perception collection, round three

Woo-hoo! We're back! #perception_collection, the 14-day Instagram photo challenge concocted by Christine at @plumedpdx and me is back for Round Three! She's been sick, and I've been sad and sick, so what better way to perk us all up during this glorious fall?

Whenever people ask me about #perception_collection, I always say this: no rules, only fun. It's pretty easy, really. Each day has a photo prompt, so post your photo to Instagram and use the hashtags #perception_collection as well as that day's photo prompt. This time, we hope we've come up with some prompts that challenge your photography chops and really get you thinking. (And one of us will pop in with a mini lesson when we get to a prompt like, "High key" or "fill the frame.") It's fun to push yourself, and I love these prompts, but the best part? Seeing all of your photos and how supportive everyone is of each other. I lovelovelove that!

Can't wait to see you guys on Friday!

new day {life}

I've talked a lot about how my childhood vacations at the beach have formed my connection to the sand and the sea, even now. I've been amazingly lucky, in a way that I never dreamed, to live near the ocean (on both coasts!) for the bulk of my adult life. The sea is always good to me.

I've had in my mind that I'd like to get my camera out to the ocean and the bay more than I do, and really, it's silly that I don't. It's a simple matter of taking the time. Last weekend, I got up early, grabbed my sweatshirt (and a surprisingly willing Neel), and we just went.

What a gift to see the sky turn from silver to pink to peach to bright golden light. What a gift to be there to witness the blooming coral orb slide above the horizon, its beams touching the waves for the first time.

Granted, it was early. But this was the weekend right after Neel's dad fell ill, and we had the weight of worry and decisions heavy upon us. With the beach to ourselves and the glory of the sunrise before us, this moment to take a breath was just what we needed. The air was crisp and the sand was cool and the sky magnificent. When faced with all that, your worries can feel small. The way they should.