Photog Blog

Still Waiting

2011-08-18T11:41:00.000-07:00

Had the distinct honor and humble opportunity to photograph a homecoming of a fighter pilot and his wife. This beautiful woman gave me permission to post this photo I took because it moved me so much. God bless our troops and the families who so patiently wait for them while they serve our country.

Water Mad Dash Splash - encore

2011-06-21T15:22:00.000-07:00

"Love that Shot" is having an awesome birthday celebration and today's them is Splish Splash... I immediately knew I had to send this photo in to be included... I loved this totally candid, anticipatory shot of this little guy cooling off in the spouts at a local park. Love the wild-abandon look in his face and body... running through water is serious business! Head on over to Love That Shot and see what they've got.. it's all good!
www.lovethatshot.com

Mother's Day, 2011

2011-05-08T23:20:00.000-07:00

What a special day this was for me. Not only was it the first mother's day in years I was able to spend with my daughter, Jamie, but it was also HER first mother's day, hence, My first mother's day as a grandma! When I thnk about motherhood and all it means, this picture I took of Jamie's sister-in-law, Jenni, sums it all up in one photo: Happy Mother's Day to all the "Mothers" of the world... those who take care of their own and those who mother others... there is never too much love to give a child...

I thought it fitting that THIS photo be my entry into this week's photo challenge for I Heart Faces "motherhood" photo. Jenni epitomizes what it means to be a great mom to all her children... and takes it all in stride. Happy Mother's Day, Jenni, Jamie, my mom, Wilma, Jamie's mother-in-law, Linda, my sister-in-laws, Lori and Carol, and everyone else. The toughest job I've ever done, but with GREAT benefits! For photos of other great moms, check out I Heart Faces' weekly challenge for this week.

Miss E and her Mommy... two beauties at the park

2011-02-16T19:57:00.000-08:00

Recently got the pleasure of photographing a good friend and her beautiful daughter (takes after her mommy.) I ended up calling it the "many faces of E) because so many different emotions were captured in the images. Some of my favorite captured the palpable LOVE between this little cutie and her fantastic mom. Of course, like always, I took so many and they were so photogenic, it was hard to narrow down the options... so I'll give them ALL of them on disc to choose from for themselves. Here's a few of my favorites.... a day filled with joy just capturing this dynamic duo on print... as a surprise for daddy!

Innocent Wonder

2011-01-24T15:11:00.000-08:00

This week at I Heart Faces the theme is innocent wonder. I was immediately reminded of the photos I had taken of the children playing in the fountain and knew one of them would work for this challenge. Here's my choice for entry this week:

Head over to I Heart Faces to check out the rest of the entries.

Winter beauty

2011-01-18T06:55:00.000-08:00

We've gotten our fair share of "winter-like" weather here in South Carolina. Now, I know it's nothing like the FEET of snow my family back in Iowa is getting or the below zero temperatures much of the northern states have, but for HERE where it's supposed to be an average of around 70 degrees year round.... apparently the 100 degree plus temperatures of summer will be helping to bring that average back up. We have gotten some snow flakes and ice and sleet... even had to close schools one day last week.. GASP! So, while I don't have shots of happy snow-covered children to submit for this week's I Love Faces competition, I do have a shot I took of my photography instructor the day we were working on using off-camera lighting... and yes... it was chilly out. Isn't she beautiful? And a very talented photographer, too, I might add!

Share the love yourself and view some of the other "Winter Wonderland" entries over at I Heart Faces.

I still believe!!!!

2010-12-24T19:17:00.000-08:00

Christmas is a time filled with so much wonder and joy. I got to "borrow" my friend's seven year old daughter to take to see our local Festival of Lights which is an amazing 3 miles of lights of all kinds. It is so much more fun to go with a child who looks at it all with such wonder and amazement. I had the best time with my seven year old friend... I think I should hang out with them a lot more often... they haven't yet started to take the world so seriously. I also still love to capture the expressions of children's faces when they go to visit Santa Claus. This year, since I didn't have a child handy, I decided to take my dog to see Santa. My dog, Bubba is almost 11 years old and some days we can tell his health is declining, but not on this day. He literally pranced down the hallway to Santa's bench and would have climbed right in his lap if Santa hadn't been worried about children with dog allergies sitting in his lap later. So, Bubba had to be content with sitting on a little stool at Santa's feet. I do believe he had a message he was intent on conveying to Santa and I do believe Santa got that message. See for yourself ..... Merry Christmas, everyone!

