2012 I needed to push myself with my photography. I was just sitting around with a big pregnant bump, eating my way through jaffa cakes and wondering what my feet still looked like… In all seriousness though, I felt like I wasn’t going forward and still not completely sure of ‘my style’ of photography. I knew doing a project with other people involved would give me the motivation and insight to help me towards my ultimate goal- to be an amazing photographer. I still have a million miles to go, but this project has really helped me choose the right path to travel. I know not all of these photos are particularly good or skillful, but it has not just been about learning technique but also trying to grow my creativity.

I really can’t recommend enough doing a project of this sort if you are interested in photography. I started out doing a photo a day for a year when I first got my camera, which was challenging and definitely needed perseverance but the end result was getting familiar with my camera and how to see the world through it. I grew so much as a photographer that year. This mini project has allowed me to continue learning, but without so much pressure to submit something every day which is quite a feat when you have three little people and school runs to contend with.

I’m taking a break this year from a weekly or daily project, as I want to put my head down and really concentrate on where my business is going and what we want as a family. But I shall deffo be up to something to keep the wheels turning so watch this space!!

For those of you who have followed this project, I signed up with My Four Hens Photography Flickr Page to submit my images. Sarah (who’s business it is) is such a huge inspiration to me and her work is completely amazing. Every week she chooses a winner amongst thousands of submitted images as well as her favourites, aka ‘Eye Candy’. I am totally honoured to have been in the Eye Candy category 17 times, and to have actually won once! Just to even be mentioned is such a huge confidence boost.

Anyway I have waffled on for too long, my Project 52 for 2012:

1/52: Resolution

I’ve thought for a few days about this one, and besides listing the obvious list of New Year’s resolutions (of which I have many!!) I’ve been battling my over-reacting mind this week with a stupid fear of the dentist! Being 38 weeks pregnant with baby number 3 has played havoc on my once perfect, cavity-free pearlies. Now I am horrified to need lots of work, starting this Friday! Anyway, I am planning on resolving my fear of the dentist, and as my 3 year old said; ‘There are no scary monsters there mummy.’ I just needed a little perspective….

2/52: Life

I was soo hoping that our little baby would have arrived this week which would have fit into this theme perfectly! Alas we are still waiting to meet him/her! We are both so excited to experience life as a family of 5, and just can’t wait to know what we are having. It’s such an exciting time, such an amazing experience. I feel so blessed to be able to carry and nurture life inside of me, it’s such a miracle. Ready for you now baby!!

3/52: Inspiration

I’ve been thinking for a few days about this one. There are so many things/people that I draw my inspiration from that I found this quite a challenge. Then when my girls were playing with their play-doh and wire shapes it became obvious where most of my inspiration comes from; my two girls and their limitless imaginations. They show me how important creativity is and that it has no boundaries, and I try to push myself to think along those lines. Instead of asking ‘why’, ask ‘why not?’.

4/52: Imperfection

This is our third attempt at Heston’s Perfect Runny Egg. But it still isn’t perfect… the whites are still a bit too soft for my liking! (ewwwww!). It is still a better result than the other two we cooked up, but decided against trying for a fourth time. Maybe we should have listened to Delia…

5/52: Simplicity

These are my baby monitoring straps which are used to hold the heart beat and movement monitors in place to listen to baby; which I have been wearing every day for the last 5 days as we are now 16 days overdue. It’s funny (ha ha) how something so simple as this has had such an impact on me. They remind me how much I hate hospitals, and that whole environment. Due for induction tomorrow, so I am sure I will be seeing them again in the morning, unless a miracle happens and this baby decides it’s cooked enough.

6/52: Emotion

I am so in love with my little boy, who is 5 days old in this photo. I can’t convey the emotions he has brought to our home, we are so blessed to have him as our latest addition.

7/52: Wild Card

This week’s theme is totally optional, and rather than bore everyone with even more photos of my gorgeous newborn son, I was trying to think of what else to photograph. We have started making our thank you cards, stamping Sonny’s tiny feet onto blank cards. It was all done as fast as we could as Sonny wasn’t too impressed, with me literally chucking the finished cards on the floor after being stamped. This was the scene after, which I thought looked quite cute.

8/52: Light

9/52: Colour

I had quite a few ideas this week for colour, but I wanted to try and keep this project more about my life and the people in it. Isabelle loves, loves, LOVES ladybirds… last year I found them all over the house as she would sneak them inside. With the weather being so spring-like at the moment, they seem to be coming out to enjoy the warmer weather and of course Izzy found them straight away which brought a huge smile to my lips. Isabelle also loves wearing dresses, the brighter the better. This is actually a summer dress which she has been begging to wear for so long and finally I gave in. I love all the colours in this photo which was taken on such a gorgeous, sunny, blue-skied day. It makes me long for the warmer weather to stay for good, and gives me visions of enjoying the sunshine with my three beautiful children, rolling around on the grass, picnics with friends, and evening BBQs. Bring it on.

