Blue Skies, Flowers, Self-portraits and Friendship makes for a good day

Today was one of those days where it begins way too early and once it's time to go to bed you can't sleep...which is where I am at now as I blab away...

I was up at 6am to get out on the road by 6:30am to make a 2 1/2 hour drive down to Peoria for a meeting. Needless to say, I did not leave on time as planned because as I was getting ready the weather was going nuts outside and the end of it seemed nowhere in sight. If you know me well enough you know that I FEAR driving in the rain. In fact, I'm pefectly fine driving in snow blizzard condition, but rain?..yes...rain freaks me out. Even a drizzle and semi's moving at extreme speeds on the highway...make for a very stressful driving situation in my car. I had the camera and knew I would get a bit of free time after the meeting and hoped to find places for pictures. Well, the tiredness and hunger set in and I said forget it! I just looked up above and was happy that at least my ride back home would be blessed with clear skies.....

Then when I returned to Rockford, Dan and I needed to run a few errands. On one of the stops he just needed to run in so I stayed in the car...and to pass the time...

definitely got some passerby "WHAT IS THAT WOMAN DOING?" stares for this one ;)

Then a little bit of downtime and I walked around our neighborhood and stopped at this super cute wooden fence....yes I called a fence "super cute"...I need sleep.

Downtime over...and I am off to meet a group of WONDERFUL ladies from church for our Tuesday Bible study group. BUT before I get there I had to stop for this.....there's just something about the random colors of the sky that I just fall in love with.

Tonight's study group was such a good time. It's interesting to hear about everyone's personal experience and their spiritual journey. I feel very blessed to have these women in my life. We get together and study from a series of books as we study the Bible. Right now, the topic is "How could God allow Suffering and Evil?".....a lot of good discussion.

Without sounding all "preachy" I will say that had it not been for this group I would have found it difficult to really connect with the Bible.  This is a completely different experience from having grown up reading from the Bible for Sunday school versus actually studying, having one on one devotional time with God and applying His word to your life. This is a constant eye opening experience.

 Thank you ladies for being inspirational, supportive, and all around amazing!

This song was on as I was typing and loading the pics..I appreciate that the sky, flowers, even that nasty rain this morning were created for a reason.  Could you imagine if none of this were here???

Back to Nature...

Today started out as a yucky overcast rainy morning. Then about mid day blue skies made it's lovely way through the clouds and I jumped in the car and headed to Rock Cut State Park. I love this place. I came out here during the winter to get some 'snow' shots, as I call them! Funny that the last time I was at the park it was eerie and  quiet. The crunching of the snow as I walked along the trail made me feel as though somewhere in the distance I was being watched! Seriously, I would stop every few steps and look around  "just to check". HOWEVER, today was a much more relaxed experience! It was very windy and a bit on the chilly side compared to the last couple of days..yet this place was busy. Boats on the water, people fishing, walking the trail, riding bikes. I think the winter blues got everyone saying who cares if it's still cold out...the snow is gone! I too jumped at the opportunity to get back to nature. I can't wait until it gets warmer. Dan and I like to rent a bass boat and spend a few hours on the lake. Summer..I miss you and can't wait for your return! : )

can't wait to get out on the water.....

**What I love about photographing nature is that you can keep it natural or in post processing you have the ability to have some fun a get a bit creative and turn an image into anything you want.**

After the lake I went on one of the trails....

These next three I like...There was a large Limestone rock (I think that's what it is) and it's covered in moss. Unfortunately, the entire area is fenced in because you now those lovely teens like to come out and cause trouble and ruin it for the rest of us....at least that's the rumor I've been told :) Thank you telephoto lens to get close enough..though now I really want to invest in a macro lens...

I saw this bridge just all by it's lonesome...I have some good ideas for future portrait sessions should they be at this park :)

Hope everyone enjoyed their Saturday! Today's trip brought peacefulness to me. Amidst all of the negative that can fill this world, reflecting back on these pictures..this day..reminds me that there is good and there is beauty. I am grateful for this life.  If you celebrate Easter I hope it is a special one for you and yours.

