Making Moments Count

I recently had a photo opportunity with my beautiful niece. She is amazing let me just say that. Not just beautiful on the outside, but beautiful on the inside. So many people say that so easily, but I can say beyond a shadow of a doubt she truly is. She loves God, and is never afraid to say it out loud. She sets a great example for others, and guess what..she's only 16. I can't tell you how this makes me beam with pride!!! As we started her sweet sixteen photo shoot, I peered through my lens at her, and at times felt the tears filling my eyes, and had to hold them back. But I saw this amazing woman right in front of me who once I held as tiny newborn. Where has the time gone, and do we really make each moment count?? I want to....I want to always make each moment count. I never want the people I love to doubt for a second how much I love them. Why do people have such a hard time extending their feelings to others, and why is easier to hold a grudge than say "I'm sorry", or "I forgive you?" People won't always react the way we want them to, but at least letting go of bitterness, anger, and jealousy can set you free. Set you free to love yourself, love others, and to be loved. Our world is so full of evil and despair. I refuse to let it control my destiny. So I leave you with this quote from Wayne Dyer, and some amazing photos of my niece's sweet sixteen shoot.

“How people treat you is their karma; how you react is yours.” ~ Wayne Dyer

Shooting Mode Manual Exposure
Tv( Shutter Speed ) 1/80
Av( Aperture Value ) 5.0
ISO Speed 100
Lens EF-S55-250mm f/4-5.6 IS II
Focal Length 65.0mm
Image Quality RAW
AF Mode AI Focus AF

Shooting Mode Manual Exposure
Tv( Shutter Speed ) 1/1000
Av( Aperture Value ) 14.0
ISO Speed 2500
Lens EF-S55-250mm f/4-5.6 IS II
Focal Length 55.0mm
Image Quality RAW
White Balance Mode Auto

Shooting Mode Manual Exposure
Tv( Shutter Speed ) 1/125
Av( Aperture Value ) 5.0
ISO Speed 100
Lens EF-S55-250mm f/4-5.6 IS II
Focal Length 70.0mm
Image Quality RAW

Shooting Mode Manual Exposure
Tv( Shutter Speed ) 1/200
Av( Aperture Value ) 7.1
ISO Speed 400
Lens EF-S55-250mm f/4-5.6 IS II
Focal Length 55.0mm
Image Quality RAW
White Balance Mode Auto
AF Mode AI Focus AF

Shooting Mode Manual Exposure
Tv( Shutter Speed ) 1/100
Av( Aperture Value ) 5.0
ISO Speed 100
Lens EF-S55-250mm f/4-5.6 IS II
Focal Length 74.0mm
Image Quality RAW
AF Mode AI Focus AF

Shooting Mode Manual Exposure
Tv( Shutter Speed ) 1/125
Av( Aperture Value ) 5.6
ISO Speed 400
Lens EF-S55-250mm f/4-5.6 IS II
Focal Length 55.0mm
Image Size 5184x3456
Image Quality RAW
E-TTL II flash metering Evaluative flash metering
AF Mode AI Focus AF

Shooting Mode Manual Exposure
Tv( Shutter Speed ) 1/200
Av( Aperture Value ) 7.1
ISO Speed 400
Lens EF-S55-250mm f/4-5.6 IS II
Focal Length 187.0mm
Image Quality RAW
E-TTL II flash metering Evaluative flash metering
AF Mode AI Focus AF

maurices Main Street Model Search: Jennifer Hall - Blountville, TN

I really need EVERYONE'S support!!! There are almost triple the contestants of last year...Please support my cause; Abuse Alternatives by clicking the link and voting for me!!! Voting starts NOW and ends at noon (MST) March 19, 2012. You can vote once or once every 24 hours – (e.g. If you vote at 1 p.m. one day, you can vote at 1:01 p.m. the next). And, just in case you're counting, there are 22 days in the voting period!! So be sure to vote everyday!! :) Click the link above or below this post to vote!!! Thank you so much!!!

maurices Main Street Model Search: Jennifer Hall - Blountville, TN

Modeling for Charity

Most of you already know me, but for those who don't, my name is Jennifer Hall and I am asking for your help in winning a 7500 dollar donation for a well deserved local charity; Abuse Alternatives Incorporated. Offering a 24 hour hotline, this charity extends batterer’s intervention programs, victim advocacy, and educational outreach. A powerful curriculum to assist in restoring confidence and independence for abused women and their families.

