Single Photo Friday:: Sock Monkey

Happy Holidays everyone!



Well, the holidays are in full swing and I know that not because I have a calendar in front of me but because the sock monkey has made its way out of a box and onto our tree. I'm giddy.

And note the blue lights in the background - a throwback to the Christmases of my youth. Big blue bulbs that overheated and matched the blue/green shag carpet of our home. I'm happy to see they have made a comeback, only now they are a little safer, less chipped, and seem to go nicely with the wood floors and orange walls. Oh, and of course they look great next to the Sock Monkey!

What kinds of things do you do that help you get into the spirit of the holidays?

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What's in Your {Creative Endeavor} Blender?

What's in your blender?

People are always dispensing opinions and advice on how to get ahead, how to stand out, how to make your business successful, how to make yourself appear awesome in the eyes of others. I am active on social media, read plenty of blogs, and attend seminars all in the name of building and promoting my business and my brand. I am learning plenty about marketing myself, not to mention the art of developing a strong filter. There is a lot of junk out there, and yet lots of useful info that when put to use actually works.

Today I read a blog post that resulted in me rolling my eyes and wishing for those 10 minutes back. Then I read another post that made me jot down notes and filled my head with ideas that I can and will put to use in my life & business. So, it's a matter of finding what works for you.

One piece of advice I have heard over and over is: Position yourself as an expert in your field. This is how you will get noticed.

I totally get it. BUT I'm not buying it. People want me to, but I just can't. I do plenty of things well, but that doesn't make me an expert. I take good photos, I know my way around the gluten-free lifestyle, I can even sell you something you may not need. Maybe I'm an expert at getting things done in my pj's, though that's debatable.

The problem with the word expert is it seems so weighted. When you read something by someone who claims to be an expert, and you question their message or technique the trust is lost. So, where is the value in that? Still, I believe in leaving some things to the pros, (think electricians, roofers, hairstylists, photogs...) but I do not see the need to go around saying I am an expert Photographer Thinker Doer person. I know my stuff, yet I learn new things every day. And will continue to do so. Shouldn't that be good enough?

I guess some days it is, some days it isn't.

I think maybe some of these "experts" are taking themselves too seriously. That turns me off.

However, I will say I know my way around a blender and can make a delicious smoothie. I am often surprised when I realize the rest of the world is not enjoying a smoothie on a regular basis. What's not to like about a meal you can drink?

People ask me to share my smoothie secrets, wanting to know HOW to make the smoothie. Which to me is something I don't question, I just do. So, I am here to share with you, oh dear blog world filled with so much white noise and static, the joys of making a damn good smoothie. Enjoy my advice, put it to good use, but don't call me an expert. Maybe I'm really just an idea sharer.

A handful of years ago I got a basic recipe from Stacy that went something like this:

1 Banana
6 Frozen Strawberries
OJ (1 cup? half cup? I don't know...)
Soy milk (roughly same amount as OJ, but it's really your choice)
1 Serving of protein powder of your choice


This is just a starting point. I have moved in a few directions and experimented with many different products over the years. For me, the banana is crucial because it does something to the consistency, but I don't sweat it when it's smoothie time and we are out of bananas. My general choices now involve almond milk rather than soy, and raspberries rather than strawberries. And my protein powder is now something that is gluten-free. However, smoothies can be made with almost anything, the blender can handle it and your body will thank you. Here's a handy list of other ingredients I have used/love using/ encourage using (though not all at once):

Protein powder - your choice, and there are hundreds to choose from. I stay away from the chocolate ones, but that's just me. Watch out for too much sugar, not enough protein.
Milk - dairy, soy, goat, coconut, almond... your choice!
Juice - OJ is easiest, and perhaps cheapest. I love tropical flavors. If you have an actual juicer this will be the healthiest choice.

