His First Haircut

This time of year finds me cleaning up my hard drive, which means sending certain files to archive status and making room for new images. While performing this necessary duty, I came across some images I made last fall while visiting my sister, her husband, and my nephew, George, while in the UK. When I returned from that trip, it was back into high gear for the end of high school seniors and the middle of fall, family portraits in Milwaukee. Tonight I had time to go back and really look at what I had.

This image is quintessential of a young boy's youth - his first hair cut. Propped up on a sit-upon, with the necessary drap of a white towel, George is seen just after the quick release of a few tears and gives me the face that says, "I'm not liking this but I can live with it for now." His blue eyes just pop out at you from under his fine, blond locks. This all comes from his father, as my sister is very much a red head.

As you know, I love to make real life images of kids! The kind that capture some of the moments that are both simple, but monumental as they pass by. This is one of them and it reminds me of a quote I remember from a UK playwright, from a play I recently saw at The Rep. The quote is talking about raising kids and it goes like this: "The years are short but the days are long."
This is but one moment of those short years.

The moral of the story is: always be thankful for cleaning things up because it just may lead to a really good find!

Holiday Portrait Gifts and Snow

Ahh, it is finally here! This is the weekend that the PEGGY MORSCH life photography Elf can kick back and have a little fun! FedEx Santa has made his last delivery of custom portraits and the Chief Elf has them nicely packaged for her clients to take home to their loved ones. What could be better than watching all the smiles that form on their faces or listening to the "Oh, these are beautiful," words that they exclaim?

Well, OK, maybe a little snow would make it all seem a little more like Christmas/Hanukkah/Kwanzaa, but the meteorologists sent that weather pattern a bit more East. The Elf should just be happy that she doesn't have to shovel 20" of snow! See, there's always something to be grateful for, especially during the Holidays.

So even if there's no snow on the ground on our side of Milwaukee, I have my photographic memories of other years, where kids were out having fun in the snow in my neighborhood. So as client after client comes to get their beautiful portraits, the Chief Elf gets a nice feeling knowing that the gift of memories will live on in these portraits for years to come.

Santa's Helper

'Tis the season for family and friends to receive the gift that lives on long after Hanukkah, Christmas and Kwanza has passed! That's the gift of warm, family memories that glow brightly in our minds, when we view family photographs.

Being a photographer, I've been delegated by my family to keep our family's old images. With my Dad gone from our presence, I delight in seeing images of him, and photos of my 3 grandparents that I never knew. Mom tells me I was either in utero or too young to remember them. Thank God for photos!

It's always fun to see who looks like who in a photo! The most fun I have is watching the looks on the teenagers faces when they look at photos of when they were kids! Their parents will say cute things about them and they'll blush. Middle age folks remember back to all the fun they had at those younger ages and older folks will often comment about how good they looked back then. My mom does a little cringe when she sees this image of herself on the beach, but all my siblings think it's a great photo of her. (I look a like like her, don't I?!)

At Christmas, my father would bring out the slide projector and I'd sit upon his lap, helping him work the machine to show our extended family of grandma, aunts and uncles and cousins, all his old images from family reunions, past holidays and snapshots. Everyone would howl at the image of my mom and her 3 sisters! They they were, 4 young mothers, sitting on the grayish-green, textured couch, with 3 out of 4 of them wearing cat eye glasses! That straight-on-the-camera bulb flash made them look like they were in a police line-up! It still giggle just thinking about it. What a classic shot!

So as "Santa's Helper" delivers these prized possessions to all the familes that have trusted me with capturing their family's images this year, this 'elf' knows the power of the memories that will come to your family for years to come!

What A Photo Can Say

A few weeks ago, I photographed another participant for my book project, Dogs & Their Women. Paula and her 13 year old
Terrier mix, were stopped on day while on their usual 4 mile walk in Oconomowoc by another women who told her about my project to help raise money for rescues dogs. I don't know who that women was, but a deep sense of gratitude is coming your way, because my time with Paula and Samantha left an impression with me!

During our walk through a nearby cemetery, it was obvious just how bonded these two are. Sam would look up to her during the walk and when they were closer together, their comfort with each other was similar to a couple of many years of marriage!

