AHP 52 Week Photo Challenge ~ Week 32

I'm kind of over the moon about this next theme--

and I know a few other people in our little challenge family that will also be stoked!

hold up...

pause....

rewind....

Oh yea- last week's recap!!! I was so excited I almost forgot!!

Last week's theme was "Summertime Bliss" . When I picked the theme I had visions of my free-spirited children, squealing with delight, running through the sprinkler. Or with their messy hair blowing in the breeze on the boat. But that's THEIR bliss. Sure it's cute and important, but I wanted to capture something that brought me back to MY childhood "summertime bliss".

I have memories of watermelon seed spitting contests, watermelon toss games in the lake, I ALWAYS picked out the watermelon balls out of the fruit salad and left the mushy brown banana slices for someone else (perhaps that's why my sister doesn't like banana??!!) And...I must add, in the past two months my child has eaten at least 4 times her weight in watermelon and pretty much nothing else!

Play...

Fast forward....

The AHP 52 Week Photo Challenge theme for Week 31 is-

LYRICS

okokok---I don't usually give instructions or make rules but this is what I have in mind....

Think of a song, a line of a song and then interpret it in photo form. I dont want to see photos OF words, I want to see images that represent the words. Please include your lyrics in the photo caption so we can all see the connection! However, if you decide to go in a different direction- feel free!

No rules, just fun!

www.ahedgesphotography.com

AHP 52 Week Photo Challenge Week 27

I was waaay late getting my photo up for this past "HALF" theme. So I know that we can expect quite a few more photos to be posted over the next few days. Keep them rolling in!!

So "half" was to signify the middle of the year and we're half way through the challenge!

For those of you who are still with me, Congratulations!! Keeping up with a weekly photo challenge doesn't seem all that difficult, but life gets in the way. Things happen. We forget. It's not called a "challenge" for nothing!!

So keep up the great work - I really look forward to seeing everyone's photos week after week.

The photos I'll be looking forward to seeing next week will be all about:

WEATHER

www.ahedgesphotography.com

AHP 52 Week Photo Challenge - Week 24 -

I mentioned in last weeks post that the inspiration for the theme was my birthday, which was yesterday. And I'm so happy that week is over and I'm able to move on with the rest of the year!

I added a bonus "rule" to last weeks BIRTHDAY theme- all photos needed to be new photos and it was nice to see people create birthday photos even if they didn't have one to celebrate. 

The thought process behind this weeks theme is this...I was having a conversation recently with someone about photography. They were noticing how great a particular collection of photos were so beautiful. There was nothing special about the photos or the photographers skill, they were simple snapshots of nature, flowers, landscape, trees etc. That's when I had this thought- it's easy to take beautiful photos of beautiful things. I know that's a blanket statement and there will always be acceptions but it was that thought that inspired this weeks theme.

The AHP 52 Week Photo Challenge Theme for Week 23 is UGLY.

www.ahedgesphotography.com

AHP 52 Week Photo Challenge~ Week 20

Week 20 already!!?? Unreal how time flies- really unreal. Next week my little baby turns two and I'm total denial about this- time does slow down as you get older, right!? Just nod and smile at me :-)

Last week's Shadow theme was difficult for me. I had a great idea and on the ONE sunny day I had a chance to grab my camera, my "subject" didn't quite cooperate. I pulled it off but it wasn't exactly what I had envisioned.

This week I'm taking a break so to speak, and giving you all one too. No, we're not skipping a week- that wouldn't make sense now would it ;-)

This week's theme is a FREE CHOICE!! So if you've had a great idea tucked away or if you get caught up in a moment with your camera and create a great image...that's it! 
It's up to you this week...

Good luck!


www.ahedgesphotography.com

AHP 52 Week Photo Challenge- Week 19

Last week was busy for me an ironically, with the 

EXERCISE THEME I did very little actual exercising myself! I must have jinxed my routine or something! I'll be better this week...I promise! 

I also promise to TRY to get my week's submission posted earlier than I have been recently. I'm going to work on a Monday deadline for my photos so you all have a few days left to add yours to the album! 

Notice the word there is TRY :-)

This week I actually have an idea for prior to posting the theme. Usually I don't start thinking about my photo for the week until after I post the theme. BUT this week I have a great idea--not really an original idea (thank you Pinterest)-- but something I want to try! We'll see if I can pull it off :-)

This week is week 19 and the Photo Challenge Theme is:

SHADOWS!


www.ahedgesphotography.com

AHP 52 Week Challenge ~ Week 16

If you aren't in the habit of checking out past weeks galleries, I would suggest you do this week. I got TONS of submissions this week for weeks past. People who fell behind got back in the game-- it was so exciting! Here's the link to the whole 52 week Challenge Album.