Blueberries
Strawberries
Mixed Berries
Raspberries
Mango
Peach
Kiwi
Frozen fruit makes the smoothie thicker, but fresh fruit is always great. Since I live in Maine fresh fruit is pretty expensive and not always available, soooo....
Ice will make things thicker if you are low on frozen fruit or using something fresh and therefore softer.

Tofu
Yogurt
Peanut butter
Almond butter
Honey
Spinach
Kale
Romaine Lettuce
MINT
Coconut/ Coconut oil
Avacado (will make it super smooth & creamy!)




Your cupboards and fridge can dictate what goes into your smoothie. I have my favorite things (banana, tropical juice of some sort, unflavored almond milk, raspberry & mango, half serving of protein powder, and sometimes almond or peanut butter) But I love to mix it up. Mint from your yard makes an amazing addition - and is my preferred ingredient throughout the summer. Coconut oil (which is actually a solid) is very tasty and has lots of health benefits, but should be put into blender and mixed BEFORE any frozen products. Otherwise it becomes one big clump which does not go down that easily. Plus, you can rub it on your hands and moisturize your skin while the blender is going. I love throwing greens into my blender as well. It's a great way to get rid of stuff that may be getting beyond the point of eating, but in blender and chopped up it doesn't go to waste AND you get the benefits of eating your greens.

One of the things to remember is to do what works best for you. Listen to some basic rules (if you want), but then change it up so it suits you, your tastes, your lifestyle. Be creative, experiment, make mistakes. Learn from it all. Make more the next day.

A mirror for life, business, & creative endeavors perhaps?


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Single Photo Friday:: Cake

I forgot to post on Friday, and now it's Sunday. I am happily celebrating my birthday all weekend long and thought this photo would be a good fit.

These are not my cupcakes, but ones my nephew decorated for his own birthday back in April. Still, I like the mood they convey - which is one of happiness and fun. And there's something about already blown out candles that create a feeling of moving forward, being ready for what's next.

So, here's to many creative moments in the year ahead!


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Single Photo Friday:: Thankful Tree

On this Friday after Thanksgiving I thought I would share with you what has become a new tradition in my family. More specifically, my brother's family. They bring construction paper cut into the shape of leaves to the big feast and we write our names on one side, and what we are thankful for on the other. Then my nephew (Monkeypants) and his mom (the Wild Weedin' Woman) find a branch in their yard and make a display in the house with everyone's thankful leaves on them. It's called the Thankful Tree.

They keep them from year to year, which partly tracks where my nephew is developmentally, but also where we all are/were as a family. Here is a photo from the first year we did this together.

The Thankful Tree, in its first year.

2007, and the leaf in the middle says 'Everyone is healthy' - which carried a lot of weight in my family at that time. My father died of cancer in early 2005, my brother was diagnosed with thyroid cancer just over a year later, my mother had a patch of skin cancer removed from her face not long after that. So, having everyone healthy was a big deal.

I can look at this photo and still feel the heaviness that followed me around during that time. The way Thanksgiving would sneak up on me and deliver a big plate of emotional overload. But this year things finally seemed lighter, easier. So, I'm thankful for that.

My nephew has been thankful for some other things besides the health of the adults around him, including (but not limited to):
Wind
Llamas
Gazelles
Energy
Mommy, Daddy, Jakey, Jamma, Goat, and Juju (this would be his family)

and - one of my favorites - his hairstyle.

What's on your list of things to be thankful for?

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Single Photo Friday:: Cup of Coffee

It's not quite 5pm on Friday of Halloween weekend. I am sitting at my kitchen table pondering a late afternoon cup of joe. I can hear cars go by outside my window, and hear the distinct noise of tires going through water. It must have rained earlier and I somehow didn't look up long enough to notice.

I can hear the washer going in the basement, and U2 is playing softly. Soon I will hear the click of the front door opening as the Weekend Warrior makes his way into the house. These are the sounds of home. Tomorrow the sounds might be different when the electrician arrives and starts to bring our home into this century. And once that happens I will be able to move my computer into my office and off the kitchen table. Hard drives and all sorts of fun extras will get set up again and things will move forward and work will resume. I am so looking forward to that!

