There’s just no denying the importance of photographs in blog posts. They add visual appeal, evoke emotion and bridge the gap between writer and reader.

Photos like this one have the power to pull people in and create emotional connections like no other.

More and more, bloggers and website owners are looking to the internet in search of relevant photos to include in their articles and posts. But many are still uncertain about the legalities, or dos and don’ts, of using photos found on the internet.

I’m over at Eli Rose Social Media today, talking with owners Kristin and Liz about the legal use of photos found online. I’m answering a few common online photo use questions, including how to properly show credit for photos and more. I’d love for you to stop by.

Thanks for stopping by and linking up here at Live and Love Out Loud. I’ve been a little overwhelmed with blog visits over the last few weeks, but I’ll do my best to stop by as many of your blogs as possible. In the meantime, I’d love for you to visit a few of my friends…

Seven months ago, truth slapped me in the face. It hurt my feelings, shook me to the core and gave me all the encouragement I needed to make a life altering decision.

This?

Photo credit: Marc Orbito, Hungry Eye Photography

This is Truth. An in-your-face-this-is-what-you-really-look-like-so-stop-pretending photo.

Ouch!

I’d been hiding from obesity for three long years; avoiding mirrors and pretending that the weight I’d put on following the birth of my youngest child didn’t really exist.

My avoidance tactic didn’t work, but this photo gave me the push I needed to finally make better choices about my health. Like exercising regularly and eating healthier foods.

I’ve lost 39 pounds over the last seven months!

And you know what? I feel great.

I’m fit. I’m strong. I’m active. And thanks to the Map My Fitness Quaker Challenge, I’m still on track, maintaining my success and continuing along this journey toward a healthier me.

My experience with the challenge was great. I met my challenge goal of completing 15 workouts in 3o days and I’m determined to keep going. Tracking my workouts on the Map My Fitness site was a cinch. The group forums were overflowing with support, encouragement and inspiration. And best of all? It was free!

Does get it any better than that? Absolutely.

You can win $750 in the Quaker Oats Sweepstakes! Just leave a comment below for your chance to win.

February is National Heart Health month. Even if it’s only 5 more minutes a day, what extra step will you take to stay fit?

For your chance to win $750 complete these two steps:

1. Share the challenge with your friends.

2. Tell us that you’ve invited your friends to join the challenge AND share the extra step you’ll take to stay fit below.

This is a sponsored conversation written by me on behalf of Quaker Oats Company. The opinions and text are all mine. Official Sweepstakes Rules.

Winter has been particularly brutal this year, here in small town Missouri.

Dark

Dreary

Bitter cold

A little unsettling, even.

I’ve been restless for the last few weeks; searching for something that I couldn’t quite put my finger on.

Rest?

Solitude?

Purpose?

Or maybe just a moment to be still.

Nothing is quite as calming to my spirit as a snowy day.

I braved the cold temperatures and headed out in the snow last week, just my camera and me. As each flake drifted ever so slowly to the ground, settling softly ‘nary a sound, those nagging feelings of unrest that had taken up residence in my soul began to leave.

Slowly.

One snowflake at a time.

And in its place, a sense of calm, peace and tranquility.

A reminder that even in the bitterest of winters, beauty remains.

As does hope.

Because no matter how dark, dreary and bitter cold these days may seem, like seasons, these feelings of unrest will come to pass.

The sun will shine. The snow will melt.

And hope will arrive on wings. With it, peace, calm and tranquility.

Freebie and Photography Tip of the Week

We’ve brought you tips, tutorials, discounts and freebies each week in the Poetic Winter Photo Challenge. Our final freebie and tutorial can be found at Alicia’s blog, Project Alicia. She’s taking it back to basics this week and sharing a few fabulous tips on composition – framing your photos beautifully. She also has a lovely, one of a kind print available for download as well!

Exclusive Discounts From Our Sponsors

Thanks to the following sponsors for partnering with us to bring you these fabulous deals throughout the challenge. They were created exclusively for Poetic Winter Photo Challenge participants and are still valid throughout the month of February. Click on the images to be taken directly to their sites.

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Thank You

On behalf of Rebecca, Alicia and Faith, I’d like to thank you for joining us in the Poetic Winter Photo Challenge. We’ve certainly enjoyed visiting your blogs and poring over your photos each week. You all are an inspiring bunch!

Just a few reminders:

Our Poetic Winter Pinterest Board is still active. We’ll continue to pin our favorite Calm inspired images throughout the week.

If you haven’t had a chance to snag our awesome freebies yet, you can still do so for a limited time. Simply stop by my Winter Photo Challenge page for more details.

And finally… Don’t miss a beat! Get the latest updates and future photo challenge announcements by subscribing to receive email updates from Live and Love Out Loud.

Click! Click! Click!

Don’t forget to check your settings!

I love that my 9-year old daughter, Maya, and I share a passion for photography.

Have I mentioned that she’s also the most free-spirited child I know? Maya certainly knows how to live out loud…

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I shared the above photo last week during Passion week in the Poetic Winter Photo Challenge. It’s a poetically inspiring photo challenge I’m hosting with a few talented friends. Stop by, check it out and snag the FREE collage templates from Faith at Sweet Violet. Have I mentioned that we’ve also got exclusive discounts to Adorama Pix, My Four Hens and ClickinMoms?

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Thanks for stopping by and linking up here at Live and Love Out Loud. I’ve been a little overwhelmed with blog visits over the last few weeks, but I’ll do my best to stop by as many of your blogs as possible. In the meantime, I’d love for you to visit a few of my friends…