But if you're just interested in looking at the most recent submissions click on the COLOR album! Some people enjoyed this theme so much they submitted more than one photo- and that's TOTALLY ok! Any week you feel moved to submit multiple photos feel free!!

We're up to week 16 and I'm feeling like getting a bit technical. This theme may be a little advanced for some, so if you find it too difficult you can absolutely interpret this theme in anyway you'd like in order to make it work for you. However, if you'd like some extra help in making this theme successful for you please feel free to ask questions!

In fact, on my facebook page, I now have a Forum area and I invite any and all of you to utilize this area to ask me questions, chat with each other, talk about photography- anything you'd like. Feel free to start topics - no need to wait for me to lead! The forum would be the perfect place to talk about the photo challenge theme each week if you're having trouble with ideas or are looking for extra help or inspiration.

The AHP 52 Week Photo Challenge Theme for Week 16 is : Silhouette

www.ahedgesphotography.com

AHP 52 Week Challenge ~ Week 15

“I sustain myself with the love of family.” 
― Maya Angelou

The photo theme for last weeks challenge was "Family". I feel like this week I got to know each and every one of you a little bit more- it was a nice peek into who you call family!

I don't have much to say this week- we had such a spectacular couple of weeks, weather-wise, and now it's been cold again this week. It feels kind of like spring fever on steroids for me to take this step backward. I feel like I'm in a slump. I'm really hoping the weather turns warm soon!!

Or maybe this week's theme will pick me up. I'll let you know next week :-)

The photo theme for this weeks challenge is:

COLOR!

I always put my website URL at the end of my blog (as if you need a reminder of what it is, right?) But this week in particular you may want to check it out. I separated my website into TWO!! Now I have a dedicated family/lifestyle site and a wedding site!! Check back as the season progresses for new photos in the galleries! 

www.ahedgesphotography.com

AHP 52 Week Challenge ~ Week 14

So last week's "Upside-down" theme proved to be one of the more fun themes so far! I apologize it took me a couple extra days to get my image loaded. Life happens!

This week the hardwood floors in my house are being refinished so we were forced out of our home for a few days. We made a mini vacation up to the Adirondacks for some family quiet time. We've spent the week baking, doing "Arts and Craps" (as Sydney says), getting some good workouts in, a bit of shopping, taking some long overdue photos of the kiddos and a whole lot of just sitting around relaxing. 


I did get an email this morning though that they were finished!!! It will be a few more days before the odor subsides and we can put furniture on the floor, so a few more days up here for us!!

aren't they purrrdy!!??

Back to the photo theme...
I've really tried to limit both my internet time as well as the girls TV time. It's a bit cooler than I had hoped so we weren't able to spend as much time outdoors, but we're still having a great time simply enjoying each other's company.

In effort to keep this great family "mojo" flowing I'm going to make this week's AHP photo challenge theme: FAMILY

www.ahedgesphotography.com

AHP 52 Week Challenge ~ Week 13

My family was instructed to be out of the house for 5 hours today. We have varmints and bugs...yuck. So the pest control dudes came by to "take care of business". They said that we could re-enter the house at 5pm and "it should be safe by then". Hmmmmm so you're telling me you dumped 3 gallons of pest poison in and around my home, and if we enter the house at 4:30 it's dangerous and toxic, but at 5 it's magically ok???

Yea- someone please check to make sure we're all breathing later on this evening if you wouldn't mind! Kthxbai!

 (learned that one from Neil VanNeikerk last night and I just couldn't resist using it myself!!)

So needless to say I didn't forget about posting this week's theme, I was just inconvenienced delayed.

Last week was "vintage" ...you guys ROCKED my socks off again! I love old things, antiques, and vintage sounds way cool-hipster-trendy so I'm all over that!

One request- be sure you're posting your photos in the comments area under my photo each week! Find the album in the "photos" tab at the top of my page.

So here we go...lucky week number 13! The theme for this week is: UPSIDE-DOWN
www.ahedgesphotography.com

AHP 52 Week Challenge ~ Week 12

WELCOME SPRING!! Wait..it's just mid March...this is just weird! But hey- I'll take it! 

I totally have ideas for a photo challenge theme related to Spring, but I'm afraid to jinx anything. If I put it out there now, BAM we'll get a blizzard and it will be all my fault! So yea--moving on--quickly!!

Last weeks theme was LIGHTS. I knew I was traveling to NYC to see Jasmine Star, so I knew I'd be seeing some "cray-cray" lights and I did. I love NYC!! 

So a few reminders about the challenge as we may have some new people joining in (spread the word...I'd love to see some new faces around!)

-Be sure you've created a photo album on your facebook page, Flickr etc called "AHP 52 Week Photo Challenge" and post your weekly photos all together in that one album. It will be super cool to see all your photos together in one spot at the end of the year!

