Big and Little Personalities

                                                             

My WINE and PAWs event, to help out homeless dogs, began a few days early when Kelly Dawson, owner of "sitting dogg"  (www.sittingdogg.com) came in with two of her dogs.  Ace, a 95# American Bulldog, is ALL muscle.  He pulled me around a couple of times when I tried to turn him around by his collar and I got to feel his pulling power!  A 'big boy' in size but a teddy bear by nature.  I can imagine what a cuddler he is.

His pack-mate, Woubai, is a small, red dog and reminded me of a friend's Norwegian Wunderhund.  Kelly told me that although he was small, he was the alpha.  All is equal in the dog world when a 15# dog rules the roost over a 95# dog that could take it out with one gulp!

Kerry and the boys arrived after a good, long walk to tire them out.  I had some shots in mind that didn't pan out but soon their energies began to settle and they acquiesced to their new surroundings.  A key to pet photography is patience, so sure enough, things started to mellow out.

Ace decided he liked the feel of my new animal skin-like material, while Woubai took a break on the couch and in mom's arms.  Kelly brought along a nice Pinot Grigio called Little Black Dress to trade.  The label has tiny, red high heels on it!  (You know how women love to try wines that have interesting labels.)

If you're looking for someone to take care of your dog in your home, give Kerry a call about her premier in home pet care! After watching her interact with Ace and Woubia, you're dogs will be in good hands!

Dogs, Women and Their Interlinked Lives

Now that we've shaken off the winter and welcomed in the Spring, I've started work on my personal book project, Dogs and Their Women.  This us a book about women's relationships with their dog, and it uses both text and photos to communicate that relationship.  Last week, during an afternoon of heavy rain and clouds, I made my way to Eve's house to meet the incredible Oliver.

Oliver's a Cockapoo that melted my heart as soon as I saw him.  He's got these soulful eyes that announce is gentleness. Eve had him all combed up, as her groomer, upon hearing of my scheduled arrival, said 'bring him over for a quick comb."  I chuckled as it reminded me of my mom getting 'curled and combed out' before an evening on the town.

In spite of the rain, my job was to communicate what Eve and Oliver do together - talk!  Eve is a retired Sign Language Interpreter/Instructor and Oliver's been her student, ever since he arrived.  He knows something like 200 signs!  

My favorite was when Eve would sign - DANCE!  Oliver rose up on his sturdy back legs and would dance around.  His soft, fluffy ears flopped around as he danced.  What a joy dogs are in our lives!  As Oliver demonstrated his sign language ability, I spoke with Eve about dogs power of observation.  I think they are quick to recognize patterns and then learn based upon repetitive observation. Repetition is good for all us!

The book marches onward!  Volunteers are still coming forth so I'll have plenty of 'material' to work with.  My goal is to finish the shooting portion by the end of Summer, beginning of Fall.  Then it's the creative design phase.  Expect a Gallery Night show about this time next spring and that's when I launch the book!  (All proceeds from this project are going to WI Humane Society and WI German Shorthair Pointer Rescue, Inc.)

Being Part of a Community

When I moved from rural Ozaukee County to the 'big city' of Milwaukee, I often felt like a small fish in a big lake.  I was raised in a town of 2000 people in western NY, so the city initially left me feeling disconnected.  My neighborhood was great, however, and everyone in 'the hood' is friendly and fun.  I began to make friends, associations, etc. and soon it felt like I was back in 'community.'

When churches, non-profit organizations and schools asked me to donate my services for their auctions and fund raising events, I readily participated.  It made me feel connected to others and added to the purpose of why I love, and need to, photograph.  I've realized my skill/work contributes to the visual history of a community and their families.  That feels real good to me; to be grounded on a plot of land with people who care about one another.

