Dogs and Their Women Project

Today I'm announcing the start of a new photographic project that's been "talking to me" for quite some time. That being the nature of the relationships that exist between women and their canine companions. Come one guys, you know what I mean here! Do you share your couch or bed with a dog? Wink, wink!

To help me round out this project and make it as diverse as possible, I'm looking for "Dogs and Their Women" who can be photographed in the Southeastern Wisconsin area (within 40 - 50 miles one way), to volunteer to be photographed over the next year or two. Specifically, I'm looking for a diversity of dogs and women. Mixed and pure breeds, small to large dogs, and women of color and non-white ethnicities will help to round out these portraits. Dogs that hunt in the field, love trucks, do tricks, are companions to the elderly, lie around on couches and beds, dog park dogs, etc.

All volunteers will receive a signed 8 x 10 print and an opportunity to see your portrait in a gallery show, as well as in coffee table book that will be available for purchase. I'll be donating a portion of the proceeds to the Wisconsin Humane Society, where my two dogs were adopted from. If you live in upstate N.Y., Alaska or northeastern Florida, you are also encouraged to contact me as I visit those areas on a regular basis.

To volunteer or receive more information, please email me at: pmorsch@att.net or call: 414.550.5340

Three's a Charm!

Nothing like a little "clean sweep" of one's office to discover some grand old photos! I was cleaning out some old CD's and found this one with scanned images of a camping trip I made with my sister and nephews when they were much younger. To give you an idea of how long I've been photographing, these guys are now bumping up against 30. Time flies whether you're having fun or not!

We had headed out to Warren Dunes to camp along the eastern shore of Lake Michigan. It was August, the sun was warm and the beautiful glow of early evening made for a great time to hike around the dunes. The dog is my first - Murphy, who helped me train for marathons. (That too was a while back!)

I think this image is representative of the kind of images I like to make of children from about 6 and up. That being - Kids being kids. They are at a stage in life where they are becoming, exploring, challenging, curious, soaking info. up like a sponge and learning to "kid around."

Their personalities are clearly evident when I view the image. One is an ex-Navy SEAL, one an aeronautical engineer and the other is in marketing. See if you can guess which one is which? In the meantime, enjoy their spirits that say, "life is good."

Liquid Gold meets Situational Awareness

This morning I laid my Vitamin D3 and Fish Oil down on the countertop and readied my breakfast. Quite a typical routine, nothing unusual. But then I noticed the light on the gel caps . . . S.T.O.P (Stop, Think, Observe, Plan) Yes, I did eat my breakfast but then got out my 200mm macro lens with a 3T dipoter & tripod and went to work.

It is just amazing to me how many different ways you can photograph something! I spent 45" with my vitamins! Now THAT's bonding! Actually, these little "critters" have been a lifeline to me. They've boosted my immune system, done away with Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD - what an appropriate acronym!) and keeping my natural killer cells hopping.

OK - so now you know I've gone over the edge when I stop to photograph vitamin gel caps. Actually, it was the light that "made me do it." After reading "The Survivor's Club," I recalled the term "situational awareness." i.e. being aware, at all times, of what you're taking in through your senses. Think of a birder and their auditory awareness as an example.

I think that we photographers have great visual "situational awareness." By this I mean that we "make" images whether we have a camera in hand or not. In fact, I think one of the reasons I like to drive is because I see images wherever I go! (My dogs like it too!)

So I'm sure there's other photographers, birders, security people, etc out there that would chime in with their S.A. (situational awareness) stories. Let's hear them . . .

Let It Snow

I just received a photo of a fellow photographer in Maryland, standing outside in the snow, with a snow shovel in hand. He asked if anyone else was dealing with "this." What good timing!

I had just made an image of the fluffy, lake effect snow that just keeps coming today. After I shoveled 12" to get ready for my client to arrive, I made this image to catch the "humor" of the moment. Today's snow is beautiful and the sun keeps popping in and out of the clouds. However, I realize that not everyone likes it. Pretty soon I start hearing my neighbors say, "When are you going to take that flag down?"

Now it's time for the 2nd snow shoveling shift!

"Oh My Gosh!"

Today was the start of my professional photo lab's annual Children's Portrait Contest and with the help of an enthusiastic neighbor and mom, we had fun making some images that really capture a stage in her life. Piper LOVES Pippi Longstocking books! The day we planned the creative session, Piper brought me 2 "Pippi" books and with one look at the cover of the books, I had my idea.

