My camera and I tend to hibernate in the winter, when the temperature is low and the scenery bland. But spring’s arrival brings mild temperatures and fresh sights sure to lure us outdoors.
Here are four compelling reasons to dust off your camera and get out there and shoot!
Capture Spring’s Blooms While They Last
Beautiful blossoms usher in the spring, but many disappear too soon. Here in the southeast I watch for the daffodils first, followed by the cherry blossom and the dogwood trees, just in time for Easter. You can find beauty and interest even in the weeds, like the white puffball of a dandelion.
Lose the Extra Pounds
The combination of richer foods and a less active lifestyle adds extra pounds to my waistline during the winter months. I start with the best of plans — sweatsuits and an I think I can, I think I can attitude towards cold-weather workouts — but my reality never matches my expectations. Taking your camera outdoors for a spring nature walk provides some extra incentive to get out and move!
Decorate Your World with the Art You Create
I like to say that all good things come from TJ Maxx (or 1/2 price Mondays at my favorite thrift store!), but I really love to decorate and make gifts from my own photos, whether framed prints or canvases. Even if you don’t consider yourself a photographer, God provides such a rich canvas in the spring that you’re sure to capture some lovely images. Your friends and family will love receiving gifts made with photos you’ve taken, and you’ll enjoy seeing them on your own walls.
Spring is the perfect time to visit your local park or botanical gardens, where you’re sure to find a variety of flowers and blooming trees. Experiment with different angles and arrangements in your photos: above, from the side, lying on the ground, and shooting from underneath. If you blog, be sure to take some pictures where your subject isn’t centered, leaving room for text.
Awaken Your Senses to the Beauty of God’s Creation
Examine the detail in the center of a flower. Photograph the drops that glisten and dangle from leaves after a cool spring rain. Breathe deep and taste the honeysuckle, like when you were a child. Stand beneath a cherry blossom tree and aim your camera up into her branches, laden with puffballs of pink, raspberry, and white.
Have spring temperatures arrived in your area? Where can you and your camera capture the beauty of the season?
by Dawn Camp, editor and photographer of The Beauty of Grace
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Bev @ Walking Well With God says
Dawn,
Funny that you should write this. I have begun taking my camera on my morning and afternoon walks with the dogs. I, too, live in the southeast and nature, that God created, is putting on her best performance. I probably look like a circus act with two dogs and a camera getting in close to smell and capture the hyacinths in their splendid pinks and purples. But, it’s fun and it makes my heart thankful for all my blessings – large and small. Thanks for urging me on 🙂
Blessings,
Bev
Dawn Camp says
It is a little extra work to juggle that camera, but it’s worth it when you get home and see your pictures!
Joanne Peterson says
We had some spring weather, and now we are getting cold and snow again. I am waiting anxiously for spring, and my crocuses because they are the first flowers to bloom in my yard. I at one time was very diligent about getting outside for winter, and now not so much. So walking and looking at all of the spring wild flowers are on my radar!
Dawn Camp says
The weather just bounces back and forth at this time of year, doesn’t it? We got so little snow that my kids would think that was quite a treat in late March.
Marina Bromley says
AMEN and amen!! Love your pics, love taking mine too!! 😉 Thanks for all the reasons you give, advocating for more photography, loving your camera, creating art, and yes… even exercising!!
Love your heart!!
Dawn Camp says
That part about exercising is a serious motivation for me right now! Got to lose the winter weight. 🙂
Beth Williams says
Dawn,
I love spring & fall the most! Spring is like an awakening of my senses to get outside and walk. I enjoy seeing the beauty that God provides for us–especially in the mountains of E. TN. Love taking pictures, but don’t do to many as I’m not the crafty type person. Yes we should all go out & explore the natural beauty God has for us!
Blessings 🙂
Dawn Camp says
Yes, Tennessee is beautiful! Happy shooting!
JeanneTakenaka says
I loved this, Dawn. Over the past few years, I have loved capturing God’s colors with my camera. Fall leaves are brilliant in my part of the country. And springtime blooms, even the varying shade of grass and leaves cause me to breathe in deep God’s glory.
I haven’t been as good about walking. But maybe taking my camera will give me the incentive to begin this practice.
Dawn Camp says
You’re right, capturing colors is such a fun part of it. I was outside today trying to shoot my neighbor’s cherry blossoms and having trouble getting some blue sky in the background. There was so much gray.
Ginger Harrington says
I love walking with my camera. So glad my phone has a decent camera as it’s much easier to walk with!
Dawn Camp says
I agree! You can even make collages of camera phone photos to print.
linda says
I purchased a small digital camera that fits in my purse. My hubby and I like to go for drives. We enjoy birds, trumpet swans and eagles. So one day we were out and I tried to get a picture beside the truck. My hubby said try inside and it came out beautiful as if I was standing outside. What was the picture ! A bald eagle sitting in it’s huge nest. It is breathe taking for me to look at the picture. And I went to Costco and had it printed 8 x 10 for over a dollar . I found a frame and mat the size I needed at the thrift store for $1 . It keeps my picture safe till I get time to get it framed the way it will enhance the picture. Thank you for your blog ideas and great pictures.
Dawn Camp says
Wow! A bald eagle! I’ve never had the chance to photograph one. I’ll bet it was lovely.
kerrybeck says
On a different note…is there an inrl conference this year? If not, I”ll plan my own. Just need an answer
Sharon says
It is still very cold in our area. We had snow on the first day of spring. BUT- I just got a new macro lens in the mail today and can’t wait to use it at the first sign of color outside.
Dawn Camp says
Oh, my! I love my macro lens. Just expect a learning curve! 🙂
Inspired Life says
Spring is diligently trying to rear her head but winter is holding on strong. We had a late snow but the tress had begun to bud so I was out there in my backyard (very wooded) snapping away. I don’t take my “good camera” out as often as I like because I’m usually running with my 2 youngest, 2 yr old & 4 year old boys. So most often I’m taking pic with my phone. My favorite spring shooting is azalea season at my botanical garden.
Dawn Camp says
Camera phones are so good now that you can get some great photos! We have a newly opened botanical gardens in my city that I can’t wait to see.
Mindy Whipple says
Your photos are always so beautiful – you provide such inspiration! I am learning that the most important thing to taking photographs (and I have a LOT to learn) is bringing the camera with me! There is an unending supply of beauty in God’s creation. Thanks for the nudge : )
Dawn Camp says
Yep, you can’t take the pictures if you don’t take the camera! 😉