Love & Blessings,

Laura

Portraits

As I mentioned in the last post, I got Dan to model and "help" me get ideas for posing. Yeah....he's lovin this! Tomorrow we even have plans to shoot more...woo hoo for such a supportive man!

Anyways, we were on a time crunch today and only had a 15min window to shoot. It was around 4:45pm that we headed out to our backyard and I think we got a few good poses in. These are a couple of my favorites. Hopefully tomorrow won't be as hectic as today and we can come up with some creative poses. He has been such a help through this entire process. For those that know Dan and I well enough he has had his struggles over the years. He is doing very well at this point in time and it's amazing to his family and I how much of his true personality comes through. He is one creative and artistic person! Love you hun! :)

How to Grow as a Photographer-Tony Luna

WELL...I just had the entire post done and my computer froze and I LOST EVERYTHING I had just typed...so starting over :)

I enjoy reading and I must recommend "How to Grow as a Photographer" by Tony Luna. See, this title is a bit misleading because it applies to anyone! If you are in a career slump right now this book will help direct and inspire you to start making changes. Do you love your career but just need to take it in a new direction or are you in the wrong career and trying to figure out how to get to where you want to be? This book will help you piece it together and it's a good read filled with life experience from those who have been in various career fields. I was recently at this turning point....

So in the post that got deleted..I referred to a section in this book where the author asks a young photographer "what would you create with your art if you won the lottery?" The new guy, without hesitation, answers that he would take the money and run. Mr. Luna never asked "what would you do if you won the lottery?" This kid was not serious about photography and that simple question proved it. Before I even read what the answer would be I asked the question to myself. What came to mind was "I would want to open up a studio that offered "whimsical" style portrait sessions for newborns and children.

Photography is a competitive industry and new creative techniques are always being discovered. Most of us have a digital camera and we can purchase and download editing software. This career path is more than just having access to the equipment. I have to remind myself that in this competitive field...WHY do I want to be doing this and WHO am I doing this for. I am doing this because my passion is creating beautiful and memorable art for people. I want to continue on this path and keep learning and growing. I found what I am good at and how I can use this work to connect and make a difference for others. Photography brings happiness to my life.

So if you are at a point in your life  wondering if you are doing what you love...pick up this book. My sister said something to me last time we had visited and I was going through a pretty rough patch. She was feeling bad that I wasn't happy and instead of saying "there, there it will get better" she said "Life is too short to be anything but happy."...Okay , I know she didn't invent that line...but she was completely right and the timing of it was perfect. We all need to hear something to finally make us stop and think.."get over yourself and do something to change your life!"

Here are a few goals I hope to accomplish by the end of this year:
1. Attend a photography workshop out of state
2. upgrade my website to it's own domain
3. get licensed!
4. offer boudoir session ;) ooh la la...
5. do a portrait session "whimsical" themed with kids. Yes, I'm talking fairy wings, princess dresses..etc.. 
6. volunteer my time/work at a non profit organization and offer a portrait session for low income families.

Tomorrow is going to be a beautiful day and I convinced the boyfriend to be a model for me...hahah we shall see...

I'm all about music and photography...so here is a fav. song of mine by Lady Antebellum. LOVE LOVE LOOOOOVE THEM.  I know I can be a bit corny...okay a lot corny..but I am just one inspired woman who wants to do good things in this world :)

Starting Over...AGAIN!!! :)

Okay I am NOT good at this whole blogging business....I promised myself I would try to get at least two post in a week at the start of the year. FAIL. HA! So since I am starting new with the website, I decided to just completely revamp everything and start over as if this was my first ever blog post. Everything prior has been DELETED....time to move on and start fresh. Therefore I may have a couple of posts in order to catch up for my readers (THANK YOU KRISTINA!! :)


When Dan goes to his  meetings I usually tag along for a ride and go exploring downtown Rockford. I visited Sinnissppi Park along the Rock River a few days ago:

I spotted he/she from a distance and just about screamed with joy...

so pretty :)

I find beauty in the oddest of things....

so darn CUTE!!

Lots more to catch up on...but tonight's post is a good start!