Summer Adventuring | Part One

Our whirlwind week+ adventure came to a close last weekend.

I took a lot of photos. A lot.

And I'm so glad I did.

I'm going to break up the adventure into three posts because there were really three separate parts with a cast of characters that come in and out.

Our adventure started out with a 4-day camping adventure with my brother's family and a bunch of their friends. This is the same group we've been going with for three of the last four years and it's a treasured tradition. You can see photos from past years here (2011) and here (2012) - it's magic to look back through the years and see what's changed and what's stayed the same. These are usually some of my favorite photos of the year.

For this adventure I shot mostly with my DSLR and supplemented with my iPhone. On some of the photos I've added digital word art from the following sets available at Designer Digitals:

• Summer Adoration

• Summer Activities

• Spontaneous Adventures

• Camping

Camping for us began with a road trip.

We pulled off to the side of the road for this shot. I set my Canon 5DMKII on the dash with the 24-70 lens opened all the way for a wide shot and set the timer. Love these kind of in-the-car shots to start the adventure.

Camping is for fishing and wide open spaces and room to spread out.

Camping is for hanging out around the fire for hours on end both day and night.

Camping is for snuggling up in the tent.

Camping is for drinks around the fire.

Camping is for capturing relationships.

And celebrating family.

Camping is for storytelling.

Last year my cousin Rob and my brother introduced the kids to Shakey the Bear.

Shakey leaves notes and treats for the kids. They run like crazy when someone finds a note (like the one painted above) and usually find something cool waiting for them: bubble wands, bandannas, pop tarts, etc.

Camping is for hot dogs and for connecting with old friends.

Camping is for giggling.

Camping is for conversations about setting up an Instagram account to share lego guys camping adventures.

Camping is sometimes for digging clams.

And for eating them.

Camping is for getting in the water.

Camping is for checking stuff out.

And wandering.

Camping is for music during the day and at night.

Camping is for moments.

Camping rocks.

LOOKING FOR SOME PHOTO INSPIRATION THIS AUGUST?Susannah Conway invited me to contribute to her August Break project - a photo-a-day community event for the month of August. I think it's something many of you might have an interest in as you experience the month of August. Get all the details on this free month of prompts here.