Until now I have been taking all of my pictures for work (this blog) and chronicling my family’s lives through the tiny lens of an iPhone, which actually takes some pretty great pictures and thanks to apps like Instagram it can certainly get the job done. However, after I announced our big move to Costa Rica I knew I needed a “real” camera, a camera that was going to capture our epic family adventure in a much more professional way.
My work is my life and my life is my work – therefore a good camera is not only a desire but a necessity, one that was long overdue. So, imagine how stoked I was when Canon asked me to create, capture and share an experience with the new Canon EOS Rebel SL1. It could not have come at a better time.
Create, Capture and Share
We have been in Costa Rica for a little over a month and we’ve been busy exploring the beaches, finding a place to live and going on mini adventures. When traveling the key to remember is to travel light, whether it’s just a day trip, weekend getaway or an international extended stay. A large camera can certainly weigh you down, and to be honest is actually one of the reasons why I have held off in buying one. Which is why I am so impressed with the Canon EOS Rebel SL1, not only is it an exceptional camera but one of the key features is that it is the lightest SLR camera on the market. Which makes wearing it around your neck or carrying it in your large tote bag or backpack for the day a whole lot easier.
One of our latest adventures in Costa Rica took us out on the Marlin Del Rey snorkel and sunset tour. For the most part I kept the camera on the manual setting and just got used to holding the camera and looking through the lens. Clearly this is not an underwater camera so this camera stayed above the water and I focused on the beautiful sunset. During our voyage we were also lucky enough to see some whales! Zooming in on these guys was exciting and so easy to do, although I had to be fast because they were not up on the waters surface for very long.
Then there were these two baby whales on the top of the boat….
Capturing Sunsets
The sunsets in Costa Rica are magical. Every night the sky looks completely different then the night before. We really lucked out when we were on this sunset tour because the colors were vibrant and the sky looked like it was on fire. I was literally standing and trying to balance on top of the boat to get these shots.
Different Landscapes
Coming into the shore that night the sun was casting a variety of different colors on the shoreline and surf town of Tamarindo. Its hard to believe that the same camera took these two pictures. I was playing around with the landscape setting here. The first one almost looks like a water color or pastel painting and the other one looks more like a true photograph. I like them both for different reasons.
Long Distance Shots
I think we can agree that an iPhone would never capture these shots of the howler monkeys in the trees quite like this. This family of monkeys were outside of our house and making all kinds of noise. They were moving the trees so much that coconuts were falling down so we had to be careful not to get knocked in the head by a coconut.
Kids and Action Shots
I also played around with the kids/pets setting. Which if you are trying to capture any movement or exciting activity this will be your go to setting. This is a three piece shot of my kids jumping in their new pool. I absolutely love these pictures, it really captures the moment of 1…2…3…Jump!
My kids found this old swing on the beach near a restaurant where we were eating and so as they swung I quickly put it on the action mode to try to get a shot of them in motion and telling them to smile at the same time, it was no easy task;)
Up close and personal. I love this picture of my son on the beach he is totally in focus while the background is out of focus, something the iPhone could never do.
This is another favorite picture of mine because it makes you feel like you are right on the edge with my kids.
Twitter: @CanonUSAImaging
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Canon EOS Rebel SL1 GIVEAWAY!
So. Are you a Mom, a blogger, a world traveler or photography newbie!? Then I think the Canon EOS Rebel SL1 is perfect for you and here is your chance to WIN one!
Enter through the Rafflecopter form below!
This giveaway ends on August 29th at 11:59pm PST
This giveaway is open to US and Canadian residents
Disclosure: This is a sponsored post and I was given a camera for my review. All my savvy thoughts and sassy opinions are my very own.
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This one rocks! http://www.savvysassymoms.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2013/08/IMG_0041-1024×682.jpg
I love all the photos, but I think my fav is the one of your kids at the edge of the pool. Can’t wait to be there. I just lost the big 450 million power ball lottery last night. I hope my odds are better this time and I win the camera. One more thing to add to the many suitcases we will be lugging down to CR next July. 🙂 Pura Vida!
I NEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEED this camera. Your photos are absolutely amazing. Wow. I want to live inside them. What a life!
Phew! That’s a lot of work for an awesome prize!
Done – done and done!
Love the photo of Hudson and McKenna on the infinity edge …
Will your kids ever wear clothes again?
Love to follow your adventures!
Wendy
I love the jumping into the pool pics!
What a great giveaway! Thank you for sharing.
I love the closeup of your son – I love taking these kinds of pictures of my own kids. It looks like Costa Rica is absolutely gorgeous!
I like the picture of your kids at the edge of the pool looking at the view! What a great picture!
Infinity pool picture looks awesome
I have 3 favorite pics!
