Those who follow me on Instagram and Facebook may have noticed a number of photos with the hashtags #myfamilylens and #voicesof2014. These photos are part of the Olympus Sponsor Challenge that I’m participating through Kidspot Voices of 2014.
The criteria is to publish 3 posts based on certain prompts, with this first one based on ‘Best Friend’
Below is also a brief section about the Olympus OM-D E-M10 and how I captured special moments with it.
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Striking a conversation with another mum of twins the other day, she asked me, “Which one has let go?”
Not quite understanding her question, she expanded to say, “You know, when one twin finally lets go of the bond and starts making his own friends. Usually it’s the twin that you least expect.”
This was all news to me.
“So, your twins aren’t the best of friends?”
“No. Not at all,” she shrugged.
Looking back at my pregnancy everyone – family, friends, doctors and nurses – assumed my twins would be each other’s best friend.
Just some unduly pressure for two little unborn individuals.
Isn’t it a sibling’s right to freely express whatever they feel? Indulge in a bit of rough and tumble?
Obviously, constant companionship has given them a head start. It’s a journey of life discoveries and milestones that, for whatever freaky genetic workings, they happen to be taking together.
Some actions are just down right unexplainable and it just comes down to the mystery of being twins. I call these the unspoken “twinion moments”
Why did they know how to say each other’s names before learning their own?
There’s no logic reason to the innate understanding of the other’s needs.
When one twin picks up a piece of fruit from the kitchen, no questions asked, he’ll dutifully return with an extra piece for his brother.
But how can they possibly be each other’s best friend?
All the universal ground rules – loyalty, commitment and effort – equally apply to twins.
When faced with disagreements, there’s room for both to come to a resolution.
When an apology is due, so too is the license to forgive.
When one feels pain, another’s empathy is needed.
Despite all the children they’ve met at preschool and daycare, if you ask my boys who their best friend is, their answer is undeniable.
The teachers often confirm that they rarely leave each other’s side.
But that’s for the here and now.
Whether it’s inevitable for one to break away from the other it’ll be a rite a passage, not a disappointment.
In their own sweet accord and intuition, the twinions have had these precious formative years to instill the fundamentals of true friendship with each other.
Expanding their own territory to share these traits with new friends can only be a positive.
And that’s much more than what this mum can ever hope for.
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About the camera:
The Olympus OM-D E-M10 is the perfect tool for the new-ish photographer who wants to get more serious about their snaps.
Being a Compact System Camera (CSC), it’s half the weight and a third of the size of the smallest DSLR yet has all the professional imaging clarity.
There’s been many a ‘twinion moment’ or a breathtaking sunset that I couldn’t capture because well, who wants to carry around a bulky DSLR?
During this photo challenge, the Olympus OM-D E-M10’s has been sitting comfortably in my day bag, ready to point and shoot at a whims notice.
Photo 1:
The Olympus OM-D E-M-10 made life easier with its Scene mode and its automatic settings.
With 24 options to choose from, I didn’t have to waste my time – or a photo opportunity – fiddling with the knobs or buttons.
Using the “Beach/Snow” scene mode, the light coloured sand and bright early afternoon light didn’t carry too much exposure. Yet, the mode was also able to pick up the fine detail of sand grains.
Photo 2:
With its built-in Wi-Fi functionality, I was able to transfer images straight from the camera to my iPhone4S using the Olympus Share application.
Once on the camera roll, I could share my photos to Instagram or like this photo, add some text using the Little Moments app first before posting it.
Photo 3:
With 13 Art modes as well as extra filters and frames to choose from, a novice photographer like me has the chance to get creative and a little artsy.
For this photo, I switched the camera to the Pop Art mode.
Then, using the built-in Wi-Fi function, I imported the photo via the Olympus Share application where edited the photo again by adding the Diamora filter. Finally, the Olympus Share application allowed me to add some text.
Photo 4:
The Photo Story Collage creator let me take multiple photos at a time. Using the “Speed” theme, I was able to capture some fast paced muddy action!