So when I was working on my tax preparation this month, I saw the list of churches, schools, organizations that I've become a part of through time.  They've helped me create a big Milwaukee family!  Here they are:
         St. Roberts School - Shorewood
         Holy Family School - Whitefish Bay
         Mequon Jewish Preschool - Mequon
         Rainbow Preschool - Fox Point
         Community Preschool - Whitefish Bay
         Big Brothers  Big Sisters - Milwaukee
         The Caring Place - Waukesha
         North Shore Children's Center - River Hills
         Sixteenth Street Community Health Center - Milwaukee
         American Heart Association - Milwaukee
         Hartford University School for Urban Exploration - Milwaukee
         Cream City Foundation - Milwaukee
         Milwaukee LGBT Community Center - Milwaukee
         LaCausa - Milwaukee
         Milwaukee Art Museum - Bal du Lac
         Alzheimer's Association - Milwaukee
         Dominican High School - Whitefish Bay
         St. Eugene Congregation

Thanks for asking me.  It's helped me as much as it's helped the organizations!

        

First Holy Communion Revisit

I was editing some First Holy Communion pictures that I made recently of a young boy in my studio.  Something happened while photographing him that I just had to share.  I need to categorize this moment under the heading of "Situational Awareness."  While you might hear me talk your ear off about SA in other settings, I find that it works for me in most of my life.  It's simple moving through life with an awareness of what your senses are taking in.  For me, it's hyper-drive on the visual side but smells, sounds, sensations, etc., they all play a role.  Here's how SA worked in this photograph.

After finishing a series of images, I turned off my main light and moved it out of the way to get ready for the next series.  As I did, I saw the light pouring in over Hunter's head, like a beam of light that angels descend down to us in.  (Not that I've actually seen that actually happen, but you know what I'm talking about.)  I stopped dead in my tracks and said to my photographer friend Jason, who was visiting for a few days, 'do you see what I see??"  "YES!" was his excited reply.

I made a few images of him when Jason spoke up and said, "Hunter, look up at the ceiling."  Wow!  It made the picture happen.  Pious, reverent, humble, innocent - all the words that would fit for a First Holy Communion portrait of a young boy.

So they we were, Jason, Hunter, his grandma and I, a few days before Easter, and it was that situational awareness and that infamous angel of mine, "intuition", that spoke to us and helped me create this moving image of Hunter.  I invite you to help me think up a title for it.

The light from above, you ask?  It was biblical - the roof opened up and poured down a shaft of light that I needed for heavenly illumination of his portrait!  OK, you got me.  I cannot lie around Easter.  I owe it all to the Solatubes (http://www.solatube.com/) I had installed in my studio.  (Brighter Concepts on Capital Dr in Shorewood.)   I think I'll be using them for a light source more often!  It pays to have SA!

WINE & PAWs Event for Homeless Dogs

Want to get involved with helping homeless dogs and those that care for them?  Well I've got something easy for you to do!

April 17 and 18th is the First Annual, WINE & PAWs event at PEGGY MORSCH life photography studio.  Here's how it works:  Just bring a Large bag of dog food, a favorite bottle of wine and your dog. The food goes to WI German Shorthair Pointer Rescue and the WI Humane Society.  I'll photograph you and your dog for free and give you an 8x10 or smaller print!  You get to trade in your bottle wine and take home a new one you've never tried!  Everybody wins, especially the homeless dogs being cared for by dedicated people!

Be sure to bring some of your dog's favorite treats and get in a good exercise period before you arrive.

Just call me at 414.550.5340 to sign up for a 30" session, OR go to http://peggymorsch.bookmonline.com and register online.

Did I tell you that I like reds?

There's a Double for Everbody, Even Dogs!

This past summer I photographed Kathy and her lab-mix, Maddie for my Dogs and Their Women project, that will benefit the WI Human Society and WI German Shorthair Pointer Rescue.  While not successful in matching up our schedules, we got together over this weekend to view the images.  Kathy loved many of the images and there were the usual 'oohs' and 'aahs.' When this image came up, we just burst out laughing!  

After walking a couple of miles and getting brushed out with her 'love glove,' Maddie was feeling really relaxed in the morning sun.  Kathy had Maddie's favorite soft toy in her hand, just in case we needed it to get her attention.  You've gotta have your tricks lined up with pet or dog photography!  I don't recall who placed the look-alike lab toy in front of her, but it was a brilliant move!


Besides the color match, I think it's the matching ears; all sticky-outy on the same side, that does it for me.  Perhaps there's a bit of indignation on Maddie's part too.  I'm anthropomorphizing here, but I sense of a little, 'let's get this over with' from Maddie.  It's something I see occasionally in my dogs.  As if they're above a little fun at their expense.


