I started a little project this year of taking one picture a day with my phone that depicts something I am grateful for in my life that day.
Day 17: thankful for snuggling days
My camera is still at the repair shop. I find myself reaching for it several times a day only to be reminded it is gone. It is a natural reaction for me to grab it and capture a little moment. I miss the weight of the camera in my hands. I miss the sound of the real shutter. I miss the creative options that are available when I shoot in manual…okay, better stop this is becoming a love letter to my camera.
All that to say, a huge reason I cherish photography is its ability to freeze time. Capturing a fleeting moment lets me relive that moment in the days and years to come. When I look back at a photo of everyday life with my family, I am brought back to that moment and all that surrounded it. However, I don’t need a fancy dslr to capture my days…but I do miss it!
She’s been snuggling on the couch a lot these days…this time she fell asleep.
As much as I miss my dslr, it forces me to be creative in a different way with my phone. Instead of getting to play with my settings, I’m limited to changing angles and playing with composition.
I had a few blah days. While I was taking pictures of FireCracker sleeping, I got a text from a thoughtful friend that she left something on my doorstep….Cookies & Cream milkshake. Not only was she thoughtful enough to know I was having a rough day, she remembered my favorite milkshake. Goodness, I want to be a friend like that.
Two sweet things: milkshake & sleeping girl
I am thankful for the little things that are actually really big things in life…and thankful for snapshots to remember them (even if those snapshots are taken with my phone instead of my beloved camera!)
Photo tip: Changing your angle allows you to capture the exact same moment in numerous ways. It is the easiest way to improve your photography, regardless of the camera you use. Also, take advantage of using items together in a shot. Instead of just taking a picture of the milkshake, I purposely moved the straw and cup, and squatted down to be at an angle where the straw perfectly outlines her little head. That wasn’t just a nice accident. You don’t have to have a fancy camera for stuff like that…you just have to take the time to think through the picture you are capturing~
by AshleyAnn
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elizabeth - My phone pics never look anything like that. I have the 3G. Is that why? Anybody who brings me a milkshake is an instant friend in my book!
amy - It has been many years since I lived in Tulsa (I did an internship there right out of highschool) but Braum’s was one of our favorite fast food spots! Wishing I had one of those milkshakes now!
Isabelle - Wow! The quality of your pictures are amazing. Thank you for the tips, it’s nice to see that you can get nice pictures without a really cool camera!
sarah - wow! your phone takes GREAT shots. I also have a 3G like elizabeth, not sure if this is why either but my phone never takes pictures like this. the shutter is too slow and there is never enough light for indoor shots. it takes great outdoor shots as long as the subject stands still:) hope you are having a better day. I hate those blah days! I blame winter!
Jenni - I can not believe that you took those pix with your phone camera! I am officially starting a snapshots fund in my budget!! lol (seriously):)
Julie - These are so sweet! I love the quilt too.
Seamingly Sarah - Okay – I really can’t tell that you’re taking photos with your phone instead of your camera. Also, I know you’ve had that quilt for awhile now, but I just fell in love with it now. Yeah for friends and reminders of something always better than the moment we’re currently in. Smiles.
Molly @ mixedmolly - Thanks for the photo tips! It’s a great reminder.
Ashley C - Love your snapshots. And I love those shaped frames on your wall. Where are those from?
lauren - You took all these with your iPhone??? wowsers! Obviously the first is Instagram, but did you photoshop them or use apps to edit the rest of them?
lindsey - BRAHMS!! I went to college in Waxahatchie, Texas and probably had a Brahms chocolate almond milkshake 3 times a week. Can you freezer box me one??
Michelle - Good morning! I just realized this week that ~ for the most part ~ you post early in the morning. You ARE my cup of Joe! (i dont drink coffee) I check your blog BEFORE I even roll out of bed. Seeing FireCracker first thing in the morning is a GREAT way to start my day!
i have a 30 year old sister & seeing FireCracker reminds me sooooo much of my “little” sister Christa. At the age of about 1 year Christa won a photo contest…..FireCracker would win ANY contest too! 
They are just sooooooooo stankin cute!!!!!!!!!
cailan - Great reminder, great tips, precious photos! Thank you : )
lyn - As always you have made my day.
ashlee - i {heart} braums. pistachio milkshake, thats my favorite:)
Amy G - Oh my! Those eyelashes!! What a sweet reminder to be thankful for the everyday little things. Blessings to you!
amanda torres - The picture of the shake is just plain mean. Even at 9am, it’s still desired greatly.
melyssa - awesome phone pics! thanks for the tips & inspiration:)
tara pollard pakosta - I can’t even believe these were taken with your phone, that’s pretty AMAZING!!!!!!!!!!!! what phone do you have?
do you have the app. called ONE THOUSAND GIFTS?
you can put a picture and words each day right from your phone! I LOVE IT!
tara
Amy - BRAUM’S!!??? I soooo miss that place! That is what I get for moving to New Mexico! Everytime I go back to Oklahoma, I have to eat there twice a day!
Kimberly Dial - How in the world do you manage to take pics like that with your phone? :/ I guess a photographer, is a photographer, is a photographer regardless what you’re taking the pic with
Harriet - Such sweet photos. Love those precious moments when kids are still. Friends are pretty sweet in that way. I’m with you, I want to be the kind of friend who drops off surprises!
