Bad me again

I've been on a really long break again it seems.

To be honest, I haven't really taken a whole lot of photo's lately that weren't of my kids, school functions or soccer events.  It's pretty sad.  I lost my creative way for a little while too.  I just didn't feel like taking pictures, I didn't see much of anything that inspired me.

I always say that you make time for the things you want to do, and I just didn't make time for photography.  I've been working so hard on just keeping on top of the everyday things that I didn't feel like being creative.  I didn't feel like seeing the beauty in anything except maybe my pillow!

I am feeling much better, I feel hopeful that I will get back into taking pictures soon.  I was asked if I was interested in doing a hair show, and I think, why not?  Maybe that will spur things ahead!

I just can't keep up

I am a really bad blogger here aren't I?  I've just gone and apologized on 3 of my other blogs about how horrible a blogger I am.  I've obviously taken on too much and I just can't keep up.  What was I thinking anyway?  I am a total scatterbrain most days - it's not like I was blessed with organizational skills!  I swear, most people's brains have sections and categories - some things go over there, other things go over here.  Well not me.  My brain is a funnel into a pit of confusion!  It all goes in the same place and there is no one inside my brain directing traffic.  It's amazing that I even remember to put pants on most days!

I guess some good news is that I am still working really hard on my photography.  I have been "assigned"  as the school photographer.  Nothing official, I just get asked to take pictures of the kids, all the time, at a lot of the functions.  Don't tell anyone at the school I said this, but the kids yearbooks this year were total crap because of the horrible photography!  All the candid pictures are blurry!  The only good ones are the actual school pics of the kids and anything of mine that was put in.  I am totally not being egotistical when I say that.  Ask anyone that saw the yearbook!  I am telling you, taking pictures is one thing, being a photographer - amateur, professional, some one who just has a real interest in it - is a total different things.  Pictures are pictures, but photographs are so much more.

That is why I can take pictures of doors and burnt stuff and it looks amazing, and my Mother in Law takes a picture of a wall and you have no idea what it is!  Or why the heck she took the picture in the first place!  Speaking of doors, I took about 3000 photo's on our Europe trip this year.  I am trying to whittle it down so I can view it on a disc, but I have only gotten it to 1400.  And the disc's that hold that much info are super expensive!  And no one really wants to see 16 shots of the same thing anyway.  Most of those shots are for me, working with the light and angles.  I just show the best ones.

So that's it for now.  I am still working hard on the photography, just not so much the blogging of it.  I did (FINALLY) get my commission check for my work with the electrical company.  I haven't spent a dime of it, I just wanted to have it to show how hard I worked.  It shows that I worked REALLY hard! I hope they have more work for me soon!

Portraits!!!

I've just finished my first sitting for portraits! I cannot wait to have a few of these pictures up here, or rather on my website. I'll post some here too though.

My studio works really well, the lighting is good, but I can always improve on that for even better pictures. Right now I am concentrating on "old time" look photo's. My model is gorgeous, but I am very biased, she's my daughter. I'd like to do some with my son, but I need way more props. Even with the ones I have for girls, I need more props. Shopping for those will be VERY fun!

I'll have some of the new portraits up this coming week. I am very happy that I finally got this started!!

Chris Keating Photo Course

Saturday I was able to attend a Chris Keating Photo Workshop. He is a local photographer that has a studio in SE Calgary and I found out about the course through dealfind. Of course I bought it - it's not every day that a deal like that comes up. It was also $39 for a whole day course and I was not about to let that one get away. It was held at the University of Calgary and there were about 700 people in attendance.

At first I thought it wouldn't be very good if there was that many people that were all trying to learn all at once. Luckily I was very wrong. The course couldn't have been better! Chris is a very vibrant and excited person. He is very passionate in his work and it shows. He also has the energy of a 2 year old that has just drunk a cup or 3 or espresso. He was amazing - jumping around the stage, just truly excited about what he did and the fact that he was able to share it with us. He also had a bunch of other experts helping us out if we had a problem or question. It was very well done.

He taught us 3 things about photography - and he said that if you are looking for an advanced course, there isn't one. All you need to know are those 3 things and have the desire to take pictures. He also said that if you can't take a good picture, it's not your camera or the other equipment you use - it's you. He was so open and honest - it was very refreshing to be around such an interesting person.

