6/365 Simple

Last year I became a bit stressed out trying to think of things to photograph. This year I am feeling more relaxed. I have a plan--sort of. I'm just going to look around me and see the beauty that is right in front of me. As a photographer I'll just have to find a way to make the simple things more interesting. Should be easy enough! :-)

I found this hanging from the armoire at a friends home. Simple. Beautiful.

Simplicity is the ultimate sophistication.
--Leonardo da Vinci

5/365 Commitment

So, I dropped off my last attempt at 365 and here I am to start anew in 2010!

This is my wedding ring. I've always loved the emerald and did not want a traditional stone, setting or band. Although I don't believe you have to have a ring to show that you are married, I do like the ring as a symbol of my commitment to my staunchest supporter of 12 years. Wow! Has it been that long?

My work improved last year and then I see that I hit a plateau of sorts. I hope I will spring out of my rut and create some new things that make me smile. I am committed to the success of this project!

153/365 Vow

I got to meet the sweetest couple yesterday as I did my last wedding as an "intern".

The groom did not get a ring for this eclectic ceremony. The bride received a ring as well as a a diamond bracelet. I got to practice some ring shots.

I'm trying to be more creative by bringing in color and texture for these detail shots. The stone may have been too small for my ideas and I may have over powered the ring. I'm not sure if these are interesting enough. I'll keep looking at them for a few days and see if they grow on me. It was a good lesson. I need to be able to make quick adjustments on the fly.

152/365 Dress-up

I saw this cutey dressed up in his version of an Arabian Prince. He had beautiful locs tucked under that scarf along with large dark eyes. Handsome.

Lesson:Children make you want to start life over.
~Muhammad Ali

151/365 Two

We were slammed with bad news last week (literally every day) and it's good to have each other during good times and bad. I actually hate to say bad because it's a fabulous opportunity for growth and growing is not a bad thing. Too tired to go any deeper with that one right now. Suffice it to say, life is ---still---good!!

This was taken from my garden just before they were harvested. Apparently moist soil is conducive to mushroom growth, so I'm greeted almost daily with some new variety of mushroom. I think these are my favorite so far, they are beautiful and delicate.

Lesson: In every adversity, there is the seed of an equal or greater benefit.
Napoleon Hill

150/365 Vintage

Yes! I'm still alive and doing well. Just incredibly busy these days and that's both good and bad. I desperately need to learn how to manage my time better so that I can complete things that I start and build my business!

This is a shot from a recent workshop. I've been wanting to learn how to use lights now for about a year, but have been terribly intimidated. I finally got a spot in a workshop I've had my eye on for months and I was more than satisfied with the willingness of the instructor to share his heart and his love for his art--so refreshing!

The most memorable piece of advice I took away was for me to find my own style of shooting and to realize that finding my style may take days, months or even years. The fun will be in the process.

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

149/365 Light

When I took my first photography class with my first film slr years ago, I was taught that you should never shoot down on children. Some rules are made to be broken!

I love the light reflected in her little eyes and I love the way we connected. I've known her since she was a few days old. Time flies!

Lesson: You can't break the rules until you know how to play the game.
--Rickie Lee Jones, singer and songwriter