Kate, her mom, did a great job with her hair and makeup and the rest was ALL Piper! From one expression to the next, she had us all laughing. "Can I see it?," she'd ask. I'd show it to her in the back of the camera and then we'd try another idea.

She did so well with following my directions and I'm sure she and her mom are going to love this image! These moments don't last for very long but when it's time to look back, this image will bring LOTS of smiles. Real life; real kids!

Now I have to ask to borrow the book!

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.

Ice Sculptures on Lake Michigan

Yesterday was the kind of day I'd been waiting for!  We'd had some cold nights that allowed things to freeze things up solid and then we were blessed with a clear, sunny day.  I loaded up my new Kata pack & tripod and headed out on the ice along the Lakefront.  Ever aware of the possibility of breaking through the ice, I picked my way out in a circuitous fashion, staying along ice ridge lines and testing the ice with my tripod.

I got a few images I had scouted out which were fairly close to edges, and then slowly walked around looking for other possibilities.  Then I broke through - slightly - just enough to cover the top of my boot.  And this was away from the edges.  Time to get out!  Stay aware and follow my tracks back to the shore.

Next destination - Big Bay Park in Whitefish Bay.  In January I had stopped to scout this location while doing an errand but I didn't have my camera then.  It was an awesome scene with lots of ice that spread far into Lake Michigan.  I made a mental note to return on another sunny day after a cold spell.

The ice was well formed but on this day, the slow waves were rolling in slushy ice.  As I photographed I was surrounded by that great "white noise" of the waves coming in.  You know, the kind that brings immediate relaxation to one's senses!  That's all I heard as I made a few different compositions and watched the sun move a little lower in the sky.  Besides one runner doing a hill workout, it was just me, the ice and the waves.

 

Cold Seat

Today's a "hunker down" day around here.  Blowing and drifting snow is making for some great landscapes outside.  I can hear the snow shovel calling to me in that "you've got a chore to do" kind of voice.  But first I've got some great news!

In a month, I'll be adding to my fine art landscape photography images in Wrangell-St. Elias National Park!  Yes, I know I'm repeating myself here.  This week I got all my backpacking food sent up to AK and I'm starting to collect my winter gear together for packing.  In the meantime, while I was cleaning up an external hard drive to take along with me, I found this image from Kennecott, Alaska.

Kennecott is known for it's historic copper ore mine, where up to 70% pure copper ore was harvested from 1908 - 1938.  On the road named Silk Stocking Row, there were homes that housed the administrative types from the mine.  The mine and mill workers bunked up in long, bunk houses.  A couple of years ago I made this image of a blue chair in one of those Silk Stocking Row houses.  The image was striking in it's color but also the lonely tone it carried.  The open door and cabinet accompanies the emptiness of the chair.  A blue color for the emotion of lonely and all was complete.

These houses are presently being restored by the National Park Service with the help of skilled, local laborers.  I wonder what it looks like in the winter?

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?

Under the Knife

Once your dog gets to a certain age and you're meet with a medical concern, you begin to wonder how they're going to tolerate surgery. So when Ellie, our 10.5 year old Coonhound/Lab mix presented with a huge lipoma growing out from under her shoulder and impeding her gait, it was time to ask "the question." Surgery or no surgery?

Once assured that the 10 year old dogs of today are a whole lot hardier than the dogs of our youth, Ellie had a date with "the knife" late last week. Once she flushed out the effects of anesthesia and started baying again (woo, woo, woo!), we knew her brain cells were intact and a full recovery was right around the corner!

In my Pet Portrait business, I'm well aware of the emotional ties my clients have with their older dogs. When I'm asked to make what will likely be their last portrait, I can barely hold it together. Those dogs have a special place on my website! Their names are with their image.

So Ellie's "dodged the bullet" this time and we hope to have a number of good years left with her. Besides, nobody sings quite as good as she does in this family. So she'd better stay around!

Artistic, Custom Books of your Images

I was recently working on a custom, designed, coffee table book for a friend of mine who turned 50. She asked me to make LOTS of photos and I told her that I'd design her a book as a gift. Turning 50 is a big deal so preserving it all in a book is the only way to go!

It arrived at the end of last week and I got out my special, cotton gloves to gently open the pages and take a look at how it turned out. A smile came across my face as I recalled the time I had in the San Juan Island with everybody. I can already hear the squeaky, high pitched noises my friend will make when she's excited. She'll be squealing with delight when she gets this book in the mail!