I learned so much about how to utilize my camera better and I can't wait to try it out. I know that I take good pictures and I am only using the presets on my camera. Imagine what I can do once I take the pictures knowing what I know now!

At one point, Chris asked the audience how many people wanted to use this knowledge to make money on our photography. Out of 700 people, myself and 3 others raised their hand. I was astonished. I thought it would be at least half. But I was wrong, and I guess better for me. I'd like to put out a coffee table book at some point, do more work for offices and maybe do portraits for profit, but that's not really where my interests lie. I don't even care at this point, I just want to take pictures. If I make money off it eventually, that would just be a bonus.

It's been a while

I have been really slacking here. I have been getting "my room" or perhaps "my studio" ready. Maybe I will call it my studio - it sounds better.

I have kicked out any house guests I might have had and taken the spare room over for myself. I have painted and redecorated, got new furniture and today I put up my back drops for portraits. I have a few props and I am going to start shooting my first portraits as early as tomorrow! My lovely daughter will be my fist victim...I mean model. I have a few of my photo's up on the walls already and they look good. I have stocked up on frames, I thought I should have some stock just in case!

I have also booked myself into a course, to learn anything that I don't already know about my camera and photography. I am looking forward to that and I hope it's worth my time. My kids go back to school on Monday so I will have some time to get stuff done again. The plan is to get the photo's I already have water marked this week and put up on my website. I have a few very specific goals this year, so I have something to work towards. I find that I work better when I have specific things planned. That way I am not running around doing lots and getting nothing done!

2012 has been a good year so far and I plan on making it the best I've had in years.

It's official

I am now a paid photographer. I finally got those pictures done for the Electrical Company, a mix of pictures that showcase the companies that they have done work for as well as some technical work. The customers loved the prints and I am getting paid!! This has lead to building their company portfolio as well.

I love taking pictures and I am so excited to actually get paid for something that I created. My husband bought me a new zoom lens for my camera and I tried it out in Banff last weekend, what a cool toy!

I am moving on to portraits soon, I've got to clear out my room that is going to be used as my "office", it's currently my craft room or as we like to call it, dumping grounds. I am on a whole house sweep and have done very well at getting rid of crap that we don't need. That room is going to be a lot of fun. I can't wait to get rid of a bunch of things in there and repaint.

I have a bunch of new pictures that I want to put up on my website, but I have to learn how to watermark them on my new computer before they can go up. I've got a new Mac, and I love it, but I have had to relearn almost everything I do because the Mac is so different. It's really user friendly and I love it, but I'm still a bit slow on some things. My overhaul of the house is going really well so I hope to have them up, and taking new shots, within the next month. I can't wait - all of this is really fun and exciting for me. It gives me something to do that I really care about.

It's August!

I am such a bad blogger! So here's why - I was in Hungary, Germany, Austria and Spain this year. I got back a few weeks ago, but along with all my luggage, I brought home a bacterial infection! Yeah that was a lot of fun. I am feeling just fine now, but the summer is so busy - just the way I like it, so I haven't had time to blog much or upload any more photo's. The good news is that I have uploaded them to the computer, and I am sure I will find time to get them on here soon...ish. I just love being busy and having summer fun, and staying inside is just not on my to do list. I also have a job on Tuesday and an order for a bunch of photo's to complete - so that all had to come first. I may just get my first pay check on this business! Until then, have a fun summer!

It's May!!

Yup, it's May and I have barely had the camera out. Everything is in that state of blah - dirty and no color anywhere yet. That's what you get for Calgary in spring, rocks and garbage everywhere. That being said, I went out this morning and took some pictures of an abandoned church - it was really raw and gritty, kind of like everything else in the city right now, so I thought it was fitting. This church is about 100 years old or more, the squatters have been using it, and there have been a few fires set on it and quickly put out. I don't know how they have turned out, but if I get anything good, I will certainly put it up on my website.

I may have a bit of work lined up for some technical pictures, those will not go up on my website, but maybe I'll get paid for them. That would be really nice!

I leave for Europe next month, so when I get back I will have tons of new pictures to post. I can't wait! Until then I will just have to find inspiration here...somewhere!