Samantha was her own dog, however. That became obvious both before and after our walk. Sam, with her stylish Ozaukee Humane Society scarf around her neck, sat in the sunbeam. Paula and I were talking when I looked to see her sitting there with that calm/assertive look on her face. It was as if she owned the place!

At that moment, I felt a connection to Sam. She just exuded a calm confidence. When I look at this image I see old images of great leaders like Chief Joseph, Abe Lincoln and Indira Ghandi. There's that same calm/confidence that made people follow them.

So when Paula told me that Sam would look up to her on their walks, I began to wonder if Sam was just making sure that Paula was following the true leader, Samantha.

The Hunt Is On

Today I was called downstairs to witness a visitor to our small, urban, backyard. Throw out a little bird seed on our first, cold and snowy morning, and look what kind of dinner guest you can attract!

When I rounded the corner in the house, to see what all the fuss was about, our English Pointer was on point, nose to the glass and shaking like a 5.0 earthquake! "Good girl," I thought, as I raced for my camera body with the 70-200mm lens. She's only experienced grouse and pheasant twice in her life and low and behold, she's on full point on a hawk! If a gun went off, all bets are off, however. She's gun shy.

My neighbor had told me that a hawk was in the neighborhood. I had shared with her two places where I've seen them nesting this year. Both sites are within a 1/4 mile of our house; a tree at the end of the street and in Lake Park. Just check out the ravine on the north side of the lighthouse. This summer I heard them learning how to fly in the ravine while walking the dog, so there was lots of chatter from mom.

This Cooper's Hawk flew down to the ground and searched amongst the grasses and berry brambles. That's where the rabbits like to go. Funny, I'd never seen a hawk hunting along the ground before. I usually spot them along the interstate, perched up high to pounce upon voles and mice. So it was fun to have a little natural history lesson in my urban backyard. I think I'll keep feeding the birds!

Twins Keep You Hopping

This Fall I was asked to photograph 2 high school seniors that are fraternal twins. Having working with identical twins, I was excited to photograph Jenny and Don. We had planned on an indoor session, as the weather was turning cold and cloudy. However, on the day of their Creative Session, temps. were in the 50's, some yellow foliage remained and the sun was out.

They were game when I suggested that we change course and head outside, so off to nearby Lake Park we went. Dad left us alone to work our magic together and right away the atmosphere was conducive to great images. Jenny and Don's personalities started to be show through; one being quiet; one quieter.

As I photograph, I'm always trying to do multiple things at once. One is keep my intuition open to changing light that I see and listen to that little voice that says, "try this." It's imperative that I try new things and follow that inner voice! It's never steered me wrong. The other side of my brain keeps a little banter going about all the technological considerations I need to make with my equipment: shutter speed, f-stop, lighting with wireless flashes, positioning, etc. and then blend that together with what I want to convey about the subject before me. So with two of them, I was working in overdrive.

My work must simply be true to the person I photograph. Their image has to blend the technical with the intuitive, so that I can convey something authentic about the person before me. When parents tell me that I've really captured their personalities, then I know that the multi-tasking during the Creative Session was worth it!

So enough about the 'how' of images of twins. Today, while I was working on this image of the two of them, a feeling inside me, an awareness of truth, started to well up and it landed as a well balanced weight within. This image was true to them, and then I remembered how Jenny gushed about this image when she saw it in the View and Choose session. Don, he just smiled and shook his head 'yes.'

It will now be a 24 x 16 Metallic print to hang in my Gallery. Every time I look at it, I'll feel that same weight in my belly that says, "true." I hope they do too!

The Miracle of Life

Thanksgiving makes us think about what we're thankful for and is a time to reflect upon the goodness that comes to us everyday. In addition, I enjoy the daily practice of being grateful, usually when I'm walking the dogs and my mind can relax, or my first or last waking moments of the day. It simply grounds me and makes me more resilient for when things don't go so smoothly.

So over the last two weeks, I've had the opportunity to photograph someone else's bundle of gratitude - 2 newborn girls! One is my nephew's second child, Kylie, who possesses the fullest cheeks for a 3 month old, and a client's daughter, Sophia, who is now welcomed by 3 other brothers and sisters.

