This week’s Through the Lens Thursday prompt was “reflection.” This was such a fun project because it sounds simple, but there are so many dimensions to shooting a photo when reflection is involved. I decided to just snap photos around the house and “reflect” on my home.
We had another bout of insane below-freezing temperatures, so I worked from home on Monday. It’s funny now that I think about it – I rarely get a chance to be in my home when the sun is out. I’m either at work or out running errands. The light that pours through our windows during the daytime is incredible so I took this as an opportunity to take on the photography challenge!
First, I had to get at a good angle where I wasn’t in the shot. No selfies here, folks! Also, I had to adjust my lens to focus on the subject inside the mirror, when the camera wanted to auto-focus on the mirror itself. I’m obsessed with my fixed lens, but for this exercise I just used the standard 18-55mm lens.
Looking at my home through the lens of my camera and through the reflection of a mirror made me see my house from a different perspective. It wasn’t just about what needs to get cleaned next or did I let the dog out or did I leave clothes in the washer. It gave me a chance to step back from the everyday madness and reflect on what my home really means to me.
This mirror looks into our family room and the BIGGEST COUCH IN THE WORLD. This photo only captured about a fourth of the entire thing. It’s an awesome couch, you can get lost in it. The running joke is, “How many Filipinos can you fit on that couch?”
I see countless hours of watching TV and snuggling under blankets and pillows piled high on these cold winter days. I see A&Z, as tiny as they are, doing sprints back and forth on the couch and us yelling at them to stop running and jumping on the couch. But it looks like a ton of fun, and I wonder why I don’t run across the couch a few times myself and crash face first into the pillows. I see Jeff sleeping along the other side of the couch after a long overnight shift. Actually, he was sleeping on the other side while I snapped this photo (LOL). Looking at this reflection makes me think of words like BRIGHT. COZY. HOME.
This mirror looks into our dining room that opens up into our living room. When I see this reflection, I see intimate family gatherings around the dining table. I see laughter shared over a meal, some dessert, and conversations that linger on through the late hours. I hear music playing from the piano, and perhaps someone singing on the microphone that’s hooked up to the ridiculously loud and unsightly speakers that Jeff set up in our formal living room.
So this photography exercise on “reflection” inspired me to reflect on how my house has become a home in just a year and a half. This is where real life and love happens. There are even a few smudgy mirrors and some clutter, but hey – it’s real.
What have you reflected on recently?
Thanks for following along on this edition of “Through the Lens Thursday” where every week Alison from Wishing Writing and Greta from Gfunkified give the participants an assignment to take photos based on a prompt. My goal on participating in this photo project is to challenge myself to take more photos, sharpen my photography skills, and hopefully capture some breathtaking photographs along the way! You can follow my progress on this exciting project on my Pinterest board here.
xoxo // gracielle.
Nice reflection photos! I love the shift in perspective that reflections give, and your shots & words really show how lovely your home is 🙂 That couch sounds amazing!
Christy@SweetandSavoring recently posted…Ode to Winter’s Blue Sky
Thanks, Christy! I love that couch. When I’m having a long day at work I just think about crashing on the couch when I get home, and that’s enough to get me through the day!
Your home is beautiful! I love the photo of the kids lounging on the couch. My kids always have to sit together. We have three couches and an armchair in our living room (I need a huge couch instead!) and they always sit together.
Herchel S recently posted…Don’t be that girl, little one. Just don’t.
Yup, even though we have THE BIGGEST COUCH IN THE WORLD, my kids insist on sitting right next to me or on top of me. C’mon! I love a good cuddle, but sometimes a woman needs her space! LOL
This post makes me what to get a great mirror for our house!! I love your reflections: the visual and the verbal!
Rabia @TheLiebers recently posted…And These Are The Things I Need to Stop Saying So Often…
Thanks, Rabia! Mirrors are a great way to reflect light and make the space look brighter. On the downside, if my house is cluttered the mirrors pick up on that too! LOL I had to tidy up a bit here and there when snapping these photos. 🙂
I love it. And I do want to relax on that couch! Reflecting on how a house became a home – what could be better?
Tamara recently posted…Wanderlust: (A Guest Post By Work In Sweats Mama)
Thanks, Tamara! I love that couch. If I could have a do-over from NJ’s AAF on what I would rescue from my burning home, I would say that I would like to take the couch with me. The entire thing!
Hi there! Stopping by from the Blog Hop! Now following and would love if you’d consider following back 🙂
Bel
http://www.bloglovin.com/blog/4668237/journeys-are-my-diary
Will do! Thanks for stopping by, Bel!
Looks absolutely cozy! And I love that joke. I totally get it – I’m a “Flip” too! LOL.
Janice Trinh recently posted…#ThroughTheLensThursday : Reflection
Nice to meet you, Janice! Thanks for stopping by. Heading over to check out your #ThroughTheLensThursday project!
