Last Day
Canon 5D Mark ll, 24-70 2.8 L, 6.3 aperture, 10 second shutter with a tripod, 320 ISO
We had a good time shooting this image with Katie, Annie and her sweet friend Kate all helping. (Even though we had a few mishaps.) A couple times they got the numbers backwards and the sparklers wouldn’t light or they would go out too soon. It was a challenge, but we got it!
Here are a few outtakes below 🙂
Hmmmm
Nope
Let's Just Dance Around Kate
Often is it easier to commit to something than to actually do it. That has been my experience during this 365 project. I am delighted to finally complete this journey. There were moments I was sure I could not do it, but I have finished at last!
It has been both difficult and rewarding on many levels. I know my husband will be grateful I am wrapping it up, so he can see me again in the late evening hours. It has taken hours of my life to process photos, choose them, and then actually write something coherent and somewhat meaningful here on this blog night after night. Yes, I am grateful too. But although it has been a trying task, I am so thankful for how it has pushed me to become better, dig deeper and find more resolve than I thought I had. Most nights I know I crossed over my own limits and found strength that only God could give to complete another post. He met me, time after time, giving me beautiful images to capture and then the thoughts to share about them. I never intended to write about my images. I was just going to post photos, like most 365 projects I have seen. I discovered that I love to write as well and I enjoyed developing that passion during this project. You never know where God will lead you when you embark on a new journey.
I think my favorite part of this year has been the people I have gotten to meet, either by photographing them ( “Hi, can I photograph you for my project I am working on?” so scary) or the ones that have become so dear to me and part of my life by reading my humble posts and emailing me or commenting on the blog. I am so grateful that by opening myself here, I have gained friendships that I would not have had otherwise. I love all of you! Thank you for being part of my little world here.
This year, you embarked on a journey with me.
From that very first day, where I jumped in, and some of you decided to come along. Thank you. I shared some secrets that have helped my marriage shine, on many occasions. I tried my best to show you my best view of hope, and hope in the midst of darkness. Always hope.
I photographed my kids a lot. With their faces painted, riding dirt bikes, drumming with paint, and getting sprayed with water. And so much more. They are good sports. How I love my Katie, Annie, and Johnny.
I talked about my husband, as farmer, musician, and told our love story. He is my best friend, and my partner for life.
Oh, I could go on. The flowers, (too many to link!), the sunsets, bubbles, and water drops. I took you with me to Nashville, Indiana and Oxford, England. These are just to name a few.
Thank you for being part of my journey. Thankfully it doesn’t end here. I do not intend to stop blogging. Probably just not every day.
I am excited to see what God has for 2012! He is so good! I have put together a calendar from this year’s project. If you are interested, you may purchase it here, or by clinking the link in the header that says Calendar.:)
In addition, I have posted the images from this year on a Flickr Set, where you can view them all at once.
Blessings my wonderful friends. See you very soon.
~Mary Anne
Ephesians 1:16-19 ~”I have not stopped giving thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers. I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation, so that you may know him better. I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in his holy people, and his incomparably great power for us who believe.”
26 Comments
Congratulations! I don’t think there has ever been, or will ever be, a 365 as incredible as yours! You have encouraged me to become a better photographer, a better lover of Christ, and a better person in general. You have no idea what reading and seeing each day on your blog has done to my life. I can never thank you enough. And when I had the opportunity to be shot by you, I couldn’t believe it! It was like meeting a celebrity! You really are an outstanding person of character, incredible mom, and an extraordinary photographer. I am so glad I could go on the journey of 2011 with you. Thank you, thank you, thank you! (I hope you get some sleep tonight!) haha. Happy 2012 to all the Morgans!
Mary Anne, although I came “on board” fairly late in the game, your blogging & photos have blessed me more than I can say. I feel a sadness that I will no longer receive the daily email notification that you have posted another blog, yet I am excited to see where God leads you in future blogs.
You have such a beautiful heart. You made yourself vulnerable to all of us, and you have taught me so much. Your blogs have played a part in my own stepping out to use the gifts God has given me.
I pray that God will bless you, keep you, make His face to shine upon you, and give you perfect peace, dear one. <3
An enlightening finish!! Yea! I’ve enjoyed the part of the 365 journey that I discovered along the way.
Thank you and I look forward to 2012 and God’s gifts flowing through you Mary Anne!
Hugs,
Marie
The most diligent journey I’ve ever seen up close.
You may rest for a minute.
I love you.
Your images have been such a gift…thank you for sharing them. I love this project and I love you and your family…grateful for your life!
Although I found your blog already in the middle of this journey, I delighted to get to know and read about you. Your posts have been deeply encouraging. I hope you keep on writing here. I love your photos as well!
May God bless you more and more!
A big hug from Portugal
Congratulations sweet Mary Anne!!!
I, too, found your blog somewhere in the last half of your 365 journey and it has been a delight to watch you run this race with such beauty. You have a beautiful memoire of 2011. It truly has been a blessing to be inspired by your photographs and encouraged by your words…
Blessings to you.