The other image is the one that's in the running for the book.  If you're a woman with a dog, then you can most likely see yourself in this image!  Com'on admit it!  I know you talk 'baby talk' with your dog!  Thank God dogs like to be talked softly to and thank God, they like to listen to us! 

Going Places? Try a Travel Photography class!

Over the last few years I've had clients and people I've met through traveling, ask me questions about their cameras.  "How do you get those great travel images that you make?"  "What can I do with my camera to make images like that?"  I'd explain a few tips and tricks of the trade, but I quickly realized that most people that are buying Digital Single Lens Reflex (DSLR) cameras and lenses don't understand what a powerful tool they hold in their hands and they were simply using it on "Auto Everything!"  I can help you make fantastic travel images!

Jessica Kaminski, a fashion photographer, and I have teamed up to teach new DSLR camera owners how to use their cameras/lenses just like the pros!  So if you like to travel and photograph, or you want to photograph people, we've got a class for you!  Class is limited so register today!  Don't be the one to say, "I missed the shot because . . ."

On The Road:
A Photography Course for the Traveler


"The traveler sees what he sees. The tourist sees what he has come to see. ~G.K. Chesterton"


Digital photography and cameras have allowed amateur users many more options for creating creative travel images. However, very few users know how to get the most out of their cameras. When you're traveling to places where you may never return, that just won't do!. This class will allow you to feel more confident about using your camera to take home all the images of the memories you experienced, and more! In this class, "P" is for Peggy, not 'Program.'

We'll start with the camera settings that you MUST know and give you practice opportunities to use them, so that you won't need to fumble with the manual on the road. Next we'll move onto the rules of composition, including people in your images, and the best things to photograph during different parts of the day. Lastly, and perhaps more importantly, you'll learn how to store, back-up and then produce lasting products, like personalized books, that will allow you to relive your travel experiences for years to come!

The bulk of this class will be taught from actual travel images that Peggy's made over the years so expect your vision to be expanded. Sign up for the class and start planning that 'once in a lifetime' trip today!

3 Meetings: April 14, 21, May 5 (No class April 28th)
6 - 8 pm

$300

This class is limited to 10 students



Photograph and Retouch People Like a Pro!

Both Jessica and Peggy will be instructing this class. Students will watch as studio lighting setups are built from scratch using a live model. Compare and contrast how differently Peggy and Jessica will work with photographing the model. After the shoot, we will demonstrate how images are selected and edited in Adobe Lightroom and finally retouched in Photoshop.

One Meeting: Wednesday, May 12

6-8pm
$150

This class is limited to 10 students



Location:   J. Kaminski Photography Studio,
                 215 N Water Street, Suite 200
                 Milwaukee, WI 53202 


Registration:  Pre-Registration is required. Registrations accepted until the day of the course, provided the class has made minimum enrollment and space is available. Class sizes kept small. Register early to ensure your space in a class.

Please fill out the registration form and mail it with your check or money order made out to J Kaminski Photography.  Class Registration Form

Credit Card accepted. Please contact us and we will issue you an invoice to pay via Pay Pal.

Not Everyone Likes to Be Photographed

This week I'm hanging out with my family in FL.  We decided to bag the Christmas gathering and head for a warmer climate during the winter.  It's been great to wear shorts, but only for a day or so.  It's been colder and windier but I remind myself that one doesn't hear the ocean in mid-March in Milwaukee.

My older nephews are here with their kids and my sister has come from the UK with her husband and my youngest nephew - 2 year old George.  George has learned that he has cousins and is having fun hanging out by the ocean with them.  I slapped on my 35mm 1.8 lens (50mm on the D300) and headed out for some images that mimic the view of the human eye.

George resembles Cauley Macaulkin when it's bath time.  This toddler is full of smiles and was a joy to be around.  Ryan was confused when he saw me on the beach.  He used to seeing me at his home in Chicago so this was the face that I captured when he first saw me.  It reminds me that not everyone likes to have their picture taken.  So what . . .

