there were two kids.

who had a dog.

who loved to play ball.

the dog’s time had come.

leaving us lonely and bored outside (and sad inside).

so kate got out colorful paints.

and helped her brother make frames to keep photos of their dog in.

and i chose to distract myself by reorganizing the cabinets that hold books and toys.

and took pictures.

all of these were taken over a period of 3 days. i had gotten a new lensbaby and had been playing with it (kind of non-stop).

and the way it turned out today when i finally put them on my computer took my breath away.

heart stopped for a moment?

was it the neat way the manual, selective and shifting focus images turned out? no.

it was the fact that i had not purposely taken photos that ended up telling a story of how the last 12 days have gone for my family.

yes…almost made my heart stop, i think.

ken had made that dog house with kate when she was 3. he wasnt sure how Bud would take to the new baby so he used an old closet door and built a dog house.

bud liked evan and never even used it. not once. we did have fun trying to make him get into it, though

after bud was put to rest, i cleaned up the yard and put his toys inside of it so the kids and my husband didnt have to see them scattered throughout the yard without a dog to play with.

the contrasts of all of this… of the painful change that has become us.  animal owners will understand that pets are part of the family.

i still expect:

the dog to greet me when i get home.

that he will come running when he hears the front door open for kate to get on the bus, so i still open it quietly out of habit so he doesnt come trucking through the living room.

to find dog hair everywhere even though i just vaccumed.

to have him sneek on the living room carpet to sit with me when kens on duty.

to have ken pretend to not know that i let him on the carpet.

to play ball with him when we are outside.

 the bare trees, they will bloom again. the flowers, first of spring, will die.

the paints again will be used for something more happy.

the toys and books will be disorganized way faster then they were put away appropriately.

the tree chunk was part of a tree my husbands grandmother saw grow in her back yard ( my home ) and was a “seat” in which i sat and watched my own children play that was cut down due to emerald ash borer.

cycle of life.

i had loved the above block sign so much that my cousin went out and bought me one and gave it to me last week.

and it’s true…

this lens i’d been playing with is called a “selective focus” lens.

i have to choose to focus on whats important sometimes, and the last twelve days and the weeks leading up to it i chose my family.

and my family and friends chose us. so thank you.

i cant get my dog back, and things will continue to change and evolve as nature always does – but in the end,

ALL YOU NEED, IS LOVE.

Change your clothes.

Change for a $20.

Change your life.

Change seasons.

Change is so many things.  Change is often promised, by those in despair or in a last ditch effort to save something they are about to lose.  Changing brings success, and changing brings failure and demise.

Change can occur by choice, but often we are faced with change of the type that is out of our control, and we are forced to adapt.

Jen’s image of her unborn son, who’s actually due any day now, was an awesome pick for this week’s post.  Bringing a new life into this world takes everything as we know it and pretty much turns it on it’s end.  Change of schedule and change of love in the growing fashion. (Sidebar: can’t wait to meet you little G.!)

However there is a door that can be opened here – awareness of loss.  So many have gone, are going through, and will go through this at some point in their lives.  Sometimes what we are anticipating in several months time changes, and we are forced to accept it even though it’s un-graspable.

I guess what is neat about these images is they are both nature – once started, completely out of our control.  The baby will be born and go on to continue life when it is older, and the leaves will return next year.  They both grow and change according to their surroundings on a schedule determined by variables naturally occuring.

Think today about what you can or cannot change – and how you are going to handle it. We all have a little room in our lives for it <3

 This weeks participants: Jen

Next week’s word (appropriately):

grateful

My final wedding of 2010 is this weekend, I’ll see you after it =)

xo

dani

 word on wednesday is an ongoing project challenging photographers and non-photographers alike to take the given word and find representation or inspiration for a photograph with it. there is no right or wrong, it just “is”.  the goal with this project is to show ways we all can hear or see the same thing (word in this case) and have it mean many different things; to represent the colorfulness of the human mind and it’s ability to choose for itself.  submissions should be sent by 6:00pm ET on tuesdays

Have a great week!