1st: Your adorable son Hudson asleep on the helm of the boat (little whale) with the beautiful ocean behind him in the shot. (reminds me of my son, and how sweet he looks when he falls asleep after a fun adventure.)
2nd: Both of your kids jumping in the pool. Such a beautiful action shot!
3rd: Your family photo in the rainforest. Perfect moment caught in paradise.
love that second shot of the monkey. Love the camera too… the small size is cool.
Love this photo of your son on the swing and the last where the kids are looking out from the pool. Great camera!
the infinity pool looks like heaven.
I heart the photo of your kiddos in the Infinity Pool looking out over the awesome. You’re living in paradise!
Definitely the one of the kids looking out in the infinity pool 🙂
I like the 2nd last photo the best, the close up of your son. Beautiful shot, frame worthy.
I love the picture of the two baby whales the best!
I’ve long wanted a Canon camera and the photos of your kids jumping into the pool are exactly the reason why. So much easier to capture active kids!
My favorite photo is the littles mid-air jumping into the pool. Great capture!! All the photos are gorgeous!!
I have to agree with you. Your children made me feel like I was right on the edge with them. Great shot! I’ve lost a lot of “Great Shots” with my camera phone. As a newbie this would be great for my kids and I.
Love the one of he kids looking out over the infinity pool . What a magic place!
My Canon is 10 years old and heavy. This would be the perfect replacement!
gotta get it!
My favorite pic is the boy on the beach because I love taking this type of picture and hope to take a similar one with my new camera I win ; )
I adore your family picture! But I really love the one of your kids with their backs facing the camera in the pool! Beautiful family!
I love the picture of the sunset!
This would be an awesome contest to win! Costa Rica looks beautiful.
This give a way couldn’t have come at a better time! I was shopping for a camera to capture my ever moving kids and this one came recommended!
My favorite picture would be the one of your boy sleeping on the boat. Just enjoying the peaceful, ocean breeze.
Can’t choose one pic.. all pics are really beautiful. Would like to win this camera to take pics like this. 🙂
The picture of your kids jumping into the water is so cute! 🙂
The close-up photo of your son is my favorite! So adorable! Thanks for the giveaway. 😀
I LOVE the pic of the kids jumping in the pool!!
What great pics all around!
I love the picture of your son! Very sweet and so clear!
I love the close up of your son on the beach!
Amazing photos, esp of the monkey, I think he’s trying to figure out what’s for lunch, I can see it in his eyes!
I love your vacay pics! The camera really brings the pictures to life 😉
My favorite picture is the one with your kids jumping love it!
Love the picture of your son on the beach – the next to last one. So reminds me of my son!
I love love love the one with the whales! I want to become a National Geographic photographer and that is exactly the type of picture that I would take. I love it! I love whales too.
Thank you for such a great giveaway! Awesome camera! Beautiful pictures!
I like the second photo of the kids jumping into the pool.
I like the landscape picture that almost looks like a pastel painting. I love the different colors.
I love the kids on the edge picture!
looks like a fun trip!
Oh I love the picture of the two baby whales! How beautiful!
My favorite photo is the close up of your son!
the monkeys!! I was in Costa Rica in 2010 and it was incredible!!
Kids captured over the pool mid-jump–that’s my favorite photo!
Love the pictures! Someday I’ll get to Costa Rica!
The picture of the kids in the pool looking with the landscape in the background. But I had to look at these pics several times…it was hard to pick just one! No fair :o)
Baby whales! Best pix!
The last photo where the kids are looking at the ocean from the pool… love that! Great giveaway!
I love the second “Kid Action Shot.”
I love the sunset pictures! Thanks for the chance to win 🙂
I love the picture of your son laying on the side of the boat. I love capturing little moments of my children.
Love the sailboat picture
The kids jumping in the pool is so cute, vibrant, and clear!
would love to win this camera. looks awesome.
I LOVE the picture of the kids jumping into the pool with their arms overhead! That captures the essence of this adventure your family is on!
I love the closeup of your son on the beach; the one where he’s in focus & the beach in the background isn’t.
All the pictures look amazing! My favorite is when the kids jump in the pool! Love spending time with my daughter,wishing we can someday go somewhere and make memories together!
I love the photo of your son sleeping on the boat! That’s usually what I’m doing, it’s so relaxing! Looks like a fantastic trip 🙂
I love the close-up shot of your son. Those are always the best ones…
It hard to pick just one! My fave is the one of your son on the swing.
I love the picture of your kids jumping in the pool, the view is amazing how it drops off in the background! Loved the monkeys too!
I love the picture of your kids in the pool looking at the ocean, it is stunning! thanks for the amazing giveaway!
I like the picture of the kids in the pool looking out over the ocean, like they are imagining the possibilities of the future.
