchange for my review. All opinions my own. 

Are you looking for the perfect Christmas gift? A personalized gift is an excellent way to go! With Collage.com you can create multiple different items for the loved ones in your life. From photo books to puzzles, mugs to wall art, blankets and home decor, you can design a gift for everyone on your Christmas list! 

   There are over 50 products on Collage.com that allow you to personalize a product in the way you like. The site is easy to use and even has templates you can apply for quick designing without the added stress. You can choose different backgrounds from their provided designs or add in your own, as well as add in any amount of photos you like. There are many options to make your project beautiful!

I had the opportunity to design our own blankets with Collage.com and though it took longer than I would have liked, it was a nice experience. Being the perfectionist I am, made it really difficult for me to decide what I wanted on our blankets. I sorted through several pictures and tried many different designs but couldn't feel satisfied with what I came up with...So I allowed my son to try his hand at it! He loved it! I started the blanket by choosing which texture we wanted (fleece, plush Sherpa, woven, ect) He chose the pictures he wanted, the design, and got to work.


I love the turn out! Our first blanket is a Plush Sherpa and it is so comfortable. The photos turned out beautifully, with a quote centered in the middle. The second blanket we chose was a Printed Woven. The texture in this blanket was much more rough but should be good after being washed. We chose a 2 square design for this one, with a black and white photo on one side and a quote on the other. It turned out very cute! You can get a glimpse of my personalized blankets below.



Both blankets are beautiful pieces of art and make excellent gifts. How would you design your very own blanket? You have the opportunity to enter for a chance to win your own blanket to design! It can be of any texture, size, and style! Just enter through the Rafflecopter below and I will choose a winner shortly. Winner will receive a coupon code from me via email that will provide free product + free shipping. Good luck! 

I received a complimentary product in exchange for an honest review. All opinions my own.

Tantino Classic Gold Frame Aviator Sunglasses

 I received the following product(s) in exchange for my honest review. All opinions my own.

The Tantino Classic Gold Frame Aviator Sunglasses are some slick looking Sunglasses! They have UV 400 protection with a metal frame and plastic lenses. When you look into them, everything is orange and the sun looks even more beautiful. They sit comfortable on the face, very lightweight and thin but well made. Even the nose guards feel nice. I gave these sunglasses to my son who loves them! He says they are really cool looking. He's been wanting a pair of aviator sunglasses and these ones are perfect, even for his 9 year old face :) These sunglasses are very cool and a great product for the price.


You can find the Tantino Classic Gold Frame Aviator Sunglasses available for purchase on Amazon for about $8.99 with free shipping.

I received a complimentary product in exchange for my honest review. All opinions my own.

Porlien Gold Accent Floral Porcelain Spoons

 I received the following product(s) in exchange for my honest review. All opinions my own.



The little Porlien Gold Accent Floral Porcelain Spoons are adorable and would be the perfect accessory to a mini tea party! They are made of a fine porcelain and the artwork is beautifully done in quite detail.


The tips on the handle of the spoons are flashed with gold streaks giving it a fancier touch, and there are holes in the handle so you can put little hooks on them. Maybe little ribbons with a tag or note. There are so many ideas to use the spoons in a tea party. They are beautiful and would also make a sweet gift. The spoons arrive in a nice little gift box, but my box had a horrid scent to it, like something that would have been lying in a musty attic for years. It smelled strong of mildew, but everything looked clean. Other than the smell, these tiny spoons are great, though seem more decorative than useful.



You can find the Porlien Gold Accent Floral Porcelain Spoons available for purchase on Amazon in two different patterns available.
I received a complimentary product in exchange for my honest review. All opinions my own.

Dress For A Party With Classy Suspenders + Matching Bow Tie Set


Disclaimer: I received the following product(s) in exchange for my review. All opinions my own.

