Moving Forward

About 4 years ago I decided to step away from doing portrait photography. My life was in turmoil and I need to take some time for myself. I had only planned on taking 1 year off. But one year turned to 4 before I'd even realized how much time had passed. Now I find myself wanting to once again build my portrait photography business. My first step was to re-build my website. I'm excited to announce my website will also be the new location of my blog. This will be my last post on this platform. To continue to follow my photography you can see my updated blog on my new website.

World of Tulips

A few weeks ago my Uncle sent me this question: "Jaden (my cousin) would like to know why you take such pretty pictures of flowers and why they make you feel so good?". I wasn't quite sure how how to respond, but this is what I came up with: "I don't know why they make me feel so good. I think it has to do with the process of taking the picture. And then seeing the results of crawling around in the dirt and mud. Plus they are pretty and full of bright colors. The world doesn't always look that way but it should"

Wooden Shoe Tulip Festival

It started when Devin entered Kindergarten. Suddenly I had a few hours everyday to myself. I'd always loved photography and had wanted to learn more. Now that my kids were in school I realized it was now or never. I didn't want to come to the end of my life and wonder "what if". So I picked up my camera and started learning. I've never looked back. One spring I took a macro photography class sponsored by Canon and Pro Photo Supply, at the Wooden Shoe Tulip Festival. It was there I fell in love with macro photography. I have gone to the tulip festival every year since that first class. 

                                                                                         The windmill is a staple at the tulip festival.

                                                           They always have their John Deer tractor on display . . . perfect for photo ops.

                             This year it was muddy and wet at the tulip fields. But I was ok with the rain because I was able to capture a beautiful rainbow.

                   

                                                                       The moon this evening was huge. I wish I'd had a longer lens with me.

This pink tractor is a common sight at the tulip festival. My understanding is that it was painted pink for breast cancer awareness. 

                                                                                                 

I looked up from shooting the flowers when I saw this man wandering around the fields with a huge flag. I soon realized he was there for some kind of photo shoot. I would have liked to hear his story, but I didn't want to intrude.

Tulips Details

I really love macro photography. I love finding the interesting details that are missed when all we do is look at the big picture. When I focus on the small things in the frame of my camera, I'm forced to slow down and think about what I'm doing. As I do the rest of the world melts away.

Sunset at the Tulip Fields

There is something so peaceful about watching the sunset. And I will never cease to be amazed how no two sunsets are alike.