Yesterday, while photographing Sophia, a beautiful 10 day old baby, I had sometime to just reflect upon the joy that these babies bring to their families and i imagined how thankful they must be for these gifts, close to Thanksgiving. Now of course, I don't have to deal with the feedings, diaper changes, and unconsolable cries in the middle of the night, but in the time I spent with Sophia and Kylie, I could drink in the simple beauty of their tiny ears, teeny toes, button noses, and wispy hair. In those moments I was grateful for the miracle of life and felt a sense of awe and wonderment of the life before me.

The Healer

One of the interesting things about my book project, Dogs and Their Women, is that women who know about my project refer other women to me. It's because of these referrals that I've met some interesting women and great dogs. Today was one of those days!

Lisa, the rescue coordinator for the Wisconsin German Shorthair Pointer Rescue, told me about Dixie Chick and her owner, Pam. Dixie's chief occupation is bring joy into Pam's life, as she's been living with cancer for a few years. It's a job Dixie readily accepts and is superb in her execution of duties!

When I arrived at their house, Dixie was doing the usual "360's" at full speed, in Pam's large back yard, trying to run out the energy that a only a 2 year old English Pointer possesses. Once she settled down with Pam's other dog, Lanie, it became apparent of the role they played in her life.

With Pam starting another round of chemo, these two little 'nurses' snuggle up with her on the couch when the fatigue hits her. She accepts and relishes their healing qualities of acceptance, the "take it one moment at a time" canine philosophy, and a little petting that makes anything better.

It's interesting that when we rescue dogs from situations that are difficult, that they also rescue us from the same. It was Pam who helped Lanie out of a tough time, and Lanie that saw Pam through her own hellish moments. But it was Dixie's cheerful nature and chief "infuser of joy" that has healed them all.

Never underestimate the canine 'nurse' in the family! All medicine goes down easier with a Pointer who loves life and lives every moment!

Holiday Cards Galore!

This time of year finds me busy with Holiday card orders from sessions during the summer and fall. If you're thinking it's too late to have a professional photo done and get it out in time for the Holidays, YOU'RE WRONG.

With over 25 different card templates to choose from, I'm sure to have something that will make you beam when you send out your cards! I'll be accepting photo session appointments right up until Christmas/Hanukkah because it's become a new trend for people to send out New Year's cards.

So rather than feel the pressure or worry that you've missed the timing for this year, RELAX, because you've still got time to schedule a creative session either in your home or my studio AND get a holiday card out. So if you're off around Thanksgiving time, get out your calendar and head to:

http://peggymorsch.bookmonline.com

and get your session scheduled. Then you too can have a beautiful, custom holiday card ready to send out to your dear friends and loved ones.

My Mom, The Kitten, and Divine Intervention

This past week I've been in western NY, visiting my mom and helping her do some chores around the house. While I was dry-locking her basement, she was putting her stellar sewing skills into action to make me some louvers for my new strip light. A simple trading of skill sets for each other's mutual benefit.

Each morning I woke around 5 a.m., anticipating the alarm at 6, at which time I would roll out of the sack and head off into the morning twilight to photograph the nearby wind towers at dawn. It was one of those mornings when I heard what sounded like a kitten meowing somewhere outside the bedroom window I had left open on a warm, November evening. I told myself, in my early morning stupor, that it was probably a cat bird, calling out it's territory during the pre-dawn hours. But something bothered me about the sound.

Later that morning, I was taking some things out back and on my way back to the house, I heard that same sound again. I looked up and saw a small, cinnamon and white, long haired kitten, sitting by a bush at the neighbor's house. It was obvious that it was a 'drop off' kitten. As I walked up towards it, I noted how tiny it was as it scooted under the front porch and out of reach.

On my way back into the house, I hatched my plan of action. I told my mom and she immediately exclaimed, "I'm not taking in a kitten!" Knowing that I'm an animal lover (every family has to have one, you know), she had to be on the defense right away. She's done a good job of being a 'grandma' to her children's dogs, but she's never had a hankering to actually own one. She decided at a young age that she'd be a mother to pets or children, but not both!