I love the pictures of the kids jumping in the pool. For those type if action shots you need a great camera
I love the one of the kids in the infinity pool! So sweet, and a great shot.
I love the pics of the kids swimming and looking out with backs to us!
My favorite photo is the kids jumping in the pool. Okay, that’s three. Fun!
I love the pix of your kids at the edge of the vanishing pool. Those pools have always fascinated me!
LOVE the closeup of Hudson.
xoxoxoxo
I love the photo with the sunset
I like the sun going down picture
Great pictures. Costa Rica was one of my favorite places and I love seeing your pictures!
I love the picture of your kids in the water looking out at the ocean.
What an adventure, and what a great way to capture it!!
Your final photo is my fav because OMG that view! Seriously.
Such an amazing opportunity for an adventure of a life time and such gorgeous pics!
Thanks for the opportunity!
I love the pic of the kids on the edge of the pool! So cool!
Love the sunset photos. One of my favorite things to do on vacation is watch the sun rise and set.
All of the shots are nice but I think the one of the kids is fun!!
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Your kids in the water!
The monkeys!! I have howlers all around my house but I can never get a good enough close up of them.
I really enjoyed the sunset!
Your kids’s pictures are beautiful and precious!
Love the infinity pool pic!
I like the pic of your son on the beach. I like the blurred out background.
I love the sunset pictures you had. I always have trouble taking good sunset photos. I used to have a great SLR camera. It would be nice to have a good camera again.
Diana C
My favorite picture in this post is where the kids are sitting in the pool looking over the edge. That could be in a magazine!
Your son sleeping on the boat is my favorite. So cute.
My favorite picture is definitely the series of your kids jumping in the pool! SO fresh and fun!
I love landscape pictures! The water is beautiful!
The close-up image of your son in the ocean!
The monkey shot looks amazing!
Love the kids looking over the edge of the pool!
I love the photo of your son on the beach. That’s a keeper for many years to come.
I absolutely love the shot of the kiddos mid-air jumping into the pool – what spectacular timing! And not a single blur … LOVE it!
The one of Hudson passed out on the boat! Love!
My favorite pictures are of your little boy and the one little monkey.
I like all of them, but I’m always partial to sunset pics.
Oh…I love the last picture in the pool! It looks so beautiful there!!
Tough choice the 2nd shot of the monkeys or the last shot of the kids in the pool.
I heart the one of the littles looking out from the infinite pool!
love the monkies!!!
I like the photo of the sunset, it’s beautiful 🙂
I like the one from the monkey, one from sunset ant one when ur kidds are jumping into the pool…coool
My favorite pictures were of the monkeys, definitely a cool closeup!
My favorite picture is of the kids in the pool looking on.
I like the sunset pictures.
Diana
I would die for this camera! I’ve been lusting over one for what seems like forever! Gorgeous pictures.
Oh, and my favourite picture is the one of your kids jumping into the pool!
Your little guy on the boat. Sweet.
The Monkey Photos are Great.
I love the photo of your little boy in the swing!
The pictures are beautiful.
my favorite pic is the one of the kids jumping into the pool ( my FB email & blog emails are different)
Your son on the swing!
The sunset pictures…so tranquil and pretty. They look just like a postcard.
My favorite is the one of the children in midair.
I like the photo of the kids jumping into the pool.
i like the pic where th kids are in the pool, backs to the camera looking out on the landscape.
I love the picture of the kids looking out over the infinity pool to the beautiful scenery.
I like the action pictures of your kids going into the pool. They are all good photo’s but the happiness of the children catches my heart, maybe because I am a grandmother.
They are all beautiful, but I love the close up of your son, i love the focus/blurry contrast in photos!
Hudson swinging on that swing is one of the sweetest pics ever! Sunset shots can’t really be beat either.
I love the last picture where it looks like they are floating off the edge. Beautiful!
the sunset
Your sunset pictures are frame worthy!
love the sequence of 3 of the kids jumping in the pool – priceless expressions!
The first sunset picture~
The sunset pics are gorgeous! And I love the one of your kiddos jumping into the pool – what fun!
Wow, I love ALL these pictures! So lovely! If I had to choose a favorite, I’d say the last picture with your kids in the pool overlooking the landscape! That is amazing! What a great view 🙂
Wow, gorgeous photos! I love all of the pictures, and the beautiful sights of Costa Rica. It looks like your kids had a great time too. I love that last photo, where the the kids are at the edge of the water. Great shot!
love the picture of your two babies jumping in the pool, it is symbolic of the classic magic happy carefree moments we want our kids to live in. nice work!
what wonderful pictures. Can’t decide which one is the best.
beautiful colors
All of the pictures are great! I love the sunset photo and the kids jumping in the pool. What an amazing trip!
Love the last one of the kids looking out over the edge of the pool.
