Wow - Is is really 2021...and counting?

Interesting how life can pan out sometimes. Makes you want laugh out loud. We left Napa in 2011, made our home in Flagstaff for about a year and then moved to the Grand Canyon for almost ten years. Over a year ago we moved back to Flagstaff. We sold our fairly large home and moved into a smaller home. Just yesterday we purchased some land in Camp Verde that looks much like our home in Napa Valley. I've been blessed that on the average we travel to the Grand Canyon for photo sessions, so we get to keep out hiking in check. I mean there is nothing like hiking the Grand Canyon and in my opinion, the best workout ever! Today, got my new bike! So, as I've always said, "hiking is good for cycling, and cyling is good for hiking." Ahem, anyway, so we purchased this house and property in Camp Verde. Well, more to say on that. It's late and probably best I hit the sack. Photo session tomorrow and two stories due....life goes on and God is good!

Here we go again (thankfully), yep, another one of those "God Shots" as I call them. You see there really is more to a photographer's ammunition of training that goes far beyond our knowledge of our equipment and software and that's the "unseen." For me the "unseen" is my faith in Jesus Christ, yeah, it really is that plain and simple. Starting off each photo session in a time of prayer and Bible Study, well, it really does make quite a big difference in my shots. The shot here with the soon-to-be-bride....well, there's no way I stirred up the wind to blow her hair and dress out creating such a beautiful touch. On the other shot, the sunset sky was painted with soft hues of purples and blues....no way did I have anything to do with that. It's just the simplicity of answers prayers and "God shots."

So You Want to Be a Professional Photographer?

The field of photography is a never-ending field of learning, growing and participating in what can, at times, be an over-whelming and...expensive. If I'm going to offer my clients the best, I have to be the best, and, I have to provide the best equipment. Added to that, I have to have the best back-up equipment, up-to-date editing software. Yep, two or more cameras, back-up portable lighting, back-up portable batteries, and most importantly.....lenses. Good quality glass, both fixed and zoom. Someone asked me once, "What kind of camera do you use, I want to take pictures like you do." Well, believe me, I wish it was that easy. If you're like me, I believe photography is a gift from God and a gift I do not take lightly, nor do I ever come to ulterior conclusions. Yes, I studied it and yes, I've read mounds of books and yes I worked hard toward a training certificate in Adobe Photoshop, but, as I realized just this week, it's something God put in my heart when I was very young. In 5th grade I served on a audio visual team. It was a pretty exclusive position and I can't remember why I was chosen, except that the Good Lord was just putting me on a trail to where I am now. Not sure how long I'll be doing it. Just this year I told the Lord, "take it all away if that's Your Will." Within minutes I had bookings. I admit, each one surprises me, but I'm ever so thankful to God for giving me the desires of my heart. I'm truly blessed.

God's Glass Revisited

My husband looked at me like I was crazy when I told him the cost of my new lens. He repeated the price, "$1599.99", and then added, "why do you need this and why is it so much?" On top of my husbands reluctance for me to spend this large amount of money, the lens was backordered from every vendor. With sad eyes, lots of prayers, late nights of research and my husband's consent I got the lens. Best Buy was able to locate the last one in the U.S., found it all the way in Alaska. Tack sharp, with creamy or bubbly background (called bokeh), my clients can now be captured in a whole new way. However, over and above all my settings and lighting, there is an element to my photography that is beyond my imagination, my skill set and equipment. I call it "God's Glass". You see, I truly, with all my heart believe that every shot I take is initiated by my Heavenly Father. I think of that old song, "What a Friend We Have in Jesus." We REALLY can give everything to Him, "what a privilege it is to carry everything to God in prayer." Even my photo sessions. Oh, "glass" is a term photographers use for our lenses. Hence, God's Glass.....thanks for listening.

Everyday Life, Everyday Love

So, for years now I had this 105mm lens sitting around. Our son found it several years ago hiking Sycamore Canyon (located outside Flagstaff). When something comes to you that's free, you never really appreciate the value. Well, last week I took this lens out and started playing around with it. It's a manual lens so there's a time element when using it plus your subject must remain still. Oh my goodness, the pictures from this lens were so divine. So sweet! Makes me think of other "things" in life that are free that many people reject. For instance, the free relationship that is offered to us through Jesus Christ. So many reject this free offering. Yet, they are missing out on one of the best deals of their life. Just saying.....

God's Glass....a repeat

In an earlier post, I talked about my lens as "God's Glass". You see, photographer's refer to their lens as "glass". Since I believe that my camera is guided by the inspiration of a wonderful, caring and loving God, I call my lenses, "God's Glass". Viz a viz, my tag line "You are Precious in God's Eyes," give credit where credit is due. Yep, there you have it. I am a Christian photographer and prior to any photoshoot, I confer with the One O'Mighty and seek His help. Now, mind you, I didn't just pick up a camera in 2004 and carelessly state I am now a professional. Nope, previous to that time I studied photography as part of my public relations degree, closed off our extra bathroom, installed a darkroom and proceeded to spent most evenings developing film and processing prints. I can still smell the developer, fixers and all the needed chemicals. Local media published pictures along with my press releases and I had fun. Then came Adobe Photoshop...and, fours year's of part-time study to gain a training certificate. A whole new ball game with a whole lotta fun! Back to my main point here....God's Glass. You see, though I know that I had to develop skills and learn (always learning) how to photograph, there are many times, many, where I take a picture and I know that the shoot was orchestrated by God and not me. This shot here was one of them. The purity of this little guy posed with the love of his tender mama, capture, to me...a glimpse of God's Love through His glass. Before each photoshoot, I spend time, sometimes a lot of time praying, seeking God, asking Him to show me how I can bless those who have hired me. He is faithful and so credit must go to where credit is due....worth repeating. So, there ya go, my little synopsis of God's Glass. God bless!

Simple Steps...

I shot this flower one day on my way to work out at the Silverado Resort Spa. At the time I never knew this flower would turn out to be one of my favorite shots but the colors, the lighting and the simplicity of the moment bless me every time I look at it.

I found out later that this Day Lily's life isn't very long...only a day. Imagine that...one day of life.

I wonder how we would live if we only had one day left?

Sounds daft perhaps but I look at my photoshoots as if each one will be my last. That way I can put my best foot (or in this case my best lens) forward.

Works well for this pensive photographer.