Photo Fun

So, Brent Riggs (Riggs Family Blog) posted on his Linky Tools Blog this picture (see above).  The object is to take this photo (which is Brent's) and make it better!  In the process, all who participate will learn a thing or two about photo editing (hopefully!)

This picture is my edit.  Basically, I just went into Lightroom 3 and clicked on some of the presets to get an idea of what I'd like to do....I clicked on 'yesteryear' and my husband (who was sitting behind me) said, "Hey, that looks exactly like a picture my dad would have taken on vacation in the 70's!".  SO, I kind of ran with it :)  I adjusted the saturation of the blue to get the sky to stand out a little more and the yellow...to pop the flowers out some more.  I put old fashioned corners on.  Done!  It's simple, but it does remind one of those old photos, eh?

Blessings!
~Bethany :)

Intern

So, we are all into photography now...right?  Well, my stepdaughter has taken it upon herself to follow our creative lead!  She took this all by herself...with a tripod and a fan :)  Not too shabby, eh?

Selah Photography

Just in case you haven't noticed my pretty aqua link on the sidebar that says 'Selah Photography', I'll fill you in! 

I have been dreaming of being a photographer for many years.  I LOVE to take photos because I love people.  I am the kind of person that also needs to see progress; something happen from start to finish.  With photography, I can be with people, capture their life moments and also use my creative mind to see a beautiful photo come to life! 

I've only just begun, and I still have much to learn!  I plan to take an online course this fall and I continually study information from the Net and various established photographers. 

Check out my photoblog HERE and let me know what you think!

Blessings!
~Bethany :)

Sam's Mission Trip...and Other Notes of Interest :)

SQUIRREL!  (This isn't part of the mission trip-ha!  It was supposed to go on the bottom of the post...sigh)

This is Sam, Katie and Drew....

Mark and I went to a special 'Parent's Night' during the week of Sam's trip.  It was neat to be able to see all the kids....most mission trips aren't this close to home! 

This is Sam and Joe....Joe is the middle school pastor and was Sam's small group leader last year.

These are cool!  They are little bags with each kid's name on them.  When another student sees someone doing an act of kindness or doing an act of service above and beyond, a note is written and dropped in their bag.  It shows them affirmation and gives them encouragement during the week. 

More singing!  Side note:  At the church in Detroit, Sam was able to sing and play his guitar for their worship time! 

This is when the group went in front of the church for prayer....  Sam is in the plaid shirt, looking away :)  You can't tell from this, but there were around 135 kids altogether!

This past weekend, we went to see a colonial reenactment.  Did women and children really go on the battlefield?  I'll have to research that!

Alex (blue shirt) went on a bike adventure with some of his old friends from high school!  They rode 70 miles altogether (they camped for one night).  Oh, to be young again! 

I guess that is all for now :)  
I have been a little sickish due to an RA flareup.  My Dr. is prescribing a new infusion drug, so hopefully, that will help!  
I'm doing a family photo shoot today and a high school Senior tomorrow!  Woohoo!  


Blessings!
~Bethany :)

Mission Trip!

Sam is smack dab in the middle of 'Citiweek'....a mission trip right in our own state!  There are over 100 students serving in Detroit this week.  Sam is on the far right, wearing a hat :)  This is his 'team'.  Can't wait to hear how God uses them all!

Back from CAMP!

J., the 8 year old, just returned from his first camping experience!  Here are some pictures taken while he was there....I am pretty sure he had a BLAST!

The cabin.

Near the charter bus (they took FOUR charter buses!!).  As you can see, J. is in 'Team Squirrel'.

The whole gang :)

Beautiful! 

I think this sums it up quite nicely, don't you?

 Blessings!
~Bethany :)

Picture of the Day :)

Beach Practice

Check out my beach pics of Gabe!

Comparing Notes...

Gabe to Girl:  "So...um, how did you break your arm?  Is that waterproof?? I broke mine in an inflatable accident."

Girl to Gabe:  "Oh wow...really??  Yeah.  It's pink and waterproof.  I broke mine on a ladder."

Blessings!
~Bethany :)

Summer Vacation ~ Part Four

First of all, I'd like to share one of my favorite pictures of Gabe.  I took it a few nights ago while doing a photo shoot!  Gabe was my first model :)  Just so you know, I've created a separate blog for my photography habit (not yet technically a business).  Go here!  It's is very NEW...so there isn't much there yet.  There will be though...just wait and see!

This is the 'Historical Entrance'.  It had a frigid breeze flowing out from the inside....

See what happened to Josh's glasses when we came back out?? 

Our tour was called "Frozen Niagara" and you can see why!  It's amazing to see the inside of a very old cave!

Mark and most of the kids....Alex and Sam were not with us for this portion of the trip.  Sam was with his dad for a rare visit and Alex was working at a church camp as a counselor.

Here is Mark and some of the boys...overlooking a...well, an overlook :)