These books are really fun for me to design! Children of all ages, high school seniors, family vacations, or canine companions are the focus behind the books I design. A book is really the best way to capture those special moments and build upon the emotions that are centered on the person or event. Viewing page after page gives you the sense of place, the rich memories and the heart-filled experiences that were found deep in each image. The smiles, the laughs, the pouty expression, the sounds - they're all there anytime you want to sit down and curl up with your personal book of memories!

Just pick it up off the coffee table or shelf and get ready to relive the moments!

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

Valentine's Day Gift Certificates

If you're scrambling around at the last minute to try and come up with a unique gift for your "someone special," then consider this: A Valentine's Day Gift Certificate from PEGGY MORSCH life photography.

For a limited time only, you can purchase a Gift Certificate for a certain amount and receive 50% MORE dollars in return. If you purchase $200, you'll receive a Gift Certificate for $300! What a nice way to stretch your hard earned dollars and receive memorable portraits of your family members or canine companions!

It's easy to do. Just call or email me before Valentine's Day and I'll prepare a beautifully wrapped gift to present to your Valentine!

So don't spend your time driving to the mall or cruising the internet! Give me a call today!

PEGGY MORSCH life photography
414.550.5340

pmorsch@att.net

An Army of Women

Reading on vacation! I love having extra time to read without having to worry about not doing other things, like work. This week I'm reading Ben Sherwood's book, "The Survivors Club."

Believe it or not, this is a genre (survival stories) that I've always liked to read! Remember "Into Thin Air" by John Krackauer? There's something invigorating about reading what people survive and how they do it. You'll be surprised at how Sherwood grabs you, entertains you and of course, educates you about what humans can do when they have to.

While taking the Survivor IQ (www.survivorsclub.org) that he writes about, I discovered the Army of Women site. If you have any concerns or interest in Breast Cancer, you'll want to check out this site!

Dr. Susan Love is putting together a "volunteer army" of a million woman who would volunteer for various research studies that would help find a cure for Breast Cancer. You can decide if you want to participate in a certain study or not. So come along with me and make yourself available - it might help someone you know or even yourself! (www.armyofwomen.org)

Three years ago I was diagnosed with a pre-breast cancer (LCIS). It's got a long name but I'll spare you. My mammogram found a solo, pencil point size calcium deposit that indicated further biopsy and subsequent lumpectomy.

So I "drafted" myself last night. I joined the ARMY! My nephew was a Special Forces guy but I'm in the ARMY. I've always believed in "the power of One" but think about the muliplier factor when "I" becomes a million! Stand out amongst the trees and join me today.

Shuttered Up

Earlier in the week I cross-country skied by this old house that sits above the Stowe, VT valley. It has 180 degree views and because at home, I see my neighbors' homes, just 10 feet away on both sides, I took an interest in this old, weathered, clapboard house.

There was something else about it that caught my attention. It was the contrasting colors of the turquoise blue shutters and the red, weathered narrow clapboard of the outside walls. I made a mental note to comeback later on a day when it was sunny.

So here it is. A shot made in winter, on a +10 degree February day when nearly everyone feels the "shuttered up" feeling of little daylight, little warmth and lots of snow - at least for us folks that live in the Border States (States that Border Canada).

I was drawn to the simplicity of the wooden shutters covering a small, single, window. The clasp of the lock is in place but no lock is there to secure it. It says to me - possibility - it can be opened. It's a metaphor for all those times when we think there's an impossible task to accomplish, a heart that seems closed or when Dorothy walked all the way to Oz and the Wizard initially turned her away.

Because there's no lock, the shutters can be opened and the sun can shine into this old house. With no lock a heart can be opened. With no lock we can see beyond our limitations that were never there to begin with. All the possibilities I see and feel with a shuttered up, blue window on a red, clapboard house!

Vermont's Winter Landscape

If you love to cross-country ski, Vermont's Trapp Family Lodge can't be beat! We're here to do some classical skiing on their magnificently groomed trails and generally have fun outdoors in the winter. My muscles are telling me that I should have been doing this at home, before we left, but what the heck, falling's easy when there's a 2 foot base of snow!

So the snow's good, the skiing fantastic and the nature photography is fun - and a bit challenging. It's 2 above this morning so it was a layer-up and head out. I walked about a mile towards my destination of this open field with white birch trees. I was hoping that I wasn't too late, as the sun was getting higher in the sky. But then I realized that I was in the state of mind of Dewitt Jones. You know, that sort of "I'll take what I'm shown" kind of attitude.

Sure enough, "when the student is ready, the teacher appears." The angle of the sun was low enough to give me some shadows, yet bright enough to make the birches stand out. I did some blending of 2 exposures in Photoshop and got what I saw in my mind's eye. Since "class is still in session", I'm heading out again for some afternoon "tutoring." Stay tuned!

