Get outside the box!

For starters, if you're a photographer this is a must-read. 

If you love to capture memories by way of pictures, or even if you simply appreciate having all those moments at your beck and call, keep reading.

I love photos. I enjoy looking back and remembering all those great times or events, and I like to be the one to document them in the way of pictures. 

Those days where your camera is constantly on in your hand or hanging on your neck ready to snap any frame you find pleasing, are fantastic! They make you feel great, you create a masterpiece, and get at least a few awesome shots. 

And then there are the periods of time (days, weeks.....even months. :P) where photography has had to take a back seat. This summer has been one of those times. Originally I was feeling like a bum for not creating any fresh and inspiring albums, or contest-worthy photos. But very quickly that died off. I realized that for this season picture-taking couldn't be the highest priority,(due to life's craziness plus the fact our computer's stuffed) and that was fine. :) I didn't even have to feel a little guilty for leaving my camera home when I went on an outing or to a party---and I could really enjoy the times I was able to spend snapping the shutter. 

And of course......

Levi's first berry picking *snap!*

Girls' Retreat *snap, snap, click!*

Brilliantly-colored sunset *snap, snap!*

Family birthdays *click, snap, click*

Surprise party *click!*

......you get my drift. ;)

Through my camera-free days, I realized how nice it was not to view all the good times through a lens. :D Seriously, there is a huge difference in "being in the moment" and "capturing the moment". For instance, that awesome look of shock and delight of Bethany when we jumped out at her......it's wouldn't be the same in a photo. Documenting a fun or important time with film can not even start to compare to the experiencing the realness of the same moment. 

Ann's 100% true point appeared in my inbox today, and I was like, "yes, exactly!" (make sure and take the link all the way....it's a fabulous post. :) 

So, for my summary:

 Keep taking great pictures, but make sure and put away your Nikon or Canon ;), and really and truly live in some of those bits of life. :)

Ciao!

~Sarah

{all photos from Pinterest}