For A Moment Photography

From the Heart

 Thích Quảng Đức 1963: self immolation

When I started this blog several years ago I didn't really know the direction it was heading.  I didn't know if I would just write about photography, if I would include my personal life and if I would speak on controversial subjects.  Today I have a much clear direction.

I've had many well intended friends speak to me about the content of my blog.  They question if I should post my view point and point out I may alienate some of my clients/blog followers.  Because I am working so hard to establish a following and build my client base this was a concern of mine as well.  However the more and more I thought about it the more I feel if my blog doesn't have my view, what's the point?

There are people that do not enjoy reading my blog.  If that is the case most likely they wouldn't enjoy my company, do I want those people to be my clients?  And do they want me as there photographer?   I would like to add that I know not everyone shares my same views.  I am so aware of that and I'm 100% fine with that.  At no point is it my goal to change their minds.  That would just be a bonus (ha ha).  My goal is to speak from my heart and what my experience is.  I do hope that most of my posts are relatable and those commonalities overpower any differences.  I'd like people to read my blog and see the human side of me.   

I've studied marketing and I know that the entire population can not be my target market.  I know what I need to have a clear demographic.  This knowledge makes the decision even more clear for me.  I will draw those who enjoy or tolerate my thoughts and without conflict separate from those that are repelled by them.  I also may draw in a few who have to giggle about my crazy thought process (you know the coo coo Mommy stuff) which is fine to...  I guess my blog is to show that I'm not perfect and hopefully you, the reader relate to that.

So why the photo of  Thích Quảng Đức.  Well his story is unbelievable and his devotion to what he believes is AMAZING.  He literally volunteered to lite himself on fire in protest, his body took 10 minutes to completely burn.  He was re cremated later but his heart remained intact.  

 

 

  

Year Four.

This weekend my Bug turned 4 years old, it's hard to believe.  Her party was very small and it was perfect.  She had three families of friends and my family come celebrate.  I was thinking about not having a party.  She had a Spring Festival at School (the day of her birthday) that she was sure was her party.  But I changed my mind and I'm glad I did.  

The best apart of the party was the chinese lanterns (sorry no pictures).  She and I went to see the movie, Tangled.  Those lanterns play a big role in the movie.  She asked if we could have them for her birthday.  I looked them up on the internet, and ordered them.  We decided to send them home with each guest, I hope they enjoy them.

 

 

 

 

Painting with Light

PS they totally have their clothes on.  I just made them take off their shirts.  It wouldn't look the same had they had them on. :)  LOVE it!

I love my job.  I love my job!  I've learned so much and I'm enjoying seeing my ideas come to life before my eyes!  This was a new technique I was trying out and I think we totally killed it.  We took this photo in a pitch black room with only a flashlight as my light source, no photoshop tricks.

 

 

  

LadyPug

Miss Bell

Today was another first for me.  Until today I have only photographed my dogs.  Bella, was my first small dog to photograph my boys are large dogs (100lbs).  As I looked at most of my photos of my boys I've found a lot of them sleeping (they are old too).  My point being, they didn't move too much.  Bella was much more active!

She did have to put up with a lot we put her in a ladybug (or ladypug) costume, necklaces and a argil sweater.  And she didn't care, it was the funniest thing!  She had the same energy no matter what we were doing, no barking, no chewing (on the clothes) and she was constantly on the go.  

With Bella it was very similar to photographing a child.  We had to bribe her with treats, wait for her to pee and keep her interested in what we were doing.  The big difference in photographing a small dog is perspective.  I had to shoot from a much lower angle then I do with any other subject.  I had fun for several reasons. I got to hang with Paul (her owner) and I was forced to come up with new photo ideas...  We figured out quickly that you really can't photograph Pugs from the back side (tail curls up).

Being around her made me miss having a small dog.  Having Bailey (my dog- who died in May) curl up in my lap is a completely different story then Bella.