Things I never thought I would say

It is snowing like crazy outside and I hate, I mean I REALLY hate, to admit this, but it is so pretty and I can't help but want to go out and take some pictures! Scary...because I really can't stand snow! The snow is very heavy and it weighs things down making them seem different. The trees look really nice, and there is a Church that is not used nearby that looks so interesting in the snow.

Another thing I get to say is that I am going to Spain this summer! I am sure there will be a ton of things to take pictures of there. I am also travelling back to Germany, Hungary and Austria. I can't wait to go! Most of the time I carry my camera with me when we are on vacation, except when we are at the beach. Because I always have it with me, I get to take pictures of so many things, not just the tourist things.

My computer is being fixed as we speak - thanks to my husband - so I will be able to post some new pictures soon. I am going to try some new things, do some experimenting with stuff and see how my pictures turn out. Until then, I will just be patient!

Still the nap before the party

I am still uninspired! All this snow is really getting to me. The frost on everything today was so beautiful, but the backdrop right now is such crap that I didn't take any pictures of anything. My cousin sent me a link for a photo contest in Calgary - thanks Kyla! - and I am thinking about entering it. The one big problem is that my computer is not feeling very well right now, so I only have access to our backup - or kids - computer. I have no access to my pictures, email or any of my favorites! It's a horrible time for me.

Someone mentioned that I should treat my hobby as somewhat of a job and schedule time in to do things. I have done that a bit as I scheduled in some time to take pictures. Now I have to get my computer back up and start doing the same for photo contests or something. I'd really like to take a photo class, but most run at night and the husband is still working nights, so that doesn't work. But that will be over soon, so maybe I'll work that in. There was a great class in Lethbridge, but I am in Calgary...so that didn't happen. I did keep the link in case I can make it work another time. I've got so many "buts" right now, some that I can work around, some I cannot.

Spring break is here so I will use this time to relax, stop thinking and maybe my mind will be fresh for the week after and I can get back on track.

I am at a standstill

I haven't even picked up my camera in over a week. I am feeling very tired which leads me to be uninspired. I haven't even thought about taking pictures. Of course the weather outside hasn't been helping. I know that the temperature has come up in the last few days, but that leads everything to be dirty and slushy outside. I can't see the beauty in that right now.

As you know, the thing with Chianti's has fallen through, which I am still disappointed about. It leads me to believe that I need to sit back and rethink my priorities. Maybe this isn't the time to be doing anything with my photo's. Maybe I'm just seriously depressed and can't think many happy thoughts right now. I really need a pick me up. A new way to look at things, an new inspiration. It'll happen, I can feel it. Maybe that's why I am so tired, there's something in the air and I need to sleep to make sure I am prepared for it. Maybe I'm just talking out my butt, but there's a spark in the air, the spark of change. I can always feel it coming, it's like the calm before the storm. The nap before the party. That little tingle of electricity in the air. Maybe it's just the fact the spring is coming, who knows. I do know that things won't always be like this, something will happen to fire my creative juices. Until then, I will give in to the nap!

Getting Nowhere

I just spoke with the people at Chianti's and they haven't put up my pictures yet, and they don't know if they will be able to. The don't have the space, she's going away, yada yada. How disappointing. This was the only place that I had going for me so far. So now what? Do I put this kind of thing on hold? Where do I go from here?

I love to take pictures, so that part I will not stop. Do I care if people see my pictures? Kind of. Do I care if I become rich and famous? No. So this isn't about money, more about the fact that I want to be good at something and be recognized as such. What a conundrum. And such a downer, really.

Inspiration is everywhere

I have learned my lesson - I went out the other day without my camera and totally kicked myself. So now I take it everywhere with me, just in case. I am going to go out again tomorrow and take some photo's and see what I come up with.

I did get some infinite wisdom from my sister - I told her about how I took almost 200 pictures and only got 14 usable shots. She reminded me that even in my pictures from Europe, only a few of those are usable. The difference was that I had so many that I had already taken that I could use - because I have been actively taking them for 5 years.

So thanks to her, I am less upset about the 14 pictures that I do have. Also, she mentioned that every time I go out, I learn something new. New angles that work, light that works, and a whole lot of stuff that doesn't work. It's just like anything else in my life, a work in progress.

So today I am thankful for my big sister who is always there to lead me the right way - just like sister's are supposed to do!