I negotiated for a can of tuna fish and some water and gingerly walked back to the last place I saw it, placing the feast on some back steps. After a short time in the basement, my mother, who seemed disinterested in the kitten, called down, "The kitten's eating the tuna!" Up the stairs I raced to watch, with my mother, out her bedroom window, this little wonder politely eating the tuna fish. When it finished, it looked up at me and meowed a few times. My next move was to talk to the owner of the house, when she returned from work at 4:30.

Around 4:00, mom and I decided to go get some provisions and off we went in her Saturn Vue. After driving about 1/2 mile, we hit town center and I heard that same, familiar meow coming from under the hood - even with the radio on. I know I had a look of horror on my face when I looked at mom and said, "stop the car! The kitten's in the engine!"

It just so happened that right around the corner was the main drag of Wayland. Stores, people and of course, someone we knew was walking by. I lifted up the hood and there was that same, sweet, cinnamon/white face, looking up at me from the area nearest the steering wheel. It had wedged itself in between the hood and some flat surface. I let the hood down again while I grabbed a small, rag rug that mom keeps in the back of her Vue. Jim, the innocent bystander, lifted the hood while I put the rug over the kitten. However, he wasn't about to cooperate. For God's sake, he'd just climbed to safety to get away from all those moving parts of the engine. He wasn't about to give up that easily!

As he tried to dive down into the engine, Jim thrust his hand in and came out with the kitten. End of story? Not a chance. We drove to a nearby Animal Hospital, hoping that they would take it in for the night and call the Humane Society in the morning. No such chance. So when I came back to the Vue with a box with holes in it, my mom was probably thinking, "why do these things happen when Peggy comes home?"

The plan was to bathe it, keep it warm overnight (me: upstairs in the kitchen; Mom: in the basement) and take it to the Humane Society in the morning. As we drove the 7 miles home, mom thought maybe my brother's sister-in-law would take it in. She had other cats, a dog or two, a horse and pot-bellied pig. It was worth a try.

We rolled into Pam's driveway right at dusk. Diner time for all the four-legged creatures that Pam cares for. Upon seeing the box I carried, with some strategically placed breathing holes, she said, "you have something alive in there, don't you?" When she guessed a kitten, her daughter Megan, a senior in high school said with excitement, "Mom, I was just talking about getting another kitten the other day!" At that moment, I knew the deal was sealed!

Pam picked the 8 week old kitten up and examined it like a doctor checking out a rash. Brushing the fur away from it's eyes, she was concerned about some drainage. There were other symptoms that might indicate Feline Leukemia, so he was kept separated from the other cats. I offered Pam some money for neutering and ran to the store to get some litter, flea spray and kitty food. Operation Kitty was a success!

Later, as I replayed the days events, I wondered if it was just chance or divine intervention that the kitten ended up in Mom's engine compartment. Was it luck that I have good hearing? What happened in that moment when the tuna-fed kitten looked up at me in the bedroom window and meowed? I'm putting my money on divine intervention.

Toddler Time

I recently had the pleasure of photographing the most darling one year old girl in the studio. She came with a variety of outfits and we did some Fall shots outside and then came into the studio. I really had all I could do to hold the camera steady, from all the laughing I was doing, when I saw her move around in her tutu! Harper danced around her 'friend,' Curious George, shrieked a few times and kept right on going. It was if I and her two dads weren't even around.

In another handmade dress, we saw her interact with a stuffed bear. Too precious of a moment and there it was with a special twinkle in her eye.

Happy Harper! I can't wait to show dads the rest of the images!

Lasting Moments

It's been very busy around here lately, with more seniors to photograph before their deadlines and families squeezing in the portraits for the holidays! I've missed the fun of blogging so it feels good to be writing again.

By now, you might know that I love all things canine. So I want to share a touching story about Rocky, a German Shorthair Pointer, and his human companion, Mary. Mary adopted Rocky nearly 4 years ago and he became her 'rock.' As an older dog, Rocky was lucky to be adopted by Mary and her husband. Older dogs don't nearly get the chance for a forever home that younger dogs do. Rocky showed her how much he loved her by snuggling with her. Like my English Pointer, Emma, Rocky leaned up against her and every chance he got, was touching her. It's a Pointer thing!

