Click. Pray. Love: quarterly top 5

Showing posts with label quarterly top 5. Show all posts

Wednesday, September 26, 2012

Quarterly Top 5: 3rd Quarter 2012

Wow, life is quite a bit different since our last Quarterly Top 5 in June. The two biggest changes: Ashley is now a mom and I am now a mom of two. Those are the biggest reasons we don't have a give away for you this quarter, but we hope you'll still link up as we love to see your families and the fun you have been having.

Here's how it works:

Linky begins Wednesday, September 26th -Tuesday, October 2nd
Go through your photos from July, August and September 2012
Choose 5 and post them on your blog or Flickr account beginning September 26th
PLEASE only use photos that include your CHILDREN and/or PETS
Accompany each photo with a short explanation of why you chose it
Link up here at Click.Pray.Love., Sarah Halstead Photography, or Ramblings and Photos
Be sure to include the Quarterly Top 5 banner or button in your post.

Before I share my top 5 I want to encourage each of you to not only watermark the photos you share, but to place the water mark close to your child's face. There have been some crazy people snatching photos, cropping out the watermarks, and calling the photo and/or children their own. If you don't know how to water mark check out Ashley's tutorial: Watermarking.

I took a lot and I mean A LOT less photos this quarter. Of the photos I took the majority of them were with a point and shoot or on auto, because my DSLR was having some issues. Thankfully, they have been resolved and I have a new zoom lens to replace the one I broke :) With that said here are my favorites from this quarter in no particular order.

1. I took this photo of my son one Sunday after church. I realized I had not taken any photos of him, as photography has taken a backseat to life these past few months. However, I was able to capture a few this day that really show how much he has grown. He looks more and more like a little boy every day. I adore his budding personality.

2. We spent the week of July 4th visiting my family in Nashville. This was taken on the 4th. The kids were having a blast on the slip 'n slide thanks to my dad and Sam's extra push.

3. My husband took this shot, but it is still one of my favorites from this quarter. It was taken a few seconds after my daughter was born.

4. This is one of the newborn photos I took of my baby girl when she was 6 days old. You can see a few more in this post: Newborn Z

5. I've made one attempt to capture my 2 year old with my newborn and I was a little disappointed with the results. I do like how B is looking at Z in this photo. Now, I just wish I had nailed the skin tones. Oh well, maybe one day.

And because not everyone is on Instagram I am adding my favorite IG photo from this quarter. I took this while laying in the bed just moments after giving birth--a father and his daughter. So sweet!!!

I look forward to seeing your photos from this quarter!!

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Wednesday, June 27, 2012

2nd Quarter 2012 Winners and Photo Share

As another quarter comes to a close I want to say I have viewed all of the entries, so I apologize if you do not have a comment from me. My Blogger account will not allow me to comment on some blogs unless I am using Safari search engine.

As usual I have enjoyed all of the memories you shared of your families day to day life. Now for the winner of the Capture Life Necklace from Cinnamon Sticks ($42 value):

#46 Andee from Match the Pictures

Congratulations!! Please send your name and physical address to amboleslie{at}gmail{dot}com within 48 hours.

To see if you won the spot in the Online Workshop for Photoshop and Photoshop Elements from Mom Tried It ($75 value) be sure to visit Ashley.

To see if you won 1 of 3 24 X 32 inch canvas prints from Hello Canvas ($139 value per print) be sure to visit Sarah.

A huge thank you to all of our sponsors. Please take a moment to visit them and consider their products.

This quarter was filled was some Black and White photos that were stunning. While I am sharing a variety, they are primarily Black and White.

Those curls and that expression are darling.

Serenditipity is Sweet

The eye of a child is filled with such wonder.

Melodi Photography

Such a strong connection captured

Tiaras and Tantrums

The light, the hair, the BW conversion.......LOVE!!

The Stiles Files

Could she be any cuter?

Life by the Creek

Gina's photos of her son are more stunning each quarter.

Gigi Marie the Chic Homeschool Mama

Don't mess with her!!

A Fresh Perspective

Way to go. Give me a high five.

The Journey

You can't mistake the love of a mother.

Behind the Camera and Dreaming

See you at the end of September for the 3rd quarter. Ashley and I should have new little bundles of joy to share with you, which means Sarah may be carrying the majority of the load :)

Wednesday, June 20, 2012

Quarterly Top 5: 2nd Quarter 2012

Mothers, of furry friends and children alike, are you ready to share your 5 favorite photos from April, May, and June (thus far)? Sarah, Ashley, and myself look forward to viewing your favorites and thank you for sharing your family with us.

If you're not sure what I am talking about scroll down to the bottom of this post to read all of the details and see the prizes that will be randomly given away.

I know the summer has just begun for many of you, but we have been experiencing warm weather for months so my post is full of water photos.

We have an aquarium pass, so we visit the aquarium on a regular basis. I rarely take photos during our visit, but we had friends visiting, so when Bennett sat down and began talking to the rays I began snapping away. I love that you can see his joyful expression. I actually took this photo the end of March (but it was after the the 1st Quarter posted), so I decided to include it in the second quarter.

Capturing an authentic natural smile is becoming more and more rare, so I simply treasure this photo of B playing in the sand box at the aquarium. Now a days, when he sees a camera, he either looks away or screams, "CHEESE," while squinting and looking up at the sky.

My husband has been throwing B up in the air since he was old enough to hold up his head ;) He still loves it and asks his daddy to do it over and over again.

