Simply Elegant

Today found me sharing part of my day with 2 lovely daschunds, Lisle and Hilde, and their owner. They were well behaved and responded to some gentle coaxing and sweet talk. When I came home and downloaded the images, this image seemed to stick out. I simply had to take the time and work with it.

The fainting sofa just added to their elegance. It's a funny thing when you view this image because this breed was bred for their ability to go into tunnels and rout out rodents and other small varmits. Such an elegant breed doing the "dirty business" around the castle!

Rest up girls, enjoy the sun. When you're ready, there's some rodents to rustle up!

"Dogs" Update

It's been a busy week here! Everyone taking care of things before Easter. Good news! My photography project, Dogs and Their Women, is beginning to take off like a wildfire with a Santa Ana winds blowing behind it! Over the last two days I've had 7 emails of women who are either volunteering for the project or know of someone who might be interested. This is exciting!

I've heard from a "Yoga" dog, a police dog, mistreated rescue dogs, and pure bred dogs. Women are starting to answer the questions I've posed for them and soon I'll be scheduling sessions that are sure to be exciting and exhilarating. This weekend I'll be photographing at Central Bark - Oak Creek and passing out my flyers, so I anticipate more inquiries.

Now I need to include an older woman, a child or teenager and people that have a unique story to tell about their relationship with their dog. Spread the word - woof, woof!

Here's a shot of my Ellie, the elegant coonhound, taking a snooze in a sunbeam. She loves to lie in the sun and will move from room to room to find the sun. Smart dog!

Mail Day in McCarthy, AK

Imagine that you live 60 miles from the nearest paved road in a vast wilderness of 13.2 million acres. Your only power comes from solar panels or propane, usually in the form of a generator. On a good, summer day, it takes about 2.5 hours to drive that 60 miles and in the winter, it's not unusual to get to 50 below zero. If it's a Wednesday or a Friday, it's Mail Day!

In Alaska, planes are like cars. They are a dominate form of transportation to remote areas and are often the "lifeline" to a community. McCarthy and Kennecott are two small communities of about 40 year-round people that reside in the heart of Wrangell-St. Elias National Park & Preserve. They are served by Copper Valley Air Service on mail days.

A small shed is the post office, where volunteers unload the plane and sort the mail into everyone's slots. Folks stand around catching up with one another about weather, trapping success, good books read lately, etc. The mail shed's not heated so if you're dressed for snow machining, you're dressed for mail day! After the mails sorted, they grab their mail, and maybe a "neighbor's," and take off for home on their snow machine or cross-country skis. But if you're a winter visitor, like me, it's plan to have someone meet you that has a sled on the back of their snow machine so they can haul your gear to your cabin!

I flew both ways on this plane and loved seeing scenery I had come to appreciate only in Spring, Summer and Fall. When you experience such a vast place like Wrangell-St. Elias National Park & Preserve, and take in such extreme beauty, words like awe, wonderment and humble are so tiny to try to describe snow covered mountains, river & glaciers that repeat in an unending fashion.

It was in 1999 that I met retired National Geographic Photographer, George Mobley, at his part-time residence in WSENP&P. After chit-chatting for a while, I asked him, "George, you've been all over the world on assignments and seen some of the most beautiful places in the world. What made you decide to live part of the year here in Wrangell-St. Elias?" His eyes spoke to me before his words. "Because it IS the most beautiful place in the world." No further questions, your honor.

I'm grateful for my experiences and the friendships I've made in the our nation's LARGEST and least visited national park in our system. For more information about this park, visit: www.nps.gov/wrst/

Ready for Snow

Tonight just might be the last night we see any measurable snow before Spring sets in. I've already spotted Robins in mid-March and now see Teardrops, Tulips and some little Crocuses sprouting up out of the warming soil. Tonight's forecast is merely a distraction from the "big picture," and just a little communication that we're really not in charge.

I was working on some images today, as well as ripping down an old, back porch (did you only think I was good with a camera? It's amazing what you can accomplish with a crowbar!).