And so it was that I witnessed this affection for each other at a Pointer Party, held to celebrate the adoption of 184 Pointers in 7 years, from the WI Shorthair Pointer Rescue Group (http://www.wgspr.com). There were 30 or so pointers running around a large, fenced in back yard, with owners milling about, talking to each other and sharing stories about their dogs. While I was talking to a woman that adopted a sibling of my Emma, I noticed this woman sharing a tender moment with her dog. I quickly knelt down and got off a few frames of their closeness. At that moment I was moved by this open display of affection because they both looked like an island of calm amid the chaos of galloping, barking dogs.

This image was made about 2 weeks before Rocky suffered a stroke/seizure and went on to run into the other side. Mary told me that on that day I 'spied' her and Rocky, she was telling Rocky that he was a VERY good dog; something she told him daily. From this image, it's easy to see his goodness, and hers! They belonged together.

I've invited Mary to be in my Dogs and Their Women project. In part, she tells me that Rocky has helped her to live in the moment. It's something I hear from many women who have dogs! As you can imagine, Mary's moments are a lot harder without her loyal companion. How odd it must feel to not feel his daily 'touches' of leans and snuggles. Funny how our pain in loss is really an indication of the depth of the love we felt and were lucky to have!

Boys and Their Boards

One of the great things about the changing seasons the anticipation of what's to come with the change. Yesterday, the boys in my neighborhood were anticipating snow! Now I know that makes some of you cringe, but it's time to go back in the years and think like a 9 year old. Remember the fun? Lack of responsibility? Ah, the good life. . .

Every time I see the kids in the neighborhood gather at Charlie's house for some play time, I get to enjoy the view from my 2nd floor office that faces the street. I have often grabbed my camera and made some 'frozen in time' shots for their parents. It was no different when I spied the guys with their snowboard, attempting to slide down the small hill of dewy grass. No snow, no problem for 9 year olds! If you need to think outside the box just ask a 9 or 10 year old. They had the snow thing all figured out even if the weatherman didn't cooperate.

So I walked over with the camera and the boys herded up for me; board and hats intact. Silly faces were thrown my way and when I showed them one of those shots, I got this one. Now I'm the one that can't wait for the snow so I can really get them 'boarding.' I can see the snowball fight already!

The Reason Danes are Great

Every once in a while I have the pleasure to be in the company of a great dog. Today it was a Great Dane, named Bridgette. She and her owner are part of my Dogs and Their Women project, that will benefit shelter and rescue dogs.

When I pulled up to her house, Bridgette came over to greet me, just as I opened my car door. Normally, when seated in the car, I'd bend over and start petting the dog. Not with Bridgette. She's right at nose level, and by that, I mean MY nose! She very calmly started using that great olfactory sense that she possesses and she exuded nothing but confidence with me. She surely got a whiff of my two dogs, as their hair is a permanent part of my car's interior!

Off we went to a nearby county park. Bridgette lopped along with the greatest of ease, reminding me of my good friend's Rhodesian Ridgeback. It's the same style of running I saw when coaching my high school sprint athletes. That graceful lope is a coverup for the speed that lies under the hood! Sure enough, she showed me what she had, causing me to rethink how to focus on such a fast, moving dog!

We finished inside, catching her on the couch as she struggled to stay awake after her extra morning romp. I began to think that I could easily own this breed - athletic, playful and loyal - great characteristics in a giant, dog breed. But the icing on the cake was she was such a regal dog and that I'd never have to bend down to pet a Great Dane! I'll bet her owner agrees.

The Power of Images

This is the first blog post I have ever written without a photo. That is because the visual part of this blog is found at The Oriental movie theatre through Thursday, October 15, 2009.

I have just viewed the movie, "The Cove." Having seen the trailer and knowing it would be difficult to see, I felt I had to bear witness to the work of a skilled, covert team who risked their lives and freedom to extract the short footage of the inhuman slaughter of up to 23,000 bottled-nose dolphins every September - March, in Taji, Japan. If you're already thinking that you could never see this film, please reconsider. It begs you to take action, as the dolphins cannot talk or even swim their way out of this daily entrapment.

The power of this film begins with Ric O'Barry - the man that trained Flipper. Ric admits that his work with Flipper has lead to the exploitation of dolphins for the purposes of dolphin/porpoise water shows, 'swim with the dolphins' parks and lastly, human consumption. He now works to end this exploitation. I think the film does a superb job of explaining the science behind dolphin behavior and communication, and why containment of this cetacean is counter to their lives in the wild.