Piece of Paper and New Initials to Use

Last night was the Oscars and I was thrilled that The Hurt Locker walked away with Best Director and Best Movie!  I saw it twice within one week.  Why?  Because the director, Kathryn Bigelow, directed your heart and eyes towards what she wanted you to see & feel.  I thought she had an artistic eye and style that appealed to me.  Her use of camera angles, muffled sound and close-ups put you right there, with pliers in your hand.  It also increased my pride and sense of gratitude I have for my two nephews, and other soldiers, that have served in Iraq and Afghanistan. Way to go Kathryn!

Today I received my 'Oscar' in the mail and it arrived in a gold tube.  Inside was my certificate for Certified Professional Photographer!  It feels good so thanks to all my clients and photographer friends that have cheered me on.

So besides the MS I earned years ago, I get to add a few more initials to my name.  CPP.  Achieving a goal always feels good, so like Kathryn, I'll soak this up for a couple of days!  Then it's on to the next goal!

One Island; Many Environments

After driving the entire coast of Maui, I have come to the conclusion as to why most of the population is centered in Kahului, Wailea and Lahaina.  You don't need to negotiate a 45 degree, hilly turn around a mountain to access these areas.


Yesterday we drove the Hana Hwy all the way around the island and through the Haleakala National Park (south side).  Let me issue some warnings about this drive.  First - rent a compact car or Jeep.  Driving an SUV around these hilly, very curvy roads will make for some nail biting if you're wheelbase spills over into the other lane.  I've found that locals aren't generally conducive to moving over.  Also, if you get car sick, stick to the beaches and try snorkeling instead.  It will be a miserable day in the car.


With that said, circumnavigating the island of Maui has given me an appreciation for the diverse ecosystems here.  From the marine coasts to tropical forest to dry Haleakala, Maui's environments change quickly.  If you're lucky to see them at the edges of the day, your eyes will be delighted.  It just requires rising early or staying late.


Surfer dudes in the high surf from a wind advisory:  70-200mm with Gitzo Carbon Fiber tripod, circular polarizer.


Rainbow Eucalyptus tree:  24-70mm on same tripod (obeyed private land postings)


Haleakala National Park:  south side - 24-70mm with circular polarizer.  Note how polarizer still can't cut the 'hot' haze @ 4:00 p.m.

Limited Time

This morning I did a scouting trip of some of the local beaches near our hotel.  At the first beach I noticed this Green Sea Turtle lying on the beach.  The tide was rising and this turtle was at the peak of the last high tide, 12 hours before I arrived.  The sun was starting to get warmer and I began to think the turtle was dead.

There was no indication that this turtle had moved.  The sand around it was pristine.  A fellow observer, a respiratory therapist, noted that it didn't appear to be breathing.  Through the lens, however, I noted that it's eye blinked, trying to shake off the small flying knats around it's eye.

Using a 70-200mm lens/tripod to observe the turtle, it was difficult to wonder how this turtle could eat and/or see.  A smaller tumor on the opposite side was also attached near the mouth.  I was heeding the 30 ft. safety circle and not disturbing the turtle.  They live to be 80-90 years, but I can't tell you how old this one was.

A local man, familiar with the beach and procedures for beached turtles, called the authorities.  Apparently it's been beaching itself once a week now.  It appears that it's time is limited.  I wondered what the cause of those cauliflower-like tumors was.  Marine beings are often harmed at the hands of humans due to tangled fishing line, broken netting around limbs, and of course pollution.

I would have loved to photographed a healthy specimen of this species, but I realized that I needed to share this photo anyways.  Not everything in nature is pretty, but the dignity of a green sea turtle beaching itself for might be one more time, was something that reminded me that all our time is limited.

That's why I'm in Hawaii - making the most of it!

Big Island Highlights

Now that we've participated in the largest Tsunami evacuation in Hawaii's history, we're now on Maui.  Finally have internet connection.  The Marriott was charging $15/day for it and then I couldn't connect.  So I sit at a local eatery catching up with the world.

Here are some image from the Big Island.  I wanted to post some 'highlight' images.  I've enjoyed asking people if I can photograph them.  No one's said no.  One of my favorite images is the one that looks like Norman Rockwell painted it.  It's activity at one of the west side's beaches ( I need to look up the name) with people just having fun at high tide.

Now the adventure begins on this touristy island.  Let the adventure begin!