10/52: Personality

You don’t even need to see the faces of my two girls to work out their personality; it’s all in the photo, right down to the colourful tights they are wearing.
It was quiet for awhile and I was wondering where they were, and found them ‘hiding’ under the table in the kitchen.
Two mischievous monkeys who always have me on my toes.

11/52: Blue

My murano heart, usually found in my daughter’s pocket (to keep it safe).

12/52: Sparkle

BrrrrrRRRRRRRrrrrrrrrrr!!! It was so cold yesterday morning I couldn’t believe to see frost after such a run of lovely warmer days. It looked so pretty with the sun beaming down, like millions of tiny diamonds. This is the roof of our car- I did get some funny looks from my neighbours doing this (esp as I had to tip-toe, wearing my flip flops as they were nearest the door, with my huge, white furry hat on top of my wet, just showered hair!).

13/52: Nature

Today I met up with my lovely mummy best friend and her two gorgeous children. Moving away from them has been really hard for me, and I so look forward to our meet-ups. It was a glorious sunny day, and this willow tree with its soft greens looked so beautiful against the bright blue sky. Nature is so rich with colours and textures, photos just don’t do it justice.

14/52: Home

I never really feel settled wherever I am; I’m not sure if it’s because I’ve always moved around so much. I do know that I feel most at home when I am surrounded by those I love.

15/52: Movement

I knew I wanted to do this shot for this week’s theme: A huuuuge thanks to my hubby and daughter for being so patient with me, and my husband for actually doing all the spinning!!

16/52: Perspective

Found this week’s task incredibly difficult. Feeling somewhat defeated on my photography mission, Isabelle and I bumped into our lovely friends on our soggy walk home and were invited in for a much needed cup of tea. This was the view from their loft! How cool!

17/52: White

Just how I like my tea. White. No sugar. Just cake.

18/52: Happy

I love how simplicity can bring so much happiness.

19/52: Weather

Blue skies. Actual blue skies, with some fluffy whites thrown in. Can’t remember the last time I cast my big blues upon a day like today, it has been missed.

20/52: Motherhood

It’s been a busy week (isn’t it always busy when you’re a mother?!) and I realised I was running out of time for M4H52 project! All the kids were getting ready for bed and I saw scattered shoes all over the house. As I was tidying them away this image came to mind for motherhood. Motherhood to me is ordered chaos, with my heart ruled by the little people in my life.

21/52: Dream

It’s funny how your dreams in life change as the years go by. I remember when I was a little girl and dreamed of simple things in life without a care in the world. Then dreamed of what I would be when I grew up, then dreams of finding love and happiness. And now living my dream through my children.
I went to see a lovely friend of mine who I met 11 years ago at university. She is expecting her first child, and we reminisced over the past and how our lives had changed so much, and what lay ahead for us in the future.
I hope their dreams are bursting with love, magic, and happiness as they see the world through their child’s eyes when he or she makes an appearance!  xx

22/52: Yellow

Look at the stars… look how they shine for you. And all the things you do… -Coldplay (Yellow)

Happy birthday to my beautiful little girl. xx
http://66.147.244.75/~lauraoph/2012/05/growing-up

23/52: Season

There are some things that are still pretty in the rain which is just as well in this country where it always seems to be raining no matter what the season is!!
We battled against the rain and wind for an hour in the car to get to Aberabeon. I was nearly swept off into the marina with gale force winds and horizontal rain! Shame you can’t see the rain in the photo.

24/52: Texture

My little girl’s tu-tu.

25/52: Fatherhood

I have to pinch myself sometimes to make sure I’m not dreaming; to not only have an amazing husband, but also for him to be such a brilliant father to our three beautiful children is something I am eternally grateful for. My children are incredibly fortunate to have such a loving role model in their lives; I know he will teach them to be kind, honest, and to fight for what they believe in.

26/52: Friendship

Little 9 week old puppy Bentley and his little teddy bear friend!!

27/52: Addiction

Seriously I just can’t have anything sugary in the house, especially cake (ooh yeah with a cup of tea!!! mmmm). This was my (30th birthday!) cake from Thursday. I just pick at it all day; I had some after my run at 7 this morning (rendering it null and void), then some more mid-morning, a crumb or two after lunch, and another nibble whilst making dinner. Good thing for elasticated waistbands!!