You are an inspiration – thank you!
Congratulations Mary Anne! I just wanted to thank you for all your hard work, long hours and dedication. I know it must have been difficult for you, but I know personally that I have thoroughly enjoyed the ride. Thank you for being so transparent and sincere with your posts. Whether it was through your pictures or through your words, you have helped inspire, uplift, encourage and comfort me. I also feel blessed to have me and my family included in your posts, as well as having the privilege to be photographed by you.
My morning routine was to grab a cup of coffee and see what you had in stored for us. I guess I’ll have to find a new routine. lol! Once again, congratulations! You did it! Now go get some rest and chill out with your awesome family.
Congratulations on a job passionately and well done. Thanks again for 365 days of visual, emotional, and spiritual devotion. While we all know that you will not be the same as a result of completing this project, I am almost sure that I can speak for your readers in saying that we are also are not the same as a result of “participating” in your journey. May the fruit of your endeavors bless you and yours again and again. Grace and peace!!
to be commended; what a journey. I have enjoyed the ride!!
You’ve changed the game my friend! Know that I am truly inspired by your passion to create art for God’s glory.
Congratulations Mary Anne! I have enjoyed seeing what you can do with your camera and your words. I know that God has used both in the lives of many during this past 365. Thanks!
I am so proud of you MaryAnne! You captured so many beautful people, places and things throughout this 365 day project. The blogs you wrote to go along with the pictures, told a story that captured the hearts of people all over the world. God was surely in this work of yours and it is so relevant that he moved this past year through you. I will be waiting to see what God has in store for you next, whether it be through your photography or many other areas of your life. I love you sister!
Congratulations, Mary Anne! And thank you for sharing so much of yourself with us. It was an amazing journey to follow.
Oh how I will miss these daily gifts…
How I admire your tenacity and lions heart that wanted to finish well…. and your tenderness and mothers heart that desires to bring hope….
Yet I feel blessed and glad that I KNOW you in real life so I cannot be too sad 😉 What a blessing to be in your life and be able to call you friend 🙂
Truely brillant! And so full of images that exclaim God is our amazing creator.
I thank you for allowing us to travel along with you on this journey. While I love the
images and art you have produced, I am equally inspired by your committment to
follow through…such a lost art, that which says yes and stays yes.
You are blessed and annoited, and we, who witnessed, are blessed and annoited by you.
WOW YOU DID IT! I am so proud of you. I know it was hard, but you perservered . I am very happy that just because you finished your 365 project that doesn’t mean you are finished being my daughter. That is vey important to me. You perform that position the same way that you did with this project. Perfectly.
Congratulations! So proud you made it – and so happy we got to be a part of it!
Congratulations MaryAnne!!! I am so very proud of all you have accomplished as an artist and Christian author. I have laughed, cried, been in awe, always delighted, and incredibly inspired by your 365 project. God just seemed to meet me in your images and words. He seems so close in your work. You writings reflected or uncovered what was in my heart so many times it was uncanny. You amaze me, and your gumption is astounding. You are a beautiful lady who has such a beautiful, transparent heart. You have creativity pouring through your soul that refreshes and renews every thirsty heart around. I love you dearly!! Congratulations on a job Well Done!!! 😀
Mary Anne, I am so proud of you. God has gifted you so abundantly and I have rejoiced and been inspired by your beautiful photos and the words from your heart. I have never seen pictures that spoke of God the way yours have. Thank you for being so open and transparent in your writing. I love you and am proud to claim you as my daughter-in-law. I will anxiously wait to see what God has for you now. Well done!!
Way to go! You are inspiration for my 365 project- to read through the Bible in a year! I tried last year and didn’t hold up on the commitment end… so this year I’m starting a blog about what I am reading and hoping it will help me stick with it (to process through things intentionally instead of falling asleep with my head in the book of Ezekiel! lol) Have you ever thought about getting your 365 project published as a book? I don’t typically read devotional type books and remember what I read, but your beautiful images helped me remember the small truths you would write each day. I would buy it.
Thank you 365 times over (and then some ^_^) for a glorious year of beauty. I will miss your daily images, but look forward to what the future holds for you and your blog, etc.
Much love,
Anna (& Adam!)
I joined your blog late in the year and have enjoyed each post as well as clicking on some of the past posts. The photos are amazing – you truly are a gifted photographer. Thank you for sharing “your eye” of God’s world – through family, friends, and nature.
Congrats!!! I only saw a few but your pictures are amazing. I just started Project 365 this year so I’m on day 5 now. I don’t have a theme but I can tell already I am gravitating toward nature. I was nervous starting this because I never finish anything but I know I will be proud of myself when I finish. And it is so encouraging to see people like you at the end of your journey! This is a great picture by the way…I may have to borrow your idea at the end of my project.
Dear Mary Anne, I am a Indian wedding photographer. Accidentally i reached you blog, Its awesome pictures you take.. Thank you very much for posting the pictures we are inspired with this picture.
Thank you again,
Rohit