My 2015 New Year's Resolution

In an attempt to push myself even further and learn more about photography, 

I'm going to start a Project 365!  I was inspired by Click it Up a Notch.

I love the idea of taking at least one pic a day and sharing it!


I can't wait to share my pics and find inspiration in my day-to-day life.

Zoo Atlanta {2014}

I took a photography class (one of several) earlier this year from a fabulous 

photographer {Joe Federico} here in the Atlanta area.  The class 

was held at Zoo Atlanta.  It was like an adult field trip!

It was great to have Joe there to help with exposure issues and 

composition tips.  Here are a few of my faves from the class:

Have you ever taken pics at the zoo?

Christmas Decor at Home {Part Two}

I snagged more pics of our Christmas decor!

I bought these vases and small ornaments from Garden Ridge.  

I was given the adorable Santa by secret Santa!

Here's a shot of the centerpiece without Santa.

Of course I had to try some more bokeh pics!

I couldn't help but take this one!  That shiny red 

ornament was just asking to get in on the action!

Do you have all of your decor up and ready for the holidays?

Christmas Decor at Home {Part One}

I love decorating for Christmas!  The lights, the stockings, the garland - all beautiful!  But my

 favorite - the ornaments.  It's something about the way they shimmer and shine on the tree.

I took this picture last year.  I found this Santa ornament at Kroger.  I know...
the most unlikely place! Its colors are gorgeous.  It even has a bell inside!

Something else I did last year were these artificial poinsettias.  I got the stems from Walmart.  

Each bundle came with the flowers, greenery, pine cones, and ornament balls.  Put three or four 

of them together and you have a beautiful new centerpiece or front porch arrangement!

What's your favorite Christmas decoration?

Orange Beach, AL {Thanksgiving 2014}

The hubs, myself, and the pooch spent Thanksgiving week 

in Orange Beach, AL.  What a great beach town to get away to!

What's your favorite beach destination?

Wisconsin Capitol Building {July 2014}

The hubs and I went to Madison, WI this past July for a friend's wedding.  

They had it at the High Noon Saloon.  Talk about a good time!

It actually happened over 4th of July weekend.  So we gathered up the crew and headed to the terrace near 

the Capitol building to watch the fireworks.  While waiting for the show to start, I snagged this shot:

The picture was taken between 8:00-8:30, so it wasn't completely dark yet.  And the lighting underneath the 

fountain was even prettier in person!  Madison is such a pretty town, especially since it's on the water.

What are your favorite cities on the water?

Christmas Bokeh

Last year I wanted SO badly to master the whole bokeh effect.  I tried with the equipment I had:

This was December 2013.  I was using my 18-50mm lens that came with my Nikon D3000.  I had just taken my first photography class (a 101, four hour class).  I could get the small bokeh, but the lighting wasn't right.  I wanted the fat bokeh!

But this year, I was ready.  I purchased more gear and have tons of practice under my belt.  I took this shot with my 24-70mm lens.  My aperture was 2.8 and used my speedlite.  If you would've asked me last year about a speedlite, Iwould've given you the "deer in headlights" look.

The bokeh is perfect!  It's fat and blends together.  The lighting is just right on the snowman.  I had to turn off the Auto Focus and switch to Manual.  Otherwise, the camera kept focusing on the tree and not the snowman.

Have you tried bokeh pics?

Charleston, SC {Halloween 2014}

Charleston - one of my favorite cities!

We spent Halloween weekend there with some friends.  Here are a couple shots I took in Battery Park.  It's such a beautiful space!

What's your favorite part about Charleston?

Welcome!

Welcome to Dana Richliew Photography!

I'm excited to start this new venture.  I hope to share and grow as a photographer.  I've taken a few classes and plan to take more in the future.  I have found such a sense of purpose and passion in photography.

I'm a thirty-something 1st grade teacher.  I live in suburban Atlanta with my hubby and pooch.

Stay tuned for my latest photography adventures!