My 365 Photo Experiment: Concluded

Once upon a time, I received a camera for Christmas.  It was an intelligent beast in my incapable hands, confounding me at every turn.  Still, I was besotted with its clarity of focus and impressively hefty weight.  So I snapped some photos.  I felt the limitations of my ignorance.  And I resolved to get better.

Now, one year later, I am no better but perhaps even more besotted.  After my year-long experiment with photo blogging, I have this to say: God Bless memories.  I started out wanting to improve my skill and knowledge of photography, and ended up recording the priceless moments of (almost) an entire year in the life of This Heavenly Family. 

It shows the gaps in memory when I chose sleep over photography after the birth of our newest family member.  It shows a mostly nonexistent November because all of our photos became lodged within our old, broken computer, never to be seen again.  (Or at least until we procure a new flash drive or external hard drive with which to escort the month of November onto our new computer.)

Most importantly, it shows our life unfolding.  And I've realized that I simply cannot give up my photo blog after only one year of recording. 

So, yes: this is the conclusion of 2011's photography experiment. 

But, no: it's not the end.  Because this is January First, 2012.  And there are more memories waiting. 

These were some of Justin's and my favorites from the year.  Enjoy! 

January

Because every frozen winter day needs a bathing suit plus rain boots and a pair of binoculars.

February

Because when snow is piled up to your thighs, you must plow through it, right?

March

Because when you manage to focus on a flower that outshines the hands in which it rests, that's a pretty spectacular flower.

April

Because this was the most beautiful spring in recent memory.

May

Because life flies by; shove your bare foot into the wind every chance you get.

June

Because when you pose under a bridge, everything is a bit more glamorous.

July

Because running and smiling go together.

August

Because when it's so hot, the swimming pool is the only acceptable destination.

September

Because this much color should never be restricted to terra firma.

October

Because when life emerges from your body, it's pretty much the most momentous thing.  Ever.

November

Because babies need to be photographed upside down and right side up and backward and forward and every other way imaginable.

December

Because the holidays make us a little bit prone to decorating ourselves.

Now, go: start YOUR photography journey in 2012!  Let it be about memories or skill or practice -- just DO it.  If for no other reason than because looking back on your year in twelve months will make you laugh and cry and dream.  All good things.  Happy 2012, my friends!