This image probably best describes what's playing out in nature these days. Sam's ready for winter, with his "all boy," winter hat on, and yet one could argue that he's ready to hit the beach with his bare shoulder showing. That sums up the attitude of about 99% of anyone that lives above the 40th parallel! So when I walk the dogs in the morning, I may need that hat, gloves and down coat, but soon, very soon, they'll get washed, put away and replaced with shorts and a T-shirt. (If you're a dog, you have it easy when it comes to choosing a wardrobe!)

Just bat your baby blues, like Sam, and repeat, "Spring's right around the corner. Spring's right around . . . "

Double Vision

If you're like me, you probably have more than one pair of glasses lying around the house, in the car, at work, in your purse, etc. I have glasses for reading the paper, for reading in bed, for working on the computer, the ones I swear for when I can't find them, . . . you get the idea. I've also been know to take my computer glasses with me on a trip, but leave the reading glasses at home. Hence, my exotic collection of frames and strengths I've collected from places around the globe.

While recently at the cabin, in Wrangell-St. Elias National Park & Preserve, I'd been working on my images one, sunny, morning when the outside air temp was minus something. When it hit zero, it was time to go out and chase the light! I scurried around getting my gear together and when I finished getting all buttoned up for the cold, I went over to the table to get something I needed, and stopped suddenly in my tracks. WOW! The light was right there in my cabin! No need to go outside!

You got it - I stripped off my down jacket and made a few hand held images of my reading glasses lying in repose in the sun. It wasn't enough for me that the light made the eye glass shadow larger. No. It was the deep shadow in the upper, left corner and the slight one in the lower right, that polished this image off for me. It gave me the feeling that I was in Henry David Thoreau's cabin and he had just put his pen and glasses down after finishing some writing; - "If one advances in the direction of his dreams, and endeavors to live the life he has imagined, he will meet success in uncommon hours." It's just one of his quotes that has stayed with me since high school and continues to guides me.

What a way to start one's photographic day!

She's Rounding Third Base. . .

Dateline Minneapolis:

Yes, I'm almost home! When our nearly full 747 lifted off from Ted Stevens International Airport in Anchorage at 8:00 p.m. Alaska time, there was cheering and applause for Northwest Airlines. They chartered this hulk of a plane with a flight attendant crew that flew up to AK and back to MN in the same day. Way to go guys and dolls! We arrived @ 4:00 a.m. and I now sit waiting for the 7:00 a.m. flight.

Good things do come to those of us that are patient and this flight was a prime example of "going with the flow" the last few days. My flight was due to leave at 7:30 so I arrived at the airport at 5:30 and stood in line while not 1, but 2 ticketing agents closed down their stations just as I was the next person in line. I get all the luck, right? Fear not, readers! When I walked on the plane @ 7:15 and started to head to row 28G, the flight attendant said to me, "Find an open seat. It's OPEN SEATING."

As I had looked at the seating arrangements of this aircraft online while spending my days in Anchorage, I headed right to Business Class. Snow boots, fleece and all! Sure enough, there was one seat left and it was right behind my Anchorage friend that was heading to Washington for a conference. We had lunch 2 days previously and I had told her about the 747 that they were bringing in for us. As her flight had also been cancelled, she pulled out her iPhone and immediately got booked on my flight. Then we ordered lunch. Priorities DO prevail, you know!

So "patient Peggy" got a full meal on the plane (I ate it ALL!,) a seat that practically became a Sleep Number bed, and a personal Video monitor to watch movies. Yeah, I tried to sleep on that comfortable seat but I just never got there. I think it was the chocolate I ate! The first chocolate I'd had in 3 days! Kurt, my seat mate, told me that he'd been hanging out in Anchorage for 4 days. A fellow Milwaukeean had gone to Alaska for her college Spring Break and got stuck there. And there's a whole gaggle of U.S. downhill and nordic skiers who have just completed their U.S. Championships hanging out in Anchorage.