But for now, I think I will grab that cup of coffee. Here at my kitchen table by the window that lets me watch the sky shift colors as the sun sets.


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Two photos

... that can sum up my weekend:

During some hang time with the neph I took this one.

While having a delicious dinner with friends I took this.

Both events were fun and filled with laughter. Laughing with a 7 year old and cooking up crazy ideas can be as fun as laughing with creative friends gathered in a kitchen together. A reminder of the importance to spend time with the people who make you smile.

Could you pick two photos that tell a story about you? Two photos that describe your weekend or your mood or maybe where your life is headed? I love a photo's story-telling ability, and how the same image will say different things to different people. I'd love to hear what these two photos say to you. Could be a good starting point for a short story...


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The Non-driving Photog Update

What will today's post bring? One never knows. Some days I have a plan, other days I don't. It's just how I live my life. A state of structured flexibility, you could say.

I flip back and forth between focus and fun. I bury my nose in a project, then I step away and do something creative. I edit photos for hours, then I slap on roller blades and spend time cruising around my neighborhood. I whip up a batch of gluten-free granola bars, then I call my insurance company and end up on the phone for 45 minutes figuring out recent errors and how we can fix them. I am a wandering homebody, a lover of the outdoors and time spent on the couch with a good book.

I start my day jolting my brain awake with coffee and new ideas. I sit and write them out. I finish my day reading good books and laughing at funny television shows. I go to bed looking forward to my new morning routine of coffee and and idea writing in the cool air on my back deck. I go to bed wanting sleep but already excited to start the next day. This seems like a whole new outlook for me. I don't remember feeling this alive... ever.

I have a possible explanation, and it lies somewhere between loving what I do and coming off medication I have been on for over 25 years. Is it possible that the last 3 weeks of reducing my epilepsy medicine has had this much of an impact on me? I think it's very possible, I just never imagined this was going to happen. All I knew was that I was so ready to come off this medicine, but I was completely unable to get a sense of what it would do to me or how I would feel. I honestly was happy with the thought of no longer being dependent on a medicine, no longer paying for it, no longer remembering to take it and panicking when I forgot.

Instead I'm 3 weeks into this process and I feel great! Sure, I'm still the photographer who can't drive herself anywhere, but I'm also more focused and alert than I think I have ever been. My energy levels are cranked up a few notches. It's very exciting and bizarre at the same time.

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And here I am, a few days later on day 3 of feeling like a human bobble head. Weeks 1-3 were bordering on awesome, Week 4 has had me very housebound and unable to get much done. I couldn't take charge right now if I had to. So, I won't. I will hope to get through the day without upsetting the balance too much, much like I did all weekend.

Saturday I was so out of whack that I spent most of the day on the couch in and out of sleep. Sunday I made attempts to get things done. I packed up my basement studio (our awesome home has been sold and we are moving), with breaks taken on the couch. Today I sit at the computer unable to focus long enough to do much at all. It's okay that I can't drive right now because I honestly have no desire to even be in a car. Every few minutes there is a different symptom somewhere: loss of balance, tingly hands, overheating, loss of focus, fatigue, chills, head full of cotton. It just kind of keeps looping itself like bad elevator music. The thought of socializing is more than I care to think about for now. I am essentially a drug addict in the middle of a detox.


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Today (October 1) I step out of my foggy mind only to stand at my window and watch fog weave through the trees in my yard. I return again to watch the sky open up and pour down on the same trees. I believe I have made it through the worst part of this medicine removal. I feel better, and yet my life feels like it's in a holding pattern of some sort. I am waiting for the energy of a few weeks ago to return.

