108/365 Thinking

I have been trying to come up with an elevator speech (regarding my business) for a few weeks now. Granted, I've never dedicated a certain amount of time just to focus on that one task, but today I did! I still don't have one. Why is it so hard to sum up what I do and how I can help others in just a few words? At any rate, I'm not giving up. By midnight I will have something that I am proud to share with potential clients!

Lesson: How long should you try? Until.
--Jim Rohn

107/365 Soar

I have not owned a full length mirror for many years now and today I remembered why! I went shopping in preparation for an upcoming trip and had the pleasure of trying on swim suits. I love to swim and I'm determined to swim on this trip, but I need to look good doing it--for me! I was shocked when I looked in the mirror and immediately stepped to one side so that I could try on my clothes without the added benefit of having that stranger stare at me. After getting over the shock, I peeked at the stranger and saw that it was indeed me. An older me, a little heavier me, but me. I took all of her in, embraced her in my mind and smiled.

I'm not where I was, but I'm not here to stay! My time in the fitting room gave me the boost I needed to really kick my health plan into another gear. It's time to soar once more.

One of the members of my entourage set this up and I thought it fit.

Lesson: It's so important to be comfortable with ALL of me. If one part gets left behind then I cannot move ahead as a complete person. That's my goal, to grow. Completely.

106/365 Maze

I feel like I'm spinning in several directions, but not actually getting anywhere! Things are looking up though and that's a good thing. My office is neater, dinner is cooked, bread is baking, the kidlets had school, I'm crossing things off of the massive TO DO list and I went to the gym! All of that before 5:00 p.m.!

This will not become a flower blog, I simply have not set aside time to really think about what I want to shoot before I pull out my camera. Today was actually the only day I pulled out the camera JUST FOR ME in about 3 days. Even though I shot just for myself today, I still did not give my subject much thought. I just walked to something close and focused on the bud that called out to me in the loudest voice.

Lesson: Life is a journey, enjoy the ride!

105/365 Waiting

One opportunity I expected this month, may not come at all. I'm trying to balance the desire to do what I want with doing what may be best.

Lesson: I'm learning to wait.

104/365 Expecting

I had the pleasure of hanging out with this engaging and beautiful couple this weekend. They are expecting their first baby very soon now! These are just two of several inspiring people I had the pleasure of meeting and I wanted to remember this day. Meeting all of the new and like-minded people this weekend reminded me of all of the people I've been blessed to meet over the past three years as a result of walking around with a camera! Life is good!

I'm not that pleased with the black and white image, but I can't put my finger on what's missing so I'm not sure how to fix it. Ah well...you can't win them all!

Lesson: Friendship is born at that moment when one person says to another, 'What! You too? I thought I was the only one.
--C.S. Lewis

103/365 Muse

Webster defines the word muse as a source of inspiration. There are many people who inspire me and yesterday I found an object that really spoke to me as I took a closer look at a little shop that I pass by frequently. The object is a work of art, a woman made of iron who seems to be filled with energy and has really crazy hair. On the front of her body you can see the words "DREAMS DO COME TRUE". She reminded me of me! I will have her one day soon and she will stand in my home and eventually near my home studio. She will remind me that I am pursuing a dream.

The owner of this wonderful antique store is standing next to my muse. I enjoyed chatting with her and listening to her story about how she came to acquire this house filled with unique art. I had to capture this moment in time! The spunky owner agreed to be photographed and thought it would be cool to stand next to my muse. Click!

Lesson: Dreams are like stars...you may never touch them, but if you follow them they will lead you to your destiny.
--Unknown Source

102/365 Emerge

Just playing around with one of the images from today.

101/365 Rings

I'm test driving the idea of moving into another phase of photography. A local wedding photographer has agreed to take me under her wing for awhile and I am grateful. This is my first ring shot.

Lesson: Photography appears to be an easy activity; in fact it is a varied and ambiguous process in which the only common denominator among its practitioners is in the instrument.