*Mini sessions do not apply to newborn photography sessions and the guidelines listed  on the facebook annoucement apply.

I met Kelly when we were 8 or 9 playing slow pitch softball.

I was blessed enough to rekindle that friendship over the last few years.  When I say blessed, I mean it truely.  She’s taken the path she was given head-on, with a smile that was larger than the sun – and with unwavering faith.  She always shared this with her friends on her facebook page, and her mother made it a point to tell everyone today at the funeral home that these were the words she lived by;

Isaiah 40:31 But those who trust in the Lord will find new strength.

They will soar high on wings like eagles.

They will run and not grow weary.

They will walk and not faint.

When we got together for these pictures, it was five (yes 5) degrees outside. But she didn’t care, this was going to happen – she’d waited long enough! 

We did them two weeks before Christmas, and being the sweetheart she is, she grabbed some of my photos off facebook and made me a mousepad out of it as a thank you.  Don’t mind the cellphone picture, it’s all I can do right now.  I will always treasure it and the thought behind it, and will try to remember when I am working and frustrated or overwhelmed with my kids nagging at me while trying to do so, that there is a precious little girl out there who now only has her mommy in spirit.  When I work I am reminded of her kindness and determination to overcome whatever it was that needed to be overcome.

” and he will raise you up on eagle’s wings

bear you on the breath of dawn

make you to shine like the sun

and hold you in the palm of His hand “

I think for her family and friends right now there is a plethora of emotions – torn between the relief that she is FREE and healthy now, and between the fact the world lost one amazing woman,  friend, girlfriend, daughter, sister, and mother.  Man was she an awesome mom – please pray for little Jade and for her family, they need the comfort so terribly.

I dont think I ever took the time to say thank you to Kelly for all that she has taught me about life and what it means to really seize the moment.  In the months of time this transplant bought her, she truely got out there!  I will forever remember the phone call sometime shortly after her transplant. I saw her name on my phone’s caller ID and I picked up the phone and heard a squeaky little “hiiiii!!” and I just cried.  She spoke of her first breath on her own with her new lungs, and how the air just kept coming… and coming… and she was just so full. 

Be grateful for the deep breaths you take, and breath them in often. Treasure them.  We are so lucky to take them in.

Let nothing stop you.

Say thank you. Today – to someone you have thought to say thank you to, but haven’t.  Let them know.

Consider organ donation.  When we leave this earth, our bodies are free.  They are complete in our makers hands.  This gift of life is the greatest gift of all.

Please visit www.organdonation.gov for more information.

Here’s to you, Kelly Wagner.  You fought the good fight, and have won a place in His home with your Lord and Savior.

May angels lead you in

Hear you me, my friend.

xo

“Those” front teeth are on their way in.  I can feel the profit margin for the orthodontist going up already… and those SILLY BANDS! Whod’a thought… and animal bracelet that doesn’t look like an animal when worn, is all the rage.

Having this time off with my children has made me realize so much.  I needed this.  Maybe I’ll explain sometime.  I have so many sessions to blog, two to finish up, and two coming up.  I’ve really, really cut back this year and I think it was the best thing I could have done.  I have really, really missed being a Mom.

Happy Schools-out-for-summer to you and yours.

xo

dani

If you don’t want to read below, feel free to click the “portfolio” button at the top of the page to take you there!

There are 50 bazillion shoots to happen and 3 weddings on their way, so the portfolio site will probably be updated quite soon yet again with lots of  new fun Have a great day everyone!

xo

dani

(ps, I know you wont, but I’d love feed back below if you enjoyed it, or if you encounter any issues while viewing! thanks so much!)

…I’m annoyed my date stamp says the 25th when I’m clearly publishing this after midnight.