Love this. And yes, the couch sounds amazing. I’m not sure how you stayed motivated to do anything with those adorable cuddlebugs looking back at you! Zavier is adorable but Arielle seems like the kinda princess I would get along with! I love her glasses!! And for the record, your dining room looks super cozy and fab at the same time. Wanna come decorate my house? 🙂
Heather recently posted…January Monthly Review Link-up
I could stay on that couch all weekend if it were possible! Arielle is a total princess! People are naturally drawn to her charm, Zavier not so much but we’re working on it!
I love your take on this one. Your home is beautiful – and I want that couch!
Katie E recently posted…10 Things That Made Me Smile This Month
Thanks, Katie! I’ve been on the couch all weekend – it’s so hard to get anything done after the couch draws me in!
Beautiful reflection photos! I’ve never thought to try this. You’ve inspired me! 🙂
Crystal recently posted…Ladies Only Blog Share Link Party: We HEART Valentine’s Day
Thanks, Crystal! The mirrors totally gave me a different perspective which I didn’t expect from this challenge!
Those are some great shots 🙂 PS: I love the color of your dining room!
Maureen@Scoops of Joy recently posted…The Happy Mama Movement – Cousins
THanks, Maureen! It’s called “serious grey” by sherwin williams. The only reason why I remember that was because when the guy at the store was mixing up the paint, he opened it and asked, “How serious is it?” LOL
I love your photos! I *really* want your biggest couch in the world. It looks SO comfy. We don’t really have a good comfy couch. We have three couches in my house and none of them are all that wonderful to sit on. Back in the day, I cared more about how they looked. Only my husband cared about how comfy it was and he was overruled by me. Now I don’t have money to replace my couches and they are old and don’t look good anyway. BAH! –Lisa
You NEED to get a big comfy couch! I’m such a cheapskate – I bought everything in my house from outlet stores, thrift stores, etc. But the couch is the one and only thing I actually spent good money on and it was soooo worth it!
I love that you have a BIG BIG couch! My entire family could probably fit in there! LOL. What’s much lovelier is the fact that you see good things that happen in each part of your home, even just the couch. You have a beautiful home and your perspective of it makes it even more beautiful! Great weekend to you Gracielle!
Rea recently posted…I Choose Happiness
So far it has been an awesome weekend! I’ve spent 40% of my time on the couch relaxing, watching movies with the kids. LOL
I am jealous of that couch! I want something giant and cozy to nap on too!
I love that you gave us a bit of a house tour through your mirrors. It makes me want to hang some. The only ones we’ve got are in the bathroom!
NJ @ A Cookie Before Dinner recently posted…An every day hero story.
You could get lost in that couch! We needed a change of scenery so we spent last weekend on the couch in the playroom. Not as awesome, but still cozy 🙂
This is a nice challenge. I have to admit I would not participate in the selfie challenge. I think it encourages people to be narcissistic which many already are on social media lol. I love the one that you are doing! I think you are so right about the reflection and the lighting. I truly love photography and how people are able to capture such beauty using a camera about our world around them. Thanks so much for sharing this with us at Countdown in Style! Don’t forget to stop by Friday to see if you are featured! 🙂
Brittnei recently posted…The Fit Pregnancy Series: Part II
Hey Brittnei! Sorry I’m just catching up on comments now. I heard somewhere that that #selfie was the word of the year in 2013. It’s the only way I can get in the picture because I’m always the one behind the camera. I don’t do the sexy selfies, though. Eww – no way! Those are the worst! LOL
I like how you handled this challenge – both a literal and a figurative reflection of your home and family. I’m trying to get better at photography; I may have to check out this series for next week!
Dana recently posted…Introducing my love list
Thanks, Dana! I skipped the challenge last week. It was “flower” and there are no flowers out here in Chiberia. None in my backyard, at least! I love this challenge because it encourages me to take out my camera more frequently!
I’ve reflected on who I want to become when I grow up! LOL! Dreams were lost many years ago, and new dreams were formed, but I didn’t know what direction to go. I think I have found it. I love your photos. They reflect your thoughtfulness, I love the one with the kids in it. I think it shows how much you love your kids and reflect on their lives as well. Thanks for sharing and linking up with Countdown in Style! Don’t forget to come back on Friday to see if you were featured!
~~April~~
100lbCountdown.com
April recently posted…I’ve Never Had A Meltdown Like These
Thanks for hosting the linkup, April! I love reflecting on how I thought things would be when I grow up – and realizing that it’s so much better than I could ever imagined!
I really like how you photographed this challenge – it’s really cool. The kids in the mirror is really neat. Goodness, lots of reflection this week – mostly on gratitude and being grateful for my family and the life we lead. #sitsblogging