In respects to photography, it seems my inspiration was completely lost. Carrying my camera became a crazy chore, and although I did always have it with me, most of the shots I took over the past few months were for work.

Thankfully the Spring has FINALLY arrived again, and things are looking a little more cheerful.

I am fortunate enough to have this coming week off, which is supposed to be beautiful, and will have plenty of time to get out and enjoy the Spring blossoms.

I met up with some friends at McLean’s Auto Wreckers, and trudged through the snow and cold for about an hour and a half.  It was my second winter visit to the junk yard, and this time I was very interested in all the details.

It was a great way to spend a Saturday morning.

• Connor graduated grade 8 and started high school this year (YIKES)
•  Both my brother and my sister had a new addition to their family.
• I started a new position at work.
• Owen continued to be outspoken, bossy and as precocious as ever.
• I visited Ottawa for the first time
• I got a huge shock when I realized the house I grew up in was no longer standing
• I visited several abandoned places with friends
• I had the opportunity to take pictures for a close friend and her family
• I started a 52 week project, and failed
• I started a 365 Self Portrait Project and failed
• I laughed, I cried, I celebrated, and I mourned

2012 was a great year.  Amazing times and amazing memories.  Here are a few of my favorites from the year.

Reflecting on 2012 from Krista Kruger on Vimeo.

Music: Ho Hey by The Lumineers

This house had been excavated all around it, and it was a STEEP climb to the top of the hill. When we got inside, the graffiti was everywhere. It wasn’t beautiful art graffiti, it was the tasteless messy type you get from kids who are just there to trash the place. There were huge holes in the walls, and the kitchen had had a decent fire at some point.

But, there was a WOW factor to the house as well though. It was perched high above Guelph, and the front room, which I assume was a living room, had huge floor to ceiling windows. They were all boarded up when we were there, but you cold just imagine how incredible this house once was. The view would have been spectacular.

We had intended to try and make a repeat visit at some point, but someone burned the house down within a month of our visit.

Chris got the best shot from this house. It is a long exposure shot where I absently got in the frame. I appear in a very ghostly manner, which is very fitting for the location.

We had planned to go back when they started demolition, as you could get inside at that point.  But again, no such luck.

I have also been playing with my Lensbaby Composer a little bit more.  I received 3 new optics for it from Santa, and it reminded me how much fun creative photography could be.

None of these shots were taken with textures in mind.  In fact, until the were cropped and edited and adjusted the way I wanted, the thought of adding a texture never crossed my mind.  Making them into art was not the plan.  But it happened.

I have to thank Kim Klassen and Joel Olives for all the lovely textures.

I honestly cannot wait to create some more photo-art.

Mine has been full of fun and relaxation.  Lots of music, and self portraits too.

New CD’s, new optics for my Lensbaby, and lots of little fun stuff.

It is that time of year, and I am suffering through the annual winter lull.  The winter blues/blahs.

Instead of a picture I have never used before, I gave an old picture another chance. I like this picture in its original version, but something made me rethink it.

Maybe it is just the moment.  Sitting in a hotel room in Toronto.  Waiting for a wedding reception to begin.  Texting friends. Noticing the amazing diffused light coming through the window.  To die for.

To be back in that room.  That day.  That light.  Everything was perfect.  Sometimes you would give anything for a moment to happen again, but the truth is, you can’t go back.  You only have once chance, and you have to make the most out of it.

You can check out my original edit here.

Yes, there is something pretty unbelievable about that.  If you told me on that first Saturday at the beginning of November, that we would be seeing a lot of each other in the coming weeks, I would have laughed.  No one could have guessed we would spend so much time together.

Shopping.  Santa Claus Parade.  More shopping.  Birthday party.  More shopping.  Christmas party.  Long drive to London to visit.

Yes, lots of adventures together, and lots of music and singing while driving.

This song has become something of an anthem.  Mostly because it is catchy as hell and easy to sing along to with conviction.  In fact, on that first drive together 4 weeks ago, Leah had NEVER heard this song.  Today on the ride home, she sang it with me, full of passion.  Way too much crazy fun!!!

I’ve got to share a picture too. Thankfully, Leah has a great sense of humour about herself.  It is a classic Leah CRAZY face, but you almost don’t even notice it, because her eyes look so gorgeous!