sherryboles * photographer | my bloghome

Starting Over

2011-01-25T20:25:00.004-06:00

"Maybe it's not always about trying to fix something broken. Maybe it's about starting over and creating something better." ~Author Unknown

"Don't cry because it's over, smile because it happened."
~ Dr. Seuss

Meet Fergie

2010-12-28T17:45:00.006-06:00

At least, that name was going to be her new name. However, in reality, it seems that most of the time she is called by the name chosen by her former owners. She answers to both so I'm not sure that it matters to her. Or maybe we are contributing to one big identity crisis!

Although she hasn't had her "official" first photo shoot, I wanted to share some snaps of the baby of our family. At under a year old, she adds some extra playfulness to our crew...but she also knows how to enjoy a good nap!
From the moment she was introduced to her new pack, she was greeted with acceptance. (You see, she was "rescued" from a home where she was being mistreated by other bigger dogs.) Now she's being spoiled with love and attention...like the rest of my fur-babies!

If these pictures are any indication, she will be a natural in front of the camera! I LOVE the head tilt!

little hyper one

2010-12-27T20:35:00.007-06:00

So what happens when you take a couple who is anti-indoor-pets and give them a sweet little bundle of their own? Of course, it's puppy love!!!

I took this sweet pomeranian out on a cool autumn day for some puppy portraits. Leave it to me to find this hyper little one an attractive challenge in photography!
That's right...Don't be fooled by his cuteness, he takes hyper to an extreme level! He's a wild one! ;)
(Of course, in his defense, he's still under a year old and an only "at-home-pet-child").

After letting him get rid of some excess energy by letting him run around the fenced area, I put him on a lead to attempt some sweet images. He ended up being quite cooperative (at times), and I was happy with the results.

...And just so those sweet pictures don't fool you too much, here he is at top speed! Boy, he is a fast little guy!!

her first Christmas

2010-12-26T18:18:00.004-06:00

Since she's under a year old, this Christmas was her first. She got a plush toy, treats and her own name tag...to go with her new loving home!

I'm guessing that she very much enjoyed first Christmas! :)

Wishing you all a Merry Christmas...

2010-12-25T09:20:00.002-06:00

...filled with LOVE!

PhotoShowdown POTD

2010-12-21T18:20:00.003-06:00

"Sticky Feet" received POTD honors today at PhotoShowdown. Of course, I'm a bit partial to this image anyway...Tree frogs are so cute to me! ;)

a very special night

2010-12-19T22:11:00.005-06:00

...to celebrate a very special anniversary!

This was a celebration that they had anticipated from the time of planning their wedding. The wedding wasn't just a ceremony...It was absolutely a commitment and one that they intended on being able to celebrate for years into the future. The wedding plans didn't simply include a one day event but a lifetime together. They were truly planning a future together!

As the years passed, the future wedding plans were always there. The excitement of a new day built with every remembrance.

Their special day started approaching and the future plans became a part of the present. The future plans weren't without alterations but the emotional element was the focus that had to be present. Planned with the attention to detail and loving care of a priceless ceremony, their "celebration of love" held the beauty and tenderness that the special moment deserved.

The building of anticipation set the stage for something special.

As the sun was setting, the dress waited for its time to shine.

The rings awaited along with an original poem written for the lucky guy! :)

He purchased beautiful roses!
Eleven...one for each year and one for the future years.

Sealed with a kiss and a new set of rings...they embraced their dream and the opportunity for new ones!!

little things count a lot

2010-12-18T20:53:00.007-06:00

As a child, I was always small...and, yes, I received LOTS of teasing. (That's why I learned "self-defense" ;) ) As a perfectionist, I sometimes get caught up in the small details rather than the big picture. As a pet lover, I've babied many a runt of the litter.
For those and many other reasons, it should come as no surprise that detail images at weddings are some of my favorites! So much attention is paid to every little detail that I enjoy stopping to appreciate their beauty.
This fall wedding featured gorgeous autumn colors everywhere! I was in a wonderful place...surrounded by all their warmth!

I've gotten way behind on my blogging so I'm going to try to do some catch-up posts as I am preparing to wrap up 2010 and looking forward to 2011!!! :)

Sneak Peek ~ Michael and Lauren

2010-11-29T14:31:00.007-06:00

Meeting Michael and Lauren was such a great experience for me. I adore photographing people in love but it's even better when they are such naturals in front of the camera!! Seriously, they made such great models for the day!
The session was full of fun and laughter. These two have such a great chemistry! I ended up taking SO many images that it's taking me awhile to get through them all! So, I figured I'd better post a sneak peek to give them a look at a few that are my favorites so far. (Yes, there are more traditional images but these are photographer favs!)

Their dog provided some extra special fun for me. I love when people include their pets...especially when they are as sweet as this cutie! :)

Being one that loves details, I couldn't resist this shot. Here hangs the hat that she refused to let him wear for these images. Good call, Lauren! :)

Michael and Lauren: I wish you both all the best!! Thank you for sharing your time with me!

Overwhelming Thanks

2010-11-26T23:18:00.004-06:00

I started to write a post of thanks for the holiday but I couldn't find the words to write. Honestly, I found myself overwhelmed at all that I had to be thankful for and I couldn't focus on writing anything that wouldn't have been a gushing of thanks with no clear direction.

After a big family meal and more leftovers today ~ I still feel that way!

So, I'll just leave you with the confession of a heart, which is overflowing with thanks right now...and a recent image, which makes me thankful for love and my camera's self-timer! ;)

BetterPhoto ~ October

2010-11-16T13:28:00.002-06:00

"White on White" was chosen as an October finalist at BetterPhoto.com!! Of course, images of my sweet boy are always some of my favorites! :)

Fall and Football

2010-11-11T19:38:00.005-06:00

This year, we have been proudly supporting our home football team!! As a former cheerleading coach, it's been a special treat for me to experience the thrill of the games again!
I have particularly enjoyed photographing all the games that I have been able to attend and sharing the images with the team, family and friends. I'm so proud of this team!! :)

To the team: Congratulations, on your eventful season and Good Luck as you continue in the playoffs!!!

BetterPhoto blog feature

2010-10-28T11:44:00.005-05:00

Recently, I posted some images of a beautiful boxer which I had so much fun photographing. One of those images was featured on the BetterPhoto.com blog "Favorite Animal Contest Entries" post.
If you are interested in learning more about photography, BetterPhoto.com has an international community of talented photographers. In addition, the instructors and staff at BetterPhoto.com share lots of wonderful photography information on the blog. Check them out!

http://team.betterphoto.com

BetterPhoto Winner ~ September

2010-10-28T10:56:00.004-05:00

I'm running late posting my BetterPhoto results this month but not because I am not honored to have my photos recognized in the international competition. Out of over 17900 photos were entered into the competition, I had two images selected among the top 1015 finalist photos and one of those images ("How'd I get here?") was awarded the huge honor of 2nd place!