Hawaiian Meditation

At this time last year, I was on my way to Oahu, Hawaii in search of some warmth, relaxation and great images. Needless to say, I got all three of my wishes!

Today I try to embrace the winter and be positive about the 12 degrees outside. I can at least find solace in the sun that shines today. I don't know about you, but those in the upper Midwest have found ourselves moving slower, getting less done and packing on the pounds. Vitamin D and a big 'ole Verilux "Happy Light" (that's really what they call it!) are keeping me in the game but when I was going through some files today, I had to stop and feel the warmth in this image.

Made on the North Shore of Oahu (Surfing mecca for those of you that don't ride the boards) near an area called the Three Tables, I thought "what if I shoot into the sun?" I usually have those "what if" moments on a regular basis and paying attention to them has usually resulted in consistently good results.

Here I thought I might be fighting lens flare but some clouds moved in and just gave me a beautiful shaft of light to work with. The surfer was doing his thing for a while so the human element became the icing on the cake. A little Lucis Art finished it all off.

I just ordered a 30 x 40 canvas to keep me warm the rest of the winter! That'll be my Hawaiian meditation.

Senior Photography Milwaukee

It's never too early to start thinking about photographing next year's high school seniors for their graduation portraits! In fact, I started photographing last night, when I had fun getting some great wrestling shots of a Franklin High School student.

Derek and his mom had seen the Custom Grad Book I had done for another cross-country teammate and knew they had to have one. I found out what activities Derek was in and knew that this book was going to be filled with action. Wrestling, cross-country, track & field, Eagle Scout, etc. - a busy guy.

Last night I watched him, or should I say photographed him, while he wrestled 2 matches. The most time you get is 5 minutes so I had to pick my spots to get the best angles and hoped that he didn't pin anybody in the first minute! Not to worry, Derek gave me most of the five minutes I needed to get the kind of action shots that he'll love having in his Custom Grad Book. His physical style of wrestling comes through.

I can't wait for Spring Track, as I used to coach the sport. One of his events is the Pole Vault! I'm planning how I'll cover it already!

Wrangell-St. Elias National Park - Bonanza Peak

Last fall I spent 2 weeks in Wrangell-St. Elias National Park photographing with my friend, Jason Gallus, from MN. The locals had told me that it had been a rainy, cold summer and that they'd only had 3 consecutive sunny days all summer. Well Jason and I had some luck early on in our stay!

Having been here many times in the last 10 years, I planned for us to be where we could see the entire "bowl" of mountains in the McCarthy/Kennicott area. It was a beautiful, fall evening and we were met with some great light!. I made this image from 4.5 miles away with my 70-200mm lens, tripod and cable release for an HDR image. It is the Bonanza Peak and Mountain, where 70% copper ore was discovered in the early 1900's and subsequently mined until 1938. Lots of history in those hills!

Well, I've never been to the Wrangells in winter and in 2009 I'm heading in for some winter photography! Yahoo! I've been wanting to do this for a number of years and the stars never could line up for me. So I'm looking forward to some Aurora Borealis and a landscape of snow and ice over the last 2 weeks of March. I have a friend who will take me out with a dog team and show me some backcountry that I've never set foot in. Another new adventure!

I should be greeted with 30-40 degree days and zero overnight but I'll be cozy in the cabin. Stay tuned come April!

Happy George

Over the holidays, I got to meet my 7 month old nephew, Carl George, for the first time. Born in England in May, it was the first trip across the big pond for George. He was named after my late father but Neil, a "Brit" pictured here, explained that when Carl is spoken in the UK, it sounds a bit like "kurl." So they decided that George was the "proper" British name for everyday use.

George is a happy guy who loves the no clothes look and feel. He was a pleasure for the entire family (22 of us for 3 days)! His outgoing personality charmed us all and he seemed to love the attention. So of course, I needed to get some images of George for my sister, Laurie ,and Neil.

Our first "shoot" occurred in the bathtub. Another favorite time of George's! He has been to swimming class and is quite comfortable in the water. However, I didn't realize he had his early aquatic "credentials" so when my sister plopped him flat down on his back, with water covering his ears, I scrambled quickly. I thought he'd turn his head and inhale water. "Wait Peggy" she said. "He LOVES this!"

Sure enough, I had to pull my fight or flight response back a notch and start photographing this little "sea otter." I'd love to show you that image but naked kids and the internet are a no-no. So here's a better example of some familial children's portraits!