Just for laughs, I just pulled up the Alaska Volcano Observatory website and Mt. Redoubt has been spewing small amounts of ash up to 25,000 ft through the night and it's slowly drifting towards Anchorage. You guessed it, it started just before we took off!

I LOVE adventures! Here's the OTHER plane I flew into Wrangell-St. Elias National Park and Preserve.

Dateline Minneapolis:

Yes, I'm almost home! When our nearly full 747 lifted off from Ted Stevens International Airport in Anchorage at 8:00 p.m. Alaska time, there was cheering and applause for Northwest Airlines. They chartered this hulk of a plane with a flight attendant crew that flew up to AK and back to MN in the same day. Way to go guys and dolls! We arrived @ 4:00 a.m. and I now sit waiting for the 7:00 a.m. flight.

Good things do come to those of us that are patient and this flight was a prime example of "going with the flow" the last few days. My flight was due to leave at 7:30 so I arrived at the airport at 5:30 and stood in line while not 1 but 2 ticketing agents closed down their stations just as I was the next person in line. I get all the luck, right? Fear not, readers! When I walked on the plane @ 7:15 and started to head to row 28G, the flight attendant said to me, "Find an open seat. It's OPEN SEATING."

As I had looked at the seating arrangements of this aircraft online while spending my days in Anchorage, I headed right to Business Class. Snow boots, fleece and all! Sure enough, there was one seat left and it was right behind my Anchorage friend that was heading to Washington for a conference. We had lunch 2 days previously and I had told her about the 747 that they were bringing in for us. As her flight had also been cancelled, she pulled out her iPhone and immediately got booked on my flight. Then we ordered lunch. Priorities DO prevail, you know!

So "patient Peggy" got a full meal on the plane (I ate it ALL!,) a seat that practically became a Sleep Number bed, and a personal Video monitor to watch movies. Yeah, I tried to sleep on that comfortable seat but I just never got there. I think it was the chocolate I ate! The first chocolate I'd had in 3 days! Kurt, my seat mate, told me that he'd been hanging out in Anchorage for 4 days. A fellow Milwaukeean had gone to Alaska for her college Spring Break and got stuck there. And there's a whole gaggle of U.S. downhill and nordic skiers who have just completed their U.S. Championships hanging out in Anchorage.

Just for laughs, I just pulled up the Alaska Volcano Observatory website and Mt. Redoubt has been spewing small amounts of ash up to 25,000 ft through the night and it's slowly drifting towards Anchorage. You guessed it, it started just before we took off!

I LOVE adventures!

View of Cook Inlet

So if you're stuck somewhere and can't fly home because a volcano erupts and spews ash over the city you're trying to leave, there's only one thing to do - go outside with your camera and make hay!

We had 28 hours of a "grace" period from Mt. Redoubt where she was quiet and calm. The maintenance crews at the airport mixed snow into the ash and plowed it all off the runway yesterday. Then last night @ 11:14 there was a "burp" from Redoubt that didn't produce any ash; just steam. But today, after I came in from photographing this scene, where on a clear day you could actually see Mt. Redoubt, she blew again. I keep repeating to myself, "flow with it, flow with it, flow . . ."

I'm now awaiting my inbound aircraft and I will be tucked in by 7:30 p.m. Who cares that I'll be sleeping on the floor of the Minneapolis airport at 2:00 a.m. when my flight hits their tarmac. When all goes according to plan, I'll be on the 7:00 a.m. flight to Milwaukee. There I'll be, all dressed in my outdoor gear and boots sitting amongst the "suits" heading off for a day of business. Won't I look pretty! It's funny because if I wore my deer hunting orange down coat along with the outfit described above, nobody in Alaska would even blink. I LOVE this place! I just want to get home, however.

So enjoy the peace that this photo brings you. It was really blowing very cold air while I was out there making it but I was grateful for the sunny scene against some blue sky with clouds.