The actual footage of a series of International Whaling Commission meetings exposes the Japanese government's attempts to continue with their 'whaling' practices by the monetary manipulation of poorer countries, who can swing their IWC vote in the favor of the Japanese.

The film also exposes the Japanese governmental coverup of the Taji, Japan operations, that even go so far as to sell dolphin meat, labeled as whale meat. Even the Japanese people do not know that they are eating mercury ladened dolphin meat with up to 2000 ppm (part per million) of mercury, when the allowable rate is 4 ppm. In Taji, Japan, the school lunch program was built around the compulsory consumption of dolphin meat. That practice has ended, thankfully, due to the actions of two councilmen that wanted to protect their children from the ravaging effects of mercury toxicity.

http://www.apple.com/trailers/independent/thecove

An "Ah Ha" Moment

This week I'm spending some time in Vermont, chasing some fall foliage, and if you're a regular follower of my blog, you won't believe what happened! It's rained everyday! Now that wouldn't be a big deal, normally, but wherever I've gone this year, hoping to make some nice nature photographs or travel images, it's rained.

What I really wanted to share with you, besides the weather, is that I had a little learning experience today. I connected the dots today about working with natural light on cloudy days. I had been hiking through the wide, ski trials here, looking for areas of bright, red, maple leaves where they would have blown down in last night's wind storm. Although I saw lots of red leaves, I didn't find any strong compositions.

I came back out of the woods and followed another deer trail along the woods. There I saw bright, red Maple leaves and a nice, solid White Birch tree, anchored by wispy grasses, that were being thrown about by the afternoon's breeze. I made a few different compositions but liked this one.

The other images are quintessential Vermont!

This One's For You

While I was working on some images to show a client on Saturday, I had to stop and just have a good belly laugh at this image. I present it to all of you to embed into your grey matter and retrieve it on those days that are exceptionally trying. When you've had it "up to here," and you're ready to throw in the towel, when the kids are pulling you in all directions or when the work load has reached the "dangerous" level.

Just pull out your imaginary tutu, add the flowered hat, push that belly out and with a full breath, let it rip!

There, don't you feel better now? I hope you had a good laugh.

Under the Light

Yesterday was a windy day in the upper Midwest. The cold front was setting up to blow through during the early evening hours and the wind made me worried about my upcoming Senior Portrait session in the afternoon. I wondered if Sasha would have longer hair that would twist in the wind and make our outdoor session a challenge. Thankfully, her hair was pulled back and we dealt with the stray strands as best as we could.

As we approached this building, I visualized an image I had not made before. I love it when that happens! It's a wonderful feeling to have one's intuitive channels open, receiving little messages that come and then following them. "Let the wind be damned," I thought. We're going to try something different! Sasha was ready and open to my suggestion. I'll know tomorrow night if she likes it, when she arrives for her View and Choose session.

I love the divergent lines of the building, the red color and the lone, white, rusted light above her. Add in the color balance of the white top and old light and I think it works. Not for a yearbook photo, but definitely for a Graduation Announcement card next spring. Way to go Sasha!

Why Should I Hire Professional Photographer?

Today a client told me about a conversation she had with a photographer about senior portraits. This photographer quoted the client a fee of $200 and said they could have all the images. Great deal, these days, right? Who wouldn't want to scoop that up!

My immediate, but not spoken thought was, what kind of images would one get for $200? Would they be printable to the client's satisfaction? What level of artistry would these images have? Most importantly, was this photographer a Professional photographer (i.e. someone who derives their full-time income from their work, builds upon their knowledge/skill by attending state, national, local conventions, and is a member of PPA or ASMP) or a "photographer" who has a camera and wants to make some extra income on the side of their other full-time work?

As I put the finishing touches on one of Derek's book images, I thought back to that earlier conversation. Most of my fellow, professional photographers work to build their photographic and computer skills to produce images that are beautiful, dramatic, moving, and above all else, pleasing to the the client. In that process, we build a relationship with our clients; most who return year after year for our services.

