Puppy Love

I know I'm not a professional photographer.  In fact, I'm probably one of those women that professional photographers call "Moms With Cameras" (MWC).  I take pictures because I love to do it, and also because I know how much a simple photo can mean.  One photograph can bring back so many memories and can capture such intimate and special moments in time.

Because I'm not a professional photographer, I don't usually charge much, if at all, for my services.  This event was wonderful because it combined my two favorite things: dogs and photography.  I was able to provide these families with wonderful and heartfelt images of their loyal pets, and raise money for the North Coast Boxer Rescue in Ohio, as well.  Win-Win.

I loved meeting each dog and each family. They were all so unique and had such wonderful stories to tell.  I hope I can continue this type of photography, it truly warmed my heart.

My Mother's Hands

One of the things that I will always remember about my mother is her hands.  I can close my eyes even now and still feel them on my arm, the small of my back, brushing my hair back behind my ear.  When I decided to take photos of my mom's last days in hospice, I wanted to be sure to capture those hands that meant so much to me, and countless others.  Its was Lent, and she made me promise that her nails (fingers and toes) would be purple.  It was the least I could do. I love you mom, and I miss you more than words can say.

I admit it, I'm a chicken.  To me, posting photos that I take is just vain, arrogantly thinking that other people would actually want to see any of them.  But I think it's time I push past that, and move a bit out of my comfort zone.  I'm going to strive, at least for the rest of 2012, to publish an entry to my blog once a week.  Wish me luck!

Holiday Lights

I'm not one for self-portraits, but I couldn't find anyone else who would be willing to model for this. I was curious about how the lights would look, and I'm not very good at low-light photography, so this gave me a good excuse to practice.

Big hugs and kisses for my husband, the Big Man, who helped me out with his creative eye and encouraging spirit.

Dog's Eye View

This was just a chance shot I took of my Jack Russell Terrier mix, Max on a drive on a nice summer day. For some reason, it just spoke to me: the freedom, the wind, the complete joy. It's quickly become one of my favorite shots of my dogs, and believe me, I take a LOT of them!!!

There's no place like home!

I came across these photos today while I was cleaning up my hard drive, and were taken last summer.

These shots were part of a challenge from www.digital-photography-school.com, a site I really love and refer to constantly. The challenge was to only take photos within 50 feet of your backdoor, so I figured I could do it easily, not having to travel very far.

I expected it to be boring endeavor, but instead it really made me see details in my little world that I had beforehand passed over. Seeing them all together, I think they convey perfectly what an evening in our backyard is like. Its makes me smile.

I'm anxious to try this again this summer. Now that I have chickens and a pool in the backyard, I'm sure I'll find some new inspiration.

Happy Easter!

And now for something completely different.....

I think this collection is beautiful, erotic, romantic and breathtaking all at the same time.