Pics are Posted

I've only posted a few of the new pictures, which is fine, I know I don't have to put up everything. The ones I did put up are some of the new favorites. I'm not really sure about the website I'm using just yet. I like it, but I'm not totally sure how to use it to it's fullest advantage. I'd like a bit more leniency of how I put things up. But unfortunately, when I argue with the computer, the computer almost always wins. I'll figure it out, or I might just have to let the computer have it's way!

So dissappointed

I was out all day yesterday and I think I may have 10 usable shots! What a let down. My angles were all off, the lighting was crap. I am terribly disappointed! I guess I'll just have to scout my next place and be a little more wise. I swear I need to take a class soon. That might just be my next project. But what bugs me is the classes are all at night! I am going to search for a one day class - I do have my eye on one, thanks Donna - or a class that is days. That is my next photographic goal.

New Pictures!

I was out ALL day today, I went to downtown Calgary to take some pictures. I am just uploading my pics to my computer now and I will have them marked and up on my website in the next few days. Even with a digital camera, you can't always tell what you've got that is good until you see it on the computer. I'm hoping I got at least a few good shots.

I've decided that I will pick a new location and go out once a week to get some new shots. It'll be interesting to see what I find.

On a side note, I had to take myself out for lunch as I was really far from home. I went to the Vienna Lux on 8th Street and 4th Ave SW - lunch was yummy by the way - and met the owner. I think I might pop back in and see if he'll put up my pics too. I think he'll remember me, I ate my lunch with his friend, I got to speak Hungarian with him, and he gave me a free glass of wine. Yes, it was a good day!

What a week...

I haven't taken one picture this week! But my pictures are up at Chianti's, I haven't checked on them yet, but I'd like to before the end of next week. I am trying to think of some local businesses that might put up my pics as well. But I have been busy doing other "domestic" things this week, so that will be on the list of to do for next week. I figure if I am out at least once a week taking pictures than that's a great start. I know we are going to Hungary again this summer, but I am not sure where else we are going. Where ever we go, I will have new pictures from there at least. I had all this energy last week to get so much stuff done, I will try and muster the same amount of energy for next week to accomplish even more.

On my way..

I've just finished my business cards..finally! It took forever because I didn't like anything that the computer suggested so, of course, I had to design my own. But I must say, they look great, and I think I learned a thing or two. If anyone needs business cards made, that is my newest skill!

I have ordered my first set of prints, and I have to go pick them up tomorrow. I have made a few to put up at Chianti's in Willow Park, and I have made enough to start my portfolio! Friday I am off to make the rounds of cold calls. I don't like that part, but it wasn't as hard as I thought it was going to be. The worst thing they can say is no.

I am terrible at telling people what I am good at, because, what if they look at me like I am crazy? But you know what, I am getting over that. It is my opinion that I am good, and that's all that matters. I have seen many professional photo's that I think are crap, so who's to say that mine aren't any good? I may not be the most educated at what I do, but I do know when I see beauty. I see beauty in odd things at time, but if I can see it, surely someone else must appreciate it at least. I also know that I take way better pictures than a lot of people. Again, my opinion, but I feel bad saying that!

So here goes nothing! If nothing else, it will be interesting!

And the list goes on

Website up, check. Photo's ordered for portfolio, check. Business cards...no....lunch.... whoops! I have got half of my list done, that's good right? Business cards can wait, lunch needs to be soon. But I am very happy that I've gotten done what I have, and I can take care of the rest soon.

I have to send out a very big Thank You to some good friends in my life - Donna for always supporting me, even when I have no idea what I am doing. And to Dawn for telling me I'd be good at blogging in the first place! That's where this all started. And a huge thank you goes out to my wonderful husband for supporting me, telling me I am wonderful and appreciating my "art". I am very lucky to have such great people in my life!

My website is up and running!

I have just published a website dedicated to my photography! I have already contacted one restaurant and they have agreed to put my photo's up on their wall! I am very excited about this. I had no idea what to do last year with my photo's, and now it looks like I have a goal and some progress already!

I do have some other places to contact, but I'd like to get my portfolio ready first so I can show them what I have done. On top of that, I need to take more photo's! The good news is that my Europe trip this year has been given the go ahead, so I will have more great Europe pictures this summer. I've got lots to do around here until then though.

I am going to try some portraits next, and my studio is on it's way to being ready! It feels so good to have a goal to shoot for. Wish me luck!