Vacation Tsunami

Before we left on this vacation, I was kidded for having a mental plan of what to do in case of an earthquake or a volcano eruption on the two Hawiian islands we planned on visiting.  Always the 'safety officer' of the family, but never a boy scout, we are safely perched about 1200 ft. above sea level in a Safeway parking lot, awaiting the tsunami that supposed to hit here in about 4 hours.

I had a diet coke about 8 p.m. and found myself wide awake, working on the computer, when the local broadcast broke into Olympic coverage to announce the 8.8 earthquake in Chile and the subsequent tsunami watch that Hawaii was under.  That watch turned to a warning by 1:30 a.m.  I packed up and went to sleep from 2-4 a.m.  Kathy and I left our sea level hotel by 4:15 a.m.

Everyone's been orderly and polite, as we have about 3.5 hours until the tsunami is to hit South Point.  (See previous blog about South Point.)  Since we're slightly north and west of that point, in Kaulea-Kona, we might see it arrive about 10-15 minutes later.  Last time I heard, a 12 foot wave or higher might pound the coast for 6 hours.

We're supposed to fly out tomorrow, back to Honolulu and then onto Maui, for Kathy's ER meeting.  In the meantime, we're meeting other visitors and snow birds that have evacuated the low-lying bay.  We found an outlet on the outside of the building and one gentleman is setting up a phone charging station with his power strip.  Coffee and donuts are wafting in the air and other computer users are setting up a cue.  It's time to cede my outlet and wireless connection that Safeway's provided.  More later.

Two Worlds Within 25 Miles

On the Big Island of Hawaii, there is a huge variety of biodiversity.  Volcanoes National Park, with the active Kilouea Crater sits 20 miles from Hilo, where 100 inches of rain falls each year.  I now find myself on the drier side, Kailua-Kona, where desert ferrets, wild goats and donkeys live amongst the brittle, dark, lava, and magnificent beaches dot the western coastline.

Yesterday I found myself at the most southern point in the United States.  South Point.  I know it's a tricky name but remember this little factoid if you're ever on Jeopardy!  South Point reminded me of Torres del Paine National Park in southern Chile.  The wind at South Point was probably at least 30 mph and the tiny banyan trees are permanently stooped over from the wind, like the elderly misshapen by osteoporosis.  In Chile, the wind whipped soup out of our bowls and actually made us catch our balance.  At least the wind is warmer at South Point!

It was at South Point that I saw both new and old wind farms, as well as cattle and horses grazing in the incessant wind.  I saw this image of the watering trough in the middle of an old corral area.  I loved the blowing grasses, the color and texture of the watering trough, and the contrast to the new technology of wind power.  Nikon D300 with 24-70mm on a steady Gitzo, Carbon fiber tripod with the Really Right Stuff ball head.

About 25 miles back, we spent time at Panulu'u Black Sand Beach.  It was purported to be a place for turtles but I immediately saw this young man, waiting patiently with his net to catch fish.  In 45 minutes, he never threw the net and I photographed him with a variety of angles/positions and lenses.  I choose this image because it tells a story.  A story of place, purpose, weather and light.  Again the 24-70mm f2.8 lens was used and it was hand-held.  As he moved for a better angle, so did I.  He was catching fish and I was catching him.

Certified Professional Photographer Submissions

Today was the day to submit my 20 images to the Professional Photographers of America for review to hopefully earn my Certified Professional Photographer (CPP) accreditation.  It was a fun exercise to go back through 2 years of images and pick ones that met the criteria laid out by the judging panel.

As I perused my files, I found this one, and since it will soon be First Holy Communion time,  parents will be calling me to record this occasion. I thought you'd like to hear about the story behind this photograph.

This boy is my 'backyard neighbor."  I usually hear him and the other kids in the neighborhood during the summer months, when they tear around having a great time in imaginative play.  It always reminds me of the fun I had as a child, playing with the kids in my neighborhood.  So when he showed up in my studio, all dressed up in a suit and tie, with those big, wide eyes to match, I felt the contrast of an innocent, young communicate and the fun, active second grader I knew.  It's funny how clothes can change behavior.

