Just Some Outdoorsy Photography

Disclaimer: All of the photographs present within this blog post were taken by me, Q’Zion, and posted on MY personal blog. Therefore, every photograph within this post is my property. Please do not use, copy, or redistribute these photos in any way. They are for viewing purposes only. Thank you so much and enjoy the post!

Hey, everyone! My name is Q’Zion, and welcome to The Joys and Trials of a Christian Teen. Today, I decided to post some more of my photography that I’ve taken on my frequent trips to the park. Although I’ve already showed a few of these pictures, I’ve managed to capture so many more awesome shots, and I’m so excited to show you all the pics! Without further ado, let’s get into it!

For some reason, these plants remind me of fresh bamboo (even though I don’t know exactly what they look like.)There’s something about that eye-catching medium green that makes the photo look so crisp looking. And I love how the vertical lines look against the horizontals of the brick wall.

I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again; flowers are truly the gem of nature. At one of the parks that I frequently visit to go on my mile walks, there are so many flower bushes in a variety of colors. And if you know me, you know that means photoshoot galore. Anyways, I’m super satisfied with how this came out.

I don’t know what it is, but there’s just something about this picture that literally DEMANDS to be presented on my blog–which is why I’ve also incorporated it in the sidebar on the homepage, if you haven’t already noticed. I’ve got to admit that Goodmommy did an amazing job on this shot of me. Although I hadn’t been expecting to take any photos as gorgeous as this, I thank God that I was there to get this amazing shot! Thanks again, Goodmommy!

Look who was peaking around the corner! I don’t know about you all . . . but I am OBSESSED with this masterpiece! These ducks are so gorgeous that this has officially become one of my favorite photos of the year.

To be honest, I think the birds were a little annoyed that I was capturing them on camera lol. As you can see, they all decided to go for a swim once they saw me. But it’s all good, because I was able to get this gorgeous shot.

I also found this big guy (or girl) drying his/her wings. Is it just me or are birds so satisfying to capture on camera? From their wings, to their elegant poses–such as this one, to their overall beauty, I find them some of the most fascinating animals to take pictures of. If you also like to take nature photography, do you like to photograph birds, too? Let me know in the comments.

Of course, me and my Goodmommy are both equally obsessed with selfies. Our park dates are some of my favorite times to take pictures together. The background and lighting is always so picture perfect that it’s super hard to go wrong.

OMG, the sky is so pretty in this shot. And do you see the tree on the right turning yellow and orange? I’m definitely getting the fall vibes from this angle. And if you ask me, that’s the perfect way to bring this post to an end.


I hope you all enjoyed viewing some of my nature photography, today! Honestly, seeing it all in one place is so rewarding to see. Please tell me below in the comments, which one of these photographs was your favorite? Also, if you like to take photography, what is your favorite thing in nature to take photos of?

Have a beautiful and blessed day, everyone! God bless each and every one of you, and don’t forget to stay sweet! Peace in!

My favorite aspects of autumn ♡

Hey, y’all! This is Q’Zion, and welcome to my blog, The Joys and Trials of a Christian Teen! ♡

Spring, summer, fall, and winter. The four seasons. Each one is unique in their own way; their own special events, holidays, traditions, and other characteristics that make up 1/4 of each year. While I love each one for their own reasons, autumn and winter have always had a special place in my heart. And since we’re practically in the middle of fall (already, I know) I want to explain some of the reasons why autumn is one of my favorite seasons. So without further ado, let’s get this party started!

1.) Warm and cozy colors

There’s something about medium green plants transforming into gorgeous orange, golden rod, and burgundy leaves as they float to the ground that’s so satisfying. All seasons have an aspect of nature that makes them unique, but the eye catching colors of autumn make the season stand out like no other.

2.) The spectacular weather

For me, warm weather is the least desirable weather to have. I mean, I’d rather be a little chilly than sweaty and uncomfortable, do you know what I mean? And while I love summer and winter, with both of those seasons, you either get one or the other side of weather. But when autumn comes around, the temperature is the perfect combination. Not too hot. Not too cold. Just how I like it.

3.) That homey reading atmosphere

By now, it’s no secret that I’m a big fan of all things literature. I’ll do it just about any place, at any time of the day, and obviously in any season. But there’s something about fall vibes that makes me want to read even more. And any bookworm who has spent a fall night cuddled up on the couch with their favorite snack and a comfort novel knows what I mean.

