7 (or so) more days of Instax photos

June 07, 2019

I’m still plugging away at my 100 day project, taking photos of instant photos. I don’t love all of the photos but I’m loving having this instant photo record of this moment of time, this season of life. My son’s 10th birthday highlights his enduring love for all things LEGO. Most of our weekday evenings were full of baseball and soccer practices. I started a new yoga teaching gig. Our cat got featured twice in the project but has since gone missing. Those are two photos I’m really happy to have. And the evening skies this time of year? I could photograph them every single night.

I almost threw in the towel at day 50. Day 50 featured all (or a bunch of) my rejects. Also, by day 18 I upgraded from the Mini9 to the Mini90, mostly so that I could turn off the dang flash! Masking tape over the flash just wasn’t cutting it.

And I wasn’t sure I had anywhere else to go with the project. But this one isn’t about going bigger or perfecting anything. It is mostly about returning to the practice of shooting the life that I’m living day after day.

A week or so after hitting number 50, I was delighted and freshly motivated to learn several Instagram friends started their own daily project inspired in part by mine! You can follow along with theirs or join in yourself for a day, a week, a month, the summer on the hashtag #daysofinstapix. And you can follow mine at #tarainstapix or @tarawanders — 33 to go!

From a quick weekend trip to San Francisco for a yoga workshop.

I’m still shocked I captured his one hit of the game, off the first pitch.

Lots and lots of soccer was played by both boys this spring.

My only double exposure so far — I need to try a few more.

Next up in the blog circle is Cristy Cross talking about summer and screen time! This topic is a big one at our house too.

Seaglass Beach: 7 on 7

May 06, 2019

I’m still going through photos from a couple years ago — including these from a visit to Sea Glass Beach in Okinawa, now available for license on Stocksy! Next stop on the 7 (or so) on 7 train is Cristy Cross.

1.100I’ve been meaning to take a photo of this red coil of hose for awhile now. Sometimes you just need an extra nudge. — 1.100
I’ve been meaning to take a photo of this red coil of hose for awhile now. Sometimes you just need an extra nudge.

7 of 100 days of instax mini photos

April 06, 2019

Follow the project at #tarainstapix on Instagram.

the favorite window edition: seven on seven

January 07, 2019

Without intending to, I may have embarked on another three sixty five. I’ve completed two before — one in 2011 and one in 2013 and vowed to never ever to do another! Don’t get me wrong, shooting every single day and also forcing yourself to select just one image each day really hones your craft and your editing eye.

I’ve found myself not picking up my camera as often in the last year or so, which seems silly because I live in the most beautiful (rental, ie only temporarily ours) house surrounded by wide open spaces and beautiful country. All the more reason to shoot while we live here, right? We rearranged a bit to put the Christmas tree in this corner and when it came down I liked having it open. I might even spend all of January shooting this window corner. Probably not always with me in it. I really hope not. I really had no intention of shooting another self portrait, ever. And yet, here I am!

The top photo was for an assignment: let a window do the talking. Most of these other photos were just me playing around with different angles and doing yoga as I do anyway on different days trying to figure out how to let that window talk. That I landed at the above image is a little bit funny to me because I went through a serious phase of soft focus self portraits several years ago but it didn’t occur to me to start there. But to tell the window story I wanted to tell, I landed on that effect. I almost spent this whole post talking about how I got there, but, since I actually shot seven days worth of photos in that same window corner, I thought I’d share one from each day.

The sun was setting. I loved the light. Tucker the dog must have too.

This was January 1. I’m not super into resolutions but this seems fitting all the same.

I teach yoga and some variation of this side body stretch is almost always part of the warm up. One of the things I first loved about yoga is the freedom you feel in your body when you move in ways you don’t during your normal day-to-day life.

This image was for another assignment. I was to “shoot a shadow” and it was rather overcast. I wanted to make myself shadowy translucent.

The first and last time I’d attempted grasshopper pose it was a comedy of nope, never-going-to-happen. Two years of regular yoga practice later and there is space where there once wasn’t. This was the first day I’d ever been able to get into and hol… — The first and last time I’d attempted grasshopper pose it was a comedy of nope, never-going-to-happen. Two years of regular yoga practice later and there is space where there once wasn’t. This was the first day I’d ever been able to get into and hold this pose! I first tried it upstairs on the carpet and then got brave enough to risk face planting on the hard floor. Yoga isn’t ever about the shapes you can or can’t make, but it also feels good to see changes in your body.

This is my least favorite pose. I’m sitting on a small block to help me tilt my pelvis forward. Also, it snowed.

I look forward to seeing how others in our little blog circle hop are kicking off 2019! First up is the lovely and talented Kristina Rust!

the holiday edition: seven on seven

December 07, 2018

This holiday season I’ve been trying to keep it really simple. We haven’t even gotten around to doing Christmas cards yet! This year I’m taking in all the scents and moments and details that are right in front of me. More than anything, I’m watching the magic of Christmas unfold through the eyes of my little helper elves.