Photog. training giveaway

2010-10-30T08:09:00.000-07:00

Enter to win an all expenses paid trip to SHOOTERS Workshop in Guadalajara on the Life. Camera. Actions. blog! http://tinyurl.com/269d7d7

Chance to win a great camera lens

2010-10-12T10:03:00.000-07:00

MCP Actions is giving away a great Tamron lens. I'm being nice by posting the link here on my blog... but I NEED this lens... seriously! Good luck to all. If you win it, let me borrow it some time okay? Thanks!

Tutus and trucks and giggles and squishy faces

2010-10-07T19:21:00.000-07:00

I had a wonderful "model" to capture some photos of new props (aka tutus) for me yesterday. She is all of 3 years old and I had such a ball "playing" with her.. she had the most expressive face and was in a VERY GOOD MOOD.... don't ya just LOVE those kind of kids???? I had to pick out my FAVORITE photo of her face to enter in a contest and have literally agonized over which one to choose for the last 24 hours. Do I go with full on belly laugh, sly smile, smirk, simple look away, head tilt, cheesy grin, hands on cheeks... I mean... this little doll had them ALL! So....... after much agonizing, I choose....... the following picture....

I promise to post the others later... they were so cute... but I was drawn back to this face... it reminded me of being a little girl and looking up at the sky and dreaming and imagining what could be.... and this little sweetheart certainly had a creative imagination. My favorite thing she said though, was when we were in the park and a young man was letting her and her little brother pet his dog and she said, "This is my little brother, he's one, he doesn't know anything!" Her mom and I just cracked up. Okay... back to the photo details.... this photo was taken in the morning, around 10:00est, with a Nikon D60, ISO 200, Exposure 1/100 sec at f/5.0, focal length 55mm. I used Lightroom 3.0 for editing a few basic adjustments. Check out all the other adorable faces in the contest at Love Your Shot!!

Splashing in the Water of Life

2010-09-24T17:17:00.000-07:00

While waiting for a photo-shoot I sat and watched some children gleefully playing in the water of a fountain. I couldn't resist taking pictures because their faces wore such expressions of unabandoned joy. It made me wonder when we lose that... when do we stop being able to live in the exact present moment without worrying about the next one? We lose that somewhere on our way to "adulthood" it seems... except for those fortunate enough to find and follow their passion. So.... take a moment and BE in it! Here's some inspiration for you....

Sharing the "Love" and give-away news

2010-09-05T06:39:00.000-07:00

One of my favorite "online friends" designs hand-crafted necklaces with initials and such and is offering a fantastic give-away today, including her jewelry and Philosophy facial cleanser (which she swears by.) I've entered and am sending all my good vibes her way to "pick me, pick me"... but... I'm a giver... so here's YOUR chance to enter, too.
Here's the link: http://3littlebirdsboutique.blogspot.com/

(or just click on her shop icon below or on the right of my blog)

LIVE LIFE

2010-09-04T06:08:00.000-07:00

Saw the following and wish I could take credit for creating it, but I'm just "borrowing" it like the last person who posted it. Read it... live it.... LFE!

This Girl's Got "Street Cred" Now!

2010-09-03T20:40:00.000-07:00

While focusing my attention on improving my photography skills in children's portraiture, especially the laid-back lifestyle kind, I got a request of a different kind for a totally different photography genre. A friend and former colleague of mine had a younger brother who wanted some shots taken for use in marketing himself as a rap artist.... things he could use for cover art, web page shots, etc. Definitely NOT the direction I was planning for my photography marketing plan... but... I'm not one to pass up a chance to stretch my talents and try new things so I cheerfully agreed. Having recently been on the Photo Walk starting at Riverfront Park in North Charleston, I suggested it and the old Naval Base grounds as a shooting location. The day ended up perfect ... blue skys and hot but bearable. The "rappers" were the sweetest guys ever and we got some phenomenal pictures of both of them. They, of course, were going for the "tough guy" look and trying NOT to smile in photos and were very successful in some... others, not so much. Here's a few of my favorites..... so one day I'm shooting pretty ponies and girls in pony tails, the next I'm shooting in the hood (with my canera.... just to make sure you don't get confused!) Good luck on the rap career, Keenan & Mario... remember us little people when you make it big!