Having my life kind of on hold, and yet moving forward at the same time, is a tricky thing to sort out. I am keeping my work load light in the months when I normally do the most, because I just can't stand the thought of possibly coming up short for my clients. The not knowing what to expect, not being able to drive to get simple errands done, the working around other people's schedules, all require a certain amount of patience and flexibility. So, I'm using as much patience to ease through this time and come out the other side ready to move forward in a stronger way. I will be so glad later when I look back at this time, but now I worry about all the opportunities I may be missing.

I share this non-photo part of my life because it is an important piece to who I am. Doing so has caused others to share stories as well that perhaps I never would have heard otherwise. Conversations started and ideas shared that may have helped where answers weren't being given. It has been a comfort but also discouraging to learn how many of us are coasting through medical situations, with many questions going unanswered and getting tips from each other rather than our doctors.

I am mere days away from being done with a 27 year prescription. Monday I will take my final pill, probably cry many joyful tears, then move on. Literally. My house and office are being packed with plans to move in the next few weeks. I don't know what the final weeks of adjusting to no meds will mean, but I do know the new home and office will mean great things for my business and life in general. I am very excited to see how it all plays out!


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Single Photo Friday:: Stormy Beauty

Yesterday's sky was crazy awesome. I thought I should share a photo I took while standing on my back deck, during a much needed computer break. Yes, I spent most of my little break staring at the sky.

So far, September is scoring an A+ in my book!

Ooooh, pretty.

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Photo Excursion

Recently my nephew Max and I went on a little photo excursion together. It was loads o' fun exploring and watching him take photos. I thought I would share some of my photos from that day...

A photographer in the making, perhaps?

I love the way he looks at me when he's wondering what I'm doing.

I dig photos of swings, with or without people.

Swinging and chatting about life.

Spying through the rings.

A playground made from recycled materials? Cool!

I just love these rings. Again, he's wondering what I'm doing.

Photos taken 'Max style.'

So much concentration!

We can learn a lot from kids. Like how important it is to shoot from all different angles.

A photo he took of me, complete with head cut off. I've taught him so well.

Let's go back and hula hoop! Or something like that.

Our reflections on the hood of our car. This shot just makes me laugh.

It's great to find inspiration in as many places as possible, including your own backyard. Or hanging out with a 7 year old who looks at things totally different than you might. Try it out and let me know how it goes!

Here we are! Oh, I didn't take this photo :)

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Single Photo Friday:: Family Fun

I recently hung out at the beach with Mike, Maria, Ryan and Nick. Family photos are one of those things I love doing, especially when I get to see the same family members through the years. Last time we did this Nick was a lot smaller and perhaps not quite as active!

I love seeing what will happen when I tell the kids it's ok for us to do a goofy photo. The above photo is a classic example of how that can unfold.

This time of year is perfect for family photos. So if you are thinking you need them done I encourage you to act sooner rather than later to take advantage of the long summer days, great weather, and amazing light. And to give you plenty of time to use your images as holiday gifts ;-)

 Enjoy the weekend!


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Single Photo Friday:: Seagull Attack!

Lookout for seagulls!

Ahh, just gorges. Haha, I mean Fort Gorges, so proudly displayed in Portland's Caso Bay.

 

It's 9pm on Friday evening and I am just now sitting down long enough to remember that 1) today is indeed Friday and 2) I have yet to post to the blog.

I took this shot today while aboard The Lucky Catch - a lobster boat that takes people on tours of Casco Bay and shows them how to catch lobster. My cousin's daughter (therefore, my 2nd cousin) was visiting Maine for the first time, and so we did a touristy thing that ended up being possibly more fun for us locals than those from away. As they got bait ready the seagulls literally swarmed us. I chose to turn my attention and my camera to the flock rather than the action happening on the boat.

I think that was the most fun I've ever had photographing seagulls.