This is our final 7-on-7 hop for the year. Please do stop by Kristina Rust’s page and enjoy her final 7-on-7 share for 2018.

the colors of fall edition: seven on seven

November 06, 2018

I have been entranced by my surroundings this fall. From cute animal encounters at the bus stop to Halloween photos on our doorstep, there was no way I could choose only seven. I went out one day seeking only yellow and could have filled an entire post with just those. Or red. Or Halloween costumes and decor. As if the foliage colors weren’t enough, we happened upon one of the most striking rainbows I’ve ever seen. Well done, fall.

Thank you for stopping by and do hop on over to see Kris McNeil’s latest.

the pumpkin patch edition: seven on seven

October 09, 2018

October is here with all the fall festivities!

This had to have been one of the most scenic corn mazes I’ve ever been too, with Smith Rock State Park in the background.

Can you tell the difference between an alpaca and a llama? The key differences — I learned — are the ear shape and hair fluff on top of the head. (Top is llama, bottom is alpaca.)

Just in time for school pictures, we happened to get some of the worst hair cuts the boys have ever had, oops. Oh well, they don’t seem to mind, and their hair grows plenty fast.

Probably the pumpkin cannon was a highlight for my kiddos.

But I really loved the little hike we did at Smith Rock State Park. I definitely need to spend more time there.

Here’s hoping you’re having a lovely October in your corner of the world. Do stop by Kris McNeil Photography to see some Colorado fall beauty and another mention of llamas.

the oregon coast edition: seven on seven

September 06, 2018

I don't have a lot of words to share with my more-than-seven images. Just gratitude for finally making our way to the Oregon Coast. It was everything. I need to go back soon.

Do swing by Kristina's to see her latest seven-on-seven.

the smoky edition: seven on seven

August 06, 2018

Seven images from when the smoke arrived last month.

spring breakin: seven on seven

April 06, 2018

heart shaped logs and the smell of pine needles.jpg

We didn't go far this Spring Break. In fact, our mini-cation was something of a stay-cation, just two hours away from home. And yet for those few days, everything was different, we were different. We fell out of our daily routines and fell into the simple joys of time spent together. Other simple joys included: the scent of pine needles, a fireplace in our hotel room, naps on the deck, never ending bike trails. Our room had a tv, but it was never so much as powered on the entire time. Electronics were set aside for real live games of chess, spoons, Uno.

I wasn't sure my husband was going to make it back from a work trip in time to join us, but, he did and it made all the difference. It allowed us each to have some one-on-one time with the boys when they wanted to go in different directions. On the last day, the littlest one wanted to try indoor-boogie boarding on the wave rider while the eldest wanted to do more exploring on his bike. Julius took to the waves and I hit the trails. I let Jack choose our route and direct us on our ride. In turn, he was a little more willing to be in front of the camera.

Did you take a spring break anywhere?

Sunriver Resort is the place we stayed. We'll definitely be back.

Next in our circle is the lovely Kris McNeil, do hop over and see her images for this month!

floral interludes: seven on seven

March 06, 2018

Oh, hello March! Today is the seventh which means I'm sharing seven images from the last month. February was a bit of a doozy. Am I the only one who hits a bit of a February slump? I tried to ward it off this year by treating myself to a couple of bouquets. The above bouquet is technically from my husband, who always buys flowers for Valentine's Day. I just happened to pick them out and order them. Ranunculus are my most favorite.

But tulips aren't far behind.

I could easily post seven solid flower images but I feel like I owe you all some updates. First and foremost, a lost tooth update on my youngest since he lost one of his top teeth last month. Below on the left we have him on crazy hair day at the beginning of the month, and a couple weeks later the other top tooth was gone. Of all the milestones, this one feels so significant, because it so changes the face. There's no going back to baby faces once those baby teeth are gone.

Can we talk about Instagram? I still enjoy Instagram despite all the algorithim nonsense. But I can't do it on the daily. Three times a week seems to be my speed. I enjoyed playing #colorcolourlovers on Instagram along with Xanthe (and Hula Seventy this year). I drive by this pink bus every time we go to swim lessons, which is often, and #colorcolourpink gave me the excuse I needed to stop and take a photo.

And one last update: yoga has been a part of my life for many years and last winter I got my 200 hour teacher training certificate while we were still in Okinawa. I subbed a few times in the months before we left and when we moved in to our house here in Oregon, I claimed this little space in our house as my own little yoga sanctuary for my daily practice. My update has less to do with my personal space, I just really love it. The update is this: I'm going to be teaching once or twice a week (tbd) at the Y here starting in April!

