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I’ve enjoyed a few zoo trips recently.

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This time it’s mine (although sometimes my 3rd grader’s homework feels like mine).

I periodically take classes to keep my teaching credential current.  These days I usually take online classes, and I just started one this week.

A fun one.

Nature photography.  My 1st photography passion.

My first assignment was to take three nature photos with each photo focusing in a particular detail.  Oh, I do like details!

I had a little bit of time yesterday to venture into my backyard with my camera.  I stopped first to visit our dog who is not doing well…he came home yesterday from the vet’s but went back again this morning for an ultrasound.

Those eyes tell me so much.  Poor guy!

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as in experienced, made, or received anew.

My trip to Michigan was fabulous!  I’ve wanted to blog and share with you earlier, but I hit the ground running upon my return mid-week.   This weekend, however, my bedraggled immune system went on strike, so I’ve had a little computer time.

Besides seeing my childhood friend while in Michigan I met and spent time with some amazing photographers, as well as the fabulous Amy Wenzel.  I am so thankful for the many conversations I enjoyed with these ladies - in a cab, on a walk, over breakfast, lunch and dinner, at a computer screen, and on location with cameras in hand.

I have enjoyed continuing conversations with several of them.  I love seeing their photographs.  I love that though we were all at the same locations and we photographed the same models, the photos are beautifully varied.

Our first day of shooting was with kids.  They did a great job…it was so cold!  The boys were at a bit of an advantage since they wore warmer clothes.

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I found my first photographic subjects in nature’s details and patterns.  They are everywhere and I could so easily spend an afternoon within a foot of a flower, in a tidepool, or near driftwood.  Sounds exciting, doesn’t it?

I love it.  As I was thinking about macro photography, I realize this is my tendency when shooting - I instinctively shoot tight.  I have to make large mental yellow post-it notes to remind myself to back-up and capture the bigger scene.

I haven’t had a macro lens for awhile now.  I’ve missed it.  I often experiment with my other lenses to get the shot I want when I photograph patterns and details.

Last week, however, I purchased a macro lens and just yesterday spent some time enjoying it.

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Amy just posted on her blog and also linked to David’s blog for the whole story.

If you are not sure what I’m talking about, check my last post.

Hi

I arrived in Michigan last night and did not attend the workshop mixer as my plane leaving from Chicago was late.

I went to the workshop site this morning to find that it has been cancelled.  Amy Wenzel’s husband was in San Francisco on business this weekend and he fell, suffered a concussion, and was taken to the hospital after a resulting seizure.  The doctors discovered a brain tumor that they think has been growing for quite some time.  Amy found out last night that the tumor is most likely malignant and they are to perform surgery today.  She flew out from Michigan very early this morning to be there in time for the surgery.  Please be praying for Amy and David.  Thank you!  I will keep you posted as I hear news.

Jen

I’m excited about a photography workshop I’ll be participating in this next week.  The focus of the workshop will be child and senior portraiture taught by the very talented Amy Wenzel.

There are many reasons why I chose this workshop for 2009, one of which was this tag line -
getting 3 or more crying children to put their arms around each other and start laughing while looking directly at the camera for 40 frames with a 99.9% success rate every shoot. (Yes, I’m really serious on this one!).

Much of the time during my photo sessions with kids, I am capturing them as they are, capturing what they enjoy doing…most often this does not involve looking into the camera.  I’m talking to them while I’m photographing, so often all I need to do is just say their name or ask them to look at me.  But there are times when I’m photographing families or groups of kids where it is nice to have a more posed shot with everyone looking into the camera and smiling.

Yes, for these types of photos, my aim is to get eye contact and smiles, but my favorite photos are the ones I take before and after that “perfect” photo.

Here are some “out-takes” from a session earlier this year.  Mom really wanted a photo with all 4 boys looking at the camera, smiling if possible.

At first, Colin is crying.

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My blog has been up for one year today!

When I began, I don’t think I really had a goal in mind (i.e. blogging for 2 years, 5 years), but one year done feels good.

I want to say a huge THANK YOU to you, my blog readers!

I think I’ll celebrate today.  I don’t know how or with whom, but I’ll let you know.

I thought this post might be a good opportunity to share with you another blog that I frequent.  This blog was one of the first ones I ever “stalked.”  MeRaKoh(and her husband Brian) capture amazing photographs and teach great workshops.  I love reading MeRa’s blog because her writing voice is engaging and I enjoy her photography lessons, tips, and how-tos.  MeRa, Brian and their two children are currently in Thailand (!), so I’m loving her posts and living vicariously through them (well, maybe I would skip the border run in yesterday’s post!).

And because posts are always better with photos, here’s a great end to my week -

both of my boys were V.I.P.s at school - one for his hard working attitude and the other for his kindness to others.

Have a great weekend!

Angus, our oldest dog, no longer willingly descends the basement stairs.

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