      Look classy at your next party with this Suspender and Matching Bow Tie Set. The classic y-back style of these suspenders are designed with adjustable elastic straps and clasp fasteners, allowing it to fit most people, with easy put on and take off. Add the matching bow tie, and you have a suave look to show up in style! This set is great for parties, weddings, costumes, prom, and more!
 I was excited to review this set for my son, who has been wanting a set of suspenders since he began liking "The Hobbit" lol. Sometime he loves to dress in a unique way, and these suspenders and bow tie will add a fun touch to his style. They are both durable and sell for such an affordable price. Perfect if you need a set!

You can find the Unisex Suspenders and Matching Bow Tie Set available for purchase in several colors on Amazon for just $5.69


 I received one or more of the products mentioned above for free using Tomoson.com. Regardless, 
I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers.

Little Girls Adorable Tutu For Dress Up, Pictures, And More!


Disclaimer: I received the following product(s) in exchange for my review. All opinions my own. 

Every girl needs to own a Tutu at least some point in their lives...and babies in tutu's? Oh my goodness...so sweet!! This Adorable Baby Tutu is perfect for birthday parties, ballet, pictures, and more! It is made of 3 layers of tulle with a matching satin waistband and it is 7 inches long, perfect for your little girl. You can match the tutu with any baby onesie or shirt, pulling off a super cute outfit for your princess. The Tutu is available in a variety of colors, each one as pretty as the other. I chose the black tutu, as it seems most versatile, matching with just about any other color.

This Tutu is said to fit babies age 0-12 months, but it is a lot bigger than that, It seems it would fit up to 3 years old, and swim on a newborn. The waist is elastic to stretch fitting an older child, but it would sit fine on babies for photos. The tutu arrived having an interesting smell, but after leaving it out to air, the smell dissipated. And the tulle itself is a bit itchy, but it would make a fun dress up tutu for your little one, or their stuffed animals!And when the tutu is not in use, you can place it over a lamp shade to add some extra fun or mood lighting to the room!

A baby tutu would make a fun baby shower gift for any mama expecting a little girl. Tutu's are also great photo props, giving that beautiful princess look...from newborn to their first birthday.
Tutu's are so much fun, mama and baby will love it!

You can find this Adorable Baby Tutu available for purchase on Amazon for just $4.39 with free shipping. 



I received one or more of the products mentioned above for free using Tomoson.com. Regardless, 
I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers.

Spacious DSLR Digital Camera Gadget Organizer Bag


Disclaimer: I received the following product(s) in exchange for my review. All opinions my own.

If you are a photographer looking for a spacious camera bag, check out Ohuhu's DSLR Digital Camera Gadget Organizer Bag. This bag is crafted with an outer non-absorbent canvas and an adjustable shoulder strap for convenient carrying. It contains outer pockets so you can hold extra camera accessories such as an extra battery, cables, lens cap, ect. The inside contains a removable shock-proof sponge case holding extra padding to keep your camera safe and secure when not in use. And since the padded case is removable you can use the bag for other items as well!

This Camera bag is very spacious! I was surprised at just how big it is. When it arrived, the bag itself was inside of the padded case, which you can see in the photo...So once I pulled out the bag, I placed the case into the bag and admired the size it has given. It made my Nikon D5 look tiny!! You definitely get your money's worth in size. I love that the bag can be used for more than just a camera, as the casing comes out so easily. The only downside I have about this product is the color. I wish it was available in more colors than just Retro Khaki or Dark Brown. My favorite color for most things is black, as it goes with all outfits so I would have loved to have the choice in different colors. Otherwise, this is a great product and if you're in the market for a new camera bag, I think you should consider this one, if for anything, its size! The dimensions of this camera bag are 13" x 6" x 7.8 but I feel like it's much bigger than that. It's versatile, stylish, and neutral tone is perfect for taking with you on vacation!

The Ohuhu DSLR Digital Camera Gadget Organizer Bag is available for purchase on Amazon for just $37.99 and Free Shipping.

I received one or more of the products mentioned above for free using Tomoson.com. Regardless, 
I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers.