Finding Clarity......

Hello friends,

How are you this beautiful day? I hope well.

Oh my gosh.... guess what! Spring is really here. Shorts & T-Shirt weather has arrived! Woo hoo!

I thought I'd share a few photos from this past weekend..... looks pretty peaceful, doesn't it? Trust me, this was only a small part of the weekend... there was plenty of crazy mixed in.

Anyhow, I took some time this weekend to just BE .... and wow.... I'm so excited.... The class I've been dreaming up became really clear.

It's different than my other courses.... It's exciting and scary all at the same time.

I imagine....

…..a class that let's me share my art (completely)…..from conception to the finished piece...with all the details in between.... a class that allows me to connect with the students in a virtual meeting space....a feed the creative soul kind of class.

This class is called Start to Finish.

The Breakdown

from Conception (about the idea/inspiration for the shoot)... to my creative thought process... to shoot setup and composition... to all the camera setting details... to culling the shoot (why i pick the photos I pick)... and finally a complete step by step edit inside Lightroom (shared from a no-rules, non-scripted, inside my head point of view.)

Can you tell I'm bursting.....??

About Start to Finish...

First, the pace will be a little slower… more detailed… a marathon, not a sprint…..

The content will be spread out over 8 weeks.

Start to Finish lessons will post twice a week, every other week….over the course of 8 weeks, leaving a lighter;not empty ..... week in between.

The editing will take place in Lightroom.

There will be to 2 Start to Finish Lessons Every Other week. I'm talking TOTAL start to finish.....

Each lesson will include a FULL breakdown of the concept, shoot details, composition and editing pro-cess. Lessons will be posted in a private classroom on Tuesday and Friday every other week.

The in between week will include a thorough Lightroom develop module lesson..... a real roll up your sleeve breakdown. I will also critique 2 student photos via screencast each week. (no submissions=no critique)

These in between weeks will allow time to work through the material, soak up the inspiration and take the content presented for a little ride with your own ideas.

Summary.....

I will....

• Share my thought process, concept/inspiration for the image/shoot in written or podcast format. 
• Show several wide angle photos and/or video of the space…drops, props, linens, reflectors used....all the details.
• Show how I set up the shoot… direction of light, camera settings, time of day etc.
• I will open the shoot in Lightroom…giving you a chance to see them all; the good, the bad, the so so's….. all of them. :)
• I will talk through the culling process. I will choose a few favs and explain my choices.
• I will walk you through a complete edit of one of the shoot photos in Lightroom, sharing lots of detailed information.....tips and tricks etc.
• Bonus: if I decide to go into Photoshop with the image to add text or texture I will include that info in a separate video for Photoshop users.
• The in between week will include an opportunity to submit your photos for critique. Note: When I say critique (which reminds me way too much of the word critic) trust I will be kind and gentle….. I'm all about encouragement. But I will share my honest thoughts.
• I will set up a virtual meeting space.... (through adobe connect) allowing you to chat with me and your fellow classmates, ask questions etc…in a chat format. This will be offered a few times throughout the course. You can also send in questions and I will answer as many as possible during the meeting time.
• Summer is busy and beautiful…. we must enjoy the sunshine and warm air. However, I find summer to be a highly energized and creative season... which is why I think it's the perfect time for this class. I decided to spread the content out over 8 weeks. The material will be accessible for an additional 4 months after the 8 weeks is over. Yep, that's 6 months access.

I think that's covers most of it. Registration will open on Monday (unless otherwise posted)... if anything changes I will let you know.

Class will begin mid-June.....  I will have a registration cap on this class....I want to really connect with the students.

Okay, that's a lot......I'm so excited.... 

Oh I am going to be in touch with some of the lovely readers that expressed interest in connecting.... :) Watch your email for more soon.....

Before I sign off.....a little inspiration....

xo, 

Inspiration from Anthropologie

This just in....

'smile'

Need a little photographic inspiration....a little dose of 'oh my'? 

Visit the Anthropologie site and request a copy of their lovely catalog. It's FREE.
Seriously.... they even sent a copy to me in Canada.

Full of loveliness....and a TON of picture-perfect inspiration.

 Request a catalog HERE.

::

That's all.... for today..... 

happy 'sigh'.

xo,

in love with the nottingham teacups..... 'just sayin'

Stop...Pause...Appreciate

Highlights, Revelations & a Give Away

Hello lovelies,

How are you? It's so good to be here. I love this space... and I'm so very grateful for it and YOU. Such a blessing.....

I wanted to share some highlights from the last ten days or so....along with a bit of a recent creative revelation.

First the highlights.

1. awhile back I asked you all to share a fav movie or tv show...and oh my gosh....  so many of you mentioned Downton Abbey.... I couldn't help but check into it.... Can I just say... THANK YOU... John and I are hooked.... totally hooked. John loves British tele.... So this was perfect. We are now on Season 3..... Sooo soo good! 

2. being featured at Kelly Rae's site as a possibilitarian was such an honour. Thank you all for the kind words. I posted here about Bryce's big 'possiblitarian' adventure.....You all are so sweet and encouraging. You know... I feel sharing our story, here with all of you....has been such a huge gift. I can honestly 'feel' the support coming our way. It's amazing what happens when you open your heart...... Sharing our stories is so powerful!

3. Bryce left on his big adventure last Tuesday. I was so nervous about it.... his first big trip.... it went perfectly. I was completely joy-filled when an email from Jason popped into my inbox at about 10:45 pm that night..... 'the package has arrived.' Deep, deep sigh. (by the way, Bryce is having an amazing time... he comes home on Friday).

4. My final highlight.... I love getting packages in the mail.... oh my gosh I made an exciting discovery....  I can now order from Anthropologie's online shop and play a flat shipping fee of $20.00. And so, I ordered a few things.
I love that buying pretty things and photographing them fits under my 'job description'. Anyhow, I shot a video.... to share with you all.... a little Anthro Love. It's down below....

Okay....

This leads me to my BIG creative revelation....... and of course...I just have to tell you about it. 'smile'

Here goes....Last year I bought an extra fancy dancy nikon..... part of the reasoning for this big purchase was I wanted to shoot lots of video. Well, I did shoot some... but not much.... For several months I've been in a rut... as far as filming goes... I just couldnt' seem to 'dive in' and do it. 

I signed up for Xanthe's Time Capsule class...thinking this might get me back in the swing of things...it's an awesome class.... but still nothing... BIG BLOCK.... paralyzed..... totally over thinking the process... 

12-12-12 came along.... I committed to filming the day... I thought this will do it for sure... this will be my new beginning. I shot the day... but ugh... nothing... no excitement... all the footage is just sitting on my mac.... I feel no desire to put it together.... quite honestly the thought of it... is just plain overwhelming. 

Xanthe and I talked through this.... Her advice has always been..... just to shoot...practice, practice, practice... She reminded me of how I felt when I first started taking pictures....It was hard! It's not immediate... you have to practice... sigh..... I'm sure she was thinking 'just get on with it already.....'

Okay so Xanthe has a new class, A Journey ....last week she asked me to take a look at the content for the first month.... It's good stuff! This got my head spinning...thinking....yearning to get on with it. We talked and talked some more about my 'issues'..... 

Here's the 2 main 'problems'. One, it's not easy..in fact shooting video with a dslr is just plain tricky...quite honestly I find my lack of know-how frustrating.... Two, I was trying to shoot what other people shoot... Talk about setting myself up for a block....

Last week, I came up with this idea to make a video.... the unwrapping of my anthro package. I mentioned the idea to Xanthe...and she was like 'brilliant...DO IT'. And so, I PROMISED I would. And guess what ... I did!! 

Here's why I finally did it...and why I loved doing it... I was shooting what I wanted to shoot... I was filming my life, my way....my passion. I LOVE pretty things... It's that simple! I know if I stick with that... bring it back to my passion, who I am, what I love...and continue to practice....I will find my way.

And so.... Xanthe, are you reading this.... ? Here's my first Journey submission. :) Anthro love.....

I know I have a long way to go... but it's a beginning.... and OH my... the Anthro package did not disappoint!

Friends.... this is true, for all of us. We have to create in order to find our way... our style.... our passion... There comes a time when we have to stop talking about it and dive in! That's how I found my way with my painting....photoshop, photography...and I believe it's exactly how I will find my way with film....... practice...shoot what I love... trust the process.

Give Away Time

Before I go... I ordered an extra red bowl, like you see above. So beautiful, don't you think? I'd love to send it to one of you ....

To enter for a chance to win, leave a comment below.... perhaps a highlight from your last week or 2.... maybe your thoughts on creative blocks and how you push through... whatever you are moved to share.

I will announce the winner here...in a few days.

As always... so much gratitude....

xo,

Today - Trust This

Happy Weekend lovelies.....

Everything is progress!!

sitting in-quiet....reading a magazine.... being still.... enjoying the moment....

See you tomorrow with a new texture and an exciting announcement. :)

xo, 

{Guest Post} Back in Time by Tracey Clark

 Oh my goodness... I'm so excited.....the super talented...always inspiring....  Tracey Clark is here to share with us today! Woo hoo.... Be sure to check out the surprise below her beautiful words and images.

Take it away, Tracey.....

My love affair with photography began in black & white. Before the digital age, you had to make a decision what kind of photograph you wanted to create. For me, it was always black & white. Roll after roll, shooting with a monochromatic palette, I began to actually see the world around me translated through the absence of color. It helped to hone my photographic eye. I became a stalker of light, of shadow, highlights, shade, shape, curve, space, composition and expression. When you remove the color from the image, each of these things becomes even more important. 

Since then, I’ve come to embrace the digital age and have learned to love (and depend on) seeing the shot in color first. After the fact, with the click of my mouse, I can change it on a whim. It’s changed how I see the world. I still see all of the things I saw before only now I have the luxury of choosing how to proceed. Color or black & white? And I usually make my choice on a shot to shot basis. Now, every shot can ask for something unique. Each one tells me what it would like to be. I listen and follow along.

Even still, I am 100% certain that laying my photographic foundation in black & white made me the photographer I am today. I’m not so sure I’d be able to see all of the elements I see, all of the things that make up a strong image, if it weren’t for the monochromatic practice. Would I still know the way the light shapes things and bring them to life, the importance of gesture and expression, the way every part of the frame is a narrative? I’m not sure. I just don’t know if color makes you work hard enough to not only see those things, but also to put them to good use in your images. I guess at this point there’s no real way to tell but I can say that with Picture Black & White, I am eager to shoot with black & white in mind again. I am looking forward to the challenge of going back to basics, of revisiting my beginnings, and reminding myself of where and how my passion was sparked.

Why is it that black & white images from the past stir our souls? Is it just a coincidence that all of the black & white images I cherish feel timeless, classic, and true? I doubt it. Black & white isn’t just where I began in photography; it’s where many of us began experiencing photography, whether by shooting or just by looking at early images. Black & white photography is a part of our history, part of who we are. And no matter how much amazing and awesome technology there is to help us capture life in living color, traveling back in time to where it all began will never get old. 

.....

Thank you Tracey... I adore your B&W imagery.

Fabulous News

Tracey is offering 3 lucky winners a spot in her upcoming class, Picture Black & White. 

To enter, leave a comment below sharing your thoughts/ideas/experience with Black & White Photography. Be sure to enter your email address in the info box.

The lucky winners will be announced tomorrow evening (May 2nd).

Update on May 2 by Kim Klassen

Thanks so much for your wonderful comments.The winners have been choosen... 

Congrats to Deanna Swauger, Jo Nelson & Donna Hopkins. 

It's not too late to sign up for the class.... pop over to the registration page to check it out.

Refilling Your Creativity .......

Hello friends,

Do you like my pretty bottles? Aren't they just so fab? 

They came to me, all the way from England..... Can you imagine? ....  from my lovely friend Xanthe. They are so dainty and sweet and oh so perfect....
love at first site.... 'sigh'

Thank you Xanthe...... love to you..... xo

I textured each photo with 'embrace'. I love the linen effect it created. I set the blend mode to multipy, and played around with the opacity....varying it with each image. I also reduced the yellows in the texture....with a hue/saturation adjustment, so it would not compete against the gorgeous color in the bottles.... I added some type, a little brush love.... from a new set I am working on.... and a bit of frame to each as well. 

I did very little to edit the images themselves.... Just a little exposure and shadow tweeking in lightroom, that's really it.

Our white room makes it pretty easy to create a nice photo SOOC (straight out of camera)....provided I catch the afternoon light.

(TK members I will have a video for you soon....I have some tips on framing your images using adjustment layers....)
 

So tell me friends, what you are doing to 'refill your creative bottle' each day?

I know it's hard to do...especially for us moms...but perhaps it's something you need to 'schedule'... make it happen? 

Even if it's 10 minutes in the bathroom with the door locked..... or stealing time to just be after the kids are asleep....or perhaps you love to write? Grab a journal, a pen, tuck it in your purse...and as you wait in the carpool line, just write.... is there a television show you never miss.... could you live without it... at least now and then? 

When my boys were little, I stayed up til all hours....soaking up the quiet....and honestly I rarely woke tired....I think giving myself time to create allowed me to feel energized and more alive. I know that won't work for everyone....we are all wired differently.... Only you know what's best for you.... 

right... :) yes? no?

Really, it can be something simple.... a baby step... anything just to start.... BEgin.... create.....

Seeing as my everyday work is creative.... I would say my walks with Ben are HUGE 'bottle fillers'..... Twice a day...once in the afternoon, out at the lake.... and again, in the evening...around our little, oh so quiet town....The evening walk is more for Ben, and there are nights I would really rather not.....but Ben rules....
The fresh air is always good for the head.... I always feel better for it.

The walks allow me to shut my brain off.... just be....walk.....pray......soak up the air... watch Ben and Sophie romp about... It's all good for the soul. It refills me.... and I know it fuels my creativity....

How 'bout you? What do you do? What would you like to do? Share with me today?

p.s. I have so many emails I want to reply to....  please bare with me, as I work my way thru them.... 

p.s.s. The Free Skinny-Mini Photoshop class starts on Monday? Are you in? And oh my gosh.... 12 more sleeps til Beyond Layers begins..... I am so freaking excited... I can't even tell you... Thank you all so much for joining in....It's going to be a completely inspired group! If you haven't signed up....the discounted rate is still available... check it out.

2011 in Review

2011 has been one of the most amazing years of my life. So many dreams came true.

The year began with an email from Tracey Clark…. and an invitation to share at Shutter Sisters…..
goosebumps….serious goosebumps…..
My Mondo beyond dream…. came true….

Ben healed from his accident and grew into the love and light I needed in my life. Thank you again and again to each of you that ordered the Benjamin Collection, last year.... You helped save his life..... and I am so grateful for that. Some will say Ben's just a dog….but he's my life…. and one of the most amazing gifts I have ever received.

My site grew and flourished…..so many new friends stopped by. Pinch me. Seriously… Pinch me…..

Textures Tuesday was born.....and you all embraced it, loved it….. nurtured it…..and allowed it to grow into something beyond amazing.

I hopped on a plane to California….by myself…. scared to death….. I met my tribe. I made instant connections with so many beautiful women…. truly no words.
I found myself there. 
Forever changed…..

I fell in love with California and out of love with the prairies….and then fell back in love with the prairies….. Thanks much to all of you…. your wise words allowed me to move thru my California dreaming …..and find happiness, right here where i 'stand'…..

I became a part of Big Picture Classes. I can't wait to share more over there in 2012.

Beyond Layers was born….after a year of spinning round and round....in my head…… I've never been more excited. Truly… 'beyond'..... 

I shared my story (the good, the bad and the ugly) and my dreams....you all simply wrapped your arms around me...despite the flaws and set backs we have had.

I connected with all of you in a deeper and more meaningful way. Every single day I received love and support. I am blessed...beyond...belief.....Please know from the bottom of my heart….. I am incredibly grateful..... for every single note, comment, gift, card…. prayer…. virtual hug........every morsel……

Thank you! Thank you.

…..

2012, bring it on……

My word for 2012 is inspire….. and I can't wait…. 

Beyond Layers….look out.....Here we come… Are you in? I'd love to spend the year with you.

…..

So tell me beautiful friends… how was your year, have you chosen a word? what is it?

Please share with me today.

Happy New Year.....

p.s. I will be back tomorrow with our first texture for 2012.... See you then.....

p.s.s. linking back to my so long 2010 post.....