Catching up....

My online photography class Picture Winter is coming to a quick end.  I have really loved it, and I'll be sad to see it go.  It's amazing what kind of community you can build with people all over the world, simply by sharing pictures.  Here are some of my latest prompts:

Geek

My husband loves computers. Builds them. Fixes them. Understands them. To him, this component is a thing of beauty. To me? Well, I liked the reflection.



Magic Shadow

Lately, Anna (my 3 year old) has been noticing shadows everywhere. So, I have been noticing too. I love how kids do that. They pay attention, and give us the gift of doing the same.

Magic Indeed

My beloved sister is in the Peace Corps in Rwanda. Via technology, we've been able to share in her experiences and learn about a new culture. This was nearly impossible even five years ago. The photo is from Christmas morning. Instead of gathering around the fireplace, we gathered around the laptop. Magic!

(The amazing thing is that after I posted this picture and description, another Picture Winter participant in the class said that her cousins were also in Rwanda in the Peace Corps.  Turns out, they are in Annie's group.  She knows them!!  Okay, that is a crazy small world....)

I think this next photo is one of my favorites....

A Beautiful Mess
My desk. Stacked with notebooks and binders and books and ideas and inspiration. All collected as I work towards a new creative venture. As chaotic as this might seem, I have a clear vision of what I'm reaching for.

It's all. Just. Right. There.....



A final note:
My free photo sessions (see the post below) are filling up fast. (I promised Ray only one a week, and I'm doing my best to stick with that!!)  So, if you would like to set up a date but haven't confirmed it yet, contact me as soon as possible.  When they are gone, they are gone....

Also do take a look at the "Help Me Practice" link above.  That provides more information about my style, what to expect, etc.


Happy weekend!!

Free, free, free...

FREE!  That's supposed to get your attention, right?


(this is an image by the amazing Tara Whitney).

Today is my blog's one year anniversary, so I wanted to do something, as the quote above says "that I've never done before..."  So, here goes....

(insert breath-holding.)

I am scheduling portrait sessions between now and the end of June at no charge.  And I welcome anyone who is interested to sign-up. I'm ready to move beyond the kindness of friends, to the kindness of strangers.  (although friends are certainly welcome to contact me too!)

So, in exchange for your time and good looks (and willingness to work with someone who is still learning), we'll take photos for an hour or two.  Then, a few weeks later, I'll mail you a DVD with at least 20 (but probably many more) images.  They are yours to keep and do with what you will.

Complete details are available on the link above "Help Me Practice."  (please check out that information.  I'm not a traditional photographer, and I want to be sure my style fits what you are looking for!!)

Feel free to forward this on to others who you think may be interested.  I can't wait to get started!!

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One of my vacation projects was to print some of the pictures I've taken of the kids these past months, and actually hang them on the wall.  This project is always such a big process...choosing the images, sizing them, ordering them, finding frames, finding the right wall space, and then actually getting them up on the wall.  (It seems that last part always entails a little too much math for my liking!)

I was thrilled when my pictures arrived yesterday.  And the day prior, I found exactly the frames I had been looking for on sale at Michael's for $4.00 each.  (Yahoo!) 

I laid the pictures out last night, and just thought about the right order for awhile.

 

After way too much math and measuring, I hung the pictures this morning....



I love that Henry is admiring the photos, but Anna couldn't care less. So typical of each of them!

And I'm glad that I could cross this item off my vacation to-do list.  

Back to work tomorrow....I'm so grateful for such a wonderful two weeks.  It was glorious!!

Clarity at Twenty Below

When we woke this morning, the temperature outside was 20 degrees below zero.  (Yes - 20 below!)  There was no way I was going outside to take a picture.  But fortunately, I woke up in time to snap this sunrise through my bedroom window.

The light was changing so fast.  Just five minutes later and it would have been gone.

(I did get out of bed to take the shot.  However, had I been able to stay under the warmth of my comforter all morning long, I certainly would have....)

There was also a heavy layer of frost on all of our windows.  It didn’t make my husband very happy, but I thought it made for a pretty interesting shot.  I'm amazed at how those bottom ice crystals formed. 

So I think all of this crazy cold weather today helped me clear my head a little bit....  

This morning after I dropped Henry off for school, I had an hour for a quick cup of coffee by myself.  I've really struggled these past few weeks with a constant unsettled feeling. And with it, too much self-torture and angst.  But today, I think a few breaths of cold searing air gave me some much needed clarity.  (Well that, and an extra large cup of coffee helped too!)

Finally, I get it!!  All of this tension was my wake-up call.  My personal neon sign flashing with the answer to a question I really didn't even know I was asking.  Finally, finally, I paid attention and listened. And, can I tell you how great I feel?

(Hmmm.  Amazing what can happen when you work with, rather than against yourself...)

So, with my new-found clarity, a huge weight has lifted.  I have direction and intent.  I know what is next. And I am so very relieved.
 

However, next time I'm in need of blistering clarity, I'd much prefer it take place at a mild 80 degrees instead!!