Temporary Residence in Alaska

By now I should be home in Milwaukee after a winter photography trip to Wrangell-St. Elias National Park & Preserve in Alaska. However, Mother Nature has other plans for me and that might include temporary residency in Alaska. Not that I would mind that, as I love the landscape and the people of this state, but I'm a guest at a friend's home and waiting for Mt. Redoubt to settle down enough so that the planes can fly again.

Yes, Mt. Redoubt's an active volcano that's been threatening to erupt for weeks and on the 23rd of March, she did. It didn't bother me then, I was in our cabin in WSENP&P photographing the beautiful scenery and the ash was making it's way north of the eruption. But now that I'm 2 flights back into Anchorage, the ash fell our way last night and the airport's "closed indefinitely."

The ash started falling about 6:00 p.m. last night and the TV reporters had dust masks and goggles on when doing their "live" reports outside. It's not as bad as the eruptions of 1989-90 but let's just say that there's a whole bunch of people that are stuck here as well as points south, trying to get here. Kind of like a big, ole' Midwestern snowstorm that cripples air traffic for a few days. You in the midwest know exactly what I'm talking about.

The big difference between snow and ash is that ash can destroy anything mechanical or electronic. There's images of the check-in kiosks at the airport covered with big, black, plastic bags to keep ash out of the electronics. Sled dogs can't be kept outside and all those active Alaskans, who have spent their winter cooped up, can't get out to play right now.

So it's time for me to work on an article about what's it like to experience beautiful, Alaskan winter scenery and then a volcanic eruption. The volcanologists say this eruption/ash fall phase could go on for weeks or months. Let's just hope my article is a "short story" and not a non-fiction book!

High Key "Dude"

Last week was a week for children's portraits in the studio! Four children with various personalities that put me through my paces. Meaning only that mom's and I work to keep things moving and everyone happy.

This little guy's been coming to the studio since he was 2 months old and each time he shows up, I know it's going to be a session with lots of expressions and antics. We had decided to use the white seamless background this time and throw in the color with his clothes. However, before we could get his top on, he started exploring on his own and that's what this image is all about.

I really like the white - on - white or high key look! Whether it's color or B&W (everyone has their favorite you know), it's just a clean look and the child's features can tell the story of their little spirit. It doesn't work for every child or situation but when it does, it's heaven to behold!

My next blog will be from Anchorage, AK and then it'll be off the grid for me! It's kind of like a an "electronic eclipse" where I'll be on the "dark side" of the moon - like the Apollo moon shots. No communication until I'm back on the "sun side." I'm not expecting any withdrawal symptoms from the disconnect!

Ta, Ta.

Fall in the Wrangells

Just 3 more days and I'll be stepping back into a Winter Wonderland called Wrangell - St. Elias National Park in Alaska! I'm heading up for some winter photography. Crazy - yeah maybe. It's 7 degrees there this morning. But there's usually a reason for doing what we do. Mine is that I've been photographing in this area for 10 years and have never slipped a snow shoe on to do it. It's time to experience the late winter up there.

My food's already up there, as I'll be flying "in" on the single engine Cessna mail plane. In McCarthy/Kennicott, they receive mail twice a week so all the happy people standing around to meet the plane probably aren't there to greet me!

Then it's a snow machine (In AK, they're called machines because they use them to check trap lines and work, not generally for fun) ride to the cabin and some time spent stoking the wood stove. The food, you ask, it's all backpacking food because I shipped it up ahead of time.

Company? My year round neighbors live 200 yards away and I'll be dropping in on some dear friends. There's a planned sled dog ride out to the Nizina River and that's something I'm really looking forward to!

My feet and legs will be getting a workout as I'll be walking or snowshoeing to my photographic destinations. I plan on pulling a small, plastic sled with my gear, along in the snow behind me. Easy on the back that way!

Digital and film - I have access to solar power but if it fails, I'm covered with medium format film. For fun, I've got movies downloaded onto my laptop. If there's no power, there's always a book!

This image is the Gilihana Bridge along the McCarthy Road. It's a 60 mile dirt road that takes you into the heart of the Park. It'll sure look different at this time of the year and from the air!

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?