Photo 5:
Simply using the Auto mode, I let the camera work its magic with colour and clarity.
Joining Essentially Jess for IBOT
Gorgeous Grace. I always wanted to have a twin. It would be lovely to start life with a companion. X
zanni recently posted..The Shop Around the Corner
Love the photos! It’s interesting that we assume twins and close siblings will be the best of friends but sometimes its not always the case.
Bec @ The Plumbette recently posted..A Time Saving Smart Beauty Solution for one’s Vanity
Love your words and your pictures. The muddle puddle shots are just gorgeous. Whatever will be, will be with your boys but I suspect they will always be great friends, even when other friendships come into the picture.
Kathy recently posted..Should, Could, Would, Can, Will, DO
That’s an interesting concept. I’ve known some that stayed like that (so close they’re almost one) and some that became so different that I didn’t know they were twins…I guess only time will tell.
Lydia C. Lee recently posted..Riddle Me This? Mysteries of the Universe
My girls all under 3 years. The youngest two thanks to the baby of the family being 10 week’s premmie were just 14 months apart. When little they were a similar height and everyone would ask if they were twins and they would say ‘yes’ and Miss 3 would pipe in and demand to be a twin too.
Even now at 13, 14 & 16 they are still close friends.
Mystery Case recently posted..A Mystery Case Confession | Hypothetically Yours….
Lovely, lovely photos and gorgeous sentiments, Grace. I know adult twins who are besties. Twinship seems to be a unique, life-long bond that non-twins can’t quite fathom – wonderful and comforting. 🙂
Lee-Anne recently posted..My Friendly Stalker.
I love your photos Grace, they are gorgeous! Good camera or not, the photos will hold so many cherished memories of your “twinions” being little. My girls (5.5 & nearly 3) adore each other, and think how lovely it would be if they were best friends….I guess we’ll see how they go through the teenage years! x 🙂
Julie @ Off to the park recently posted..I won’t get this time again
Oh my goodness. I have two little boys (not twins!) but seeing the bond between your two boys is such a beautiful thing. My little guys are finally starting to hang out together, and I hope that one day they will be as close as your boys. This is just so beautiful. This post and Josefa’s one with her two boys have totally made my day.
Huzilla recently posted..The Thermomix Epidemic: How To Protect Yourself
These photos just leap off the screen and what cutie pies they are, best of mates and worst of enemies I bet. LOVELY! x
Emily @ Have A Laugh On Me recently posted..Top 10 tips every first-time ProBlogger attendee should know!
Beautiful post 🙂 I’m a twin, though fraternal, not identical, and am no closer to my twin than to my other siblings, though it may have been different when we were very small.
Dani from Sand Has No Home recently posted..Gratitude
Lovely post, Grace. And beautiful pictures. Your boys may break away and come back all through their lives, but I think they will always be best friends.
Deb @ Bright and Precious recently posted..A Sort Of Homecoming
I think it would be so awesome being a twin. I have twin cousins and my friend just had twins (both boy/girl). It must be so amazing as their mum being able to watch their bond grown and develop over time.
Toni @ Finding Myself Young recently posted..Backyard memories and Australian Outdoor Living
I went to high school with twins. They had separate friends and were so very different. I remember when I found out YEARS ago that one had moved to Brisbane and one to Melbourne I thought it was “weird” that twins would live so far away from each other. I don’t know why, I lived far away from my siblings for 11 years! The other side of the world away! I guess my point is they may grow up, find separate friends, have separate hobbies, but they will always have a special bond and be “best friends”. Loving the shots I’m seeing with this camera.
Aroha @ Colours of Sunset recently posted..My Most Expensive Pair Of Shoes
Your twinions are just the cutest little guys. Prepare yourself mum, they’re gonna be heart breakers. X
Robo recently posted..My name is Robo and I’m a Boldaholic
Beautiful photos Grace. I think even when one twin does let go, they will still be the first port of call for each all their lives.