"How'd I get here" (animal category) ~ 2nd place winner

"I think I can..." (animal category) ~ finalist

the Boxer

2010-10-12T21:28:00.003-05:00

Now that I have officially become a "dog person," I am so excited when I get to photograph people and/or pets. Even though my lifestyle doesn't fit a large variety of dogs, I have developed an affection for all sizes of dogs.

For a long time, I have had an attraction to boxers. I don't know what it is about their look...or perhaps it's the "gentle giant" attitude that the ones I've encountered have.

I was so excited to be able to photograph this beautiful boxer. He is a BIG BABY...and I think it shows! Such sweetness!! :)

one very special senior

2010-10-06T15:28:00.003-05:00

Senior images are some of my very favorite ones to view and shoot. There's just something special about teenagers that draws me to them. Perhaps it's that my teenage years were some of the most defining moments of my life. Or perhaps it's that I haven't outgrown my youthful yearning for freedom and new experiences (I think my hubby might vote for that one...lol!). Whatever the case, I'm always thrilled to work at creating some memorable senior portraits that capture not only the individual but their personality as well.

If you've visited my blog more than a few times, I'm sure that you've seen this beautiful young lady. She's very special to me for a lot of reasons. I not only love her for who she is but I really like her as a person. I consider having her in my life one of the greatest privileges of my life!

turtle time

2010-09-13T23:49:00.002-05:00

I've been entertaining myself lately with some personal projects involving my camera. It's been an adventure to take on some subjects that I have had fun photographing in the past as well as some new subjects.

My youngest daughter fell hard for this adorable little turtle. She feeds it, cuddles it, baby-talks it and even takes it for swings and bike rides. She is absolutely enjoying having the turtle as a guest at our home. She is so crazy about this little girl that she requested a photo shoot...not exactly my area of expertise but it was a unique pleasure.

the turtle on the swing...

...and climbing bricks.

The turtle got some good exercise...

My daughter was excited...
And I was amused...
What can I say?
Good times! :)

froggie fun

2010-09-11T23:09:00.002-05:00

Ok, I will admit to having a bit of an infatuation with tree frogs. I think they are just so cute!!!

I'm not sure what I find so cute about them. They jump. They have sticky little feet. They have quick tongues. Could it be that I've actually owned three adopted pet tree frogs? Could it be that they look at your with such curiosity with those big eyes? Maybe I find this one so irresistible just because green is my favorite color... :)

the shot that I wanted!

2010-09-09T22:12:00.004-05:00

About six months ago, we opened our home to a badly neglected pekingese rescued from a puppy mill. Her transformation has been so dramatic. She's an absolute princess to me!

From the time she started scampering happily across the yard, I had a shot in mind that I wanted to someday capture. There's something so happy about her run that just makes me smile! :)

I took my time before attempting the shot because I had so much expectation of how I wanted it to be. I didn't want to get the shot before I felt that it was truly going to be worth it.

This morning, my little sweetie was enjoying a calm cooler morning outdoors. I just felt that the timing might be right so I ran for my camera. It took a few attempts (trying to capture the shot while avoiding background distraction) but, as luck would have it, I captured the image that I wanted!

This image screams that she's one happy dog!! :)

I liked the B&W version too...and it's my blog so I'll share that one too. ;)

music at sunset

2010-09-08T23:22:00.005-05:00

The annual sunset symphony is one of those events that our family wants to attend but somehow every year something happens to prevent it. We have only attended the event one other time (I think). So, I was determined to stick to my hectic weekend schedule and make it to the symphony.
As the scheduled time was approaching, I started to stress. I was running late and not feeling content with that fact. Fortunately, traffic cooperated and we arrived on time! It was a gorgeous night with a bit of coolness to the air (enough to make it so comfortable).
We sat in the back due to our daughter having had such a long day. I suspected that she would not be comfortable with sitting still for long. I was SO right!!
We enjoyed the music until sometime after intermission. By that time, hunger and a squirming kid were getting the best of our enjoyment. So, we decided to leave before the finish, buy some food and watch the sun set over the river. A very beautiful end to a hectic (but wonderful) day!! :)

What I didn't mention was my preoccupation with the beautiful surroundings!
Staring at the musicians just really couldn't compete for my attention. I found my eyes and my camera wandering...

life lesson

2010-09-08T22:46:00.006-05:00

I am a huge fan of visual lessons and experiences. When I found that a traveling version of the Vietnam Memorial Wall was being displayed nearby, I started making plans to visit. It was important to me to see the wall and experience a fraction of the feeling of seeing the original. It was also important for me to share this experience with my daughter. I knew the experience would provide a powerful lesson that could not be taught using paper. My family had the privilege to visit the memorial, talk with veterans, view actual military vehicles and place a flower by the wall in memory of all those who were involved. I didn't know a person who had their name displayed on the wall but it was powerful to know that each name represented a living person who gave their life for freedom! May God Bless America!

Football Time!

2010-09-08T13:20:00.002-05:00

I haven't attended a high school football game in awhile. It was an exciting Friday night to attend a local football game and get to see my daughter on the field. No, she isn't a player...She's on the support staff and we are so proud of her!! :)
I went to the game to photograph my daughter but decided that I'd look like a total creeper to anyone who didn't know me. So, I decided to photograph some of the game as well. Even the referees weren't safe from my camera and actually ended up being one of the more interesting subjects! :)

man's best friend

2010-09-02T15:00:00.005-05:00

When my hubby and I got married, we blended our lives together...which included my cat, his cat and his dog. Over the years, I've come to affectionately refer to his dog as "Pookie" (my version of his actual name). I care about "Pookie" but it's obvious that the special bond that he has is with my hubby. It makes absolute sense because they have been together around 13 years!
Lately that Pookie's age is showing. He's started to slow down and the coverage of gray shining against his dark fur is increasing.
Last year when I lost my 'yard dog' of eight years, I had only a few weeks before taken some pictures of him. It was so comforting to be able to see his personality jumping from those images even after he was gone.
I didn't want my hubby to lose his friend without having the same comfort of having some special images. Yes, we've got snapshots....but I really wanted to showcase who Pookie really is and the things about him that we love...his goofiness, his love for my hubby and his ability to be still for only a fraction of a moment (lol)!

In the sunlight, you can see some colors flickering in the light...