While the white balance in this photo is a mess, I love B's expression and the activity captured is great description of B's daily explorations. Our grow boxes are void of plants (sadly, we lost our tomatoes and basil), but full of soil and B loves it. He likes to shovel the dirt into his tractor. Most of the time he wants to dump the dirt elsewhere, but we encourage him to keep dumping it back into the grow boxes.

Finger painting always seems to turn into body painting. I'll admit I encourage it. He seems to have more fun making a mess and painting himself, so I just plan for it. Here are more photos from our Front Porch Finger Painting.

Now it's your turn!! Show off your top 5 from the 2nd quarter of 2012!!!!! I look forward to seeing them.

Be sure to visit a few other entires, espeically my co-hosts Sarah of The Naptime Momtog and Ashley of Ramblings and Photos

Here's how it works:

Linky begins Wednesday, June 20th -Tuesday, June 26th
Go through your photos from April, May, and June 2012
Choose 5 and post them on your blog or Flickr account beginning June 20th
PLEASE only use photos that include your CHILDREN and/or PETS
Accompany each photo with a short explanation of why you chose it
Link up here at Click.Pray.Love., NapTime MomTog, or Ramblings and Photos
Be sure to include the Quarterly Top 5 banner or button in your post. If the banner or button is not there you will not be eligible to win.

A Capture Life Necklace from Cinnamon Sticks ($42 value)

Wow, Canela is a true inspiration. She is a mom of six who creates classy, elegant jewelry. Please, take a moment and visit Cinnamon Sticks on Etsy.

A spot in an Online Workshop for Photoshop and Photoshop Elements from Mom Tried It ($75 value)

I can't say enough good things about Kim and her desire to generate more funds through herworkshops, so she can capture photos and provide prints for foster children. Kim is not only a mom to 3 biological children, but she is a foster mom and photographer. She has combined her two loves and is bringing you an online workshop as a result.

If you have Photoshop or Photoshop Elements, but are still struggling to use it to it's fullest potential take a moment to check out what Kim offers through her workshop.

Three 24 X 32 inch canvas prints from Hello Canvas ($139 value per print)

HelloCanvas has agreed to give away 3, 24X32 canvas prints. For U.S. residents only. There will be three different winners chosen.

<div align="center"><a href="http://www.clickpraylove.com" title="Click.Pray.Love."><img src="http://i765.photobucket.com/albums/xx298/ambo14/quarterlytop5button125x125.jpg" alt="Click.Pray.Love." style="border:none;" /></a></div>

NO PURCHASE NECESSARY. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW.

Give away is open to adults 18 years or older.

I was not compensated in any way in exchange for the above products being given away.

If gift is unclaimed after 48 hours, a new winner will be chosen using Random.org.

Wednesday, June 13, 2012

Announcing 2nd Quarterly Top 5 of 2012

Here we go for round two of the Quarterly Top 5 Photos (you've taken of your children or pets) during the months of April, May, and June of 2012. Yes, it is mid-June already.

We have some fabulously gifts this quarter, so be sure to show the sponsors some LOVE.

If you have previously joined us, you know the routine, but if you're new, here are a few things you should know:

Linky begins Wednesday, June 20th -Tuesday, June 26th
Go through your photos from April, May, and June 2012
Choose 5 and post them on your blog or Flickr account beginning June 20th
PLEASE only use photos that include your CHILDREN and/or PETS
Accompany each photo with a short explanation of why you chose it
Link up here at Click.Pray.Love., NapTime MomTog, or Ramblings and Photos
Be sure to include the Quarterly Top 5 banner or button in your post and you will be entered to win one of these gifts

A Capture Life Necklace from Cinnamon Sticks ($42 value)

Wow, Canela is a true inspiration. She is a mom of six who creates classy, elegant jewelry. Please, take a moment and visit Cinnamon Sticks on Etsy.

A spot in an Online Workshop for Photoshop and Photoshop Elements from Mom Tried It ($75 value)

I can't say enough good things about Kim and her desire to generate more funds through her workshops, so she can capture photos and provide prints for foster children. Kim is not only a mom to 3 biological children, but she is a foster mom and photographer. She has combined her two loves and is bringing you an online workshop as a result.

If you have Photoshop or Photoshop Elements, but are still struggling to use it to it's fullest potential take a moment to check out what Kim offers through her workshop.

Three 24 X 32 inch canvas prints from Hello Canvas ($139 value per print)

Yes, you read that correctly. HelloCanvas has agreed to give away 3, 24X32 canvas prints. While, I have not personally ordered from HelloCanvas, Sarah recently received a canvas print of the boys from there, so be sure to read her thoughts and to check out the options HelloCanvas provides.

There will be three different winners chosen.

Remember THIS IS NOT A CONTEST. Anyone can enter and you do not have to have the best photo to be considered for the giveaway.

It is a random giveaway, as we want to encourage people to share their memories. One person will be chosen for each gift.

Let the fun begin!!! Start searching through your archives and be ready to share your Top 5 with us beginning June 20th.

One last thing, if you would be so kind to add our button to your side bar to help spread the word we would appreciate it.

<div align="center"><a href="http://www.clickpraylove.com" title="Click.Pray.Love."><img src="http://i765.photobucket.com/albums/xx298/ambo14/quarterlytop5button125x125.jpg" alt="Click.Pray.Love." style="border:none;" /></a></div>

Wednesday, April 4, 2012

1st Quarter Top 5 Winner and Photo Share

Thanks to all of you who shared your families with us. It is always enjoyable to view all of your photos, but more than that I love that each one of you were able to take a walk down memory lane while searching your archives. Now for the winner of the Shutter Buddy ($23 value).