Photography Business

Ty has a client set up who is going to pay him for his photography! Since then, he has been busy working up his portfolio (including borrowing the neighbors), finding new locations, and working out a price list. I love being his "assistant" and tagging along with him on these photo shoots. When he is taking pictures, Ty is really "in the zone." I love seeing him so happy when he is behind the camera.
I am also amazed at Ty's natural ability. He has a natural eye for his photos and for color/saturation/etc. when using photoshop. In his new business opportunity he has also been reading and watching internet clips about how to take better pictures. This is really how he learns! Watching the food network is how he learned to cook and watching HGTV is how he learned about interior design. Ty wants to add a third major in photography, but I honestly don't think he needs it. I am so proud of Ty and I am so happy that he has this creative outlet.
You may see his photos at http://mooretn.blogspot.com. He is also working on creating a website, however that is still under construction.

camera

I guess the biggest news as of late is that we finally saved up enough money to buy a really nice professional Nikon camera. (Plus Ty found one that was refurbished and therefore cheaper.) We love it! Since we bought the camera, we have found many opportunities to use it. One example is that we invited some of our friends to do a photo scavenger hunt with us for Family Home Evening one night. Each couple had a few minutes to first make the list for the other couple. Then we switched lists and had 30 minutes to take pictures of as many things as we could. Here are some of the pictures we took....




We had a ton of fun and got some great pictures!

blogger

I have determined that I want to be a blogger. So Ty helped me figure this whole thing out and let me really make this mine. I think blogging is a great way to share what is going on in our lives. Granted, not much is going on in our lives right now...it is pretty much the same routine everyday. However, I want to find things in our lives to blog about. I hope this will include pictures and anecdotes and memories. At the very least, I hope it keeps people updated. Be watching for some great stuff....

Rethinking Education (by Natalia)

I have recently started a job as a permanent substitute in a 6th grade classroom (by permanent I mean I will be teaching there for the rest of the school year.) It has been an interesting experience and I wanted to share some thoughts.
First of all, there are many challenges with taking over a class in the middle of the year. The past couple of days I have been really drained and down and wondering if I can do this. The students wouldn't take me seriously, it felt like pulling teeth to be able to get them to do anything, etc.
When I was first assigned to the job, I was worried about creating normalcy for the students and consistency. I wanted to make things the way they were with their previous teacher. However, come to find out, I was failing miserably. I think the teacher I worked with during student teaching had rubbed off on me and I was actually doing things his way.
I realized that, now that this is my class for the rest of the year, I need to make it my own. I need to teach according to my teaching style, make the room mine, and be myself. I was too busy trying to be someone else before.
So this weekend I have been rethinking education. I have turned the room upside down (it is pretty empty right now) and will arrange the furniture and bulletin boards my way. I have also been thinking about my teaching style and how to implement that into my teaching this year.
I am really excited about some of my ideas and now I have new energy to do what I need to do. I also think that my attitude is reflected in the kids, so when I am more comfortable (and even happy) in what I am doing, they will be too.
I love teaching! And I am grateful for this challenging opportunity when I finally get to do things my way.