..but it's in the shade where his coat goes completely dark (except for the gray) that I think he's most handsome!

the transformation begins

2010-09-01T23:06:00.004-05:00

I'm working on a HUGE overhaul of my website (and, my dear blog, you are next!). It will take awhile to get things the way that I want them but I'm excited about the new direction!

Almost every image has been removed from my site to make room for new ones. I will be deconstructing my website and rearranging things so this blog and my facebook page will be the best way to keep up with me for awhile. I'll try to keep you updated...Wish me luck! ;)

creativeLIVE wedding!

2010-08-27T23:01:00.001-05:00

I watched an absolutely wonderful wedding event today on creativeLIVE! My mind is on overload and hasn't yet processed all the information that has been freely given over the past three days. Jasmine Star is absolutely amazing!! I'm so excited to see the images that she captured!

So many !!!! but it was THAT good!!!!

Related Links:
Jasmine Star
creativeLIVE

Jasmine Star & creativeLIVE

2010-08-25T20:46:00.011-05:00

If you are a photographer and haven't signed up at creativeLIVE yet, you are really missing some wonderful FREE courses!! It's an amazing adventure in photographer education which is introducing an international audience to some of the best photographers! These photographers teach courses online via a live feed for free (or courses may be purchased for download). I can't thank the creativeLIVE team enough for undertaking such an incredible venture! I'm a HUGE fan!!!

Last month, I attended my first creativeLIVE course, Vision Driven Photography with David duChemin. He was amazingly real and shared his views on vision which reinforced many of the same things that I was feeling. His course gave me permission to let go of some of the expectations that I had been holding. It felt wonderful to free myself of those negative ideas.

This week I am learning from one of my favorite wedding photographers, Jasmine Star! I'm beyond excited about this course!

It's such a thrill to be able to sit and learn from someone that I've admired for so long! And I get to do so in the comfort of my computer desk...

Okay...so maybe my computer chair isn't the most comfortable but Jasmine is so engaging as a speaker/teacher that I don't even notice ~

I just announced that I was going to be making some changes! Jasmine's course has already assured me that I am on the right path...
Now if only I can get everything together!
(yes, here she is talking directly to me....
okay, me and the other thousands of students worldwide...)

By the way, I adore the way she talks with her hands all the time.
Seriously! It actually holds my attention better ~

The Jasmine Star course (workshop) started today and continues through August 29th. If you can't attend the live event and are a fan of Jasmine, then I'm sure that the download will be worth every penny (which, by the way, is on sale until the end of the live event...I think you save $50)!! Be sure and check it out!!

[All images are screenshots from the creativeLIVE site or broadcast.]

Related links:
creativeLIVE
David duChemin
Jasmine Star

New Direction

2010-08-25T00:16:00.003-05:00

One reason that I have never gotten a tattoo is because I could never decide on something more permanent. While I enjoy special people as permanent fixtures in my life, my philosophy on things is...ah, not so much...

That's why I've decided to make a drastic change in my website! I am excitedly making plans to completely overhaul it. Of course, the planning phase is usually more exciting than the actual making changes (which is hard work for someone who doesn't consider herself a techie...at all!).

I'm hoping to create a web presence which more reflects me as a person and a photographer. I've got a lot of ideas so maybe I'll be able to narrow down and choose the best elements to convey what I am trying to say with my photography.
I'm not rushing this process...I want to really find things that I like! So, don't expect any wonderful announcements of the finished product anytime soon. In the meantime, I'm trying to enjoy the planning phase and let the creativity flow! Wish me luck~ :)

sharing a little attitude

2010-08-19T02:15:00.001-05:00

It's amazing how much can be said with body language! I adore the individual personalities...

BetterPhoto Finalists for July

2010-08-16T23:34:00.004-05:00

For the past few months, I have revisited my roots in digital photography by returning to compete some online. I am very thrilled to have received 24 Editor's Picks and two finalists for the month of July at BetterPhoto!

From the finalist email: "Congratulations! You have placed as a finalist in this month's BetterPhoto Contest! Over 19100 photos were entered into the competition; it is an honor to have your image selected among the top 1503 finalist photos."

"college salute"

"happy Humphrey"

Special Day

2010-08-09T23:05:00.002-05:00

Today was a very special birthday...and, no, it wasn't mine!
To add to my excitement of the day, one of my very favorite images received Picture of the Day honors at PhotoShowdown!!

I've been such a bad blogger lately...Sorry!
The past two months have been an absolute whirlwind in my mind. We've had the end of the summer activities, a very ill-fated vacation (a long crazy unbelievable story of bad circumstances covering three states!) and beginning of the new school year activities (for my homeschooler and my high schooler). Needless to say, I'm looking for some peaceful quiet days lately...Those are the good days!! :)
Hope you are having LOTS of good days!!

Friendship

2010-08-06T21:37:00.000-05:00

Sneak Peek ~ SC

2010-07-19T21:35:00.002-05:00

I'm working on a session with a gorgeous teen but I just have to share one before I finish!

BetterPhoto Finalists for June

2010-07-14T20:54:00.002-05:00

My two finalists at BetterPhoto.com for the month of June! :)

"Snuggled" (people category)

"In the Dark" (people category)

Boom, Boom...Wow!

2010-07-05T17:46:00.002-05:00

Happy Independence Day, USA!! Hope everyone had a wonderful Fourth of July!

Meet Humphrey

2010-07-02T20:05:00.004-05:00

A few weeks ago, I featured an image of our rescued pekingese, Gennie. Since I didn't do a feature when we got him, it's about time that our other rescue gets his own post. :)

After the loss of my long time outdoor dog last fall, I wasn't intending to extend our dog family. However, my sister was interested in getting a new dog since her dog was getting older. After some research, we decided to visit a high-kill animal shelter to rescue an animal.

We walked through the facility looking at many pleading faces. Then we moved on to the outdoor section of the shelter. I immediately saw a scruffy (but beautiful) spitz. I literally gasped that I'd found "my dog." You see, I'd been secretly wanting a dog just like this one!

Even though I wasn't the one looking for a pet, I asked if I could meet him. The helper kindly removed him from the cage. When I bent to greet him, he curled into my lap and gave me a happy lick on the chin. He was the sweetest dog I'd ever seen!

No matter where I went in the area, he kept his eyes on me and I couldn't help but be drawn to him. Seeing the connection that had been made, my sister gave me the best birthday gift by insisting that I take him home...and paying for me to rescue him!

I was so excited filling out the adoption papers. The few days that we had to wait for them to get their surgery (my sister adopted a small dog too) seemed so long...

Words cannot describe how thankful I am that our paths crossed and my sister was so generous! I think we were meant to be together!!