I have entered a contest with Maurices clothing, and all you have to do is vote! You can vote once every 24 hours starting February 27th, 2012 through March 19th, 2012 by visiting www.mauricesmainstreetmodel.com. Use the search box, and type “Jennifer Hall”, then click vote! It really is that easy, and every time you vote, you get a surprise offer from Maurices, plus a chance to win up to $1,000 in gift cards! Every vote really does count, so mark you calendars and do it every day! Together we could bring home a substantial donation to help women and children in my community!! From myself, and Abuse Alternative Inc., Thank you so much for your support!!!!

P.S. Please check out this charity and see why it means so much to me!!!

http://www.abusealternativesinc.org/about.shtml

Learning to shoot what you love and who cares what anyone else thinks!!

Let me just say that when you shoot what YOU love, and what makes you all giddy inside...believe me...it will show in your photos. Everyone has to find their niche, and what makes them tick!! I know I am still learning, and I am loving every second of it!! I make A LOT of mistakes taking photos..and thank God for digital photography!! :) Making those mistakes helps me learn...and I NEVER want to stop learning. If what your shooting doesn't excite you...move on...find something that does....then practice practice practice!!! I love shooting outdoor scenery...flowers, animals, trees, anything the sun kisses; I want to capture it!! I also love shooting my friends & family...I want them to see what I see...beautiful inside and out...life captured in a snap...I just don't think I will ever stop being a "photo junkie". Here a couple photos from the last few weeks.....

Tv( Shutter Speed ) 1/400
Av( Aperture Value ) 10.0
ISO Speed 640
Lens EF-S55-250mm f/4-5.6 IS II
Focal Length 55.0mm xoxo

Shooting Mode Manual Exposure
Tv( Shutter Speed ) 1/160
Av( Aperture Value ) 5.0
ISO Speed 400
Lens EF-S55-250mm f/4-5.6 IS II
Focal Length 131.0mm
Image Quality RAW
White Balance Mode Auto

Shooting Mode Manual Exposure
Tv( Shutter Speed ) 1/400
Av( Aperture Value ) 10.0
ISO Speed 3200
Lens EF-S55-250mm f/4-5.6 IS II
Focal Length 250.0mm
White Balance Mode Auto
AF Mode AI Focus AF

Shooting Mode Manual Exposure
Tv( Shutter Speed ) 1/80
Av( Aperture Value ) 5.0
Metering Mode Evaluative Metering
ISO Speed 250
Lens EF-S55-250mm f/4-5.6 IS II
Focal Length 60.0mm
Image Quality RAW
White Balance Mode Auto
AF Mode Manual focusing

Shooting Mode Manual Exposure
Tv( Shutter Speed ) 1/1000
Av( Aperture Value ) 11.0
Metering Mode Evaluative Metering
ISO Speed 1250
Auto ISO Speed ON
Lens EF-S18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS II
Focal Length 55.0mm

Shooting Mode Manual Exposure
Tv( Shutter Speed ) 1/1000
Av( Aperture Value ) 11.0
Metering Mode Evaluative Metering
ISO Speed 3200
Lens EF-S18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS II
Focal Length 55.0mm
Image Size 5184x3456

Yes I love nature...and nature will give you all kinds of conditions to practice with...bright sun...cloudy days...rain, and snow..all of these conditions require you to adjust and practice new techniques. Have a great evening everyone and keep learning!!! :) xoxo

Doing What you Love

I can't think of anything more exciting than "doing what you love" for a living. If your like me the ambition filled dreams of your childhood are probably now as an adult much different than we ever anticipated. Don't get me wrong I wouldn't change one thing about my life because it has made me who I am today, but those dreams almost always never leave us. I absolutely have the best job on the planet being a mother, and this is by far the most important job I have ever been blessed to have. As a child though, these were the "jobs" I always thought about:

1. Vet

This was definitely the realistic of the two, but life led me down another path, however, I did somewhat fulfill this dream by working part time at a local vet's office during a transitional part of my life, and it meant much more to me than just a "part time job".

2. Astronaut

Everything about outer space intrigues me. The thought of going up in a shuttle makes me giddy with excitement!! How amazing our universe is and how awesome would it be to see it from this perspective. A girl can dream right?? :) and don't you think I wouldn't be sporting the Cannon around my neck!


Sometimes it's great to reminisce about our childhood, and re open the curiosity of our minds. Exploring different avenues of our soul is a life long mission. I wanted to share some photos today that take me back to that place, and bring happiness to my heart. I hope for each and every one of you that you can do the same, and remind yourself of what makes YOU happy. Hold on to what's important and always make sure your family knows you love them!

Dream it, embrace it, live it!!!