Rylie - You need to get this app called My 365… You just plug in the pictures for each day, and it keeps everything all nice and organized for you.
Lori Danelle - I just audibly gasped out loud. Braum’s: how I miss you & your chocolate almond ice cream!!!! Ha!
Kimberlee Jost - I loved all these pictures and the photo tips.
And I also loved the posts from the past two days about your adoption.
Carry on, Ashley.
Danielle - No matter what you use, your pictures are always incredible! You are so talented taking these with your phone! Pure talent, not fancy equipment, you are awesome!
jeny - I would give ANYTHING to have a friend like that. All my friends live three states away and I miss those connections fiercely. You are so very lucky:)
Melissa - These pics look SO COZY!! I want to curl up on my couch with a blanket now….but instead I’m at work
Lisa - Great cell phone pics! Mine never turn out that good! You could probably take a good picture with a broken underwater camera though…
Amy D - These are incredible photos for a phone! Do you have the newest iPhone 4 or the first iPhone 4? I have the 1st iPhone 4. Maybe I need to challenge it a little more!
Beautiful! Thanks for the tips.
Michelle - Love the pics. I’m so jealous of the fact you have a Braum’s…no such luck in California
Megan H - Love the sweet snuggles. Also enjoyed reading more about your adoption story. And, oh, what I wouldnt give for a Braum’s milkshake…what a thoughtful friend. You are blessed!
Kendel - Gaah…killing me with the Braums pic! We moved out of Braums range and I only get it when we travel back to see family. Yummy!
Angie L - Oh!!!!!!!!! Braums! Drooling over that last photo. I live in Ca. so the only time I get to visit Braums is when we head on over to TX for family reunions. How i do love me a good dose of Braums! Enjoy for me!
And love the cozy sleeping baby photos. So sweet. My daughter just learned to say cozy and it sure makes me want to run out and get some good blankies (like yours) for the couch.
able mabel - How can anyone resist pics of a sleeping kid? So priceless and precious!
Jenny B. - These are great! I agree with Lisa, who said, “You could probably take a good picture with a broken underwater camera.”
I’ve been trying to convince my husband that it would be OK for me to spend money on an iPhone because it’s really a camera that just happens to also be a phone. 
Brittaney - Those eyelashes! I’m dying!
Katrina - Well we definitely don’t get Braums in Australia!! It’s nice following blogs from overseas for a little while. You get to learn alot about a particular place in that country and all the comments from people around other parts of your country makes me laugh. We are in the middle of summer here, so not
much snuggling at the moment! I too have an iphone 4 and I have trouble capturing quality photos. I find that when taking photos indoors they don’t turn out very good if there’s not alot of natural light. Night time shots are terrible with the flash. Any great tips on using iPhone for photos with a flash etc. I really enjoy reading your blog, it’s great with a cup of coffee in the morning.
Brooke - Oh Ashley, these are adorable! So cute! Had a great week, we got our referral…hooray!!! But having a tough time thinking of our boy and not being there with him. I love hearing your adoption story! Is it weird that I saw a star wars Lego book and I almost bought it for your boys. Then I thought you might be totally weirded out
. Went to an adoption support group and talked to four people that adopted china special needs. So excited for you!
Claudia - Ashley your photos are beautiful. Thanks for reminding me that its not the camera its the moments caught on what you have. I don’t have a fancy camera yet but someday hopefully. I am trying to take pictures this year to capture my little ones with my point and shoot and your pointers are a God send. Thanks again for your inspiring post.
Around Here « - [...] snuggling on the couch – Love these photos from here phone and the words on changing perspective for a different picture. [...]
rebecca - I LOVE your blog and enjoy coming here everyday!! Simple moments … Thanks for sharing!
Becky - I absolutely love your daughter’s quilt! Did you make it?
Sarah - Your little girl is absolutely adorable!!! She looks just like you. I LOVE reading your blog, you are a very inspiring woman. Thanks for sharing your life with the world!!!!
Tara - Beautiful pictures! What kind of phone do you have?
Irene - ahhh – those lashes are to die for!!!
Becky - These are beautiful!
Peggy - I too am becoming accustom to having my camera within arm’s reach. I can imagine how you might feel as if a part of you is missing. But you still manage to capture the most amazing shots without it. You are truly an artist. You inspire me daily.
Amy - I absolutely love these photos! It makes me sad that I can’t be home with my 10 month old during the weekdays and stuck at work. I know I need to cherish our time together on the weekends and taking photos to capture those times brings me so much joy. Thank you for reminding me to enjoy those small moments instead of feeling sad about the times I miss with him.
Elizabeth - I love it.. it seems ever time I read this blog I caught my self say it. Thanks for sharing. And most of all give me that breath of inspiration.
Maeg - love your photography!
i, too, have been taking one photo a day of something i am grateful for. i’m calling it the “My Year of Joys” project and each day share my little joy on my blog. my phone has come in so handy, i’m finding that despite loving my dslr most of this project has been in instagrams!
i love doing it but find that sometimes it feels strange to be documenting things instead of just doing them, ever get that feeling?
oh, well, this is my first time commenting but not my first time reading, love your blog! xo
Carolyn - Precious pictures and the best ice cream store in the world! Perfect combination…