Have a great Sunday, everyone.

d

So… You’ve got your proofing gallery. You’ve selected your faves, now what?  Recently, we remodeled one of the family rooms in our home, and I wanted it to be fresh, bright, and airy because it was mainly for the kids “play area”.  I chose a poppy blue and green apple theme – finding this vintagy looking couch at Value City Furniture last summer – it went perfect with my “vision”.  A lot of you asked about the Thibau wallpaper I picked out – and here is what good use I put it to: I used it to cover the built in shelving , as it matches the couch. HOW SWEET IS THAT?!  You can see it in the image below.

So I had my “gallery” of choices to pick from that I did of my kids – because I wanted this room filled with a mix of classy and color – I chose a selection of BW and color images.  I had two 16×20′s and two 11×14′s for color, and two square 12×12 and 9×12 BW images.  I laid them all out on my couch to show before hanging. (sidenote: im aware of the gross toddler fingerprints all over the tv, and that I did no PP on these so the exposure is all over and the blues do not match – please don’t criticize, I’m short on time!)

In this case, I didn’t want to have framing being that I was using a larger size of prints. So, I had them mounted (which I do to all of my wall sized prints ordered).  Versus using any wall-penetrating devices (NAILS!) I chose to go with the 3M velcro strips – they are removable like the command strips, but each side is velcro so that the picture can be removed, THEN the adhesive – so you can still use the pull tab. GENIUS!  The color are the first that you see when you walk into the room, and as you turn around, the super candid giggly BW images are on the opposite wall.  I chose the 9×12 to match the height of the square 12×12.  The mounting is a foamcore – which will not warp or bend. 

Since I had the wallspace, and only 8 images, using one image per item worked for me. Had I had more images, I could have created a Storyboard… with many images per item: taking a few in collage or straight line form and applying them to 16×20 down to 8×10, and more intriguing sizes like 10×20 for a longer approach.  I’m really looking forward to helping you fill your home with prints that you love, and help you display them properly.  There’s no reason to leave an image behind – please, let me help you with storyboarding if you are at a loss for which to choose! 

I did several of these last summer and they were beautiful.  Now I have a few plug-ins that create them a little quicker for me so hopefully I will be adding these to your gallery for your choosing. 

So, when you have trouble deciding, don’t be afraid to ask me to bring along my tape measure and fit your home for the images you would like to have mounted or hung!  I will help you choose a mount and we’ll go from there =)

I just wanted to share how one of the rooms in my home is displaying images. More to come! 

Now a few of R. who’s gallery went up last night – the color in these turned out fabulous!  He’ll be up and done with his HS years here soon and moving on to bigger and better things. Good Luck, R.!

Take care everyone  – just wanted to pop by the with that… hopefully to inspire you to take those candids and show them off =)

I’ve got to run through my portofolio site and finish it up.  Some of the lower resolution test files for graphic pages are still up (oops).  That site will be a year old here in a few months and I suppose the updates/renovations I began in January should be completed… not that my broken shoulder threw anything else off schedule that I had to tend to first!  I remember how happy I was with it when it was first complete – then came december and big plans for a fresh batch of ’08 images and BAM! Plans ruined!  Hopefully soon I can be complete and let it go for another year.

I’m joining venture with KCC this evening to sit in on their committee meeting tonight for some design “stuff” – I can’t wait!  Below are a few new graphics for them that I sent out the other day!  Thought I would share… aren’t they fresh and poppy?!  The top one is a new letterhead for a photographers commitment contract when signing onto the program to work with families and their kids as a complimentary service =)  Isn’t it great when we can take advantage of an opportunity to share our work/time/talent with others in such a special way?!

Welp, probably won’t see me this weekend.  I have a session Sunday and Monday (back to back, I never do that!)  I wanted to leave you with some images from a senior this past season of whom I am turning out a second order for – isn’t she awesome?  These are her wallet prints:

Enjoy – and have a great weekend!! Sun’s shining =)

*disclaimer:  it’s not a snooty I’m – better – than – you post by any means.  It’s simply meant to educate somewhat, and help those in the market for a new camera think of  a few things and be aware of a few things before making that big purchase.*

I also get the “what kind of camera do you have?! Ive got to get one like that!”  Well I must tell you, the cameras and lenses? They are just tools. 