Although I liked dogs, I never considered myself a 'dog person'...that is, until this dog stole my heart! Now I'm proud the proud pet parent of two very spoiled canine sweethearts! :)

beloved

2010-07-01T20:14:00.003-05:00

When I saw my calla lilies fading away, I was inspired to photograph one of them before it was gone. Looking around my living room, I saw the word "beloved" and my concept was complete. A short photo shoot and some Photoshop later, this image was born.

Sometimes creativity just has to find a way into reality...I like those times... :)

She Can

2010-06-28T12:40:00.003-05:00

My youngest daughter has had to conquer many obstacles in her life. Her first experience with public school was no exception...It was filled with negative. She was convinced that she couldn't do a lot of things. Although she is challenged with dyslexia, I adopted the attitude that she could do anything...she requires a little more creativity in her learning. :) I actually enjoy her way of thinking in a way, because it pushes me to be more creative and to strive to overcome. In her homeschooling, there is a huge amount of positive reinforcement. I know that she can!!!

One of the things that she was convinced that she couldn't do was singing and doing motions. At Vacation Bible School, they learn songs with motions. Each year, I have encouraged her, being careful not to push her. Each year, she has refused to participate because she was "scared." She had to know that she could do it before she would join in the fun.

This year was her year! She reacted in the same way as usual but, after a little encouragement, she didn't shy away this time. She got onstage and sang (complete with movements)! It was a "proud momma moment" and, thankfully, I had my camera handy to capture the event!

There's nothing at all wrong with not thinking just like everyone else. The problems arise when others can't see that.
Because we embrace and enjoy the differences, we are the ones who are rewarded!!

the details

2010-06-26T15:10:00.004-05:00

I LOVE photographing weddings! And one of my favorite things about weddings/receptions are all the little details! It can be all the little details that tell the real personal story of the couple. Some brides have spent months planning every little detail. They become such a big part of the special day.

The wedding and reception of the Pixel Chicks' own Cindy Harter Sims! was no exception. The details were GORGEOUS!!!

the peacock bouquet...here it lies on the cake table

beautiful lights twinkling around the area as the sunlight faded

Congratulations, Robert and Cindy!!!

Unavailable

2010-06-18T07:03:00.002-05:00

My internet access will be limited for at least the next several days so that I can share some special times with friends and family. Please do not expect a response to any correspondence until after Wednesday.

a heron resting at sunset

Meet Gennie

2010-06-16T12:11:00.003-05:00

My BetterPhoto Finalist (for May2010) in the Animal category is "Gennie." Gennie has a very special story to go along with her that I've been wanting to share. A finalist is a great reason to share!

Late one night, a dog was delivered to me in a pet taxi. I was informed before her arrival that she was a puppy mill rescue and wasn't in the best of shape. When she arrived, I have to admit that I gasped when I saw her. She was so skinny that her hips looked like they would break away from the rest of her body. She was dirty. She was not socialized (barked/growled). She was frightened. She wasn't potty trained at all. She had the most horrible order which took months to fully defeat. Basically, she was in horrible shape both physically and mentally.
However, I saw something about her that told me that I couldn't give up on her so easily. She had a past that was horrifying but I could see something very sweet beyond that tough and sad exterior.
We welcomed her into our home with open arms and she began to bond with me. We started with trying to clean her up and get her at a more health weight. There was also leash-training, potty-training and breaking her from wanting to spend time confined to a crate. I started to see the potential that she had within her almost immediately. A positive vet visit gave us the assurance that we needed to fully include her as a permanent member of our family.
Over the past few months, she has continued to show improvements. As with all puppy mill rescues, she is a special case. She's a work-in-progress but I'm so happy with her!
I didn't know if I wanted another dog in our family but she quickly showed me that I did! This sweet pekingese (and puppy mill survivor!) is very much loved by her new family!! :)

"Gennie"

BetterPhoto Finalists for May

2010-06-14T18:43:00.003-05:00

Recently, I decided to make some entries in the BetterPhoto contest. There's just something like home about entering at BetterPhoto since it is the place where I first started sharing my images.

The May finalists/winner were announced last week. ("Over 18100 photos were entered into the competition; it is an honor to have your image selected among the top 1105 finalist photos.") Three of my images received finalist honors. This post features the two finalist images in the People category.

"Looking Through You"

"Baby in a Basket"

**My third finalist image has a special story to go along with it so I'll save that for another post.**

Total Cuteness

2010-05-22T15:36:00.001-05:00

I couldn't wait to share this image. I knew as soon as I downloaded the images to my computer that this image would be one of the first to be edited.

After the Storms

2010-05-03T22:21:00.002-05:00

This weekend was filled with one dangerous thunderstorm after another. It was such a wonderful feeling to see the sun shine again!

A Glimpse of The Past

2010-05-02T21:42:00.004-05:00

After the anniversary events at a local military park, a few of the tents and equipment remained in place. I found something so fitting about the unmanned tents and the uniforms hung with no owner...as if they were frozen in time.

Little Sister

2010-04-26T22:47:00.002-05:00

When I say this one is camera-shy, I really mean it! She's turned dodging the camera into an art form. But for some odd reason, she cooperated for a few images (even one with that "supermodel attitude").
What can I say?...Momma is proud of these images!!!

Winter Session #2 (part 1)

2010-04-24T19:37:00.002-05:00

I was lovin' this location! Of course, it helps when you have a gorgeous subject in front of your camera who can absolutely ROCK a great location!!! :)

Coming soon...Her camera-shy little sister!

Prom Night

2010-04-21T12:28:00.005-05:00

Prom night is a special night! Here are some images of some special people from prom night!

"No happy time is really gone if it leaves a special memory." ~Unknown

Winter Session #1

2010-04-16T20:16:00.005-05:00

My poor neglected blog! I have so much to share!

During my "winter hibernation" this year, I had two wonderful sessions with one of my favorite models. What can I say? She ROCKS! :)

Springtime Beauty

2010-04-01T21:31:00.007-06:00

It's not much of a secret that I'm not a huge fan of cold weather. I'm sort of like a bear and like to hibernate during the colder months (which I like to call my "winter break"). After my winter break, it's always a huge thrill to get back outside shooting in some warmer weather!! Yay for Spring!!! :)
Springtime brings unpredictable weather. This day offered a few challenges but at least there was no rain. The sun was beaming down. The wind was intent on being noticed.Fortunately, I had two beautiful models who were willing to cooperate even with the bright sun and frequent winds. I was so happy that they were so willing to spend their afternoon in front of my camera. With all the wind, I took the extra time to make sure that I got the shot but they continued smiling the whole time! It's people like that who make what I do so much fun!!

I've known this young lady since preschool and she's always been such a beauty. It was my pleasure to be able to photograph her again.