4.) One of my favorite holidays – Thanksgiving

I wouldn’t be the same person if it wasn’t for my awesome family. And during the holidays at the end of the year, we always partake in the tradition of having family gatherings, as often as possible. Thanksgiving is the perfect opportunity for me to recap what and who I’m thankful for and blessed with, eat mouth-watering food, and do all the other autumn things I love with the people I love. There’s not many things in this world that are better than that.

5.) Photography is thebomb.com

Photography is one of my other hobbies that I don’t talk about as often, but I adore taking photos of sceneries, especially in the afternoon or just before a sunset. And if we’re being completely honest, autumn’s gorgeous colors makes it the perfect time to go on a photography splurge.

6.) The yummy food

Technically, the comfort of fall horderves goes hand-in-hand with Thanksgiving, but I still wanted to include it because autumn is certainly not the same me without them. I mean, who doesn’t enjoy eating a soup, a piece of turkey, or a pumpkin pie on an autumn afternoon? (Seriously though, I’m super curious!) Autumn food is definitely another thing that makes fall like no other.

7.) Napping paradise

As I mentioned earlier, the weather in autumn is as close as it could get to perfect. The sun isn’t usually out too early (or too bright, when it does peek out from the clouds) which makes it easier to take a power nap or sleep in without feeling like you’ve missed out on half of a day. And since I’m homeschooled, I take quite a bit of naps, so that’s a bonus!

8.) Simple and chic fashion

When it comes to fashion, I am all for finding outfits that are both stylish and comfy. And from classic cardigans to knee high boots, there is so much wiggle room to play with when it comes to autumn fashion.

9.) The decorations

From pumpkins, to candles, to fairy lights, to throw pillows, there are so many creative yet comforting ways to decorate for fall, both on the inside and outside of our homes. I think that autumn decor is the perfect way to set that homey, timeless vibe inside your home, which is perfect not only for fall, but also the preparation for the transition into winter.

10.) Being outdoors

When it comes to autumn, doing any fun fall activity outdoors just makes my day. There’s so much to do this time of year that it’s hard to make an excuse not to go outside. And with the awesome aspects of fall (many of which I have mentioned in this list) it’s kind of hard to do nothing when there’s so much fun we can have right outside our door.


Most of the time, it would take longer posts like this a little while for me to configure. But when it comes to fall, there is so much to love that it’s easy to find reasons why it’s so amazingly great! Please tell me YOUR favorite season(s) down below in the comments? Also, what’s your favorite aspect of autumn and/or the season that you like the most? I’m looking forward to everybody’s responses!

Have a beautiful and blessed day, everyone! Don’t forget that regardless of what you may be going through, we are all beautiful and wonderfully made. And that’s something we can all be thankful to God for! Peace in, y’all! ~ Q’Zion ♡

Beachy vibes at the park | National Beach Day ♡

Hello, hello, beautiful people! Welcome to my little corner of the Internet, a.k.a. The Joys and Trials of a Christian Teen. I can’t believe that September is almost here. It genuinely feels like August just started! Anyway, today was the fourth time that me and Goodmommy visited the park to start our fitness journey, and it’s already starting to become apart of our weekly routine.

You guys already know that I’m always looking at the National Days as inspiration for new creative content for you all, and I recently discovered that August 30th is National Beach Day. Since I won’t be posting tomorrow, I thought I would tell you all the good news–and show some of the ✨ beachy ✨ pictures that I took at our go-to park to celebrate one of the most iconic staples of summer. Let’s get this party started!

Out of all of the shots that I took today, this one is probably in the top 3–and believe me when I say I took a lot of photos today. I know what you all are probably thinking: what does this have to do with National Beach Day if I didn’t take these pictures at an actual beach? Well, you’re not completely wrong, there. But I think that this shot truly gives those beachy summer vibes that we’re all craving at this time of year.

Let. Me. Tell. You. If you really want to see some cute animals, a park is probably the place to go. Over the course of today’s visit to the park–which was only about one hour–we saw a multitude of birds, butterflies, squirrels, dragonflies, and bees. And although you can’t really see it in the picture, I actually tried to capture some of the insects that were pollinating the white flowers in this photo. Either way, I think the shot is still really cute!