-Make that album public so all the other participants can see your submission. For inspiration & feedback. 

-Feel free to comment on everyone else's photos- either right in their own album (if allowed), or in the comments area on my page under the submissions.

- After I post my weekly photo (typically Sunday or Monday) post your photos in the comments area under my photo. The new timeline format makes this a bit confusing. The easiest way to find the right spot is to go to my "PHOTOS" area, find the album, find the current weeks photo and then post your photo. If you happen to post in the wrong spot- no worries, I'll just repost it!

-Feel free to leave suggestions for upcoming weeks themes as well, I'd love to hear new ideas!

Ok ok ok- enough of my voice! Let's move on to WEEK 12!!!

The AHP 52 Week Photo Challenge theme for week 12 is, "Vintage".

AHP 52 Week Photo Challenge ~ Week 10

WOW!! Week 9 was great! The theme was to interpret this quote by Kahlil Gibran, "Beauty is not in the face; Beauty is a light in the heart." And you can check out all of the submissions

HERE!

I know it was kind of tough for some since you really had to interpret the quote in your own way to find the theme, but because of that there is no right or wrong! You'll definitely see more of those kinds of weeks later on this year. 


And by the way- I LOVE LOVE LOVE that people are starting to comment on the photos posted. Feel free to use the same comment boxes under my photo for back and forth banter. Don't be shy- let everyone know how awesome they are!

So for week 10 lets go in the opposite direction- simplicity, straight forward, obvious....or is it??

The theme for Week 10 is: 

FORK

www.ahedgesphotography.com

AHP 52 Week Photo Challenge ~ Week 8

Nice job Romantics!! If you missed any of the (very few) submissions from last week, check them out here. And for the rest of you, the Valentines Day inspired theme of Week 7 is a distant memory...take a deep breath, you can move on now. 

So we did have a HUGE drop in participation last week, I'm hoping it was just an unpopular theme and that we'll get our numbers back up this week. Two weeks ago I asked for people to not only submit their photo for the challenge, but theme suggestions as well. There was one in particular that piqued my interest...and will spark some creativity, I'm hoping. I cannot wait to see these photos!!

So let's get back in the game people--I want to see LOTS of submissions this week. And if you'd like, feel free to make more suggestions for future themes as well.

The AHP 52 Week Photo Challenge Theme for Week 8 is Reflection.

AHP 52 Week Challenge~ Week 7

Wowzers- where did the week go??!!! I totally didn't even realize today was Thursday....can you say "looooosing it!!"?

So, last week's theme "Movement" proved to be another inspiration to many of you! Love the action shots, the techniques used and the ideas you came up with. I have noticed however, that our numbers are dropping a bit, which is definitely to be expected but it does make me a bit sad to see some of you go. Lots of uplifting encouragement for your fellow participants may help....just a suggestion...spread the love! :-)

Which, coincidentally brings us to the next item on the list- the photo theme for week 7...

Next week is Valentine's Day. I debated over and over again about doing a V-day theme and decided, YES...it's gonna happen. I do love Valentines Day...sorry for the haters! But theres something about a romantic card, a dinner date out with my honey and heart shaped pancakes for the kids that makes me all warm and fuzzy! 

But to be fair to the Valentine's Day lovers and the haters, this theme is wide open for interpretation. It's anything Valentine's Day related... love, passion, red, pink, hearts...whatever you'd like my dears!

AHP 52 Week Photo Challenge - Week 6

This past week was great! There were so many creative photos illustrating "sleep" I was impressed to say the least! I'm also excited to see that people are keeping up week to week, as well as some who are entering in the challenge late and submitting photos from weeks past! 

A few reminders, since we do have new participants. I will post my photo either Sunday or Monday of each week. Once I do, you can add a link to your photo in the comments area under my photo. Create a Facebook (or flikr etc) album called "AHP 52 Week Photo Challenge".  Make sure it's a public album so everyone else can see your submissions each week. I will announce the new theme each week on Thursday morning. That's it- no rules, no judging, no winners. Just creative expression. And any level of photography is welcome!

I thought we could try something a little new this week. Under my weekly photo, after you've added your submission link, if you'd like, also leave a comment suggesting a photo challenge theme! I do have most of the year planned out, but if we get some great suggestions and people seem to like this idea we can use your ideas instead of mine every week!

So this is Week 6, let's keep up the momentum and see some "ACTION" photos!! 

AHP 52 Week Photo Challenge Week 6 is "Action/Movement"! So get moving!! :-)

Oh and by the way...notice up top...I now have a "PinIt" Button!! You can pin my blog on Pinterest...how fun!!

