For A Moment Photography

Summer Bucket List

Today I asked Presley what she wanted to do this summer.  She came up with, fishing, swimming, sailing, marching (I have no idea) and hanging in trees.  I'm pretty sure we can do most if not all.  I do hope she's not expecting me to hang in trees with her...  

My list is a bit different.  For me my big summer goal is Boston (I love Boston!).  I want to go to Sox game, Harvard Square, CFNE & of course visit my friend Nicole.  I would like to make it NYC at least once, but the fear of tourist and humidity is enough to keep that thought in the back of my mind.  NYC is more of a winter place to visit...  But who knows it's only week one into summer!  And of course I will have my camera with me at all times, that goes without saying.

My other list, with Presley more in mind is picking berries (blueberries & raspberries), a ferry ride, sparklers whenever possible and play in the water with her whenever she asks.  I know that last one doesn't sound like a big deal...  But the water is in the 60's and I'm not that big of a fan of actually getting in the water.  The good news is, I always have fun once I do and it makes her happy...

 

Summer on Lake George

Some of my work so far.

I have this love of the Northeast, I guess it's because I've never spent a winter here (so they tell me).  Last summer we did not make our annual trip back to the Adirondack Mountains and I missed Lake George so much.  This summer I was determined to make it back.

We made it!  Presley and I are here until the end of August.  I will be working 20 hours a week taking photos for Silver Bay.  In exchange we get free room and board.  During the hours I'm working (8-12:00 Mon.-Fri.) Presley will be in camp.  I can't help but smile.  Presley is having the time of her life and so am I.  The 700 acres of property is a spot any photographer/any human could get lost in.

Being here is something Mark and I wanted for Presley to have as part of her life experience.  Running around all summer, playing, swimming, chasing fireflies and eating ice cream.  Putting that together for her I was given a chance to have a pretty amazing summer too.  I am extremely thankful for that.

 

 

 

 

 

Fireflies

Firefly

Anna with a firefly

Presley with a firefly.

Meg with a firefly.

Growing up in Arizona I didn't see fireflies, I still remember the first time I saw them in Pennsylvania as a young girl in my 20's.  I was very excited by the sight of them and tried to hide my childish delight in them.  As a Mom, I no longer try to hide my delight in finding them or in helping my Teddy Bear Presley find them...

Tonight following our lobster dinner we sat outside while the girls chased fireflies and lit sparklers.  It's well past their bedtime but it's summer and no one is in the mood to care...  Tonight, all feels right in my world.

 

Summer has Begun!

Along the road to Ticonderoga, NY.

We have arrived in the Adirondack Mountains in New York.  It feels so good to be back!...  Presley and I will be here until Sept. (I can't help but smile while typing).  I'm not quite sure what the summer will hold for us.  I'm hoping for a few trips to Boston, Saratoga, NYC and Burlington.  But Lake George has such a pull on me I may not have much motivation to do much else.

Presley is in heaven and must of told me ten times yesterday she loved me with this big grin.  She's been playing with her summer cousins (you'll see a lot of them this summer on my blog) and she loves all the attention they give her.  I'm so glad she has them in her life.  They spend so much time together during the summer I hope it makes up for not having a sibling.

 

 

 

 

 

 

On the Road.

We are on our way to New York!  Yes, we have driven 1345.2 miles in just over 24 hours.  Presley has been a great road tripper!  I'm hoping the next day and half go as well.  Because we are in such a hurry to get to New York we haven't done much else but drive, stop for gas and eat.

I do have to say that the people in Texas were so nice I really enjoyed the short visits at the gas stations!  I think Arizona people must be grumpy because of the heat.  But honestly the people in Oklahoma have it worse, it was hot and humid.  They were nice too, but not as nice as the Texans...

Today we stopped in Joplin, MO for dinner.  On our way to the restaurant we stumble upon the recent tornado path...  Wow!  I'll have to save that post for tomorrow, I'm having some camera issues tonight.  Any way I'm off to bed we've lost two hours in the time change and will lose another tomorrow.  This just means we'll have to start our day earlier.

