winter loveliness

This week, Lincoln was graced with two separate snows.  The first storm was violent, sudden and windy -- blowing what felt like shattered glass into our faces and eyes as we leaned into it, hurrying to our cars and homes and workplaces.  The second snow day made each of us feel like we were living inside a snow globe.  Giant bits of fluff swirled from the sky in a slow, poetic descent, as if each flake danced to its own music.

Naturally, I chose the first day to go out shooting. If I'd known the second day would be like a fairy tale, I'd have waited. But noooo.  I spent a miserable half hour outside, my camera pathetically protected under a fabric grocery bag I'd found in my car (I was THAT prepared), and my glasses all watery and drippy. Not to mention I'd left my gloves at home, and my lens was alternately wet and foggy. Not great shooting circumstances. But I think it was worth it. Easy to say now, sitting here wrapped in a cozy wool blanket (the one Justin bought in Peru).

I've always loved photography that is abstract, or somewhat so. I love images that seem to change when you back up and look at them from a distance. And I love when everyone sees different things in an image, or has different opinions on how/why/where it was taken.  Here are my images of trees and snow.

 

 

I think the last one is my favorite. Thanks for looking!

p.s. hopefully my next blog post will be...VERY VERY different. You'll have to wait and find out what I mean! :)

Couples Shoot with Parker and Lisa - Portrait Photography in Lincoln, Nebraska

When my brother-in-law Parker brought his girlfriend Lisa to Lincoln for a few days to Meet The Family, I jumped at the chance to take them out for a photo session with my new camera and lenses. They were kind enough to subject themselves to my whims for a couple of hours.  I was so very happy with the way these turned out. (I am loving my new glass and camera too!)

Oh...can you guess which photos were taken in a PUBLIC BATHROOM?? (Bonus points if you know where the bathroom is!)

Senior Photography - my little brother!

I'm so proud of my youngest brother Josh! He'll be graduating from high school next year. The same little brother who used to beg us to tie him to the piano (and then complain to Mom later).  He's a great basketball player and a truly kindhearted person. And he can quote basketball stats like nobody's business. So here's to you, Josh. I hope nobody ties you to pianos in college.

Renewal of Wedding Vows - my awesome parents!

I am so proud of my parents.  A couple of weeks ago they celebrated their 27th wedding anniversary! In honor of their "27 on 27," they renewed their marriage promises to each other in a small, intimate ceremony.  A pastor from their church said a few words, and then everyone ate cake and fruit. It was simple and meaningful.  My parents are an amazing example of what marriage -- commitment, sacrifice, loyalty, love -- should, and can, be.  So here's to you, Mom and Dad - I've said it before, but I am SO thankful for the lessons you've taught us, just by living your lives.

They didn't exactly set aside a lot of time for photos, so I got them to 'pose' just a few minutes before the guests showed up. Don't I have great-looking parents?? My mom is just gorgeous...

Context vs. Details - photography musings

Something I've been pondering lately is the balance in photography between capturing details of a given event, like intricate embroidery on a wedding gown, and seeing more context, like that gown hanging next to a group of bridesmaids primping at the mirror. Each type of photograph has its own strengths. But something I'm learning is that you need to have both, if you want to truly tell a story and help others visualize, or remember, the event.

When I first started on my photography journey, my photos were almost all details. This is because my emphasis was on bringing out the unnoticed and forgotten details of the world. If I could make someone amazed at the texture of a little leaf from their own garden, for example, I'd done my job. My perspective was tiny and focused: to diminish the context so little worlds of beauty could really shine.

Photography Developments (Pun Very Much Intended)

The times, they are a-changing!

In the next few months I hope to unveil a dedicated website for all of my photography, including this auspicious blog.  This has been a plan of mine for quite some time, and I am just now beginning to actually do real research and development.  I am very excited about it. I will be able to showcase my "people" photos, like engagements, weddings and senior portraits (I hate using the word "portrait" because it sounds like I have a stuffy, frumpy studio with fake backgrounds on rollers).  And, on this same website, I am planning to sell my art prints as I do now in my Etsy shop.  I can see your panic now: will my Etsy store go away?  Fear not. At this point, it's my plan to convert it into a dedicated vintage shop, rather than having photography and vintage together. But under my new "road map" (sorry, I've been around politicians too long), all my work--events, people, art, blog--will be in one place. A beautiful, glorious place.

In other news, I am going to get a new camera. Soon. Maybe not soon.

Right now I'm looking at the Canon 7D.  Eventually I'll hopefully be able to justify a full-frame splurge, but until then, the 7D seems like the obvious choice for better performance than I have now. And who am I kidding?  My XTi does its job pretty darn well. Let there be no doubt: it has been a wonderful first "serious" camera, especially given the quality lens I've been able to pair it with (as a gift from my husband and parents). We'll see whether I can wait the entire summer before making this large purchase.  Part of the fun of a new treasure, though, is the anticipation and the wait. 