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Single Photo Friday:: Sparkle

Hello Friday of Memorial Day Weekend! Today's image is one I took recently of a friend for my ongoing 'photos of real women' project. This image captures a piece of Tricia that was amplified that day as she was newly self-employed and ready for whatever adventure was next.

I hope down the road when she looks at this photo she'll remember how she felt those first few weeks of embarking on this next chapter of her life. The sparkle of things to come in her eyes, perhaps.

If you are up for being part of my Real Women Photo Project, please let me know! I would love to hear from you.

Have a safe, fun, and happy Memorial Day weekend!


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Fresh Eyes in a Familiar Place

I think this may be the same rowboat I photographed on this beach when I was in college.

Lately I've been thinking about familiar places, and how to see them with fresh eyes. Have you ever tried taking your camera for a walk around places that maybe you see everyday, or roads you have been on all your life? It's a great exercise in forcing yourself to see the familiar with a renewed freshness, and find something interesting. It's not always easy, but it's definitely fun.

This funny dog almost seemed to be posing for my camera.

The other side of that scenario is warning against always photographing the same things, the same places. Going to a place just because it is familiar can often prevent you from growing creatively.

I took several frames of this fence, adjusting my focus in different areas.

I have this beach I love, have loved all my life. I've been going there since I was in diapers, would long for it whenever I was spending time outside of Maine, and I return to it now with my camera looking for new things and wanting to feel the sand between my toes. You'd think 38 years of going to this beach and I would feel like I have photographed it all I can, but I know I will never feel that way. There are things that have been there all my life, but still each time I go the light is different, the tides shifting, the land even taking on a different shape. I find something to photograph EVERY time I go. I never go with any agenda or expectation other than to find what strikes me. Sure enough, I am drawn to something different on each visit.

I loved the color of the grass against that sky.

I have fixated on fence posts, dune grass, my freshly polished toes, lobster boats, wet rocks, and the most recent visit I spent a lot of time photographing on orange buoy in the water. I go there when I get a new piece of equipment, want to experiment with a lens, or just want to see where the light is at certain times of the day & year.

All of these images were taken at my favorite beach in the whole wide world - Ferry Beach - all under different conditions with varying equipment. I am always looking for things like light, texture, and how different colors look next to each other.

Not every shot at the beach has to include sand or water :)

On an overcast day I spent my visit photographing the textures of the wood.

I was surprised to see this assortment of colors together at the beach. That red is from trees on the golf course behind the beach.

The favored rusty and worn fence around the dunes that I love to capture.

It's best to leave the shoes behind whenever possible.

It's interesting how a beach can have really bright colors one day, and look really flat the next. When the sun isn't shining, it almost looks as if all the colors were chosen from the same palette. What kinds of things do you notice when you look at a familiar place with fresh eyes?

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LIFE :: in Black & White

I photograph life. Simple as that.

So I may photograph your life, your business, or just my own everyday life. It is my simple goal to actually make images that have LIFE in them.

Here is a small sample of some past moments I have collected of my own life. Some of them are old scans, and all from my Black & White film days, so please forgive the quality...

 The Weekend Warrior, before he was truly my warrior.

 Family Reunion (Mom's side) in Virgina.

 Family (Dad's side) cooling off in Pittsburgh.

 Family Pig Pile in Maine.

 Friends at an Avocado Party in Bowdoinham.

 My Nephew on any given day.

 Weekend Warrior and his brother power washing the deck.

Nephew testing the waters. My bro and Weekend Warrior try to encourage him into the pool.

 My mom (Jamma) and Nephew (Max). Hard to believe he's now 7!

 Max's first Haircut.

 Max shows me that his Dora gummies are all gone. I like how his hands are shadowed on his shirt, in a similar way to the graphic on his t-shirt.

Weekend Warrior in full warrior mode, and needing a break.

That was kind of a fun jaunt down memory lane, photographically speaking. These are the kinds of things I capture because I like to bring my camera almost everywhere.  I think after all these years it's paying off.

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