Being a visual learner, I thought I'd use a photo to illustrate the point of using a Professional Photographer. I'll let you guess which one is the original image and which is the finished product of Derek, the cross-country runner and a 2010 Senior. While the "before" image is acceptable, I know which one he and his parents will like in his custom book!

Working with Other Artists

I find myself working on Derek's Senior Book this morning and I've been anticipating the fun I would have working on it! Have you ever found yourself looking forward to something you had to get done? I usually use it as a "carrot" to get me through other work I don't enjoy as much. Don't get me wrong, I LOVE my work/job, but there are tasks I enjoy more than others. A universal feeling, I'm sure.

So today I realized why I enjoy working on the custom products I produce, like books, gallery wraps, cards, bookmarks, etc. In part, it's because I get to work with another artist to produce them. I kneel at the altar of the graphic artist I work with that produces the creative designs that I incorporate in my work! Her work heightens mine. It's that simple and I know she'd say the same thing. My work helps her with her designs.

While recently hiking down Ben Nevis, the highest peak in Scotland, I ran into a graphic artist from Ireland. I told him how I worship the graphic artist that I work with and explained why. The smile on his face seemed to grow as wide as one of their famed glens (valleys)! He appreciated the comment and said he also loves to work with other creatives because it gives him a little push to do better.

So while I work alone in my office today, I realize the bigger picture. Derek's book is really a "team effort" and I don't feel all alone today. I know he and his parents will appreciate the creative energies/talents of both of us, just as they appreciate the efforts of Derek and his coach, who helped him set a personal best in the pole vault last spring!

One Reason to Love Fall

Those days of bright sun and moderate temperatures are just right to tease out the beautiful blooms of my purple aster, prarie plant. In September, it becomes a feeding station for Monarch butterflies, heading south to Mexico, and some local bees.

This year it's a little late in its blossoming and I've only seen a few Monarchs coming by. Last year, the meaty, thick stalks were bending over from all the monarchs feeding on it's energy-rich pollen. I spent some time photographing them last year, as they paid no attention to me. All attention was on their food source.

So I wanted you all to enjoy the view I have from my dining room these days! I wait all summer, watching the stalks get thicker and taller, knowing that September will bring me a reward for my patience. Soon I'll be saving seeds for friends to start plants of their own, as well as strategically placing my own seeds in sunny places where I think that purple color will enhance my garden or make for some great background color in a photo.

Take it all in. It only lasts for about 2 weeks!

My Life has Direction

One of the things I enjoy about photographing high school seniors in the Milwaukee area is that they give me a glimpse into the future. I enjoy talking to them about where they might go to school, what course of study or trade they might pursue, and what subjects they enjoy learning about. This year, I'd say my seniors have been more science oriented - medicine, nuclear physics, biology, etc. Some will be serving us in the military, while others will choose to teach.

Luke told me he's looking to be a psychologist - "maybe working with veterans or in an educational setting," he said. I perked up when he told me that, because in the short time I had been with him, I could feel his calmness and felt at ease with him. "You'd be great at that Luke," I told him. "I can see you being a great listener. "

Later on, as we were walking back to our cars, I learned of a large, personal loss he has lived through. The sudden death of his father three years earlier. It all made sense then. Sometimes in life we choose the paths we take while other times the paths sort of find and "draft" us. It's what we choose to do with it that counts.

I thought about how losses are often gifts to us. It's only recognized at a later time in life. While we're going through the discomfort and grief of a loss/change, the spiritual struggle often brings us through to a better place. We're stronger, more resilient, empathetic, and all the wiser for it. The world becomes more shades of grey vs. black and white. At least that's what I've found in my life.

As we walked back, past a fence, where I had previously made a great head and shoulders photo of Luke, he asked me if I could take a few more shots of him there from the waist up. Sure I could, and am awful glad I did! I LOVE this photo of him. In all his steadiness, I saw that he had direction in his life and that he has a gift he will share with others.

"Honey, Look What's in Our Garden!"

Sometimes things come together when I just get out of my own way. Today was one of those days. Just back from my trip to Scotland and feeling refreshed, I had planned on photographing Delaney in the studio with one of my new, colorful backdrops. At one year of age, Delaney seemed to be more interested in my dogs that she had met when she arrived. I needed to follow my intuition and leave plan A behind. "Follow your gut" kicked in.