So, keep your eyes peeled. 'Cause everyone loves the idea of peeled eyes.

a public service announcement

I'm taking a break from photos to tell you about something really important. This has been on my mind and heart for several months now, and I want to share it with you, and show you how you can help! :)

Every year, many hundreds or thousands of Nepalese girls are kidnapped or tricked into traveling to India. Some are "married" with the promise of a better life. When they arrive in India they are sold into sex shops where their lives are beyond miserable. If they don't die in the brothels, they are thrown onto the streets. The girls who do make it home are rejected by their families and communities. They have little hope for life beyond the brothels.

100% of my photography proceeds until the end of the year will be given to the Princess Home, a Christian rehabilitation center for young women rescued from the extensive sex-trafficking network of Nepal and India. These women receive care and job training...they are given hope for a new and better life. The organization also works to stop sex slavery, focusing on freeing women before they even cross the border into India. Read all about the Princess Home and their parent organization, Tiny Hands International, here: http://bit.ly/1Ok6lT Looking through the photos and stories of these girls, and the hope that the Princess Home gives to them, it is hard not to be affected.

During this holiday season, please consider purchasing artwork to benefit a much larger cause. The stakes are high, and it does not take much money to completely change another person's life. Tiny Hands estimates that it only takes $10 to stop one woman from being enslaved.

If you're thinking about buying art for someone this Christmas, consider buying from my Etsy shop! Thanks for reading!

discovering why i take pictures

I have a wonderful husband. Sometimes I think he knows me better than I know myself. (And sometimes he doesn't have a clue, but for that I can't blame him in the least...I confuse myself sometimes.)

He came in just now, after I wrote that first sentence. :)

Anyways, lately, I've been frustrated with where I am in my, I guess I can say, photographic journey. Or something like that. Basically, I've been taking my camera out, and don't see things to photograph. I feel really blank and uninspired. Does it have something to do with trying to sell my art? Probably. But the observation my insightful husband offered was this: My pictures are a kind of story of my life, in that I don't usually go out to take pictures, but I take my camera with me, and photograph what I see while I'm doing life. Most of my great photos have been taken while I was there doing something else.

a gallery and a philosophy

I've never had any of my photos for sale in any sort of "bricks-and-mortar" shop. My workplace is partly a gallery, and a while ago I was told I could hang some things there. But then it was decided that our store will no longer be a gallery and just concentrate on framing. This is a good decision for the store - but a teensy bit disappointing for me! :) It really made me nervous to think about hanging things up for the public to see (and potentially reject) though. I know art is different to everyone, and people are drawn to different things in art. But someone I don't know if I'm up for the possibility of no one liking it enough to buy it.

Back from a deep hole of school and wedding planning!

I've decided I'd like to keep this blog somewhat active - especially since I've decided to start promoting my Etsy site more. I made my second sale on that site today - very encouraging! I've also had a few family members and friends buy some prints, which is a huge blessing and encouragement to me.

My brother is getting married in June. He and his fiancee asked me to take their engagement photos. Not that I'm super experienced or anything, but it promises to be fun once the weather starts cooperating. I had one print done at Walgreens (I know, the true mark of a professional) just so we could see the coloring and stuff in print (computer screens are deceiving). We had some trouble picking it up because the Walgreens employees thought we were trying to illegally reproduce photos taken by a professional. I showed the apathetic employee my drivers' license, he was like "whatever" and made me sign a copyright release. So weird. But he said, in a bland, 18-year-old-making-$6-an-hour tone, "your pictures are kinda good, maybe you should be a photographer." You never know when a trip to the drugstore will enlighten you to your true purpose in life. A call to excellence from a bored Walgreens employee should never be taken lightly.

new photos?

I need to post more often. I constantly find new photographs on my computer that I can ready for online debut in a matter of minutes...which is handy when I don't have time to take any new pictures. Hopefully I can get motivated to create some new art - but this year I've hardly taken any new photos of the wintry loveliness (that I hate driving in). I have, though, found some great winter oldies from last year's photo stash that I can share with you now.

This year's family Christmas present-opening photos were, for the most part, just as bad as last year's - except this year I condescended to use my built-in flash for many of the photos. I hate using the flash, but I also hate using ISO 1600 and still having to manually lighten every single photo because my parents still don't have enough lamps in the living room. Well, that is a lesson for everyone: Have enough lamps in your living room - at least enough light to appease your live-in photographer.

Oh yes. Old winter pictures. Here are a few for your delight.