Tuesday, November 13, 2012

What I Love: Kelby Training

Kelby TrainingSo, you're all probably wondering, What in the world is Kelby Training?  Well, I'm going to tell you. :)  Kelby Training is an online school for photographers.  There are hundreds of videos on a wide variety of photography subjects that are taught by professional, best-in-their-field photographers.  Each class has a few short (never longer than 15 minutes...at least not that I know of) videos taught by a professional on how to compose, find the right light, shoot action sports/fashion photography.  You name it, it's probably on there.  Not only do you learn photography tips you also learn how to edit in Lightroom and Photoshop.  

Daddy came across Kelby Training a year or two ago and wanted me to try it out.  I finally did the 24-hour free trial a few weeks ago and loved it!  I learned so much from just a few hours of video!!  
Needless to say, I talked with Daddy and I got a full year's membership to watch as many photography videos as I want, whenever I want.  I try and watch an hour of video every day, and I love learning from the pros. 

I've always wanted to go to a Katelyn James workshop, or even second shoot with another photographer and Kelby Training is much more economical (it's cheap when you think about what you're getting!!) and such a convenient option (watch it whenever and wherever you want!).   

I just wanted to share this so that any more budding photographers out there could check it out.  (If you're younger, make sure it's okay with your parents.)  I'd definitely suggest trying the 24-hour free trial.  It never hurts to try and, if you do, I think you'll love it!  

Kimber :)

Saturday, November 3, 2012

It's Good to be Alive

Have any of you ever had a day where your heart just wants to burst because you feel so blessed?  A day when every breeze, blue sky, and white puffy cloud speaks to your heart of Jesus' love for you?  Well, I've had a lot of those days recently.  I don't know if it's just because the weather has been so beautiful lately, or what.  All I know is that my heart overflows with love for my Lord and peace covers me like a warm blanket on a cold, winter day.  Part of the reason for this, I think, is that I'm happy with where I am in life right now.  Sure, I'm not doing as many photography sessions as "I" would like, I have stuff I wonder about constantly, etc. but I'm confident and happy where I am right now.  Every day is a gift to me from the Lord.  I'm constantly amazed how God, who controls the very breath I take, has blessed me so much.

As some of you know, my aunt died of cancer about a month ago.  Her death has really brought life into a bigger picture for me.  I've been trying to spend more time focusing on people and not stuff.  People are what matters (next to Jesus, of course!) and so often I get lost in "I need to do this" or "I need to do that" that I fail to stop and look around.  To look at all the people who have blessed my life, to stop doing what I want and to serve others, all the while attempting to bring glory to Christ.  

Every day really is a gift.  My aunt's death taught me that.

Whenever anyone in the family leaves the home, I always have that thought "I may never see them again."  Not that I'm a worry wart about it, but it just reminds me to spend as much time with them as I can.  No one knows when Jesus will call them up to Him and the last thing that I want to happen, is for me to wish I had spent more time with them.  So, I've started coloring with my little sister, playing card games with my little brother, and, overall, just attempted to get my eyes off of me and what I have to do, and onto others and what would bless them.  

Ever since I've started to see people's needs before I see myself, everything has just seemed more beautiful.  I walk around as if I'm floating because life is just that beautiful.  Living is beautiful.  Breathing is beautiful.  Because every breath, every life points to Jesus.

My favorite song right now is called Good to be Alive by Jason Gray.  It perfectly sums up all I said in this post, so please watch and enjoy!