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)