His uncle is a priest so I knew he would be well versed in what was about to occur in his life.  So after making some other images, I decided to go for the drama in my lighting, to show the innocence and piety that goes along with one's First Holy Communion.  Standing above him while he sat on  stool, I helped get the rosary just right in his hands.  Then we got his hands and the cross just right.  I asked him to look up at me so I could see how everything looked, and at that moment, I knew I had the image I was after.  It was true; simple, straightforward, aligned and who could miss those eyes and that innocence!

His mother LOVED it!  Of course she would.  I often hear mothers say that they wished they'd had photographs made when their sons were this age.  When they were still innocent, soft in their features and open to the world.  What's stopping you moms?  Call me about mini-sessions so you can have the images of a quickly passing time in your child's life!

Senior Models - Now's Your Time!

The studio's now undergoing a make-over! Yahoo! The carpenter comes tomorrow to install my new motorized background system, which will add 5 years to my life and make things move along faster in the PEGGY MORSCH life photograph studio. Now I can't wait for the new Volcanic background to come! I've also been adding some new textures to one of the walls, and on Wednesday, I'll be yielding a paintbrush to bring it to life. It's going to be lucious!

But before I get ahead of myself and get all excited about the new stuff I'm playing with, I need to send out a CALL FOR MODELS. So anyone from the Class of 2011 that gets a hold of this, contact me via my website (www.peggymorsch.com) to ask for an application for 'Team Peggy.' You'll be an important part of me trying out my new backgrounds and styles for the 2011 class. You'll be rewarded for your efforts and yes, you'll be able to be photographed outdoors once the summer weather arrives.

When you contact me, I'll email you an application. It must be returned by March 19, 2010. Then after your Easter break, when you've had a chance to go south and get a real tan, I'll photograph you. Com'on, you know you want to do it!

Check out this video of the Class of 2010! You too can be part of 'Team Peggy!'

Lucky Guy

This morning's photography meetings were exciting, with great ideas from Scott Crosby and Kay Eskridge. Practical tips for seniors, and tots to teens, while surprising your clients with images they never dreamed of. Great! Peggy's pumped back up again!

While on my way back to my room I crossed paths with Justin. His face was friendly so I said "Hi - nice T-shirt as we passed on the small bridge over the man-made canal. He smiled back and said, "Yeah, I had a bicycle accident with a Ford F-150." I heeled around, stopped in my tracks, and began to talk to him as my memory went back to my bicycle accident in Slovenia in 2005.

He'd been riding on a rural stretch of road on an new composite fiber bicycle (2.5 rides old!) on a straight, rural stretch in Kansas. While he doesn't recall the accident, a 24 yr old woman driving behind the F-150 and the reluctant, first responder, said he was pushed up and over the hood and top of the truck by a driver that fell asleep at the wheel. He first landed in the truck's bed and then on the road. She thought he was dead when she came to his aid, but he survived his concussion and rib injuries. Wow! Justin said his helmet did everything it was supposed to. "Obviously," I thought as I listened to him recall the event.

By statistics, he shouldn't be here. Nor perhaps I, as I went over the handlebars of a rented bike when the front fender broke off and lodged in the brake mechanism. Thank God for 'tuck and roll." So Justin and I hung out for a while talking about our love of cycling after our bodies started to rebel from 5-7 days/week of running. While we both knew what could have happened, it didn't matter now. It was a 10 minute bonding experience for me. It left me thankful for the tuck & roll and that Justin landed just right on that stretch of road in rural Kansas.

I ask if I could make this image and he consented. It's a reminder to me that I too am lucky, even if I don't have a T-shirt to prove it!

It's Overload Time!

Day two of the SYNC conference (Seniors and Youth National Conference) for photographers is over and I think it's time to order me up a new 4 GB memory external hard drive. That would be the 'gray matter' kind of memory, i.e. brain power. Just not sure how to plug it into my brain. You see, there are meetings from 8:30 a.m. 'til 10:30 p.m. and I've been taking notes like a court room stenographer!

At these meetings, I keep a running "To Do List" going so I can make sense of all the information I've collected for when I get back home. It's a routine I adopted long ago when attending conferences in my previous career. Well, let's just say that my to do list seems to be about as long as the Master's Thesis I wrote years ago! OK, I exaggerate for effect, but I think you get the idea.

