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!

        

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 . . .

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.

We're in the Finals. . .

Just a few minutes ago, the phone rang and my photography friend, Janet (www.janetfulcherphotography.com) was on the other end. She and her production assistant were on speaker phone. That usually means that they have a question for me and we all put our heads together to answer it.

Today was a different scenario. They told me that my "Oh My Gosh" image of Piper, my 8 year old neighbor, was picked as a WINNER for Round 2 of my lab's (www.millerslab.com) Baby and Child Portrait Contest. Now it's onto the Finals, which will be in a couple of months. I hadn't gone online to check so it came as a surprise!

So here she is, dressed up as Pippi Longstocking. She loves these books and it was a no-brainer to have her dress up and play the part. Nice job, Piper! You made a great Pippi, Piper!

First Holy Communion

Spring is here! The weather is teasing us, the tulips and crocuses are popping up, and First Holy Communions are just around the corner. Every year I enjoy creating images of this special event and am reminded of the photographs my father made of my First Holy Communion.

It was a leggy, spindly child, all spiffed up in a white dress, shoes and gloves, standing next to the portly Monsignor Schneider with his signatory peaked hat, for the typical photo to celebrate the day. My father, with his Kodak rangefinder slung over his shoulder, always shot Kodak slide film, and today, those images still look good! And that was 44 years ago.

When I look back on my family's photos, I realize the impact and importance that the images I make today will have on family's for generations to come! Families will enjoy seeing this young boy, who will someday be someone's uncle or father and they will say things like, "He still has that same look," or they'll remark, "Little Matt looks so much like his father did at that age!"

This brings me back to a favorite quote I have near my desk: "Act as if what you do makes a difference. It does." William James

Baby Portraits

When I get a call asking about new baby portraits, there's an excitement that shoots through me and my brain begins to see images from the voice and description of the child from the parent.  When I arrived at this client's home, I had a general idea of what I needed but my work really shines when I stay open to the moment, and what is shown to me.

This image is one of those that just developed and after the creative session, I knew there was a broad variety of images that would make a great newborn book for this family.  This image covers an entire page of their book and is accompanied by the words, "big shoes to fill."

Sometimes just paying attention, or a new phrase I learned, having "situational awareness." is the open door to some great images.

Baby & Child Portrait Contest

It's time for Millers Professional Imaging (my awesome lab!) annual Baby & Child Portrait Contest! There are prizes in multiple categories for the parents of the children that enter. Color, Humor, B&W, Special Needs and more. You could win up to $5000 if the judges deem your child's portrait a winner! The photographer just gets the accolades.

This announcement comes right on the heels of my Children's Portraits Winter Promotion so the timing couldn't be better. Just go to http://www.peggymorsch.com for more information or give me a call @ 414.550.5340. In a nutshell, you have until early June to have your baby - 12 year old child photographed for the contest. Of course, we'll sit down in a pre-portrait consultation to talk over all the details necessary to not only make a memorable photograph for you, but also to have a terrific entry in the contest!

Pair this up with my winter promotion where collections are starting at the all inclusive rate of $239 (1/2 hour Creative session included) and you've got another winning offer. This promotion only happens at this time of year!

These images will make for terrific Mother's and Father's Day gifts so don't delay in scheduling your session! Studio or your home - you choose!

Tea anyone?

Faces! Faces! Nothing but Faces!

Now that we've all got a little cabin fever and had some nice warm days this week, it's time to start thinking about your children's portraits. I'm planning some FUN opportunities for you to have a memorable portrait session with Peggy before the rush of the spring and summer months. And Dad's, don't forget that these make for tear-producing Mother's Day gifts!

It's my "Faces! Faces! Nothing but Faces!" late winter special! For 4 weeks (see below), you'll have the opportunity to choose from 3 unique Collections where the emphasis is placed on all the crazy, serious, thoughtful expressions that your child makes and that you will LOVE to have. My vendors have given me the opportunity to pass along these price saving specials that will make you want to call or email me today to schedule a Creative Session with your toddler to young teen!

Starting at the all-inclusive price of $199, you'll choose from 3 custom Collections, some of which include the 9-image style Gallery Wrap above. (Your colors will depend upon your images.) So give me a call before I send out the Email blast. . . Here are the dates:

Feb. 23 - Mar. 1 Mar. 8 - 14 Apr. 13 - 19 May 3 - 9 (Just in time for Mother's Day!)

Give me a call or email today: 414.550.5340 or pmorsch@att.net