Working the windblown look :)

The wind LOVED her...every time she got in front of the camera the wind started blowing!
Luckily, she was very patient...

She has a wonderful serious look but...Yes, she has a pretty smile too!

Busy break

2010-01-14T00:34:00.006-06:00

Being on winter break sounds like I'm not doing much, but it's actually quite the opposite...especially this year.

One of the most fun things that I've done is attending the Imaging USA convention earlier this week. It was so cool! (I'll post more about that later...)

My biggest winter project is the new blog that I'm working on. I still plan to use this blog, but my new one will be an addition. The new blog is going to be a way for me to showcase more of my wildlife photography.
I realized that there were so many wildlife images that I really wanted to share. Since this blog is dedicated more to portraits and randomness, I felt that somewhere else would be a more appropriate way to share and would allow me to share more than just the occasional image.
I've been working hard...sorting through images, choosing/editing the best images to tell the story and posting the images (complete with backdating so that they will appear on the date that they were taken). I knew that it would be a huge undertaking when I decided to do it.
Wildlife photography has become such a natural expression of who I am that it seemed only right to add this new extension to my blogging. :) If you wanna catch a sneak peek, it's located at www.waitingoneaglewings.blogspot.com.

Here are a couple of images from my newest addition, Waiting on Eagle Wings!

Welcome to 2010!

2010-01-03T00:11:00.004-06:00

It's a new year! For me that means a time of reflection on the past year and a time of resolution to improve things in the new year. My new year resolutions are more a list of goals to accomplish. It's like the beginning of a challenge.

During the Christmas season, I saw the word "believe" used over and over. Although I'm not a person to like something just because it's popular, the word meant something to me, which I'm fairly certain had nothing to do with the originator of it as this year's Christmas catch-phrase. When I think of the word, it empowers something special inside me. It gives me visions of strength, power, honesty, self-expression...

One of this year's goals for me is....Believe!

POTD ~ PhotoShowdown & Thank Yous

2009-12-21T21:42:00.003-06:00

I got a surprise this morning with one of my images being chosen as Picture of the Day at Photoshowdown.com!

"Sunny Disposition?"

Although I rarely compete online anymore, every time one of my images gets chosen, it reminds me of the start in my journey to become a 'real' photographer. I remember a time when I had such a huge journey in front of me but so much hope to fuel my dreams!
I love the feeling of being inspired to chase my dreams!!

As 2009 comes to a close and I look forward to 2010, I'm excited to continue that pursuit of my dream and I'm extremely thankful for the immense awards/rewards that my dreams have given me so far. As I look around me, I feel surrounded by so much success on a personal (photography related) level this year.

A special Thanks to "my Chicks" for their continual support and friendship!
Without y'all, my journey wouldn't have near as much fulfillment/success and it absolutely would not be as much fun!

A very special Thank You to my family for putting up with this dreamer!
I love y'all so much!! :)

Wonder

2009-12-17T01:01:00.007-06:00

There's not much more hope-inspiring than the wonderment of a child.

What a little angel! :)

Traditional

2009-12-15T21:08:00.004-06:00

I've been a slacker at updating here. What can I say?...My timetable is all messed up right now. We're getting things ready here to begin winter break and share some special family time! :)

I did want to be sure and share this image which represented a very special part of this session.
In order to honor the Japanese part of her heritage, this very pretty senior brought a garment known as a yukata. I enjoyed both photographing her in the yukata and learning more about this beautiful part of the culture.

(This image was shot in full sun and processed using a softer method to give it an almost painted look. Unfortunately, some of the vibrant coloring is washed out in the blog version.)

Happy Anniversary!

2009-12-02T09:07:00.007-06:00

To someone very special! ;)

Family Time

2009-11-28T21:05:00.003-06:00

I'm very thankful for the time I have gotten to spend with family (and a few special friends) the past few days. Family is so important to me!

While doing some editing today, this image just really stood out in my eyes as such a sweet family moment! It's a joy to be able to spend some time capturing a few special moments with a beautiful family.

Sneak Peek ~ Anna

2009-11-20T23:36:00.009-06:00

While editing Anna's images, I can't help but think back to the shy cute little girl that I met one day. Now she's a beautiful intelligent young lady! I don't know who gave her permission to grow up so quickly, but I'm betting that it wasn't her mother's idea.

Here are just a couple of my favorites...

I wish you all the best in the rest of your senior year, Anna! :)

On His Way

2009-11-17T23:58:00.011-06:00

I met Daniel years ago. (We both have birthdays in a few weeks...so we neither one will be talking about how many years it's been since we met.)

Daniel has started his journey to becoming a 'real' actor. I say "real actor" because he's very talented and been acting for a long time. I've had the pleasure of sharing the theatrical stage with him many times. He's a wonderful actor and a wonderful friend...not to mention a real fun person to be around.

Best wishes on your journey, Daniel...And don't forget us 'little people!' ;)

Big smiles!
Softer smiles...

His more serious side...

A b&w just because I like it...This look is so Daniel!

Some people in life you have as friends...Others it is truly a pleasure to call friend.

Sneak Peek ~ SC

2009-11-11T21:28:00.007-06:00

This session was so much fun! Not only is this a beautiful senior, but she loves to laugh. She was so absolutely wonderful to photograph. She could strike a pose no matter what...including while fighting off several different types of "critters" and curious looks of those passing by us.
We were blessed with gorgeous weather and some amazing light! We shot in full sun, shade, backlight, reflected, blazing sunset...I was taking fun advantage of all the different light. FUN!

Here's your sneak peek, SC...Hope you enjoy it! :)

Happiness

2009-11-06T20:50:00.002-06:00

Hoping this happy little birdie finds you with a smile on your face. :)

no sessions and a bit of fall

2009-11-05T18:57:00.006-06:00

One of my daughters and I took off one day this week to enjoy a beautiful fall day. The leaves were so pretty with the warm sun falling on them.

Important Announcement: I am no longer available for 2009 sessions!
(Only current inquiries will be considered.)

Last sessions of 2009

2009-10-28T13:56:00.008-06:00

I will no longer be available for sessions after November 21, 2009. After that time, I plan to take a break and enjoy the holiday season with my family.

I am currently cleaning out my files.
Reminder: Archived images are held for only a limited amount of time. If you are interested in receiving any older images (over six months old), please make your request before November 21.

BetterPhoto Finalist ~ September

2009-10-24T20:57:00.003-05:00

I was so excited to receive a finalist notification from BetterPhoto this week! Out of over 19000 entries, only 764 images were selected as finalists. My image (Teen 'Tude) was chosen as a finalist in the people category.