Bachelors in Photography

2010-08-28T06:47:00.000-07:00

Here's my ...duh..... moment of the week. You know how, if you're on Google or Facebook they always have those annoying ads on the side for things that seem to be related to words you've typed into comments??? Well I was on Facebook yesterday and noticed a side ad that said, "Bachelors in Photography"... to show you my "duh"..... my immediate thought was, "Wow... they're getting so specific in their dating sites now that they're advertising for bachelors who are into photography???" So... for those of you quicker thinking individuals (who would be most anyone one but ME it seems).... no, it wasn't a dating-site advertisement, but an advertisement for earning your BACHELOR'S DEGREE in photography. Guess that shows where my mind is lately... I've gotten one too many friend requests from "Russian woman... please be friend!" Oh well... at least my ineptitude has provided some comic relief... I laugh at myself... I keep myself entertained all day long! Here's the photo with the ad - you must admit... there are NO women in the photo (pathetic attempt at self-defense of stupidity)

Don't feed the alligators and what's buzzin??????

2010-08-26T21:30:00.000-07:00

First Digital Photography class was Monday night at Trident Tech. and I am SO excited. The instructor is young (to me anyway) and hip and LOVES photography so much it oozes from his pores, I swear. So... our first photography assignment is to capture "What tourists don't see"..... I had many thoughts but was drawn to go do some photo shooting in Moncks Corner, SC, since I now live in the country probably closer to it than any other town. It reminds me of my hometown of Jefferson, Iowa, in some ways. Smaller town but has local community pride... and it IS the county seat... just like Jefferson was/is. My trek took me to a park called Old Santee Canal Park... think beautiful trees covered in spanish moss and still waters with bright green moss on the surface in many areas. It has wooden walkways that lead you around and technically over the top of the swampy water areas. Makes for some great photo opps., and I went there around 4 since our teacher said the best light is around 5... the park closed at five so I hopped to it. Got some great shots, including one that said "Don't feed the alligators"... wait... back up... say WHAT??? Here I am traipsing around wooden trails built over the swamp all alone.. and had not told anyone I was going there... I hear a huge splash in the water to my right and my heart starts pounding.... yet... the photographer in me began an internal argument.."stay calm, they can't really climb up onto these wooden trails that easy and wouldn't it be cool to capture a picture of one up close and personal???" to which my more rational, sane side answered, "not so cool if the 'gator CAPTURES you!" Then I remembered about a report on the news saying that around 5:00 is feeding time for gators and the photographer in me quickly got pushed aside! I thought about my little blue Suzuki in the parking lot and how even my cell phone was back inside of it... the rangers would be closing the park and wonder why there was a car left with no one around..... my husband would get the call asking of my whereabouts... um...NO ... I haven't watched too many crime scene shows!!!! So, I listened to the rational voice and packed it in and headed for home... but.. wait... just as I was driving through downtown Moncks Corner (a very short drive) I catch a quaint little park out of the corner of my eye... water fountain, bronze statues of children at play... okay... now I can work with this... no swamp, no croaking of gators. So I swing in and proceed to spend about an hour gleefully taking pictures. The most dangerous thing I saw there was a bumble bee and the only "sacrifice" was not of me to the gators but to the sun... I sweat buckets.... now THAT, I can live with. As they say, the proof is in the pictures (which I've posted) I don't think Mutual of Omaha is going to be hiring me for any "wild kingdom" shoots (those of you under 40 may need to have that reference explained to you by an elder.) So no gator "captures" and that is fine with me!

Dare To Believe

2010-08-24T21:50:00.000-07:00

While I realize the following is not "technically" a photography post.. it speaks volumes about where I was and how far I've come in believing in myself and my ability to be creative through the lens of a camera.

Everybody Knows:

You can't be all things to all people.
You can't do all things at once.
You can't do all things equally well.
You can't do all things better than everyone else.
Your humanity is showing just like everyone else's.

So:
You have to find out who you are, and be that.
You have to decide what comes first, and do that.
You have to discover your strengths, and use them.
You have to learn not to compete with others,
Because no one else is in the contest of *being you*.

Then:
You will have learned to accept your own uniqueness.
You will have learned to set priorities and make decisions.
You will have learned to live with your limitations.
You will have learned to give yourself the respect that is due.
And you'll be a most vital mortal.

Dare To Believe:
That you are a wonderful, unique person.
That you are a once-in-all-history event.
That it's more than a right, it's your duty, to be who you are.
That life is not a problem to solve, but a gift to cherish.

And you'll be able to stay one up on what used to get you down.

This is my Jamie-Bug, taken when she was 3... she believed she was gonna be a star and she is one... to all of us who love her! She's 25 now, married to a great guy and is a nurse for disabled children... now THAT'S a star!!!

