Welcome to Sweet Shot Tuesday – the nicest darn blog hop linky thing in the blogosphere. Just a reminder that SST was designed around YOU, person with a camera. I wanted to create a place where there was no intimidation, no fussy only-certain-photos-in-a-theme could be used, encouraging blog hop. No more excuses! 
I keep hearing, “… oh I’d love to join, but I’m really just a beginner!”
I welcome and encourage YOU to participate. After all, what’s a party if no one drinks the kool-aid?!
Be kind. Be encouraging. Visit others. Play nicely. It’s almost as nice around here as kindergarten, only we don’t get a nap mat. Besides, winners are drawn randomly. So any level of photographer can win our awesome featured shop’s giveaway.
Speaking of! A huge thank-you to Brenda of Berry Sweet Designs, who in spite of having server trouble (think we crashed her site with all our traffic?!), was our awesome featured shop last week. The random winner of Brenda’s entire store – Lr settings, design kits and all – is…. #56 Darcy from my3boybarians! Oh wait… that wouldn’t be fair. Okay, it’s #28 Barbara, who posted this super sweet (from a distance!) shot:
Get in touch with me, Barbara, and I’ll hook you up with Brenda. 
This week’s featured shop will be awesome for photographers and girl moms alike! I have all boys in my house, but I like to keep a stash of cute hair bows, headbands and cute accessories for props for the girls I shoot. Kyla is the momprenuer behind Funky PolkaDot Giraffe.
Not only does she carry cute hair accessories – which would be awesome as photo props – but she is crafty and sews camera strap covers and car seat covers, too, among other things. Please visit Kyla’s etsy shop, Funky PolkaDot Giraffe, her blog, friend | follow | fan | like – whatever they call it this week – her Facebook page, and follow her on twitter.
Kyla says this about choosing a name for her business:
“I chose the name Funky Polkadot Giraffe because my son ADORES giraffes and I love polka dots and we’re a little funky, so it fit us perfectly. When I found out in June of 2008 that I was having a girl my wheels started turning and I started making bows. I started with korkers and it has evolved from there. I owe most everything I know about bow making to my friend Ashby – she’s a great teacher and tutorial writer. From there is has snowballed and I started making headbands, princess clips, seasonal ribbon art creations (like my Turkey, Snowman, and Chocolate Bunny). It’s been a fun and exciting journey into the creative – there are so many things I want to make, but only so many hours in the day!
“My camera strap slipcovers come padded at no extra charge. My thinking with the strap covers is – you have the fancy dancy camera – you need a fancy dancy strap to match it! Custom orders are welcome and I love working with customers to make something special they’ll love.”
One winner will receive a $40 gift certificate to use at Funky PolkaDot Giraffe. Woot! Thanks Kyla. You’re going to make one Sweet Shot Tuesday participant very, very happy!
On that note – let the games begin!
i LOVE that fireworks shot you captured darcy, it’s soo perfectly timed and calculated!! thanks for letting me link up!!
I too LOVE the fireworks shots! I must have read a dozen fireworks posts this year – and I totally left my camera on the counter when we carried our little ones outside!!!!
Oh well – There’s always New Years!
(A surprising but beautiful tradition here in Germany!)
Thanks for hosting!
Darcy, I love that you encourage everyone to participate regardless of experience! Thanks so much:)
I had my camera with me to take pictures of fireworks…. And because of two very scared little boys, I didn’t even get a chance!!
I agree with Ann, there’s always new years….
Thanks for hosting.
I love playing with my camera to get a sweet shot!!
So excited to be the sponsor today! Your fireworks shot is AMAZING! I’m getting a tripod next year
I can’t believe all the cute stuff I see on your blog!
You guys and your pretty pictures attract the best shops!
Oh my. That cupcake hair bow is *too* cute.
LOVE this shot!!
The Funky Polkadot Giraffe is SO cute
ya know….this blog hop is one of my favorite ones to go through ……. too bad i can never remember to participate! HA!
I love playing here every (most) Tuesdays! Thank you so much for the opportunity to win as well. If I win, I will definitely choose one of those great camera straps for sure!
What great photos this week – starting with your fireworks! I’m afraid mine were taken in the bright light since my grandkids had to leave early so even your great tips might not have helped, but I’m definitely saving your fireworks photo info for next year – thank you for it.
Hi Darcy,
It took me some time, but I finally linked to SST. Thanks for this!
Jennifer
Yay! Welcome! So good to see you here.
Darcy,
Your firework pictures are incredible!!!!!! I’ve really enjoyed this meme. I’m going through a bad time with my pictures and have been discouraged. I’m going to keep on trying.
Susan,
Google Jasmine Star “the day I quit photography.”
So much lovely “summertime” in these photos!
Darcy ~
Your fireworks pictures are magazine quality. {Does anyone read those anymore?} With pics like this on your blog – who needs to flip through a magazine?
I ALWAYS enjoy your sweeeet shots! Inspiring
I do! I live for my Real Simple mag deliveries! Better Homes & Gardens. But you know what I love? The catalogs. Love them. I mostly look for photography.
Thank you. You are too sweet. Meredith is local to me. I wonder if I could convince them I needed a few page spread!
Wow, this is great! And you are sooo funny!
Love it. Okay, so I promise I will try to come back & hook up with this. I love taking every day pics but never get around to doing anything with them. I’ll try to remember!
my first time here….
i’m so excited!
your blog is full of wonderful loveliness.
Welcome! I love newcomers. Hope you enjoy the party.
I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE the car seat canopy!! How smart is that?!?
Yes, something I would have loved, too, when mine were little. It’s a great idea.
LOVE Sweet Shots! This is my first week entering, but I have enjoyed getting comments on my blog and checking out all the other gorgeous pics!! So fun!
Stephanie,
Welcome to SST! Glad to have you!