Sunset

2009-10-21T23:24:00.006-05:00

Recently, I went to photograph the sunset on the spur of the moment. I got there just in time to see the rays of the sun sparkling from behind a group of trees.

Then it quickly disappeared...
leaving the scene in quiet stillness...

An Ode to Brigher Days

2009-10-16T23:52:00.005-05:00

Dear Beautiful Bright Sunny Warm Days,
I miss you...

Rain has taken over lately along with Coldness. They cover the outside with their wetness, mud and chilling winds.
However, my heart can't help but be warmed when I think of the beautiful days we shared this spring and summer. I anxiously await your return. :)

Seeing Green

2009-09-24T21:58:00.004-05:00

We arrived home Sunday afternoon to find an adorable little tree frog resting on our house. It was a rather small one...and absolutely adorable.

(For those who do not know, I have a special connection with green tree frogs...some of my first "competition worthy" images were of my pet tree frogs.)

Of course, I ran for my camera. The stems of the elephant ear plant made a fitting background. Unfortunately, the weather was just not cooperating. (As I was taking these pictures, the sky darkened and it became stormy...again!!) Fortunately, my "model" was very cooperative and seemed to be enjoying all the attention. By the time I finished shooting, this little one was so friendly that it jumped on my leg...probably to get a closer look at me!

Yay for Fall!

2009-09-17T15:42:00.005-05:00

I've always considered spring as my favorite season. I enjoy it so much when the world seems to wake up from the long sleep of winter.

But this year I'm SO excited for FALL!! The crispness of the air, the fallen leaves, the beautiful colors...I'm looking forward to it all!

In looking forward to fall, here's a look back at some fall images.

Hopefully, this year will be filled with many fun fall images as well! :)

Location, Location

2009-09-15T00:37:00.003-05:00

New locations are always so much fun to me...especially when they are as fun as these. And it never hurts to have such a beautiful model!

rocker photographer

2009-09-14T12:37:00.005-05:00

The Friday night Darryl Worley's River Run concert featured classic rock band Night Ranger. I remembered them best for the song "Sister Christian."
Although I missed all of the other bands and part of Night Ranger, I did take a break from my volunteering duties to catch a little of the Night Ranger set. They did a wonderful job rockin' the stage 80s style!! It was so much fun to relive the days of loud guitars, tight jeans, big hair, lyrics that didn't have to be continually *bleeped* and tough rock! Rock on!!

My prayer...

2009-09-11T16:16:00.001-05:00

Remembering September 11...

Hard Lesson

2009-09-04T17:39:00.005-05:00

Ever since I was little, I've had a strong attachment to animals. One of my big goals when I got to be adult was to have an indoor animal. Yes, I had bigger goals that that...but having animals was a "heart goal" of mine.

When I bought my first house, I decided to get a dog to "protect" the outdoors. When I attended a local festival, I saw this adorable little male husky-mix puppy at a rescue shelter booth. Without clearing it with my hubby (oops...my tender heart took over...), I signed the paperwork and brought home the sweet little puppy that I named Phoenix. Phoenix was a wonderful guard dog. If every dog in the neighborhood was barking, I knew it was nothing to be concerned about until I heard Phoenix bark. Loving and loyal are only a few words to describe his personality.

This picture was taken about five weeks ago...
Notice the movement of his tail wagging. :)

Today, I awoke to find my furry friend could no longer protect me. Apparently, sometime during the early morning, he had lost his grip on life.

With his body covered (to hide the very unpleasantness of the scene), my youngest daughter said her goodbyes (as she requested to do when she heard the sad news). After his burial, she wrote his name in crayon on a cement block and gently placed a yellow flower on the mound of dirt while bidding him another farewell.

I've been a Sunday school teacher, a high school teacher and a preschool teacher. However, there are some lessons that must be learned in life that are so difficult to teach as well as learn. This was one of those many hard lessons of life...

Deep Thoughts

2009-09-01T15:48:00.008-05:00

If you are looking for personal satisfaction in others...

You'll never find it.

You must look deep inside yourself...

To find your real vision...

And set yourself free...

to chase your dreams!

Doggie's first vacation day

2009-08-27T13:42:00.003-05:00

I'm not sure when it happened...but I could tell it was coming from the moment I looked at her and she did that cute head-to-the-side tilt. It was only a matter of time...

I've owned dogs, but I'm a cat person. To me, dogs have been cute security systems.
Last year, I started to consider an indoor "security system" (something I've never had!). Not thrilled at the prospect of having a small 'yippie' dog sharing our house, my hubby was relieved to find out that I was open to a larger dog. Then when he found a chocolate lab puppy being given away (my hubby's favorite breed and my favorite color of that breed), it just seemed to be a fit.

This is where a 2 1/2 month old chocolate lab puppy we named Delilah entered our lives. Training has been hectic. Thank goodness for Cesar Millan! (I needed a more balanced energy!)
Our lives have certainly changed. Dogs cause limitations that cats just don't cause. Visits from our family members decreased in fear of our fast-growing companion. Potty walks in the cold are not fun! I've never been one to exercise much...now there is Delilah's daily walk.

Then came the vacation day that could include the dog! As a trial, we took her with us on a day-trip. It was not too bad.
When I was growing up the ideal family was said to have 2.5 kids. I call Delilah my .5 kid! ;)

Here's her portrait from our vacation trip earlier in the summer.
I was so excited that this one turned out as I had envisioned it! :)

Yep, it's over now. I admit it. I'm a proud doggie parent! :)

If you think I'm behind on my blogging...

2009-08-19T23:22:00.004-05:00

...Then you should see my editing!

You think I'm kidding? I have images waiting for my attention which were taken in October 2008. OK...So October 2008 is one of the worse cases but I have probably thousands of images taken since spring which have hardly been looked at since being uploaded.

What happened? In a word, Life.
I spent months enjoying photographing eagles as an almost daily routine. During and after the eagle adventures, I was photographing and acting in the Dreamweavers' theatrical production of "Annie Warbucks." There was also my kindergarten graduate, home schooling, driving lessons, new pets, mini-vacations, birthdays, the "Pirates" shows and backyard birds. My personal collection of unedited images just kept growing.
I had no idea the extent of my neglect until I decided to sort and remove some older images from my computer this week. I probably have thousands of images just waiting. No joke.
And think of all that printing that I've been avoiding with all that editing...Yikes!!!

Hmmm....
Now I think I understand why that, when I was growing up, the house was full of needed repairs even though the repairman lived with us! ;)

Here's a beautiful sunset from back in April.
(I didn't find that I had shared this one before.)

Always Be My Baby

2009-08-09T21:49:00.007-05:00

...Although she'd probably rather me not tell that!