I'm excited about the changes that will come! The new sets I've planned for my kids and seniors portraits are going to bring energy and excitement into this new year! The new designs for Senior and Newborn Books are awesome! Lots to be excited about. So while I'm a bit brain dead tonight, I'll be ready for more tomorrow morning.

As for the image, on my first evening here, I strolled the beach in front of the resort at sunset time. There's nothing like facing the sun when it's done for the day; taking in it's last rays of warmth. I was making images of the rows of beach chaises and saw this man, sitting alone. When I made the image I thought I'd jokingly blog about how he was missing the snow and bitter cold from up north. Then today I realized that his body language emulated how my brain felt tonight! Every brain overload needs a brain dump. Good.n..i...g....h.....t.

Sweet Bundle of Joy

It's been busy the last few days, as I'm getting ready to head to SYNC Conference (senior portraits) in FL tomorrow. But before I haul out the suitcase and pack for a warmer climate, I had to share the morning I had with Ekko, her M & D and grandmother Barb.

At 4 months, Ekko is one of the most happy, easy going babies I've had the pleasure to photograph! (Of course, morning time is the best for these amazing, little humans.) We did some family shots and then is was all Ekko. First with her dress, then in the stacked containers, and finally, we ended up on an actual Baby Scale from 1957 that I just got on eBay! What a fun morning!

As I was editing their shoot, I came across a number of images that made me burst out laughing. Some close ups of her face with various expressions and some like the one above, where she spread her arms open as if to welcome the entire world into her arms.

I really like to photograph children with a bit of realism, and of course, some humor. Ekko loved 'finding' her feet today. She spent lots of time checking them out. I only wished I had her flexibility in my hamstrings! More yoga, Peg. More yoga. And remember, enjoy the feet!

Shredded 'Tweet' for Breakfast

This winter's been hard on me visually. Cold yeah, but where is the snow? I'm visualizing a nice snow storm that I can go out and chase for a few hours, and then a cold front to move in and give me those beautiful, blue skies. Last weekend I was up in the UP of Michigan, hoping that we'd get that kind of weather. No deal - not even on my birthday. It was 30 degrees and heavy clouds that made everything flat.

"So find something else to photograph!" I told myself. "Make it happen." So this morning I thought about doing some flowers in the studio when I was called to the French doors that look out to our backyard. Perched atop our bird feeder was a smaller Cooper's Hawk enjoying some breakfast sparrow. I made this shot through the 3 layers of glass (1 double pane window and 1 storm door) and thought "thank god I cleaned them before Christmas."

This hawk hung around and actually let 3 squirrels feed at the feeder's foot, a mere 6 feet from where the Cooper's Hawk decided to perch for some post-prandial rest. I thought for sure that I was going to get a real 'kill' shot but the hawk just sat on the fence (no pun intended) and waited for more birds to come to the feeder. A few sparrows did a 'fly by' but saw the hawk and kept going.

When my postal carrier arrived, I shared my hawk story with her. She told me about another resident on her route that calls what happened at my feeder, a 'Shredded Tweet.' Now THERE's something to really 'tweet' about on Twitter!

Valentine's Day & Love Quote Books

Not sure anyone else is feeling this way but I'm amazed how quickly January has gone by! Imaging USA, my birthday, some cold weather and bam - it's almost Valentine's Day. During this month, I've been working on some phenomenal new products and here's the first unveiling; just in time for gift giving to your honey!

My clients have been telling me that they don't have much room on their walls to hang their moving portraits so I've created a wonderful way to build a "Family Library" of images and your kids 'words of wisdom'. Books!

My Love Quotes books are very personalized 10x10 books of text and romantic, fun images. However, your kids supply the text! From the mouth of babes. . . You and your honey book a session for the images! Just collect their words about love and marriage (I'll supply the questions), and I'll work my magic and include them in the book with images of just you and your honey. Three custom designs to choose from to suit your style!

Imagine, as your children grow, and your relationship with your Valentine deepens, you'll look back at these words and images and most likely cry. That's good! You'll remember those little voices that spoke their words of wisdom and will be overjoyed that you've recorded them for your family to keep for generations.

Here's what you need to do: Call or email me and I'll tell you about the simple, 3 step process. More importantly, tell your spouse it will be just a 30" session, and oh yeah, WITHOUT the kids!

