I found out about a photography "class" that was taking place here, starting on July 1. It is all conducted online. It lasted the entire month of July and each day you receive an email prompt. Your assignment is to take a photo that interprets that prompt and post it on a student gallery.

I was completely intimidated, but decided to put on my big girl panties and take a chance. Armed with my brand new camera (Canon EOS Rebel T1i), I was ready to go.

First of all, I can't recommend this camera highly enough. It is very easy to use, right out of the box and it allows you to be as creative as you want to be. You can put it in Auto Mode and let the camera do all the work, or you can get jiggy with your photography muse, and program the heck out of it. You choose. It is the perfect way to take the leap into the world of Digital SLR as far as I am concerned.

Disclaimer: I prefer Canon, just because that is what I am used to and have always used. I am sure that Nikon has something comparable at this price point and ease of use.

July 1st prompt was: what summer means to you.

Isn't he gorgeous? This was one of the first photos I took of him. He hangs around quite a bit.

July 2nd prompt was: Splashy. Something to do with water.

This is my darling little family, at the beach on Mother's Day. I love this picture more than I can possibly say.

July 3rd prompt was: Getting Centered.

This is a squash blossom from our backyard. I have actually been quite successful at growing it in a pot.

July 4th prompt was: Summer Traditions. The photo I chose was from last year. Uncle Frank brings his popcorn popper, snow cone machine and lemonade maker and sets up his Snack Shack. As you can see, there is a line right away.

July 5th prompt was: Tall drink of water. Yeah, luckily, the hose was not attached.

July 6th prompt was: Wide open spaces. This one was taken with my iPhone on our way to Murrieta for Caroline's Horse Themed Birthday Party.

July 7th prompt was: So subtle. We were asked to focus on the detail of some everyday object.

I had never really noticed the darker pink markings on these flowers that I walk past a dozen times each day.

July 8th prompt was: Treasure hunters. We were asked to photograph a collection of something that we treasured. I don't really have a specific collection. But these captured two little people I happen to treasure.

My first born treasure.

And a napping treasure, on a particularly difficult day. I was so happy to have her fall asleep in my arms since she doesn't really do that anymore. It was something I have missed, holding a sleeping baby.

July 9th prompt was: The Shape of Things. We were asked to focus on the details of the shape of an object. I chose my coffee cup, complete with bubbles in the coffee.