Happy 16th Birthday, my Baby!!! :)

Pirates on the River: Part II

2009-08-04T23:07:00.003-05:00

One more "Titanic" pose (from the second performance)...

young love!

Pirates on the River

2009-08-01T11:58:00.005-05:00

When I first started acting in high school, I couldn't have imagined the years of joy that I would have being a part of various theater groups. In fact, it would be a hard decision to decide which hobby (acting or photography) that I'm most passionate about. Fortunately for me, I have the ability to combine both my hobbies and enjoy them at the same time! :)

Here's some of my fellow cast members getting into character

I loved this "Titanic" pose...It really captured for me what a feeling of freedom the boat ride is.

By the way, Congrats on your engagement J & K!!! :)

Celebrating July 4th

2009-07-09T01:30:00.006-05:00

Last year, my hubby and I were away from home on Independence Day and almost missed getting to see a fireworks show. This year I was determined to see (and, of course, photograph) some fireworks.
We made plans. We arrived to the location hours before the show in order to get a good spot....and found an excellent spot! We had snacks for the wait and lawn chairs for comfort. The weather wasn't as hot as it had been...so that was a good thing. I had two cameras poised to capture all the lights. It seemed as if everything was falling into place.
Then as they were getting ready to start the fireworks, I felt it...a drop of rain! I quickly took the camera off the tripod and put it away. The sprinkles of rain would make using two cameras too much trouble. So, I opted to just handhold one. That was disappointing because I had been hoping to get some long-exposure images. :(
As the fireworks began, so did the rain! Again, I was forced to adjust. The distance and my desire NOT to use my better camera and lens in the rain forced me to grab for the older camera and wide-angle lens. Still, I wasn't about to let this dampen my spirits. I adjusted my settings as quickly as possible and started shooting at the slowest speed that I felt comfortable using. Pointing toward the sky to capture the beauty, I was capturing rain drops on my lens too. Shifting my brain in gear, I remembered having my daughter remove her socks when we arrived since they were totally unnecessary with her shoes...Thank goodness, they hadn't had time to get dirty!
For the next approximately 20 minutes, I tried to brace myself and snap the shutter while protecting my equipment as much as I could from the rain and struggling to keep the raindrops wiped from my lens. It was so much FUN!! (OK...except for the worrying about my equipment part...that was stressful...)

Here are some of the images that I captured to add to the family scrapbook. :)

*you can see the lights of the bridge to the left in the following image*

*in the upper right of this image you can see the lightening of the sky due to lightning*

*At the end of the show, the sky was filled with brightness!
You can even view the smoke rising from the barge, where the fireworks were being shot.*

I hope your day was filled with happiness too! :)

Yikes!

2009-06-30T01:05:00.003-05:00

For as long as I can remember, I've been terrified of snakes. Although I have been reluctant, I have had many experiences to view snakes that my hubby has captured to teach me about different species (Isn't that romantic!?! HaHa!). My desire for the knowledge slightly outweighed my fears during those times...and I mean slightly.

I had always imagined that I would be frozen in fear if I ever encountered a snake in the wild...especially if my hubby wasn't around. Recently, I had the opportunity to test that theory.
What happened?
Being true to my photographer nature, instead of running away from the snake, I ran for my camera. My fear couldn't overrule my need to document the moment...lol!
I think my brain must have taken a vacation with me behind the 'protection' of my camera. ;)

confronting my fear...

My poor neglected blog

2009-06-27T15:44:00.003-05:00

Dear Blog ~ I'm so sorry that I haven't been spending any time with you lately. ~sb

I've had so many spring 'projects' going on that I haven't been sharing much here. The bad news is that I still have such a long 'to do' list. It just keeps on growing...

The good news is that I have taken the time to stop and appreciate some things around me along the way. I am so blessed!

For now...here's one image from one of my pauses to simply enjoy life...

Website change

2009-06-17T12:16:00.003-05:00

I wanted to make a note that (for now) my website address will just be www.sherryboles.smugmug.com instead of www.sherryboles.com. I'm working on simplifying some things but it seems like you always have to make a big mess of things in order to get things right...or maybe that's just me... :)

Beautiful Pose

2009-06-05T23:38:00.003-05:00

My Friday night visit to the nest was a special one. I got to see one of the young eaglets fly back to the nest! :)
I've seen it AT the nest tree since its first flight but haven't ever seen on of the babies IN flight. It was a wonderful sight!

Another wonderful sight is viewing how majestic these young ones have already become. Only a few months ago the were unattractive with their seemingly over-sized beaks being their dominant feature. Now they are so beautiful! It has been such a thrill for me to both view and document (through photographs) their transformation!

~beautiful reluctant one~

One of the eaglets is reluctant to fly away. It flies in the nest tree but doesn't want to leave. (It must have had a bad "first flight" experience.) However, this beauty already knows how to pose!

Empty Nests :(

2009-05-31T00:03:00.005-05:00

This week has been filled with loss...in the "nature" sense of the word.

*I noticed two robin nests had been knocked out of the trees in a storm. The little robin, who I had saved from a cat earlier, was gone.

*A check of our bluebird nest revealed that our five baby birds were gone.

*We released a "rescued" bullfrog so we had to say goodbye.

*Then today I went to the eagle nest (where I've been spending all my free time for the past few months) only to find out that one of the eaglets was missing. :(

Fortunately, I did get at least one more visit with the remaining eaglet...and I discovered a robin couple building a new nest in another of our trees.
The cycle of nature goes on...

Wild World

2009-05-18T01:17:00.006-05:00

I'm always on the lookout for animals when I have my camera handy. Here are several that I've seen in the past few weeks. :)

Although the picture quality isn't great, I had to include this one.
While most of these animals brought smiles to my face, I do have to admit that I was somewhat uncomfortable when two coyotes appeared from out of the woods...with me sitting...alone...in the rain...waiting for my family to return.

Changing Perception

2009-05-15T22:50:00.005-05:00

One of the creative things I enjoy in photography is the way you can change perception based on an angle or a setting. It can be all about how you want things to be seen. It's fun for me to find different ways to view a scene.

Here's my Friday night experiment. :)

This image shows the scene like my eye viewed it...

With a simple setting adjustment, the cannons and sky darkened for a more nighttime look...

Finally, I decided to focus on some smaller things (the weeds in the foreground)...

All three of these images were made within minutes of each other. However, each one looks very different with a few simple camera adjustments.

window light and grain

2009-05-11T14:31:00.005-05:00

Some of the most rewarding photographs I ever capture are not in any way technical masterpieces.