Beach photos

2010-08-23T12:13:00.000-07:00

Here's some fun photos I took of a group of seniors for Senior pictures. They were such a fun bunch... normal photos were just not their thing. To honor their senior graudation date, we came up with this fun idea. They're the class of 2011. I've enterd this in the I Heart Faces beach fun theme contest this week.

Jump

2010-08-23T11:27:00.000-07:00

Horsing Around

2010-08-21T10:55:00.000-07:00

Volunteered to go with a friend to take pictures of her 4 year old daughter taking horseback riding lessons. I wore long pants due to the bugs loving the taste of my legs and proceeded to lose at least 5 pounds of sweat in the sweltering heat, but on the positive side, I didn't get chewed up by bugs! After taking a ton of pictures, I thought a lot of them were not focused because sweat was dripping into my eyes so bad (I kid you not) but was pleasantly surprised when I got home and many of them turned out fantastic. I also got a chance to practice with some of the lighting and coloring tools in my Photoshop Elements software. Learning by doing... about the only way for me... I can read the same page on a book 10 times and still not get what they are explaining. Anyway... here's a few favorites... more will be on my photography website htt://thresakayphotography.com ... launching by Monday, the 23rd... watch for the big announcement here!

My new logo is here, my new logo is here!

2010-08-18T13:40:00.000-07:00

After messing around with creating my own logo, I realized my graphic design skills were a little limited and I needed it as a "watermark" for copyright protection on my photos, too. Terry from Sassy Designs, Inc. created a logo that incorporated my vision and I couldn't be happier. Thanks, Terry!
Drum roll please.... here's the logo:

check out all of Terry's papers, templates and designs at http://sassy-designs.net/

Keeping camera lenses "safe" on the cheap

2010-08-18T12:27:00.000-07:00

Okay.... so anyone who has ever thought about going into photography seriously also finds out very quickly that it is NOT a hobby for those with limited cash flow. And here I am, currently unemployed, trying to do just that. I have gotten VERY resourceful in making sure I protect the valuable equipment I do have. My camera bag which came with my Nikon D60 was too small as soon as a I got a second lens. I knew I was going to be flying to San Diego soon and started looking at camera backpacks... also finding they are not cheap. Went to TJMaxx (one of my fav. stores) and found a Sharper Image laptop backpack clearanced out for $12. It had the neoprene padding already in it for the laptop but also had two other full sections for other materials. I found a small neoprene zip bag ($7), actually meant for a netbook and used that to put my camera inside for additional protection. Final concern was the lenses. Knowing I'd be putting my backpack in overhead storage on a plane, I knew I wanted even more "cushion" for the lenses, just to be safe. I find myself in Michael's (another favorite store for crafty me) and they had the foam can koozies on sale 2/$1.00. And.... as luck would have it, I took the chance and bought two, brought them home and to my great glee, they fit snuggly and securely around my lenses to give them that added protection I wanted. So.... for a total of less than $25 I was able to safely transport all my camera gear on a cross-country flight. Sure, I'd love a fancy bag, but this one worked out just fine and still lets me take my camera along and not worry about it.

Keep watching this blog for other inexpensive ideas and ways to save and still "play with the big boys" in the photography world.

Water Mad Dash

2010-08-16T16:03:00.000-07:00

Okay... have to share my "honor." I joined a local meet-up group a couple weeks ago for a photowalk in North Charleston, South Carolina. We started at Riverfront Park and then walked around the old closed Naval Base. My goal was to capture more still life, geometric shapes, beauty in the rubble, that type of thing. But... as is the case with me... I'm always drawn to watching the children playing with blissful abandon! There was a water spout area, it was very hot, and children were having so much fun running through the water spouts as they shot up, I just couldn't resist. For the above photo, I focused on the spot where I figured the little boy would come out at and then just waited with my finger on the trigger, ready to capture the shot. The above is the resulting image. I was just informed on Saturday it "won" the local pick of this photowalk and is being sent on to the national competition. No money involved, but it still was an affirmation to me I'm on the right track in believing in myself and my ability to capture pictures that capture the story and that others "get it" too. Thanks, Eugene, for picking my photo. It meant a LOT to me.

Anyone heard of the Matrix???

2010-08-16T15:20:00.000-07:00

Had a fun photo shoot with a group of seniors in downtown Charleston. One unfortunate soul got an allergic reaction in his eye on the way and ended up with his left eye swelled shut for most of the photo shoot. Luckily, I had a pair of sunglasses in the vehicle and they ended up making a great prop for some fun shots...This was one of my favorites from the day!