My Studio | Queen Creek Photographer

This is my humble abode-my home studio.  I converted what was the living room and dining room, added a bit of a wall, some double doors and called it MY SPACE.  I can think in here, I can sing in here, I can spread out in here, I can teach in here, I can create in here…  I love to have samples on the wall, I love to display COLOR, I love signs that have meaning to me, and those door handles are truly the best part.  There is a story behind those but I should save it for another day.  This is my studio.

Let’s Dance | Queen Creek Photographer

THIS is why I love doing what I do…  Can you even look at these without smiling?  Sometimes goofy really is best.  Remember my thoughts about being REAL?  Can you argue or disagree with their cute little personalities?  They were getting ready for a recital and these little ladies needed to have pictures in their costumes. Sometime (soon) the costumes will be put away, their bodies will grow to the next costume and these days will be a faint memory that only a mother could describe.  It’s hard to imagine that these days will go by as some days feel long and full.  But, its true.  They grow up!  And, want to know the worst part?  Someday they will be “too cool” for this sort of goofiness.  Their portraits at that time will take on new meaning and it will be just as wonderful but definitely different.  In the meantime, let’s take advantage of the moments they share and give away!

Blog Stats | Queen Creek Photographer

What do your blog statistics mean to you? Have you heard the song Popular from the incredible Broadway show Wicked?  First thing: I love that show!  I could listen to the music over and over and over again but since that isn’t about photography, I had to find a way to connect it.  So, back to statistics… do you think, “Awesome, I am so popular?”  or not so popular?   ; )  Well, for real, when I look at my site statistics I think about that song because I wonder why I look?  What am I wanting to discover, change, or know?   I am not unlike the others; curious to know my traffic, curious to know how many stop-bys and how much time is being spent on this little thing- but why?  Why do we care?  Is it a popularity contest?  A curiosity to kill?  I have heard “content is king” but how much truth is behind that?  I know there are ways to increase visibility and much more…  Would we blog whether or not we had daily visitors or people contributing to conversation via comments?  What if we looked at our statistics and found no visitors?  Would we continue?  I am here to document, share my passion, and see growth and I suppose that means for myself and the possibility of others.  Why do you have a blog?  What is your purpose? What to you hope to do or change with your blog?   

I love to share what I am doing, show others what I can (or can’t) do, leave a mark in history. I hope that ranks or statistics don’t change your (or my) purpose! 

Happy Trails? | Florida Photography

I am reaching out to those in business (for themselves).  Let’s chat about the business path!  I heard something fantastic today!  A business owner told me, “I always complain to my wife that I am behind.  She responds by telling me I am doing something right to always have business.”  I thought about that.  I thought more about that.  She is right.  If you are in business and doing well, you will never be caught up!  You will continue to drive business so when one project is done, you have the next one waiting in the foyer.  : )  (kind of sounds like laundry… never ahead, always filling up what you have finished!)

I see these pictures and it reminds me of the paths we take in life or in business as we build up what we want to have waiting in our foyers… 

Are you on the straight path?  You know exactly where you are going and how to get there?  You have a clear view and although obstacles may get in the way, you are proactive and prepared?  Maybe you even have gutter guards so you don’t fall off?  ; )  Even on a cloudy day, you path in business is straight and unobstructed…  Maybe your peripheral vision isn’t the greatest since you are focused on the straight ahead?

Or maybe you are struggling and it seems like an uphill climb. You can’t really see what is ahead and maybe you don’t want to?  Or, you sort of like taking it a few steps at a time…  It’s not a clear path but an adventure!  Maybe you can see the top of the hill but the steps to get there seem a little scary?

Or maybe you like the round about path…  the path that eventually gets you where you want to be but learning along the way and taking all sorts of turns (both wrong and right) help you still continue in the direction you want to go.  Sometimes this path takes extra time but maybe you see more and learn more along the way?  This is the scenic route even if there isn’t much to see.  ; ) 

I am a firm believer in continual growth regardless of your plan.  I try to not say never but I really want to use it here… we should never think we have it all down, know all there is to know and our path is complete.  Our paths change, our desires change and the seasons of life change.   Enjoy the journey!

Get your kicks | Queen Creek Photographer

Everybody needs a good pair of kicks… no matter your age!  And, add a great color to spice it up!

In The Moment | Queen Creek Photographer

I was having some thoughts today as I was struggling to listen to my kids tell me all sorts of things about their day.  I realized they were asking questions and I was giving answers but I never heard the question.  Have you ever done this?  Please say I am not the only one.  Anyhow, one of the questions asked was, “Mom, when does Karate Kid come out to the movie theatres?”  My answer (and the ah-hah moment that I was NOT in the moment) was, “Tomorrow.”  What was I talking about?  I had no idea!  I was just talking because I was hearing talking with a slight influx of the voice and a pause which typically means it is time to answer one of the million questions being asked.  (I was caught when the next question was, “really, tomorrow?”  Then I had to stop and realize what I had done and ask her to repeat the question. Embarrassing?)

I was sad.

I wanted to erase what was swimming in my mind.  I wanted to delete the other responsibilities in my life and really be MOM at that moment.  I wanted the kids to count on me being honest with a open ear.  I wanted to make a conscious effort to be In The Moment with each hat that I wear.  I want to be In The Moment when I photograph, I want to be In The Moment when I teach, I want to be In The Moment when I mother, etc.  Should I add that to my 2010 goals?  Oh, when is the cutoff date for new year’s resolutions and goals?  Did I miss that memo?  : )

I am always after the real stuff.  I want people to be In The Moment.  I want to capture their true interactions and real emotions.  Lately, I have been loving my 70-200 2.8 lens so I can get a little further away (hide I suppose) and get those real moments.  There is some pressure when being in front of the camera, a pressure to perform.  The closer I am, the more pressure.  I have tried to back up and I like that experience.  Ya know, I am always changing (learning and growing) and by challenging the way I do things, new worlds open up!

Here, a mother truly being In The Moment with her daughter.  This was in between some pictures I was doing-I turned to see this and tucked myself in a corner so I could capture its realness.  To me, it is a beautiful, real “In The Moment” type moment!

Mission Beach, San Diego | Queen Creek Photographer

I would have loved to say {San Diego Photographer} but that is neither here nor there…  I was at the beach and that is what is important. 

All I said here was, “Girls, on the count of three turn around and strike a pose.”  I think it wasn’t truly a beach day-it was more of a stop at the beach on the way to do other things, type of day.  Hence the full clothing (that probably wasn’t a full sentence but added for emotional appeal and dramatic effects.  How did I do?)  They made due by turning pants into shorts, ditching sweatshirts and removing their shoes.  What is more fun than a bunch of girls having a blast on the beach (even without their swimsuits)?  My fun was sitting back and being photographer for the day/moment.  I probably was smiling and just as giddy as the girls.

Oh, and by the way, I am never to busy to be your beach (family vacation) photographer!  Really…!