What is about the first snowfall that makes the world seem magical? Is it the lack of color? The contrasting dark silhouettes against the white? No, I think it must be the stillness that a soft blanket of snow can only bring. A humbling stillness that brings one to stop all the hustle and bustle of modern life. 

What does the first snowfall mean to you? P.S. Don't forget to share your captures this Season below! In case you missed it, find my 5 tips for creating a Photography Planner. P.P.S. Come take a sneak peek at my new website, it's almost ready. I'll be hosting LNRseasons there next week!!

 

mag·i·cal

adjective

adjective: magical. 

 

Beautiful or delightful in such a way as to seem removed from everyday life.

 

 

1. "it was a magical evening of pure nostalgia"

   
   

   synonyms:

   extraordinary, remarkable, exceptional, outstanding, incredible, phenomenal, unbelievable, amazing, astonishing, astounding, stunning, staggering, marvelous, magnificent, wonderful, sensational, breathtaking, miraculous; More informalfantastic, fabulous, stupendous, out of this world, terrific, tremendous, brilliant, mind-boggling, mind-blowing, awesome; literarywondrous "the news had a magical effect" enchanting, entrancing, spellbinding, bewitching, beguiling, fascinating, captivating, alluring, enthralling, charming, attractive, lovely, delightful, beautiful; informaldreamy, heavenly, divine, gorgeous "this magical place"

 

LIFE-N-REFLECTION SEASONS

An InLinkz Link-up

Join me Kristy, Life-n-Reflection and Lisa, Simply Living for the Shades of Winter Photography Challenge! Weekly February 6th through March 3rd.

Join me on Instagram and Share your Photo Stories:  Image-in-ing / Pictorial Tues / Our World Tues  Communal Global / Life Thru the Lens /  Through My Lens /  Photo Journal / Photo Friday / Today’s Flowers

Winter Thistle

This beautiful thistle stands in the prairie just beyond our gate and little wooden bridge into the woodlands. I love wildflowers like these that retain their beauty throughout the seasons. You can see it in summer here with it's soft lavender hue.

I am so excited to announce the Life-n-Reflection's new weekly Photography Meme... SEASONS!! It's been a long time coming. I live and create a life connected to the seasons. Cooking with seasonal fresh produce, creating with in-season herbs and fragrances, filling our home with seasonal color, and wandlerlusting (yes, I just made up that word) with my camera in tow every season. I am still inspired by textures natural and enhanced. I will continue to share photography editing tips and tutorials without the weekly Texture Twist. The Seasons meme requires no texture. Seasonal photography, stories, and projects are welcome! The link up is open Monday through Friday each week and will be shared across Instagram too for those with or without a blog! Phew... now let's get this started!!

Enhanced with the Lavender Lush Overlays

 

Join me on Instagram and Share your Photo Stories:  Image-in-ing / Pictorial Tues / Our World Tues  Communal Global / Life Thru the Lens /  Through My Lens /  Photo Journal / Photo Friday / Today’s Flowers

SEASONS Photo Challenge

 

An InLinkz Link-up

Texture Twist: Winter Berry

I savor my photography walks at our local botanical gardens. Especially this time of year, as we await winter snow. A few berries and seed pods will hang on through the long winter. The rest is blank landscape slumbering until spring.

 

Photoshop Tutorial

Cremebrulee Overlay #1 / Darker Color / 15%

Duplicate the overlay / Overlay / 25%

 

Join me on Instagram and Share your Photo Stories:  Image-in-ing / Our World Tues  Communal Global / Life Thru the Lens /  Through My Lens /  Photo Journal / Photo Friday / Today’s Flowers

The Texture Twist Photo Challenge

Scroll down to link up your photos with a Texture Twist

- natural or enhanced

An InLinkz Link-up

Texture Twist: Bittersweet Autumn

As the calendar turns from November to December so does the seasons turn. Autumn is the season I hold onto to the most, being that it's my favorite. Every day is filled with bittersweet memories, pastimes, and traditions. Are you feeling the same? What's your favorite season?

 

Photoshop Tutorial

Champagne Overlay #1 / Multiply / 100%

Champagne Overlay #4 / Multiply / 100%

 

Join me on Instagram and Share your Photo Stories:  Image-in-ing / Our World Tues  Communal Global / Life Thru the Lens /  Through My Lens /  Photo Journal / Photo Friday / Today’s Flowers

The Texture Twist Photo Challenge

Scroll down to link up your photos with a Texture Twist

- natural or enhanced

An InLinkz Link-up

Texture Twist: November Woodlands

Each season brings beauty to the woodlands surrounding our home. In Autumn the treetops dazzle in the sunlight with golden and crimson leaves. Each leaf falls to the woodland floor as if has a story to tell of success at last, similar to that of graduation. The Autumn sunsets are more bright and beautiful as the days inches closer to winter, encouraging thoughts of gratitude. What has caught your eye this season? 

 

Photoshop Tutorial

Cremebrulee Overlay #1 / Darker Color / 15%

Duplicate the overlay / Overlay / 25%

 

Join me on Instagram and Share your Photo Stories:  Image-in-ing / Our World Tues  Communal Global / Life Thru the Lens /  Through My Lens /  Photo Journal / Photo Friday / Today’s Flowers

The Texture Twist Photo Challenge

Scroll down to link up your photos with a Texture Twist

- natural or enhanced

An InLinkz Link-up

Texture Twist: Autumn's Admiral and Colors of Autumn Giveaway Winners Announced

First of all let me say a BIG --- THANK YOU --- to everyone who joined me Kristy, Life-n-Reflection and Lisa, Simply Living for the Colors of Autumn Photography Challenge! We are so excited to announce the winners of the Challenge and Giveaway...

The Colors of Autumn Photography Awards go to - 

1st Place Carol, Pur et Simple
2nd Place Julia, On the Mammilade
3rd Place Patrica, Peabea's Scribbles 

Isn't he a beauty?! I found this Red Admiral Butterfly quite striking at a local butterfly sanctuary. He summers here in the Midwest through October, then he returns to sunny Texas. And oh my, I can tell you from my experience living in Texas winters are much easier there than the Midwest. I'll be wishing I could fly that way too when Autumn turns cold. Check out this article from Clickin Moms for tips on including the foreground in your photograph.

Colors of Autumn Giveaway Grand-prize Winner of the Photo Vintage Course Suite - Cheryl M

Colors of Autumn Giveaway 1st Place Winner of the Chiffon Photography Overlay Collection -Sandra B

 

Join me on Instagram and Share your Photo Stories:  Image-in-ing / Our World Tues  Communal Global / Life Thru the Lens /  Through My Lens /  Photo Journal / Photo Friday / Today’s Flowers

The Texture Twist Photo Challenge

Scroll down to link up your photos with a Texture Twist

- natural or enhanced

An InLinkz Link-up

Texture Twist: September Wildflowers

I love to wander on the weekends. You never what you may discover when you've put your smart phone and agenda away. I found these lavender blooms growing along a buffalo pasture. I'm not quite sure what they are, but their color and spiky texture are intriguing. Where have you wander to lately?

Before and After Photoshop Tutorial:

Hazel Overlay #2 / Soft Light Blending Mode / 55%
Optional: Apply a layer adjustment to boost contrast

Join me on Instagram and Share your Photo Stories:  Image-in-ing / Our World Tues  Communal Global / Life Thru the Lens /  Through My Lens /  Photo Journal / Photo Friday / Today’s Flowers

The Texture Twist Photo Challenge

Scroll down to link up your photos with a Texture Twist

- natural or enhanced

An InLinkz Link-up