New Camera -- No, I'm not a professional.

Hey guys,

You may of noticed, I got a fancy new camera for Christmas!

I was super excited since I thought I wasn't going to be able to purchase one till tax return season.

It's a Canon Rebel T3i.

The one I wanted! 

So, Ive never took any kind of photography class in my life. I may in the future but for now I'm self-teaching. 

I wanted the camera for purely taking photos of my Elizabeth, cats and day to day life. 

It grinds my gears, so, so much when people call themselves photographers and actually charge people money for the pieces of crap they're taking; all because they have a fancy camera. 

Having an expensive camera does NOT make you a good photographer. 

I have a few friends who I can say are great at taking photos. They all have YEARS of experience and are great artists. I respect their work so much; and actually even the photos they take with their phones are amazing. 

It's so irritating to see someone buy a camera, take an emotionless photo, slap a "name" on it and try to sell it. You need to have a "special" eye. T.A.L.E.N.T.

That being said, I do admit having a nice camera does help in certain ways.

I'm a long ways away from being good at taking photos but I'm getting there and it's really fun! I love taking photos of my baby girl, her friends, the furry kids, my home (cause it's freaking beautiful here on Camano!) and my family. 

Here are some photos I've taken since I got it! :) Any tips are greatly appreciated!
Feel free to laugh at them, love, hate them, but please, don't steal them. Thanks. :)