This is just a closer look of the water. All I have to say is it’s ✨absolutely gorgeous ✨!

And last but not least is this shot that I took of this crack in the ground. I think it’s super cool how plants can just sprout right through cracks in concrete, like this. In fact, plants are probably some of my favorite things to capture while practicing my photography. There are so many different kinds of flowers and trees that it’s hard not to take a snapshot every time I see one. What can I say? Plants are some of the jewels of nature.


It was nice to take a break after our usual workout and spend a few minutes by the water. There’s something about being in nature that’s so relaxing and energizing. For me, it’s the perfect way to start a new week after a few busy days. I encourage you all to go outside sometime this week, as well. Because, let’s face it; we all need to breathe some fresh air and feel that refreshing summer breeze, every once and a while.

Have a beautiful and blessed day, y’all! God bless you all, and I will catch you next time! Peace in! ♡

Run With Me // a summer day at the park

Hey, y’all! It’s Q’Zion, here and welcome back to The Joys and Trials of a Christian Teen! I hope you all are enjoying the beginning of the brand new school year; I know I definitely am!

Speaking of school, one of my electives that I’m taking right now is Health Opportunities Through Physical Education, also known as HOPE: in short, it’s like P.E., except it goes a bit more in depth with how we can set goals to benefit our physical, mental, social, and academic health.

This week, we have to submit this fitness assessment, where we do a variety of exercises to test our physical endurance, strength, and stamina. One of the largest parts of the assessment was the 1 mile walk/run. Me and Goodmommy decided to get the job done by visiting a local park for the first time.

I’ve got to admit that before I began taking the HOPE course, it had been a long time since I’ve actually went outside and had a good run; probably too long, in fact. But what I love about the course is it allows you to look at your overall health as is, and use the information that you gather from workouts like this to set goals for future improvement.

Our Apple Watches were a huge help in keeping track of our distance and heart rate, while we ran—and took walking breaks, in between. Seriously though; a fitness watch is truly a necessity for anyone who wants to keep track of their physical activity.

Everyone needs to get at least 30 minutes of exercise daily. And while it might take a little extra effort—there’s nothing like taking a walk in the summer breeze.

Walking in nature is such a different feeling then working out in your home. Not only is there much more space to move around, but it’s pretty hard to resist not taking a photo here and there. But can you really blame me? I’ve got to give it to Goodmommy, she found a beautiful park!

And I think one of the things that I love most about this particular location is that it has a lot of statues and other structures that can help you learn about the history of our country, such as past wars and victories. The historical aspect of the park almost makes it feel like an outdoor art museum.

This eagle statue on a podium was probably my favorite of them all. It looks so realistic; I can’t imagine how long it took to make. Plus, can we just talk about how perfect the landscaping is? Now that’s what I call ✨gorgeous ✨!

Overall, me and Goodmommy had such an awesome time together. From now on, we plan on going outside to get some fresh air a lot more often. Next time I’ll be sure to take pictures of us in action. I can already see both me and Goodmommy reaching our fitness goals pretty soon! And I can’t wait to continue to document our journey!

What’s your favorite way to exercise? Also, do you prefer to work out inside or outside? I would love to hear from you all down below in the comments!

Hav a great rest of your day or night, y’all! God bless you all, and I’ll see you next time! Laters! ✨

It’s National Photography Day | Here’s what I did to celebrate ♡

A/N~Every photograph that is present in (and on top of) this blog post, was taken by me, and therefore each of these photos are my property. Please do not redistribute or use any of my photographs for any reason. Thank you, and enjoy the post! ~ Q’Zion ✨

Guess what, y’all: today is Friday. Hallelujah! I hope you all have had an amazing week! You know, there’s something that I realized earlier today: it’s been a while since I’ve practiced my photography. And by that I mean have an entire photoshoot, like I usually do on the rare occasions that I go out of the house. But then I found out that today is both World Photo Day and National Photography Day!

And since most of you know that I have fell in love with photography ever since studying it in my Visual Art class, last year, I decided to take a few photos outside to celebrate. What can I say? It was absolutely gorgeous outside, this afternoon. Anyway, here are a few of my favorite shots that I took today. Enjoy!

