The event of getting married is a lot of fun. It’s a party— you plan it, everybody comes, they celebrate... ~Dr Phil McGraw

One of my favourite things to shoot are weddings details.  I love getting close-up, shooting angles and capturing those really creative things that make each couple so unique.  When I got married, I feel like I spent a lot of time on those puny pieces  - the things that had my ... er...our mark on them.  The things that (I hope) made our guests say "oh wow...that's great" or something equally nice.  I love shooting those items at weddings because I know the work that goes into them, the thought, the time, the energy.

Health is a state of complete physical, mental and social well-being, and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity. ~World Health Organization, 1948

So ... I've been sick.  A nasty, yucky, face splitting cold.  I know it's just a cold.  I really shouldn't complain.  People get colds all the time, right?  But this has got me down - exhausted, spent, and feeling kinda useless as I lay on the couch in the evenings leaving life up to Joe.  By the end of the week, it's all I can do to make it through the day.  I stop taking photos, stop blogging and just rest when or if I have the chance.  So my plan is to get better...soon.  And get back to things.

The boy who expects every morning to open into a new world finds that today is like yesterday, but he believes tomorrow will be different” ~ Charles Dudley

My boy...my William.  His vocabulary has recently... um...exploded.  He repeats everything I say.  The other day we were out for a walk.  The 2 kids in the buggy and me pushing behind.  It was tough.  This time of year the sidewalks are less than passable.  They are covered in snow and ice - partially melted.  It was a bumpy ride.  As the 2 kids were jostled around, William thought it was appropriate to giggle and say "whoa, whoa, whoa!"  I didn't even know he could say "whoa", let alone use it in proper context.  Yesterday I caught him playing peak-a-boo in the mirror in the hall.  Moving his body from side to side, like a boxer.  And I hear "ha ha".  Not as in a giggle, but the actual words "ha ha".   He makes me think.  He makes me realize the importance of simple things.  So here are my lessons from William.  1-When experiencing a bumpy road in life, it's best to giggle and exclaim "whoa, whoa, whoa" - it will pass soon.  2-Every once in a while, you should laugh at yourself in the  mirror.  You probably will enjoy it.

While we try to teach our children all about life, Our children teach us what life is all about. ~Angela Schwindt

I love photographing children.  I Love when I meet them for the first time (or maybe not) and I get to see their little personalities come out.  Some are timid and shy, others loud and energetic.  No matter what, I love it.  Children allow you to see into their soul.  They are not guarded or careful - they just are. As a photographer, I want to capture who they really are.  How they act, what they love.  And let's face it, they don't stay that way for long.  They are constantly changing: in appearance and behaviour, in likes and dislikes.  I'm never looking to capture a stagnant moment - children are not stagnant.  I want to see them move, explore and bring their life into my photography.  Enjoy a few shots of these beautiful souls.

 Watch for info on my upcoming Mother's day photo contest.

Creativity is allowing yourself to make mistakes. Art is knowing which ones to keep. ~Scott Adams

Lately I've been thinking about my business. How can I sustain this long-term?  There will be a time when I get older and I won't physically be able to shoot the way I want.  What then?  It isn't as though small business comes with a pension plan or investment portfolio - although I really should be thinking that way soon.  So how do I make my business work for me instead of just working for my business?

I need to venture out, to create a segment of my business that will work for me long-term.  Soon I will be displaying my art in a coffee house in Elmira - The Robin's Nest.  I have plans to expand this to other small businesses in the area.

Now I need your help.  I have several ideas for prints I'd like to display...which ones do you like?

Flowers

Fire place

Pineapple 1

Pineapple 2

Pineapple 3

Only a few things are really important. ~Marie Dressler

Life is simple for me.  Live, laugh and love.  Nothing else really matters.  We all spend time at jobs we despise, around people we don't connect with and in places we dislike.  But we do it for the people we love.  There is no other reason.  We keep our jobs to support our families we love.  We socialize and make small talk with those we don't care for, because of someone we do care for.  We find ourselves in uncomfortable situations to support our family and friends.  I've chosen to only do things that I want to do.  I live with no regrets, no fear and no anger.  Life is too short to spend it in any other way.   

This photo was taken by Maria one lazy Sunday afternoon.

Photo of the Day - February 28-March 4

So we have this dog.  A big dog.  A big, lazy dog.  Okay, so only mostly lazy...he really does loves being active...really. Loves to run around outdoors.  Loves to chase the kids around.  Loves to go for walks.  But it is becoming apparent that he is entering old age.  His initial response to moving from the couch - "Humph" - gives him away.  The couch is his favourite spot.  I've come to realize that he will move for the right reason.  Never, of course when I want to enjoy a few lazy moments myself in his spot, but for food.  He is the most attentive animal during snack or meal times.  He waits: next to the high chair, nose up, anticipating a fallen morsel of food.

I wasn't planning on focusing this week on Poncho and after Tuesday I realized that it was going to be almost impossible to shoot him doing anothing other than sleeping on the couch.  For that reason I decided to go back a few years and find some of my favourite shots of Ponch, Poncho Libre, Nacho, Pinchy and Paaancho.

February 28, 2011

Paws Pause

Poncho enjoying his usual spot on the couch...snuggled up with a blanket

March 1, 2011

Zzzzzz

Again...on the couch.  I really did shoot this the next day.  As Joe pointed out "good luck getting a shot of him doing anything else".

March 2, 2011

Poncho

I was getting a snack for the kids and I realized that Poncho was no longer enjoying dream land (As I secretly wished to be), he was alert.  I grabbed the camera.  He really didn't move from this spot as he waited for William to abandon an apple piece.

March 3, 2011

Lake

This shot was taken in 2006 when we were spending the weekend with friends at their cottage.  Poncho was just 1 year old, much thinner and much more active.  The previous day he got a little too friendly with some bees.

March 4, 2011

Puppy

This was the day we brought Poncho home.  He was a wedding gift that Joe and I gave each other.  It seems like yesterday...it seems like a century ago.