Winter Hibernation (Not)

I can’t apologize enough for my extended hibernation. I have been working and shooting, but have had trouble making it over here to share my experiences. I don’t know if it is the winter blahs, which have been known to visit on occasion, or just plain lazy neglect. Probably lazy neglect, I will try and get better.

As much as I LOVE shooting in the incredible winter wonderland nature has provided this year. I am going to try my hand at shooting in doors. I don’t mind the cold myself, but can’t bare the guilt I feel when I see my poor, wonderful, beautiful and totally accommodating models out in the cold. Not to say I won’t torture them once or twice more before the season comes to an end, but a break is more than past due!

Rising from the Ashes

Nikon D600
1/50 sec. at f/4.5
ISO 2000 and 26 mm focal length
Lightroom 5, Photoshop CC, Perfect Effects

Aahhh… Life is so much better when everything comes together and I am able to shoot. I needed last night! Being able to release the images I see in my head and share them with others is like a drug to me. As usual things did not go as smoothly as planned, my model was late, the job was rushed, and a last minute location change made me question if I should have bothered at all , but in the end it all worked out. Today I have a great image coming together and I am a little more bright eyed and bushy tailed than I have been in a while.

Still Spinning

Nikon D600
Lightroom 5, Photoshop CC, Perfect Effects, Define

I just can’t seem to keep a grip on everything  this summer. Every time I think I am about to get my priorities straight and my scheduling under control The operator starts the ride back up. And yes, I pretty sure I am on The Zipper, pictured above. You have this sense that you can control the movement of your car, but in the end it is going to do its own thing. All you can do is sit back and enjoy the chaos of the ride.

Do It With Feeling

Nikon D600
Lightroom 5, Photoshop CC, Perfect Effects, Define

I have been reading a lot lately about seeking inspiration and organizing your ideas before the shoot. This post is not to debunk the importance in that, but there is also something to be said about leaving room for the idea to develop on location. Flexibility is a huge part of my arsenal. Especially when scheduling models. I have more often than you can imagine set up a model for a stormy moody shot only to wake up to beautiful blue skies and vice versa…

Adrift

Nikon D600
1/60 sec. at f/22
ISO 800 and 48mm focal length
Lightroom 5 and Photoshop CC

What an absolutely crazy, inspiring weekend! I made it through the chaos and came through the other side with a huge sense of accomplishment and a lot of the warm fuzzies. My work has been out there for a while, albeit it has taken a drastic turn for the better as of late, but this weekend was my first opportunity to really see people’s unguarded reactions. I have come to find that seeing those reactions is worth so much more than the financial justification of a sale. Don’t get me wrong, I would rather NOT be a starving artist all my life, but it was not the financial transactions that gave me the greatest joy this weekend. It was watching my stories pull people in and seeing their reactions to what they were seeing. ❤

Left Behind

Nikon D600
1/160 sec. at f/22
ISO 600 and 24 mm focal length
Lightroom 5, Perfect Black and White, Perfect Effects, Define

Wow! What an incredible fruitful few days. I am very fortunate to have a trio of beautiful nieces willing to play model while they are vacationing here in Michigan. The visit just happened to coincide with my intense desire and recent decision to jump into conceptual fine art photography with both feet.