Friendship, Encouragement & Taking The Next Step

I would like to thank those of you, who through your comments, have been very encouraging to me relating to my photography skills and some of the pictures I have posted. I am honored that you would take notice enough to leave me a kind remark.

I have been drawn to photography since I was a young girl and can spend hours looking through albums and boxes full of pictures. It's like being able to hold a memory in my hand! I receive much joy from capturing life through the lens of a camera, and feel it is an art form to be shared and celebrated. I guess part of my growth and education has been the realization that not everyone shares my view. Not everyone wants their picture taken, or wants the memories that a picture evokes. For some, looking back is an unwelcome and painful reminder. A picture may represent hurtful times, relationships or a suffering self image. I suppose, even though for me these lessons were painfully learned, the concepts are good for any photographer to understand. In light of this negative feedback, I developed a fairly guarded approach in pursuing anything having to do with my love of reflecting on life through photography. It has only been within the past few years that I have begun branching out and am becoming more confident in my skills as a photographer. It is still a struggle for me, with my perfectionistic tendencies, to look at my work and feel certain that I have the skills to bump this effort up to the next level. I don't know if any of you can relate to this process or not, but it has been a major player for me over the past few years.

My husband has been an amazing "cheerleader". He has been encouraging me to branch out and pursue my interest now that the girls are grown and on their own. Our daughters, other family members and friends have joined in as well and given me courage to begin taking steps (however hesitant I may be) towards gaining confidence that I really may, in fact, have a talent in this area. Brad has spent endless hours researching equipment and reviews. I couldn't ask for a better partner (both in life and in business :-). For years I have been shooting for family and friends; capturing baby's births, portraits, engagements, Bridal photos and weddings. I also do contract work for a local wedding photographer.

Now, Brad and I have decided to officially hang out my shingle in a related area. In addition to the free lance work I am currently doing, we are moving into the area of producing vir*tual tours for the Re*al Es*tate industry. We have gathered the equipment and software needed and will be getting this service up to speed shortly. This door was opened when a local photographer, who is relocating out of town, offered to train me and help me get started. So...looks like we are taking the plunge! I certainly have my work cut out for me dealing with new software, equipment, web sites, and general business "start-up". I am planning for this to be a part time opportunity and maybe eventually grow into more of a family business. Our youngest daughter is interested in assisting with this endeavor, however, that is not yet an option with her living out of town. So....new things on the horizon over here!! If God brings me to your mind, please pray with us for wisdom, and God's continued leading. He has opened the door...so I am walking by faith, until at which time He chooses to redirect my steps.

Meet some of our "friends"...

I recently had fun practicing with my camera on the wildlife around our yard and capturing the critters that venture up on our porch. I began filling our "hands" feeder with sunflower seeds and have been entertained daily by the squirrels that venture, oh so cautiously, up on our porch to gorge themselves on the treasured seeds. I took these pics through the window of our living room and this little guy kept a close eye on me. He seemed to know that he and I were separated by two thicknesses of glass and that he was fairly safe to keep chomping away on his stash of sunflower seeds.

Looks like he has a "look-out" buddy there in the background to keep away the competition!

Look at this pile of sunflower seed hulls that have been carefully picked over and discarded.

He will sit out there for hours!

I moved a little and he got rather concerned!!

Awwwww, a Cardinal. Reminds me of my native state: Ohio. (It's the state bird)

Wish I knew my birds better....what's his name?? Note: Thanks to Bee, we now know that this little fellow is a Chipping Sparrow! Plus, she shared a great new resource: www.whatbird.com for identifying birds. Also, I should have put this verse up with the picture in the first place...Thanks Barbara H for reminding me to look it up!

Matthew 6:26 "(A)Look at the birds of the air, that they do not sow, nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not worth much more than they?"

Freddie the Lizard lives on our front porch and visits often.

I wish I could report that these beautiful and fragrant peonies came from our yard...however, we can not grow them here in the hot, humid south. :-( I found these at our local Kroger store and HAD to purchase them as a sweet reminder of the myriad of bushes we had in my yard when I was a young girl. I must have stuck my nose in these for a whiff at least 50 times the first day they graced our kitchen table. They bring back special memories for me. Funny how (it is said) that out of all our senses, smells are the strongest trigger of memories. I used to collect large bouquets of peonies for my Mom and she'd place them on our kitchen table. The funny thing I remember about them is how many LARGE black ants would always be attached to my bouquets and end up in the house along with the flowers. :-) I wish we could grow lilacs, daffodils and peonies here as I have such fond memories of those from my youth. Hope you enjoyed meeting some of the "Locals" at our home.

Also...if you haven't left your input on my "blogging survey" below...please take a moment to do so before you leave. Thanks for stopping by!