Monday Blog Tour

My blogging friend, Lisa, invited me to participate in a blog tour - how could I say no? Every Wednsday I link up to Lisa's Life Through the Lens (you should too!) and also follow her on instagram. She inspires me so much, and I think you should check out her work.

Anyway...here are my answers to the questions I was given. Hopefully this will give you a better glimpse into who I am and how I work.

1. What am I working on?

I would say my biggest project right now is a life lesson - learning to see beauty around me and to keep my life simple. I don't have any particular blog or photography projects going on - just trying to capture the beauty that surrounds me.

2. How does my work differ from others of its genre?
When it comes to photography I simply hunt for beauty, mostly outdoors. Whether I'm in my neighborhood, my backyard or hiking in the woods, I take time to see what's around me. It's easy to see the beauty of a flower, sunset or amazing mountain view, but beauty can be found anywhere. I think the biggest difference in my work is that there is no editing involved. Sometimes I'll crop the photo for a closer look or better composition, but what you see in my photos is straight out of the camera. It's the way I keep my photography simple - no extra steps, no hours of editing. All the time I save can be spent on future adventures.

3. Why do I write/create what I do?

I create because I was created in God's image - the ultimate Creator. It nurtures me in a way that nothing else can. I love to share the beauty I find with others- the beauty of nature, the beauty of everyday little things and the beauty of living simply.

4. How does your writing/creating process work?

I am mostly inspired by nature when it comes to photography and writing, so getting outside regularly is a must. When I need to write a blog post, letter, Sunday School lesson or anything else, going for a walk or run is the best way for me to clear my head and focus. I have also found coaching to be a valuable tool when it comes to digging deeper and clearing away the clutter in my mind.

For photography I grab my cameras (my dslr and phone) and take many shots. When posting to my instagram account, I mostly use photos taken with my phone (it's simpler!) and sometimes I prefer photos taken with my phone to those taken with my dslr. You'll also find me bent over, laying down or looking up in an attempt to capture a different perspective. For my non-nature photos, I spend time setting up the shot, arranging and rearranging the items or people in the photo. By changing things up a bit during the process, I usually find what I was looking for. It's rare that I get the shot I was going for on my first attempt. When following prompts in instagram, I try to think beyond the obvious, first-thought that comes into my head. I also like to play around with the composition layout and edits to simplify the shots. (you can click on the instagram photos on the side to see some examples).

And now I'll introduce you to the two friends I have invited to this blog tour....Hop on over to their blogs to get to know them better. And be sure to return next Monday when they'll answer the same questions I answered.

Aly of One Day Lighter ~ I "met" Aly through instagram and have been so encouraged and inspired by her. She is a sister in Christ, a minimalist, a Compassion sponsor, an adventurer and more (these are just the things she and I have in common!) Here's what Aly has to say about her blog. 

our father gifted us with each other to lift up. encourage. be a light. we are devoted to making life lighter today. no guilt, only grace. so lay down your burdens. rest. breathe.

Crystal of Crystal Kupper ~ I know Crystal through Compassion International. We are both sponsors, advocates and for a while, lived in the same state and would connect at Compassion events. Here's a little more about Crystal.

Crystal Kupper is a freelance writer specializing in magazines and special projects. Since earning her journalism degree, she has written for clients such as Zondervan, Focus on the Family and the Salvation Army, among many others. A lifelong sports nut, Kupper counts speaking at the baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown, New York as one of her favorite career moments. She has interviewed athletes from the NBA, NHL, PGA, MLB, NFL, PRCA and Olympics.  When not writing (which is often), Crystal is  a military wife, freelance writer, runner and SAHM mom of 3. She digs running long distances (very slowly), any and all sports, volunteering with Compassion International and Reece's Rainbow, playing classical piano and kissing her really, really, ridiculously good-looking husband Nickolas. (And yes, that last phrase was said with a Zoolander accent.).