- Henri Cartier-Bresson

100/365 Crack

Some things are just determined to grow where they are planted and will not be denied! I took a stroll in one of the local artsy neighborhoods and looked up! I might have missed this had I not changed my perspective. A tree appeared to be growing through the crack of this abandoned building.

Michael Jordan is definitely a talented basketball player, but is he one of the best in the world? Perhaps he is simply one of the best out of those who actually embraced their potential and sought out ways to develop that potential. Can you imagine all of the super talented basketball players in the world who simply stopped taking one. step. at. a. time.

It's not about being the best in the world, it's about being YOUR best. It's about pushing through and beyond obstacles.

Lesson: The drops of rain make a hole in the stone not by violence but by oft falling.
-Lucretius, Roman poet

99/365 Pots

What an interesting day! I parked in front of a row of shops with nothing in mind really. No plans, just being open. As I stepped out of the car, I realized I was in front of an art gallery that had not been in that spot just 3 weeks ago. I wanted to get a closer look at the art, so in I walked. About 30 minutes later I was walking out again after being asked to bring some of my work to be juried by the gallery owner. If he liked it, he would hang it and sell it. Wow!

Now, I don't know what will come of this at all, but I'll step through the door that has been unexpectedly opened. It may well be that the owner decides that he doesn't like any of my work and it will not hang in his gallery! I am expecting a great lesson in this process regardless of his final decision.

Lesson: Only when we are no longer afraid do we begin to live.
--Dorothy Thompson, American journalist

98/365 Dario

Why Dario? Everyone knows that Spanish tennis players are some of the most gifted players in the world! If not the most gifted, they are some of the cutest!

I saw this little guy pressed to one of the doors of our home as I went to grab by camera for today's outing. No need to look any further, Dario had the job to represent us for Day 98!

One of the most fun things about taking an image a day is learning to appreciate the beauty that is close to home. It really makes me come to terms with how I define beauty. My definition is broadening for sure and that's a good thing!

Lesson: The most beautiful view is the one I share with you. (source unknown)

97/365 Lines

We enjoyed a museum day today in order to check out the Terra Cotta Warrior exhibit.

After the touring the exhibit we took a brief break. As we lingered, I happened to look out of a nearby window and observed all of these cool lines coming together.

Lesson: Staying awake for life is one of the most fulfilling things I've ever done. It's such a joy sharing things I love (art) with the people I love most in the world.

96/365 Wisteria

95/365 Swirl

Serendipity \ser-ǝn-`dip-ǝt-e\ noun: the faculty or phenomenon of finding valuable or agreeable things not sought for

I love the texture in the image above. The texture in the pavement and the texture in the gum ball. It's also interesting to see the colors that are in the concrete. We walk over concrete all of the time and probably never really notice the small flecks of color that come together to make the solid rock beneath our feet.

I spent time with a friend and her children today and we casually talked about the business of photography. By the end of our time together she invited me to join her for a free learning opportunity right in my own backyard. I get to shadow her at an upcoming wedding in a couple of days! Yahoo! One of my dreams is unfolding.

Lesson: When the student is ready, the teacher appears. (Buddhist Proverb)

94/365 Bouquet

I had an idea for my picture of the day, but it didn't come out as I planned. I had no plan B this time, but thank goodness for random acts of kindness! This little girl saw me and decided that I needed flowers! She picked them from her yard and brought them over to me. I was instantly thrilled that she thought of me although I am (was) a complete stranger! A smile crept across my face where a scowl had just been. I was feeling particularly grumpy today--probably due to a lack of quality sleep! At any rate, I wrapped the raffia around the bouquet and asked her to hold the wonderful flowers for me. Since I didn't know her and could not have her sign a model release I did not include her face. The colors of her clothing make a wonderful backdrop for her gift.

This image serves as a reminder to me to practice random acts of kindness everyday, starting in my own home.

Lesson: You cannot do a kindness too soon, for you never know how soon it will be too late.
~Ralph Waldo Emerson

93/365 Lovely

I love this quick capture of dad and daughter together. Wouldn't this be great to pull out on her wedding day. I couldn't get her attention, there was a man with a wonderful voice singing camera left and that was much more interesting to her! I still love it and wanted to share! I'm catching up in proofing sessions today and had to pull from the archives. Back on track tomorrow.