What’s funny is that I took a majority of these photos whilst Goodmommy—my grandmother and guardian—was driving. So although the diagonal line in this photo wasn’t intentional, I have to admit that I don’t really mind it.

Landscapes in nature are some of my favorite things to photograph. I think that when it comes to the outdoors, there’s so much variety when it comes to lines, shape, and color. There’s literally an opportunity to take a great photo at every corner. It just takes a little patience and the speed to snap your shot at the perfect moment. I thank God that in half a year, I’m already seeing some improvement.

I’ve got to admit that I’m absolutely in love with this one! The clouds and sky have been so pretty lately. Plus, the color from the flowers are just right to add a little brightness to the photo! God definitely had everything arranged perfectly for me, today! Thank you, Jesus!

Me and Goodmommy like to change the wreath on our front door every season or upcoming holiday. I’ve got to admit that this one is one of my favorites. Although, purple, pink and blue are my favorite colors—especially when they’re all together—so I may be a little biased.

Although the shot of these bushes are probably the most simple out of all of these photos, I really like it for some reason; the way that the leaves are two colors gives a really cool effect! I guess that just goes to show that sometimes, the most simple things in life can be the most beautiful of them all.


Alrighty, so those were some of my favorite photos that I took in celebration of National Photography Day and World Photo Day of 2022, and I have to admit that I’m super happy with the results! Hopefully, you guys liked them, too!

Which one of my photographs in this post did you like the most? What’s your favorite thing to take pictures of? Also, what did you do to celebrate National Photography Day—if you knew about it before now? I would love to read your responses in the comments!

Have an amazing weekend, everyone! God bless you all and I will catch you later! Peace in!

Just Listen – An Original Poem ♡

Hey, hey, hey, everybody! I hope you all are having a blessed day! ♡

Today, I wanted to talk on a certain subject: listening. When having conversations, many people think that speaking is the best way to communicate. But the truth is, listening holds an equally important value that should never be neglected. Even the Bible says to be quick to listen and slow to speak; James 1:19 New International Version (NIV)

Every year, July 18th is known as World Listening Day. And I think it’s a great day for us to relax, unwind, and make an extra effort to do a little more listening. It’s been a while since I’ve posted any of my original poetry on this blog, so today I wrote a poem which I dubbed “Just Listen” that I hope you all will enjoy reading in honor of a day for us to enjoy some peace and quiet. I hope you all enjoy it!

Just listen, little one
To the sound of silence
So still, yet so loud
So simple, yet so profound

As the giggling wind
tickles the trees
And the zinnias sit like a thrown
for the zipping honey bees

The sun greets us hello with it’s blazing rays
And we can’t help but notice the sweet little peeps
That escape from the beaks of little blue jays

Silence is a sound
A sound that doesn’t speak
Rather, it’s a sound that you feel;
That’s what makes it unique

So just listen, little one
To the sound of silence
Because sometimes, the most real things in life
Are the things that we can’t see

All we have to do is listen

-- "Just Listen" by Princess Q'Zion, written on July 18th, 2022. All Rights Reserved.

There’s something about poetry that makes me feel so calm, you know? And that’s what today is all about: calmness and serenity. Listening is a way for us to learn, grow, and relax. So whether you take some time to listen to some gospel music, do some yoga outside in the great outdoors, and/or simply take a few minutes of enjoying some quiet time, I hope you all will take the time to enjoy the sound of silence today.

LET’S CHAT~I’m curious, what are some of your favorite sounds in nature? Also, what is your favorite genre of music to listen to? Feel free to comment your thoughts down below. I would love to hear from you!

Have a peaceful rest of your day or night! May God bless you all! Peace in! ♡

Visit an art museum — check ✅ | Reblog

A/N: Here is a quick reblog of the post where me and Goodmommy visited an art museum. I feel like this great post was super underrated, so I decided to post it again to give some more of you an opportunity to see the fun that me and Goodmommy had during my last spring break. Enjoy!

*I do not own any of the art in the photographs that I provided from the inside of the museum. All the pieces of art that I photographed belong to their rightful owners. As well, if you see any small, black markings on my photographs, they are for the purpose to protect the location of the museum and names of the employees of the museum. Thanks for reading this short disclaimer.*


In my house, we’ve stayed home for pretty much the whole week. Most of you, my current followers, already know that I’m a homebody, so that really didn’t bother me; so far, my spring break had been going awesome. 