If you do not know how to manipulate the exposure (yes, you must learn to shoot manual and semi-manual modes – automatic wont do what your thinking  of), your results will be the same as your point and shoot (P&S).  If the light is too low and youre not using flash – you’ll get the same result – a slow shutter speed and a blurry picture.  Those principles do not change because the camera you bought costs a lot. Sorry!

I encourage those with interest to purchase one at a decent price – for sure!  Photography is an amazing hobby.  But please, don’t get caught up in the “megapixel” scheme.  You can make an 8×10 with an old 3.2 megapixel camera.  You do not need that 12 MP camera to get decent snapshots – don’t get suckered in by the guys at Best Buy trying to get you to spend that extra $300.00 for it, you just don’t need it.  They’ll try to sell you the 70-300 zoom too for what seems like a great price – but really its cheap (in most opinions)  build and you’ll need a tripod if you’re not using flash… and you cant use a pop-up flash with that long of a lens, so you’ll have to buy an external flash to attach – and BAM, they’ve got another $250-500 dollars out of you.

People gasp when I tell them that the lens they are asking about that is attached to my camera costs well over a thousand dollars.  Sure the lens gives me added sharpness and clarity (and super fast focus!) but If i didn’t know how to manipulate the exposure that the lens will allow for – it’s useless. 

This my friends, is how you can spend THOUSANDS on photography equipment and have it function just like your $200 dollar P&S camera.  I write this in kindness that if you are searching for a DSLR or a higher-end P&S, that you will do your homework and not get screwed on things you do not need, or can’t use because you do not understand the operations.

I love when others show interest and want my opinions on equipment or a camera body – and I love when others can take the advice seriously and run with it.  I encourage anyone interested to take some classes or at least read some books to understand the relationship of ISO, Shutter Speeds, and Aperture values…white balance.  When you see me photographing, I am adjusting these with (almost) every image.  A lot of thought and calculation goes into what I refer to as artwork.

Once you’ve spent years learning the functions and getting it wrong more times than right – you’ll finally start to be satisfied when you realize you’re never going to stop learning.  Then you’ll understand the annoyance when people want to know why you charge what you do – because you work HARD.  It’s fun, but it’s definitely work. 

So, in your DSLR search, remember:

1. bigger isn’t always better*. in fact, it almost never is (excluding L series lenses, that candy is always better!)

*I shoot with two 40d’s, and know consumers who’ve purchased the 50d’s recently and cant figure out why the “images don’t look like” mine. please don’t get sucked into the gimmick! get what you need for your usage, hand size, etc.  Most pros are still shooting with 20/30d’s and are dead set on never letting them go. And I don’t blame them.  Mind you, these are 6 MP cameras I think.

2. megapixels are a scam for the consumer dollar.

3. don’t buy the long lens if you’re going to use it indoors unless you’re going to buy a flash unit, too.

4.  take your popup flash and rip it off (not really), it ruins your photographs if your not going to diffuse it.

5. learn, learn learn! get your money’s worth!

A good camera? Yes… but it’s only as good as its user – pro or enthusiast.

Examples: 

You purchase an auctioned set of Tiger Woods’ golf clubs.  You probably won’t be shooting any hole-in-ones’ right away.

A great Chef is not the result of his pots.  They might benefit his cooking, but he or she controls the end result.  It’s how you cook it.  Burnt food tastes like crap.

If you buy all the fancy canvas’ and paints to create a painting – fancy brushes included – if you do not have an artists training and knowledge, you cannot utilize them in the way they are meant to.  The paint doesn’t create the image on the canvas, the Artist does.

It’s a common peeve shared by many photographers – that misconception that we over charge (I absolutely do not think I overcharge) for something simple.  However, we love to help and we love to help educate those interested in taking it seriously. 

So, if you’ve got questions – ASK! Don’t get stuck in a large investment that you later on want to throw out the window =) 

Remember, it’s just a tool.  If you need help picking one out – I’m happy to assist =)

Happy Shopping!