Why Be Certified as a Professional Photographer?

Having just returned from Imaging USA, in Nashville, TN, where approximately 10,000 photographers (both domestic and foreign) came together to see, touch, and learn about the craft of photography, I thought about why it was so important to me that I become Certified, and how I would communicate that to you. My answer came to me in an email this morning. But before I share that with you, let me describe what "Certified" means.

Certifiably nuts, yes, you might say that about me, but Certified Professional Photographer (CPP) is an earned honor from the Professional Photographers of America (PPA). Like other professions, you must pass a written exam and then submit a body of work (20 images) to a panel of judges, all of whom have earned the title Master Craftsmen. Once Certified, you must renew every five years by submitting new work. The CPP demonstrates to the general public that you have achieved a level of competence within your profession. Think CPA for an accountant and you're on the right track.

As I've just completed the written exam, after a blistering 3-day review class at Imaging USA, I await the results. I am now working on which 20 images I will submit for the judges review. These 20 images must be work that I've done for my clients - that would be 'yawl', to borrow a phrase from Nashville.

So this morning I received this in an email. In the eyes of the public, it makes a difference when hiring a professional.

http://tiny.cc/WhyHireAPro983

Dateline: Nashville, TN

What a fun time in Nashville, TN! It's cold down here ( 9 degrees this morning) but my heart's been warmed by the country music that I've taken in at the Ryman Theatre over the last two nights! You walk into the main theatre and the uneven, creaky, floor boards let you know that you're sitting where millions of country music fans have sat for years. It's "hallowed ground" for those that are asked to perform here. As someone that's listened to country music since I was 18, let's just say it was the equivalent of a musical mecca.

It was Speed & Sound weekend in Nashville so NASCAR fans dominated the wooden pews on Friday night. Kyle Petty played a couple of songs and Michael Waltrip took turns at the WSM mike for the live broadcast. Add in a little Vince Gill, Hank Williams, Jr, Danny Gokey (buy his album when it comes out. He does country well!), "Little" Jimmy Dickens, Chris Young, The Grascals, "Whipsering" Bill Anderson, and The Whites and both evenings were soothing. It was just the thing I needed to settle 3 days worth of information into my brain. You see, I've been studying for a test.

I'm really here for my National Professional Photographers meeting, and tomorrow morning I take my test for Certified Professional Photographer. When I pass the exam, and the review of 20 prints, it means I'm competent as a Professional Photographer. Kind of like the CPA, CLU and other professional acronyms. So it's back to studying and then a good nights sleep. I'm sure I'll be replaying the Grand Ole Opry in my head as I fall asleep!

DEEP FREEZE time

Nothing like starting the new year where 2/3 of the country is in a deep freeze. Gosh, in Florida, you don't need to refrigerate the orange juice. Just pull those succulent balls of Vitamin C right off the tree and you're good to go!

Once we hit mid December, it's usually time to pull out the 700 goose down coat for walking the dogs. It's day-glow, hunter orange and believe it or not, the dogs have matching colors! Yeah, go ahead and laugh. I do every time we stroll out the front door. But in these days of darkness, we're seen by oncoming traffic. "Look Mildred, it's a wayward, northwoods deer hunter, right here on the East Side of Milwaukee! Must be lost." It's purely a defensive move on my part, as we've almost been taken out on the corner of Lake and Bradford by all those folks hell bent to get to work at Columbia-St. Mary's hospital.

As the deep freeze rolls into most of the country, I thought you'd appreciate a view of Lake Michigan made a couple of winters ago. I had been inspired by another local photographer, who kept making images of the old pylons along Northpoint, on Lake Michigan. In mid-January, when the below zero nights are common, I had a fellow photographer visiting from Pennsylvania. I encouraged her to rise early with me, before the dawn, and go down and photograph the pylons with steam rising from the Lake.

She rose but only endured about 10' in the -4 degree weather with a -20 wind chill. As for me, I was dressed in the aforementioned coat, snug as a polar bear. It was a BEAUTIFUL morning! As the daylight brightened, my hands said 'enough." There's nothing like that searing, throbbing pain of cold fingers, slowly rewarming, to start your day!