30 Minutes with Scout

Hey Hey!

After taking a break from blogging I’m so happy to be back with the 30 Minutes in the Life Group this year!

“In the life of a photographer, whose art is created in tiny fractions of a second, thirty minutes is a sustained thought. Thirty minutes, the length of a child's ballet class, a quick sauce's simmer, a commute, is long enough to witness change and short enough to be over before you know it. We offer you here our monthly results of thirty minutes of watching and waiting and recording, of rendering permanent those fractions of a second that slip past in the time it takes to watch a television show. Thirty minutes in the life. “

This month I’d like to introduce Jean Louise Scout and 30 minutes of a puppy nap.

“Mom, can we please get a dog at the apartment?” This has been the most frequent and repeated conversation we’ve had for well over a year now. I’ve weighed the pros and cons, made lists, had conversations. Talked myself out of and into the idea too many times to count.

The reality though, is I miss having a dog around the house, all the fun and silliness they bring, that extra motivation to me get out and go for a walk, companionship for those late night stuff sessions.

After much thought, careful consideration, and research we finally decided on a puppy that would be just right. Miss Scout joined our family just this weekend, and we are absolutely enamored with her. She is an 8 week old Goldendoodle. Just over 11lbs of sweet puppy perfection. It’s been a busy weekend as we adjust to puppy life and she adjusts to us. She is working on house training, basic manners, and soaking in all the cuddles we can give her.

Thanks for following along. I’m looking forward to sharing little 30 minutes snippets of our fun busy life this year.

Next up in the blog circle is Meagan Dwyer

30 Minutes in the Life- 30 Minutes of Reflection

Now I hope you all won’t think of this as cheating but for this months 30 minutes in the life, seeing how it’s the end of one year and the start of another I took this as an opportunity to spend some time reflecting upon the year that past. It feels simultaneously like both the worlds shortest and longest year all wrapped into one. It was a full year of change, challenge, both calculated and unexpected, A year of following gut feelings, pushing myself outside my comfort zone, reflecting on the person I am and who I want to become.

2020 started out like every other. Goals, dreams, ambitions, some big changes on the horizon. Some of them I saw coming, others, like so many I found myself walking into the unexpected territory. Unsure, slowly working my way through the unexpected, adapting, adjusting, trying to do what felt right for me and the kids. I feel so fortunate to work for a company that supported my decision to take a 4 month leave when it became obvious that what the kids needed throughout a sea of uncertainty, was a constant. Being that constant wasn’t without its challenges, but having that time at home with my family, not only felt safe, it was exactly what we needed to make it through as happy and healthy as we started.

2020 saw so many photography goals accomplished, and I am forever grateful for that. It felt like there were less images photographed but the reality was ,I used my camera a fair bit. I feel more of a connection to the moments captured than I realized even at the time. This year I was involved in Land and See photography conference, which transitioned to an online platform amidst the pandemic. Giving my first ever public talk was frightening as hell but an experience I will hold with me forever. I was involved with not only the 30 minute blog circle, but continued to contribute with Offbeat. Adding writing and stories behind the photographs has been an experience that has allowed me to grow in a way I never quite realized when I began. As life started to pick back up in fall my camera sat dormant more often than I was comfortable with; however, the moments captured mean so much more.

Still working away on a degree, the reflective time of 2020 brought a transition from Social Work, to an Arts Degree majoring in Sociology. I worked harder than ever this last semester and feel like I am on the right track to where I want to be, even if that end goal seems light years away.

2020 brought me closer to those I love and brought some amazing people into my life. Learning to connect while remaining distant has been a gift. I feel the support , love and encouragement of those close to me, and have a better understanding of the importance of connection with others. I feel more connected to myself, having had time to slow down and recalculate my path, figure out who and I am, what I really want and need to feel fulfilled as a person, a mother, a friend, a partner and an artist.

Here’s a look through some of the moments that made 2020 what is was

2021 has no big goals but more a commitment to myself to keep going, keep reflecting, keep learning, to remain true to myself, and to embrace the change when it’s necessary.

Here’s to you 2021 and all the 30 Minutes in the Life blog circle. Thank you ladies for being a source of encouragement and inspiration. I look forward to another year of creating with you.

Next up is the lovely Janet Crouch with her 30 minutes in the life blog visit her blog here : https://janetcrouch2008.wixsite.com/photos/post/30-minutes-in-the-life-december-2020

30 Minutes in the Life - November 2020

After a brief one month reprieve we are back. This month I followed around my youngest as he rediscovered his wooden trains. Nothing quite occupies a kid like the re-introduction to an old favourite toy.

Next up in the 30 minutes in the life blog circle is Sharleen Stuart Photography. Click the hyper link to check out what she was up to this month.

September 30 Minutes in the Life- Sunday Morning Snap Circuits

September’s 30 minutes in the life brings a return to family photography. I spent some time this month chasing the kids around and it felt so great to get back into the swing of things. We recently got some snap circuits and they have entertained the kids far more than I ever anticipated. Hours have been spent figuring out how to power lights, music, fans, and the combinations of all the elements. Here is a brief look into a September Sunday morning.

Next up on the blog circle is This One Ordinary Life . Follow the link to see what she was up to this month!

The commute - 30 minutes in the Life - August 2020

Struggling to find balance this month between family and a life that is returning to a new normal I struggled to find creative time and felt that imbalance throughout. I know as time passes I’ll adapt and adjust finding my equilibrium once again. With month’s end approaching, back to full time work during the day, and client sessions in the evening, and trying to squeeze in every last bit of summer with 3 ever growing and changing kids, the thought of letting down the 30 Minutes in the Life group was weighing on my mind. I just happened to have my camera beside me in the car one evening making my commute to the city and I had a thought. This 30 minute commute has been so much apart of my life for the last 8 years. Maybe this is what I document this month.

This commute has given me a way to decompress after a long day, it’s given me quiet among the chaos. I’ve carried on important conversations while making this commute, I’ve made big decisions, I’ve cried alone in the car, and laughed with friends. The kids have fallen asleep in the backseat, we’ve had family sing alongs to our favorite Disney soundtracks. Mother nature often puts on a show with her beautiful Saskatchewan sunsets, we’ve had countless wildlife encounters. I’ve chased light, watched seasons change, clouds explode in the sky, lightning strike close by. It’s only 30 minutes, but it’s varied and beautiful.

With a 135mm lens I decided to document the commute, never leaving the road, only pulling over from time to time. The stars aligned for my first ever photograph of a moose, and a cute little mule deer playing peek a boo. There might have been a skunk sighting but that’s when I knew I was pressing my luck and it was time to wrap up this commute photoshoot. Landscape and wildlife photographer I am not, but as with last months post I’m enjoying photographing new subjects and pushing myself outside of my comfort zone.

Here’s to next month, which will hopefully have a little more creative time and some increased balance while embracing and appreciating this new chapter.

Next up in the blog circle is the wonderful Janet Crouch Photography Be sure to head over to her blog and see what she has been up to this month. Her photography is amazing and you won’t be disappointed.