Anyone who has spent any time on the popular online social networks should be able to attest to the fact that the photography that is "social network worthy/popular" is not usually examples of the best of photography. However, there must be something about it that appeals to many people.
Perhaps it's that it's not trying to be perfect. The emotion does not require perfection. The message is conveyed without perfection.

When I was asked to photograph these "just for [online]," I decided to have some fun. I pulled out my first DSLR (which I knew didn't have the noise reduction abilities of the newer models), used the first available window, chose high ISO, set my aperture to capture the most light available (f/1.8 - 2.8 the entire time I think) and started shooting.
It was like my version of "going old school" with my DSLR.
I had fun NOT trying to be perfect...but trying to just be creative. ;)

Here are some of the results...

Happy Birthday!!

2009-05-10T00:02:00.003-05:00

Today is a very special day...my youngest daughter's birthday!
She's my "camera dodger" but I was able to sneak a snapshot a few weeks ago. So, here's one for the birthday girl. :)

My little cutie...wild hair and all.

Celebrating 90!

2009-05-09T14:39:00.003-05:00

Today was a special day for my family. My Granny turned 90 years old this week...so today we celebrated my Granny! She's such a beautiful person...both on the inside and on the outside. :)

Congrats x2!

2009-05-03T20:22:00.003-05:00

I want to send my congrats to two very special girls! :)

Congratulations on your pageant, B!!!

Congrats on your vocational award, K!!!

Critter Cuteness

2009-05-01T15:01:00.005-05:00

Squirrels hold a special place in my heart (ever since I hand-raised an orphaned baby squirrel).
While on an outing with my camera recently, I was distracted from my initial purpose by this little fellow enjoying his meal. The sun was setting and the light was quickly fading so I turned my attention to capturing a few shots of this cute one.

While I watched him, he curiously watched me. I very much enjoyed admiring the beauty and connection of the moment.
I had to smile. :)

Catch of the Day

2009-04-23T21:52:00.000-05:00

My hubby joked that he wanted me to "catch (meaning photograph) a huge catfish."
Of course, he was assuming that would be with a bird attached...

This past weekend, the eagle came flying in with a big catfish. After lulling the photographers with a straight path, it made a sudden move upward. I captured only the fish at that instant. (Thankfully, I did capture the bird with the fish in other images.)

When I looked back on my images, I got the biggest laugh...especially when I found out that another photographer had captured an virtually identical image. I had to work this one into something artistic to celebrate the moment of laughter.

I guess the moral of this post is that happiness isn't always perfect! ;)

I hope your Friday is filled with happiness and laughter!

Beyond My Dreams

2009-04-18T15:32:00.006-05:00

The past couple of weeks I have had the opportunity to live something beyond what I had dreams of seeing.
Eagles are such amazing birds. They soar through the skies with such grace and beauty.
I had never considered the opportunity to be in the presence of such wonderful creatures seriously. It was certainly beyond my dreams to think of capturing eagles in flight. However, I've been working to achieve just that. It has been an amazing experience, which I absolutely treasure!

On the Way Home

2009-04-14T18:41:00.002-05:00

I was headed home when I noticed a heron fishing in a watering hole for cattle. I turned the car around and returned to the sight as the heron took flight. :)

In the Stillness

2009-04-14T00:09:00.006-05:00

In a quiet place, under a simple tree, are the remnants of a war fought long ago. These symbols of the past silenced and memorialized as a reminder of battle.

Pieces of the past...
a message to all who will hear...

Shooting for the fun of it!

2009-04-10T00:23:00.004-05:00

I was thrilled recently to be a part of a 7 day photo frenzy on Facebook. (Photographer Jessica Hughes organized this wonderful activity.)
I really enjoyed seeing all the individual interpretations of the daily themes. Although I wasn't able to capture an image for every theme, it was fun to test my creativity on the days I could participate.
Here are a few of my entries...

theme: love
(a love frame on concrete using sunlight to create the shadow...
color altered and texture added)

theme: still life
(a rose on the keys of my very old piano...
shot using bounced flash)

theme: temptation
(yum...caramel!...
natural light combined with a dark background used)

Nature Appreciation

2009-04-07T18:32:00.005-05:00

Sunday afternoon, my family and I took a drive. The weather ended up getting stormy and offered some wonderful opportunities to appreciate the beauty of nature.

The stormy skies

Some very pretty dogwood blooms

The sun blazing through a tree...(the opposite view of the stormy skies)

And, of course, the sunset :)

Just beautiful

2009-04-05T23:02:00.002-05:00

I had a beautiful day...

...I hope you did too... :)

BP Finalists ~ February

2009-04-02T23:46:00.003-06:00

Congratulations! You have placed as a finalist in this month's BetterPhoto Contest! Over 19800 photos were entered into the competition; it is an honor to have your image selected among the top 473 finalist photos.

This is part of the message that greeted me in my inbox recently.
The competition is becoming increasingly difficult at BetterPhoto and I don't do competition images as often as I have in the past. So, that makes any recognition that I get there something exciting. I really liked this image which makes it all the more special! :)

~ Peace ~
(People category)

***
My poor blog has been getting neglected lately with all the illness that we've had at my house over the past couple of months.
I've actually got some images selected to feature on here if I can just focus my brain long enough to feature them! Hopefully, I'll post again very soon. :)

The Unknown

2009-03-22T19:42:00.004-06:00

Today my family took a Sunday afternoon drive. I grabbed my camera on the way out the door not knowing what I would see. We saw turkeys, birds, deer and other wildlife. Although I usually very much enjoy shooting wildlife images, for some reason I was feeling uninspired.

Then we made one last stop before leaving the park area. I happened to look up as I headed back to the car and saw beauty in this scenery. The sun was going down. The green grass was beautiful. The trees blended together to appear as one. The layers of the grass, the treeline in the background, the limbs against the sky...All of it combined to really appeal to me.

I didn't know what I would find today. I had no idea what to expect. But I found beauty in a simple scene. What a wonderful feeling!

Sometimes the unknown can provide the greatest satisfaction.

100 New Items

2009-03-21T23:50:00.004-06:00

That's what my blog notifier said today. Yep, 100 new items. That's how behind I was on my marked blog reading.
I have spent the past month living like a hermit hiding away from everyone including the internet. The sickness bug moved in on our family and didn't want to leave. I went to so many doctor visits that I think my doctor was getting sick of seeing me! (I literally had to visit for four appointments in one week!)
Maybe things will be better now.

Oh...and while I was sick, it snowed! It snowed and I didn't even get to go outside and play. :(
Well, at least my youngest daughter got to make a snowman that we all could see from the front door.

Since I've been so sick, my camera has been neglected.

Here's a snapshot of my little girl working on the snowman :)

I hope things are well with you! :)