Lesson: A daughter is a day brightener and a heart warmer. (source unknown)

92/365 Peek

It's fun to look closely at things that I've never thought of looking closely at before. I know I've said that before, but it's fascinating how beautiful things are when we take the time to dig a little deeper.



I look forward to going deeper this week; to continue to look below the surface in all of my relationships. I will continue to get to know me.

Lesson:

91/365 Blue

The Feast of Unleavened Bread begins in a few days. It's coincides with the change of the season--spring--when everything begins again. It's a time to cast off those habits, thoughts, and ways of being that have not served you and to begin with new resolve.

Lesson:
"The first step towards getting somewhere is to decide that you are not going to stay where you are." (source unknown)

90/365 Circa 1905

This wonderful house was owned by an Obstetrician. He lived upstairs and delivered babies downstairs. Now it's a gift shop and home furnishing store in the artsy part of town.

I rescheduled a session today because of the weather. Since I was working this afternoon, I spent time doing things just for me. I started with an hour long deep tissue massage, then off to lunch with a good friend.

Lesson: A friend is someone who understands your past, believes in your future, and accepts you just the way you are. (unknown source)

89/365 Soft

Having fun with cotton today. I wanted to try fruit, but we ate the fruit I really wanted to use. Here's plan B.

The lesson today was gleaned from a movie that I watched as I edited some of my recent images. It's a good reminder for me.

Lesson: You're an artist. Your job is to break through barriers. Have the courage to fail big and stick around. That's true greatness!
(Claire, Elizabethtown)

88/365 Dancer

This is one of the students from my first Photography Funshop. I asked the kids to bring an object with them today that had some special meaning to them. My goal was to incorporate that object into unique portraits. This is Sofie's portrait. Sofie has aspirations of becoming a professional dancer and she is well on her way! I asked her to hold her shoes and she did the rest. I only got two shots of each student, so this isn't the sharpest image, but it captures her personality. I thought to clone the camera out of the image, but it's a part of who she is as well.



This is David's portrait. The future cyclist who is dreaming of being a sports photographer.

We had a great time learning and then practicing the things we learned. I was truly inspired by the enthusiasm that emanated from these great young artists!

Lessons: Really great people make you feel that you, too, can become great. (Mark Twain)

87/365 Welcome

Meet the newest member of our entourage! This is Chick-Chick!

A dear friend gifted my children today! They each received a gift of a baby chick made of soft colorful yarn. I enjoyed showing Chick-Chick around our home. She helped me wash a load of clothes and then explored the bookcase. My youngest constant companion advised that a chick would never be in a tree, but I liked the green around Chick-Chick, so she agreed to sit in the tree for her very first portrait.

Lesson: Let no one ever come to you without leaving better and happier. Be the living expression of God's kindness: kindness in your face, kindness in your eyes, kindness in your smile. (Mother Teresa)

86/365 Purple

These vines with the purple blooms have been showing up everywhere I look. I've been longing to get close, but could never find them in a public place or in a place that didn't call for me to walk into a woody, overgrown area. I'm pretty adventurous, but I still have some limitations. Today I saw them growing on the side of an old building and found the juxtaposition interesting. As I drove a bit further, I saw some close enough to the road that I could just snip a branch off to take with me. The goal was to find a creative way to shoot it at home! After taking the vine out of the car, I discovered that most of the blooms were still closed and I didn't like them closed. I spotted one that was open and as I moved close to photograph that one, it feel to the ground. Arghh!!! Instead of trying to glue it back on, I just plopped down on the wet cement and met the bloom where it landed.

Wouldn't it be great if the people in our lives always met us where we were instead of trying to fix or change us first? It would be even better if we met ourselves where we are; being equally comfortable when we're swinging from the vine or hitting the ground with a thud.

Lesson:Truly loving another means letting go of all expectations. It means full acceptance... (unknown source)