My Favorite is the Sunset Pictures!
The whales.. and your kids in the pool
I like the one of your kids in the pool looking at the scenery 🙂
The endless pool pic!
I love the picture of your son up close all wet from the beach. These are some of my favorites of my oldest son. Hope to capture similar ones with my new baby boy 🙂
I love the breathtaking images of the sunset and the sweet pictures of you son on the beach.
Loved the picture of the kids jumping into the pool.
Costa Rica — What a beautiful place! We’re going as soon as we can.
I love the image where the kids are looking out at the landscape from the infinity pool. I would so love to be there right now!
Th kids jumping in the pool is such an awesome shot!
The second sunset photo, the photo of the kids jumping into the pool and the close up of your son are my top faves but they are all fabulous photos.
I like the pic of your little boy on the swing. He looks so happy.
your son on the swing is precious!
all photos were nice, but I love the last one with the kids on the edge of the infinity pool… it reminds me of my husband’s hometown in Guatemala and what it would look like if we put a pool in on our land there. So missing Central America right now!
Beautiful sunset pics.
I love your close up of your beautiful babes! And the monkeys! (Wait-are those two the same thing?!) LOL
I like the pictures of the sunsets.
The whales!
Great shots!!
I love the kids on the edge of the pool looking out, and the sunsets and landscapes!
I love the sunset shots!
I like the next to last pic ~ the close up of one of your boys 😀 ~ cute
I love that you captured your kids jumping into their new pool. The moment was captured without blurs which is awesome.
the closeup of your son, he looks so much like you
My favorite picture is of the whale…I scuba dive and have always wanted to see one!
I like the picture of the kids jumping into the pool (I admit, I’m envious–looks like so much fun!)
I love the Sunset pics ~
freebiegoddess03@aol.com
the two kids in the water looking out into the jungle.
Any pictured with kids in it is beautiful because you capture then just being kids. As a mom and blogger I love taking non posed pictures. That’s when you get great shots. Would love this camera to capture crisp pictures like yours.
Hi there! All the photos were brilliant, but I love the action shot of kiddos jumping into the pool! Thanks so much for the chance to capture sweet moments of my little guys! 😀
Love the first sunset photo!
the picture of the kids jumping in the pool
Beautiful sunset pics.
Thanks for doing this giveaway! You’re an inspiration
I love the sunset and the last one too!
I love the swing photo kids being kids is what it is all about
My favorite is the two kids in the pool looking out over the landscape. Just beautiful!!
my favorite picture is the kids jumping into the pool, they look so carefree, and that’s what vacation is all about
They’re all awesome pics. I love the jumping in the water shots because I’ve been trying to capture the same thing with my kid, but my favorite is your son smiling on the beach.
The one in the pool is my favorite pic, gotta love infinity pools!
Love the shot of your little guy sleeping on the boat!
My favorite picture is the kids jumping in the pool with their hands in the air.
The sunset is beautiful, but I LOVE the one of the boy on the swing. Such a wonderful moment to capture.
My favorite is the kids jumping into the pool
I love the photo of the kids mid-air jumping into the pool. That’s the kind of fun I like to have on my vacations plus you can’t beat the beautiful Costa Rican landscape in the background.
I like the Capturing Sunsets picture.
I like the long distance shots of the monkeys
I loved the kids jumping into the pool!
My fave picture is the one of the kids jumping into the pool and throwing their arms up in the air, with the beautiful landscape in the back. Just imagine myself there…
I like the picture of the kids in the pool looking out at the trees.
The last one! Looks sooo cute!!
the one of the kids jumping in the pool with their hands up is the cutest!
My favorite picture was definitely the one with your Kiddies jumping into the pool….I too use my iPhone for 99% of my photos and capturing action shots are very hard.
the kids in the air after taking a plunge for the pool!
brich22 at earthlink dot net
the kids diving into the pool!
I love the photo of your children looking over the edge of the pool.
I love the last picture of the kids at the edge of the pool overlooking the road!
My favorite picture is of the sun setting.
jweezie43[at]gmail[dot]com
The kids jumping in the pool at the same time, cute!
I love the picture of your son smiling ! Very cute! definitely have to cherish every moment!
I love the shots of your kids jumping into the pool. Great action shot!
Definitely the last picture is my favorite with the kids in the pool overlooking the scenery. They are all really great shots though and such special memories
thank you for sharing
I like your son on the swing!
I like the picture of the monkey.
My fave is the kids jumping into the pool.
Hello, I love the pictures of the kids jumping in the pool, the one where their arms are up in the air. You really can get a feel of how much fun they are having and how beautiful the backdrop is. Thanks for a great giveaway!
I love the ones of the kids jumping in the water!
Love the one of your son in the swing.
the kids in the pool with the scenery In background