AHP 52 Week Photo Challenge - Week 5

If you're still around here on week 5- Congratulations!! We've gone a month...give or take. BUT when I used to counsel people in diet, fitness and behavior I would always say after 30 days things will get easier...it's now a habit, you're now invested. Those of you who made it this far are knee deep in this project so to give up now would be a terrible disservice to your creative mojo...ok ok yes I'm probably just making this up but it sounds inspring right??! :-)

So this past week, "Where I'm from" proved to be a bit more challenging than I had intended. I was even stumped a bit! I realize that many people don't physically live "where they're from" so taking a straight forward photo like that would be impossible. I love how creative people got in order to fulfill the theme...if you'd like to see what people came up with check out the photos HERE

This week, I'll scale back a bit- if you skipped last week for whatever reason, feel free to jump back in this week...come back to week 4 later if you need to. No rules- just fun!!

So the AHP 52 Week Photo Challenge- Week 5 is....

SLEEP!!

Something I don't get enough of and actually hate doing but obsess over...crazy right???

 Good luck this week :-)


Oh...and PS: If you haven't seen the new website yet, CLICK here- I <3 it more than chocolate!! Or if you'd like to learn about the new +sites that I mentioned earlier in the week ON THE BLOG...check the newest one out HERE!

AHP 52 Week Photo Challenge - Week 4

Another fantastic week of submissions for the 52 week challenge.

I'm noticing, as expected, that there aren't AS many submissions as we go along and that's OK!! If you miss a week or the theme just doesn't "speak" to you just catch up later or hop back in when you feel inspired!!

Just a thought, but it may be nice to browse the other submissions and leave a little love on their photos. Feedback helps motivate and support your fellow challengers and will keep everyone going!! I've found a few online photography groups who are AMAZING (holla Showit peeps) and seriously, connecting with other photographers is saah-weeeet! :-) So reach out, peek around at the other submissions and let them know you're liking what you see!

So the run down:

Last week's theme was Black and White- check out the submissions HERE

Some very creative stuff going on and I think that everyone who participated REALLY understood what I was talking about in last weeks post about "meaningful black and whites".

Let's keep the creativity flowing and move on to this week's theme:

AHP 52 Week Photo Challenge - Week 5 is, "Where I'm from"

No tutorial needed this week- run with it!!

AHP 52 Week Challenge ~ Week Two

What a great turnout for the first week of the 52 week Challenge "Self Portrait"!! I was very impressed with everyone's creativity and you guys really pushed yourselves to create interesting and thoughtful images. 

ONE MODIFICATION TO THE CHALLENGE- PLEASE READ!!!!!

Everyone did a great job of creating "AHP 52 Week Photo Challenge" albums, making them public and posting a link to their photos on my page- well done! But this week, instead of posting directly on my wall, post the link to your "week 2" photo IN THE COMMENTS BOX under my "week 2" photo!! (I will have my photo up by Sunday or Monday of each week so there will be plenty of time to get yours posted before the next theme is announced on Thursdays.) Also, try to link to the actual photo, not your album- that way it will be even easier to find your image!

Many people said they'd like to have all the photos in the same place so they would be easy to find. I think this is the simplest way to achieve that.

HERE are this weeks submissions. See how I put everyone else's links in the comments boxes this week? This is what you'll do next week! 

Drumroll please.......

AHP 52 week Challenge- Week 2 Theme is.....

FOOD!

Happy snapping...

and stay tuned for next week's, more technically challenging theme!

AHP 52 Week Challenge ~ Week One

Happy New Year!! I spent New Years Even in bed...by choice! I watched a movie with my kiddos, ate popcorn, got to spend the evening with my hubby and went to bed at 12:16.

It was perfect!

One year I had this crazy idea- I started a 2 year long project! I'm not sure if I've ever been able to commit to one project for more than a few days so this was huge for me. I wrote down something I loved about my husband EVERY DAY for an entire year. He had no idea I was doing it so on the following New Years Eve I was able to surprise him with a stack of small pieces of paper all wrapped up in a bow! The NEXT year he read one piece of paper every day for a year.....ok I can hear ya'll "AWWWW-ing" but in all seriousness it was fun!

So in a similar fashion I wanted to do something photo-related. Now, I'm busy. There's NO WAY I can do a 365-day photo challenge, but a 52 WEEK challenge- that's do-able!

I ask you to join me! Every week, announced on THURSDAY, there will be a theme. Take that theme and run with it. Load that photo to your Facebook page, Flikr, Photobucket etc in a designated album called "AHP 52 Week Challenge" and share a link to your photo on my facebook page every week so everyone else can see what you did with the theme!

This process may evolve as I find better ways of coordinating this (if you have suggestions let me know)! There may be prizes even!! But it's really more for you to be creative, challenged, inspired and share your work! Check out others work too- leave them comments, support each other, have fun!

So who's with me...who's ready for a challenge? Week one starts....

NOW!!!