Yesterday I began round 2 of Hope Walls' DLS workshops "Dirty Little Secrets". I dove into this workshop last year knowing nothing but learning a lot. However with a busy life as a mother I missed some of the classes, wasn't able to give many of the exercises my full attention or time, or didn't complete them at all. THIS YEAR IS DIFFERENT!!!! One of my resolutions for 2012 is to follow the path laid out for Tawny and create some dreams and goals for myself! I've been so busy trying to help my family develop dreams that I didn't make any for myself. I have decided it's time!
I have converted from PC to Mac which has been a huge learning curve for me since I don't exactly consider myself computer savy! In the same month my hubby also generously gifted me a new camera for my birthday which I am slowly starting to understand! I admit I am a creature of habit and try to avoid change for the most part so I might seem to be outwardly lacking in enthusiasm when it comes to my new toys while I am actually enthusiastic and jumping up and down on the inside.
I haven't actually blogged since my very moving experience at the
LEDUC RELAY FOR LIFE but I've still been keeping very busy with my very active family and on the side trying to advance with my photography skills! This is what I've been busy photographing...
My first shoot ever... My dear friend Brandi and her partner Tod were my very first experience outside of workshop, shooting real live people. I made only one promise. I promised that I could deliver at least one photo that I liked. LOL Apparently I am fearful of pressure so this way there was very little except my own desire. Turns out I underestimated myself and they actually exceeded my own expectations. These photos actually are close to my heart for another reason. Brandi and Tod weren't sure that a pregnancy was in their future, so when they announced that they were finally expecting, I was more than ecstatic for them...
So this is that feeling that drives photographers to do what they do, do it with pride, and enthusiasm. The feeling that overcomes every challenge, frustration, setback and what drives them to consistently improve their skills to better capture precious moments for people... I am thrilled to have been chosen to capture these special memories for this family. Welcome to the world beautiful Brooklyn Paige...
Looking back at these I have learned so much. I can see some things I love and some things I need to work on. There is so much more to photography than I ever really knew, and much more than that if you have a vision (as I do) and wish to achieve it.
My sister came to visit this summer... It was our last visit with her and my beautiful nephew Jedai before they departed for a new life in Australia. My sister and I are very close, we spoke almost daily, and between her and I traveling back and forth to and from B.C. we usually managed to get in at least four lengthy visits a year. It was important to me to get some captured memories of our kids together at a young age because I knew the opportunity wasn't likely to present itself very often now that they live 18,300 kms away. I have to say that it was a really tough Christmas without them and I really miss our daily chats... I am so very thankful that our family have these photos of them together, some pictures of him here with us while he was still little, and some of my girls with their amazing Auntie who has been such a big part of their lives. I only hope to be able to be as present in his life as she's been in my girls lives...
(Now these next photos are my transition photos~ I considered not posting these ~ and I am sure I will have some photographer friends that recommend I don't without watermarks, but this is part of my journey so I am sharing them the way they are... (I honestly used my "call a friend" lifeline several times to manage to get through this last month)
Thank You Christine
I have no idea how to watermark these following pics with my Mac, I hardly know how to import them they are taken with a camera that I had hardly turned on. There have been a few unexpected hiccups (like software and knowledge) that I need to learn and smooth out before I can really move forward. I find myself here blogging so I am posting the photos as they are. I should call this blog post, confessions of a "Dream to be photographer"... I am sure if you are a photographer and are reading this, you've been in my shoes...
This is my lovely friend Sara and her husband Darren. Sara and I had the pleasure of meeting and bonding during our annual all girls (no kids) camping trip... She needed photographs done for Christmas and I needed some experience. My fear of pressure kicked in which generally means I'll commit to nothing. This time I promised at least one photo that would be worthy of gifting for Christmas. I delivered these and much to my relief, they received them with enthusiasm...
So there it is... Some of what I have been doing while I wasn't blogging. I am back at it now, and while taking this workshop I suspect you will see a lot more blog posts from me. It's been a fun journey and I can see with my own eyes that I am growing, and that feels good...