 

 

 

Make the Time

This lil' guy really made my day!  I am so lucky I got to do his newborn photos because it almost didn't happen. His parents were not 100% sure they were going to do them.  Then I had a scheduling conflict and almost said I was too busy to do them.  Long story short his parents decided yes, I decided yes and we (I think I can speak for all involved) had a great time.

And being with him and his family was just what I needed.  His parents and I have a common friend who sadly passed on today.  It's been a very emotional time for all who knew David and felt his kindness...  Jessica spoke about David and how he had just recently stopped her and reminded her to, just stop~ slow down.  And today's session was that for me, stop being busy with "stuff" and slow down for people in my life...

My job is one that allows me to share or become apart of some of the most monument moments in peoples lives.  I am so grateful for that.  My job is a privilege and I love that I get to connect with people that I may otherwise never know in such a personal level...  The photos are pretty but the love in this lil' family (and my other families) is what makes the photos so special.

 

 

The Salt of the Earth.

David July 2010.  A photo I took of him.  :)

 

I don't consider myself a religious person, I'm spiritual yes but not religious.  Right now I'm asking all my readings to stop for a moment say a prayer, encourage light and hope for a very special person.  Above is a photo of David Horton, an amazing man who is in a fight for his life...

David is so nice that I'm embarrassed to say I was originally suspicious of him.  I assumed he had selfish ambition, how could anyone be this kind...  I am very pleased to say I was 110% incorrect.  He is indeed the type of man, friend, co-worker, and dad you hear about.  Please stop for a minute and ask that he has more time here with those who love, respect and need him.  He's not ready.

I feel lucky to have had the chance to meet him and realize that kindness like his does exist.  

 

 

         

 

Week 18 of 52: grain

To view last week's click here.

To view my photographer friend's photos click here.

This weeks project is: grain.  I knew I wanted to do a portrait of someone for this theme.  Grain has such a cool gritty film feel to it and (for me) it had to be in black and white...  Today when I went to the gym I grabbed coach DJ and asked him to sit for a quick photo.  Obviously he obliged and I have week 18 project done!  

You have to know that coach DJ is such a cool laid back guy.  He's so easy going and smiles a lot.  And of course for this photo I asked him not to smile.  This photo would not have worked had he been smiling looking at the camera.  I had planned on having his face only have lit with the window light.  But the natural light source was pretty high so it gave him ghoulish lighting on his face.  I had him put his hat back on and tilt his face just enough to see his features...  I love it!  I'm glad the lighting worked the way it did because coach DJ wears his hat a lot and I think it really made the portrait come together well.

 

 

My HD video Adventure: scene one

A snap shot of a video shoot I worked on last night.

 

So I have all but deserted my blog.  The big no no of blogging!  Believe me as a blog reader, it drives me crazy.  But I promise you I have been busy working on my "craft".  I'm really excited about the stuff I've been learning and I can't wait to share all the new cool photos/videos.

With the purchase of my new camera earlier this year I decided I wanted to learn how to use the HD video function.  It's such a powerful part of the camera I couldn't imagine not using it.  Plus I really feel it's the way photography is heading and I should be a head of the game!  Wouldn't you love it if not only did you get photos from your family photographer but beautiful family videos.  

Believe me the types of videos I want to make will be cool and your friends will want to watch it and be envious.  At least thats my goal...  So to make all that happen I've purchased a new very unintuitive movie program (ugh), learning new audio equipment, learning how to edit video and trying to understand the difference between photography and video process.  They are similar in a lot of ways but you can't fake comfort on video.  

Oh and how to make people comfortable in front of my video camera- that's a whole new process.  Like all my other photography adventures it's been frustrating at times.  You know that desire to just have all the knowledge now...  The past few weeks have been very exciting too.  I'm thrilled at the thought of being able to create beautiful work in a new medium.

With some photos I have a vision and it's cool to see that vision come together.  With video it's the same but  more complex.  The process is longer and has more components but the results more powerful, if that makes sense...

My first video will be a CrossFit video that came to mind while thinking of my own CrossFit journey.  Instead of filming myself I've recruited a few Core Comrades to let me share their story...  Until then...  Stay tuned.