28/52: Time

When it’s time for a sleep, anywhere will do!! I often walk into a room and find Elle curled up in a ball fast asleep! This was the first time at the top of the stairs…

29/52: Me

I saw some double exposure work by Dan Mountford and was totally blown away, and I knew it was perfect for depicting me.
I’ve been feeling like I’m not quite here, like there’s something missing. I don’t know how that can be, my life on paper is perfect. But I am filled with insecurities and self doubt. Some days are good, others not so much. But tomorrow is another day, and as my beautiful 4-yr-old sings in her ethereal voice, ‘Don’t worry about a thing- because every little thing is going to be alright’. How can anyone argue with that?

30/52: Euphoria

‘Sweet euphoria, mine is the heart you own’ -Chris Cornell

31/52: Patriotism

How could I not do the Olympics this week as it is being hosted in my home country, GB!!! I am so incredibly proud of our country, and the amazing athletes who have worked so hard and achieved so much. It has been emotional to watch, and I feel more a part of it this year than ever before. There is such a buzz in the air, it’s all so exciting and terribly inspirational. I take my hat off to everyone taking part, they are such heroes, all of them.

32/52: Details

33/52: Funky

What a totally awesome day! We packed the littles up and went to the Northampton Balloon festival. Such a great day out with the family, and long overdue. So nice to have a summer day for once…

34/52: Senses

I really struggled with this one, but then I had some inspiration from my lovely friend Kyren. I popped over for a visit this morning, and she gave me this rainbow head massager! It feels amazing, and definitely heightens your sense of touch, as well as sight with its vibrant happy colours.

35/52 Composition

Music came to mind when I heard this week’s theme. I shot a wedding at the weekend and the Groom was the lead in his band. Pretty cool way to round off a wedding!

36/52: Favourite Thing

My ultimate favorite thing ever ever ever is my little boy’s fluffy golden hair! I could nuzzle in it all day, it’s so soft like duck feathers and smells all ‘baby’. I know one day soon gravity will take it’s hold and it will all flop down.
And look at those chunky cheeks…. nom nom!

37/52 Places and Spaces

There’s nothing better than finding a perfect hidey-hole!

38/52: Cosy

It’s my hubby’s birthday today and I cheated with this amazingly yummy praline gooey chocolate cake, which, partnered with a hot cup of tea, a snuggle on the sofa under a blanket makes me feel all cosy inside! *drool*

39/52: Wildcard

I’ve had some news today which fills me with incredible sadness. It’s brought to light what is most important in this life, those you love and cherish. There’s something about this photo that makes me feel a little bit lost, but also found again. I know that doesn’t make much sense, but then I don’t think many things in life do.

40/52: Lifestyle

This weekend I went with my girlfriends to the beach for some R+R. Sun, sea, sand, good company, worries left behind, this is the lifestyle I want. In reality I know it doesn’t exist. But it was nice just for the weekend…

41/52: Evoke

My Isabelle.

42/52: Up Close and Personal

Have you ever tried to photograph a (hyper) hamster?! Hardest thing I’ve had to do with manual focus using my macro filter!!

43/52: Hometown

This is not my hometown. This is my Auntie’s. I was there this week at her funeral. She will not have wanted us to be sad, but to see the joy and beauty in the world. A wonderful, inspiring woman; too young to leave us but life can be cruel. Life is also beautiful, and so very precious, and we must not take those we love for granted. Hard times ahead, I shall look for the rays of sunshine in them.

44/52: Black and White

45/52: Hot and Cold

Not exactly something hot but definitely cold!! We went to a winter wonderland today, and the deep warm red against the cold ‘snow’ made me think this would be perfect

46/52: Old and New

My little girly, only 4. Learning old words that are new for her. Love her to pieces. She seems too small to be learning such big, important things. They grow so fast.

47/52: Out and About

This has been a long week in our household, we have been struck down with bronchiolitis, ear infections, and the sick bug. That with the hammering rain and freezing temperatures have meant we’ve been in and around rather than out and about. My beautiful Elle rain watching.

48/52: Thankful

I am most thankful for my health, and the health of my family and friends.

49/52: Tradition

LOVE Christmas!! Put the decs up last night, the kids were so excited when they came downstairs this morning and we told them the Christmas Elves had been…! We don’t have many traditions, but putting the tree up is definitely one of them!

50/52: Indoors

My babies safe indoors. I look at them and thank my stars. My heart goes out to those poor families and friends who have suffered such loss.

51/52: Gold

My husband’s most treasured chocolates wrapped up in gold. Too good to look at they soon disappeared….!

52/52: Celebrate

Magical sparklers for a magical Christmas! Another year gone, this project has been a great challenge. Thank you Sarah for your commitment to it and to all that follow you. Thank you everyone for allowing me to see photography through someone else’s (lens). It’s been a huge learning curve. xx

If you’re still awake after trawling through all that, I regularly post my daily snaps on Flickr!

Thanks for reading you lovely people you. Happy, happy New Year ♥