Inevitably I’ll spend some December day driving around Lincoln and searching mightily for inspiration. I refer to the landscape around here as “desaturated” until spring arrives once more. So when I woke up and spied fog outdoors I was a little excited. Fog lends an air (literally!) of mystery to the most suburban of neighborhoods. So off to school Livia and I walked, each with a camera in hand to capture the heavy air. It was lovely.

Having Clara eat a Happy Meal at my table makes me feel like there’s a hidden camera from McDonald’s marketing department somewhere in my kitchen. She is ridiculously cute in that totally-not-trying kind of way. I have one shot where you can see the chocolate milk dripping from her straw onto the table. She’s a real kid, but also a real cute one. And TOUGH AS NAILS. She is not one to mess with. If you’re in a street fight make sure Clara’s on your side. Just sayin’.

During the December Photo Project, the camera goes everywhere with me. Here the camera accompanied me and The Babe to the grocery store. It’s a glamorous life we lead.

Ten steps back? Who said that? Surely I didn’t!

I might have a December Photo Project: Part Two project that will actually take place in January because I honestly have an alternate image for each day that fits the “10 steps back” profile. But those shots were edged out ever so slightly by the ones you see here. Oh well. Moving on.

The fabulous, talented and servant-hearted Jen Hinrichs drove into my driveway today and I instantly knew why she was here. Earlier in the day I suggested that she stop by people’s houses and make them sit for her own DPP desires. Well, guess what happens when two photographers hang out? They sit for each other. And then they might edge out all earlier shots for the day and become that day’s featured photo. Because really, I couldn’t pass up this shot. I heart Jen!

Renae and I were discussing the idea of a challenge-within-a-challenge for the 2014 December Photo Project. Some years we like to add a personal touch to the DPP by shooting only people, or by working on street photography, etc. I jokingly told Renae I should probably try to always shoot “10 steps back.” I love to fill up my frame, so maybe I should go for the bigger picture this year and capture more landscapes. Hah! Clearly that didn’t happen. Though to be fair, taking and posting pictures daily will be challenging enough to me this year as I will have an 8 month old sidekick at my ankles throughout the day. What challenge will Renae accept? She has five hours, 10 minutes left to show us. No pressure, Nae. ;)

Happy December 1st, everyone! Me, the Artist, the Web Developer and the Baby are feeling the good cheer tonight and we hope you all are well, too.