On the Olympus OMD, I was super impressed with it when I had a play at lunch with Fat Mum Slim back in May and I’m desperate to get myself one. I’m thinking of dropping a few subtle hints to the family about Christmas!
Kylie Purtell recently posted..Let’s Talk About Blogging… Blog Rolls
Such a beautiful post Grace and the photos are stunning. Such lucky twins to have each other and such a magical bond xxxx
I always tell my kids that they are each others best friends. Even though they have other friends, it’s family that you can always come home to. The people who should understand you, and back you, and take being yelled at if need be as well.
I think your boys will always be best friends Grace. Even if it isn’t as obvious as it is now, they will always have each other.
EssentiallyJess recently posted..Here Comes the Floor Pie #IBOT
That last photo is seriously kewt!!! It made me feel a little sad to think that the twinions may not always be best friends. I guess it is inevitable though. I hope that my two girls will always be close. It breaks my heart to hear of siblings who don’t get along.
Renee at Mummy, Wife, Me recently posted..Un-domestic bliss
Love the story collage photo. You sure look like you are having fun with the Olympus! As to your twinions they sure are happy little dudes!
Stephanie recently posted..Why I write
Beautiful mud bath! It’s great your friend mentioned this “letting go” and gave you a chance to think about this, in order to prepare and decide it will be a “rite of passage, not a disappointment”. I hope your two boys would come to think of it that way also. And then there’ll be girls… 🙂 x #teamIBOT
Twitchy Sharon recently posted..Ass Buckle
Ahhh…. being a twin really is special… they must watch Operation Ouch, have they seen it, on ABC3, a medical show for kids presented by a pair of doctor twins, very funny and my twins love seeing the doctor twins. Nicecamera too. It’s so handy to have a good camera in your handbag and really the photos do look much better than phone pix, I have found. WIFI is fab to get the pix to the phone too.
Seana – Sydney, Kids, Food + Travel recently posted..Centennial Park Cafe Review – Sydney’s Most Child-Friendly Cafes {Updated}
Oh my God, that’s just adorable. I always envied twins – that special bond, a friend for life.
Love the photos. I keep thinking I need a new camera, the iPhone just doesn’t do those precious smiles or beautiful sunsets justice!
WifeSylv recently posted..Me, Jabba the Hutt and Robin Williams
I just think they’re so lucky to have each other, Grace. And that first photo is especially beautiful! x
Lisa@RandomActsOfZen recently posted..More Random Than Zen
What gorgeous boys you have and what an obvious bond they share 🙂
Amy recently posted..Wraps, Carriers and Slings- Oh my!
Such stunning images of your gorgeous boys Grace. They’re so lucky to have each other x
Aleney @ BoyEatsWorld recently posted..Beaches & bushtucker // Jervis Bay family getaway
Love the photo’s of your gorgeous boys Grace! I think it is super special that they are each others best friend. My boys (fraternal twins) were for a short time but broke away quite young. They are very different. Truly gorgeous photo’s you have of your two. You will be so grateful you took all of them when they are grown up! 🙂 xo
Min@Minsmash recently posted..Poll: Help me decide on a photography business name – Part 2
A lovely post with equally lovely pics. I can only ‘guess’ what it must be like to be a twin. It must be a privilege to be watching the two little boys you made grow and change. It’s one bond so many of us cannot ‘get’. Denyse
Denyse Whelan recently posted..Love This Quote.
Awesome pics and a great post! My twin boy nephews are growing up so fast but at such different rates. One has already started crawling while the other still struggles to roll over but the crawler always wants to crawl over to his brother and lay on him and give him kisses…it’s so cute…until he also vomits on him before Mum can get him out of the way!
Zita recently posted..for a Pinterest Outfit
Aww makes me want to cross my fingers for twins next time round 😉
But in all seriousness what a beautiful bond that your two boys share xx
Danielle @ Several Kinds of Crazy recently posted..{WW} Ekka Fun 2014 August 13th 2014