"Let's go outdoors," I suggested to Mom and Dad. At first nothing was really clicking, but when I let the dogs into the backyard to sniff around, Delaney became very interested in just watching them. So very quickly we put on the hat that she had earlier ejected off her head like a hot potato. Never before have my dogs been used as 'bait" for a toddler so when it resulted in images such as this, I think it's time to reconsider their employ on an individual basis.

When I brought this back on the LCD of the camera during the Creative Session, I knew it was destined for sharing. The title is just one of my crazy ways of looking at things. She appears to be coming up from the garden with the planned color harmony going on. She's just a little flower!

Thoughts on Scotland

In spite of the rain that has fallen every day of my 13 days in England and Scotland, I have fallen in love with Scotland! It must have been my walk through the National Gallery of Art in Edinburgh today, when I viewed a large number of oils by a variety of painters that depicted dogs, birds, horses or other animals. It's a well know fact that UK'ers love their dogs.

Or perhaps its the sense of humor and quick wit that the Scottish possess. At our B&B in Lower Breakish, on the Isle of Skye, we met 85 year old Ruby, who had us laughing with her teasing of us 'yanks.". There's nothing I like more than engaging in some gentle teasing! A former Elem. Ed. teacher that's long since retired, Ruby entertained Kathy and I with her stories of her travels on Skye 50 years previous, her teaching days, as well as her "conscription" into the military during WWII. When you added in her thick Scottish accent, we felt like we were in the presence of a great Scot!

Then there's the tartans and clan history; some of it gruesome and 'grim," with the stories of The Clearances and William Wallace. You certainly know where you came from and what you're about if you're a Scot! In spite of dark past of plunder, I have found this country to be most friendly, helpful and caring. Our B&B hosts provided us with hiking maps and dried our wet boots for us. A woman stopped on the streets of Edinburgh to ask if we needed help when she spotted us consulting a map and I had a warm conversation with David, the trail worker.

It saddens me that I don't have a drop of Scottish blood flowing through my veins. But for a short time, it's been fun to pretend and enjoy!

Suisnich and Boreraig Walk

Today was a beautiful day in Scotland! Yes, the Isle of Skye experienced its 51st day in a row with rain, but we were able to enjoy our 10 mile hike along a lake and a glen. It was a historic walk, as years ago, marauders came through and took over the land from those who worked it, because they needed some place to raise their sheep. As ancient history usually goes, people starved and died. The ruins of their homes and hand built stones fences still remain, however, and are amazing to see. By the way, the land is still used to raise sheep - just in case you were wondering.

Here's some images from our hike BEFORE the rain came in.

Dateline Scotland: Daniel & the Cable Bridge

It's been almost a week since I've been gone to visit my sister in England and explore the Highlands of Scotland. There's not a day that it hasn't rained yet. It reminds me of my first trip to Alaska, where it rained the first 16 days of a 21 day trip.

The heather's still in bloom, as are some smaller wildflowers. The Highland mountains and their graceful valleys are beautiful, when the clouds rise high enough to catch a glimpse of their peaks. Waterfalls are everywhere, as the ground is beyond saturated. We hiked halfway up Ben Nevis today, (highest peak in Scotland) and we saw a little sun for about 1 hour. We decided to exit the rough trail before it became slick with rain and found ourselves in the parking lot just as the rain started. (On hikes, I'm known for brilliantly reading the weather and getting us out of harm's way, just in the nick of time.)

On the way down, Kathy and I met Daniel, who's put in 16 seasons maintaining the trails we'd been hiking on. Who could ignore his red beard flowing down to his green safety vest! I asked permission to photograph him and he readily agreed. We talked about older bodies and anti-inflammatory meds while his bandages completed the story. He told us of a short hike nearby with a cable bridge that we might like. He looked us up and down and pronounced that "yull be able to doo it." (Scottish accent

In a small valley with a wonderful meadow, was a cable bridge just waiting for me. One has to test oneself every once in a while, just to be sure you're really alive. After I tried my balance beam moves, a young Brittish man followed. Then his girlfriend had to give it a go. This image gives once a sense of the danger and the encouragement of her boyfriend on the other side.