Do hop on over to Kristina Rust to see her 7 on 7!

somebody turned seven: january seven on seven

February 06, 2018

Oh hey! I'm dusting off this blog again. This time with a monthly feature - seven images posted on the seventh of the month. I'm doing this as part of a blog hop with fellow photographer friends. I'll leave a link to the next on the list at the bottom of this post. Wild but true, I've known many of the photographers in the circle for seven years! As it were, my youngest turned 7 (7!) in January and a bunch of these gals might remember photos of me in late stages of pregnancy with him. I haven't blogged regularly in ages, and I'm still pretty new to living in Oregon, so this post is a mixed bag of getting reacquainted with my people, pets and new surroundings.

And this is the birthday boy. Note the gap in his top teeth -- his days with at least one of those top baby teeth were very numbered.

And the obligatory cheesy before and after grin. :D

If you haven't already, meet Nala. She is our "outdoor" cat. Every time I turn around, one of the boys (my husband included) brings her inside. She joined the family to be our vermin hunter. She looks pretty fierce, no?

The owners of this barn very kindly coated it with a fresh coat of red right before it snowed. Thank you!

Last but not least, I'm not sure I've ever lived so near a National Park. Crater Lake is our neighbor and she's a beauty. I see many more trips to visit her in my future.

In the meantime, hop on over to Kris McNeil Photography to see her 7 on 7 for January.

wanders

October 10, 2017

I'm spending the month toting my camera with me everywhere I go as I get to know my new surroundings here in Klamath Falls. My dear friend Angie did the same when she landed in Colorado recently and given my longstanding Instagram handle (@tarawanders) how could I not do the same?

Each new place we've moved has a different color palette. Different textures and different light, and it is always a process of discovery to get to know them. Follow along on Facebook or Instagram if you wish!

autumn

September 29, 2017 in travel

As I drove into Klamath Falls this morning I noticed the very beginnings of fall colors -- a few yellows with just the slightest pop of orange. I'm more than ready to break out my collection of sweaters and do all the fall things. This time last year we were in Okinawa where it was way too hot and sweaty to think about making hot apple cider and soups and chili. Autumn in Japan was beautiful in its own way -- a few trees changed colors and dropped leaves -- and our trip to Kyoto at the tail end of fall was especially beautiful. This photograph is from our visit to Fushimi Inari-taisha and I was thrilled to learn it is one of the twelve images featured in the annual calendar put out by the Kadena FSS.

sometimes still little

April 09, 2017

treasure hunting at sea glass beach

April 07, 2017

if you need us, we'll be at the beach

April 04, 2017

First beach day of the season!

getting grounded

March 27, 2017

My oldest son will start second grade next fall in his sixth school. He did three years of preschool in three different cities and the same will be true for elementary school. He's nonchalant about moving again. He likes it here in Okinawa but he also really liked Alaska and he likes the idea of being back stateside again. I'm not worried about either of my boys. But moving so often has taken a toll on me. I've learned I need a good year in a place to feel settled. When I learned we'd be moving, again, sooner than we anticipated, again, I took a big step back from the hustle of being a photographer in brand new location. I did a three month yoga intensive to get grounded again and ended up completing a yoga teacher training. If I've been quiet here, that's probably why.

storyteller blog circle: october

October 25, 2016

We've never lived as close to the ocean as we do here in Okinawa. We've swapped moose and bears for sea creatures and creepy crawlies, many of which are poisonous, but that's a story for another day.

On this particular evening, my husband took us to a new-to-us beach spot where he'd recently been diving. The sun was setting and I had my camera on the tripod ready to capture the melting-into-color skies. But then this moment happened. My littlest discovered a starfish. He clutched it, dried and shriveled, to his heart.

I had but a split second to yank my camera from the tripod. The light was fading fast. I was at all my limits -- I was shooting completely wide open, in the ISO weeds and shaky hand held shutter speed territory. I wasn't sure I got the shot but my littlest paused for only mere moments before he ran into the waves to gently place the star fish back in the water. He wished with his whole heart that the ocean would revive his starfish. He hasn't stopped talking about his wish to save that star fish.

From a technical perspective, this shot was a disaster. Of the two shots I was able to take, I'd missed the focus on one. I'd shot below my hand held limit (1/100). I quickly upped my shutter speed to 1/160 and cranked my ISO to 5000 and took one more shot. I try to avoid those ISO upper limits as the image quality does suffer. If I'd had time for one more frame, I would have tried to better compose to give myself a tiny bit more room for his lips but I never had the chance. After the second click of the shutter, my son rushed the starfish back to the water. And though the image may not be my technically greatest it ranks near the top of my all time favorite captured moments.

Once a month I'm joining a Storyteller Blog Circle with wonderfully talented lifestyle and documentary photographers, all are fellow Offset artists. We each share an image and the story behind capturing it, meant to teach and inspire.

If there is a lesson here, it is to always take the shot, always try, even if you know it is going to be technically challenged. Moments like these are fleeting. You won't capture all of them and sometimes you have to let go of technical perfection but you may just capture an imperfect little piece of your heart.