But this day in particular, Goodmommy was not having it; early this morning, she woke me up and mentioned the idea of going to an art museum. Recently, I had brought up the idea of going to one, since I’m an art lover. Therefore, we both agreed that it would be a great idea for us to check out some art to get out of the house and have some mother-daughter bonding time.

If I couldn’t think of any other good reason to visit a museum–and trust me, I have plenty–one reason would be that most of the time, they provide so many opportunities to take beautiful pictures. Me and Goodmommy had so much fun taking a look at the water view and the tall buildings of downtown. The museum was in an entire center that included parks, restaurants, and even art organizations for kids. They’re was so much to do, which made the visit even more enjoyable.

Art museums tend to be giant, and the one that we visited was just another example. The pretty glass windows and doors looked beautiful, both outside an inside. Just by the front desk was a cute bakery and small jewelry shop. On the second level, where the galleries are located, you can even go outside on this deck area to see everything from a higher view. Cool, right?

What I really love about museums is that they’re kind of like a quick History lesson. But instead of learning the history through textbooks, you get to see the history through the story that the artists tell through their work, as well as the credited descriptions explaining the history of the work and creators.

Diversity is another beautiful element of art. Art comes in many shapes, scales, and colors, just like we do as people. This one gallery called Verde: Poetics of Shade was actually created by 5 different black woman, representing the diversity of a community and the people in it.

Although many people probably don’t realize it, a museum is a lot like a library. It’s very quiet, promote learning about the places we call home, and help preserve the history of past and present generations. 

This next one particularly caught Goodmommy’s attention. We both noticed that a lot of the artists behind many of the galleries were African-American, Greek, Egyptian, or Roman. It’s amazing how many cultures, mediums, and art styles can be combined to make one museum filled with creativity. Even though each piece is unique, they all come together to fill the walls of the museum.

After the short and sweet visit to the museum, we decided to go and get a bite to eat. We both ordered this really yummy sandwich with turkey, sauerkraut, cheese, pickles and more. A few months ago, we got the same sandwich without some of the ingredients…and we realized that it tastes soooo much better with everything on it. They give you pretty good servings. Me and Goodmommy ate 2 out of 4 pieces of our sandwiches at the restaurant, and we saved the other half for later. 

P.S., this whole thing is actually one sandwich. Goodmommy got one sandwich each for both of us. They definitely give you your money’s worth of food! 

After our main course, we both split a large slice of lemon cake–that was delicious, too. The whole meal was a 10/10. Now, we definitely know one of the best places to visit the next time we want to go out to eat.

Overall, we both had tons of fun today. I thank God that we were able to spend some quality time together outside of the house. Even though we don’t do so often, when we do, it makes me really appreciate my time with Goodmommy, and my entire family, even more.

Question of the Day: Have you ever been to a museum? If so, did you enjoy it? Feel free to share your thoughts below in the comments.

Thank you so much for reading, everyone! God bless you all! <33

Summer Solstice | A Haiku in Honor of Summer

First day of summer 
Sun sits lofty aloft 
The glistening sea
-- A Haiku "Summer Solstice" written on June 21, 2022 by Princess Q'Zion. All Rights Reserved.

Welcome, everyone to the first–and longest–day of summer! Although a majority of us have already been enjoying the “summer experience” after another school year ended, today is the beginning of the real summer fun.

Today the Earth orbits the Sun at a specific angle, making the large star appear at the lowest or highest point in the sky. Not only is it really beautiful–making it the perfect opportunity for selfies–but its also the start of road trips, family gatherings, visits to the beach, leisurely bike rides, county fairs, and all the other amazing elements of the season of summer.

So I wanted to ask you guys, what are your plans for this spectacular time of year? Traveling across the world? Writing a novel? Eating some hot dogs with your family? Sleeping in at home? There are so many things to do–the list is pretty much never-ending. Feel free to share some of your goals for this summer and/or some things on your summer bucket list in the comments. I would love to hear from everybody!

Thank you so much for reading, and I will see you all next time! Have a happy summer solstice! ♡

Flower Photography |Nature Photagraphy Day

A/N ~ Hey, y’all! I’m so glad you’re here! In celebration of Nature Photography Day, I will be sharing a reblog of some of my personal flower photography. Enjoy!

In my Visual Art class for this year, one module was focused on photography, and many of the techniques associated with it. Ever since then, I’ve fell in love with taking photos, especially of nature. As of now, I do my best to take at least one nature photo every week to get some practice in.

Spring is in bloom, so when me and Goodmommy came home today, I noticed these delicate white flowers that were sprouting from a tree just outside. And the first thing I thought was; photo opportunity! So I took a mini photoshoot of the flowers–one of the most beautiful aspects of nature–and I wanted you guys to check them out.

Here are some of my latest nature photographs. All Rights Reserved.

1. I absolutely admire this angle…the flower is tilted so elegantly. Ahh, that feeling when you get a good shot is the chef’s kiss.
2. I think close ups can be super pretty when executed well. I’m definitely seeing improvements!
3. In my art class, we learned that this technique (making small things look bigger) is called macro. The way I remember it is macro = microscope. It’s super cool how zooming in a little can help you see the intricate details that you can’t see unless you take a closer look. That’s one of the most beautiful parts of photographing nature.
4. I just had to show the whole tree in a shot, so I really used the opportunity to do the opposite of macro and make the whole tree the focal point rather than just one flower. The white stands out from the shades of green so vibrantly. Very spring, if you ask me!

Photography makes me feel super happy inside. And my photographs of the great outdoors are always some of my favorites. Thank God for the beautiful scenery of spring!

Learning about different species and organisms that I’ve never heard of or seen before is always a super exciting experience. Every photo that I take is a step of improvement; and I’m enjoying every second of it.

Thanks for reading, y’all! Toodles! 🌻

5 Things to Do Outdoors in the Summer

If there’s any time to branch out and get a little outdoorsy, it’s while schools are out for summer break. Spending our time out in the nature while the weather is pleasant is one of the best ways to make the most of the season. Not to mention that being outdoors can do wonders for your overall mental health. And since June is Great Outdoors Month, I think we all need to have a little fun in the sun.

Here is a list of a few things that anyone can do OUTDOORS during the season of summer.

Go horseback riding

Learning how to ride a horse has been a desire of mine for years–and I still hope that I will do it someday. Horseback riding is also the perfect activity for the summer. Working with animals in the community is a great way to spend break if you are someone who enjoys being outdoors.

Try rock climbing–indoors or outdoors

Believe it or not, there are many organizations that serve rock climbing classes to people of all ages. I find summer one of the best times to take on a new hobby, and rock climbing is a really great option if you want to step out of the box. Plus, you can easily start training in an indoor rock climbing gym before you transition to climbing small hills and other real landforms with the permission and supervision of several adults, including your legal guardian(s).

Watch a movie outside

All you need is a projector, a translucent white screen, a few foldable chairs, family and friends, and some snacks, and you have set up an outdoor movie party. And just in case you like this idea, but want a cheaper alternative, many parks offer drive-in movies (or movies outdoors) for free during the summer. Just remember that if you decide to watch a movie in public to practice social distancing and have fun!

Visit a strawberry or cherry field

Some people may have goals on their summer bucket list that correlate to maintaining a healthy lifestyle. To keep fresh fruits in your diet, why not visit a strawberry or cherry field–or the field of any fruit that is currently thriving where you live–and go fruit picking? Not only will this activity get you outdoors and give you quality time with the ones you love, but you will also have a healthy, delicious reward to look forward to when you get back home.

Go canoeing

Maybe you want to spend some time in the water–why not go canoeing? Based on what I’ve heard, canoeing is an activity of teamwork and strength. Not to mention that it’s also a really good low-impact aerobic workout. If you plan on going camping this summer, canoeing could be a really good way to spend some extra time near your campsite on an uneventful day.


Being outdoors feels so good around this time of year–the weather is perfect, and we have every ounce of time on our hands. Instead of staying cooped up in the house all break, spending some time with mother nature is beneficial for your physical, mental, and spiritual health. Besides, no summer bucket list is complete without activities in the great outdoors.

LET’S CHAT~Does your family have any outdoor traditions for the summer? If not, is there any activity that you want to try during break? Feel free to comment down below.

Have a beautiful day, y’all! See you next time! ♡