It’s time for a new beginning.

I will no longer update this blog.

No worries – you can find me over at my new blog, The Sweet Light.  I sincerely hope that you’ll join me.

France is definitely on my list of places to visit.  My father’s first language is French, so I definitely feel a connection.  One day, my camera and I will make the journey….

What I loved this week:

• I adore the format of Mary’s new blog.  Such beautiful images and words.
• I think that I am going to have to try this recipe!
• Trying out my new lensbaby – I’m still getting used to it, and definitely need more practice.
• Being able to spend so much time with my girls.  Truly, they are only this age once, and I am trying to savor each and every moment.

Have a great weekend!

vintage buttons

And even more shop updates coming soon!

“Music expresses feeling and thought, without language; it was below and before speech, and it is above and beyond all words.”

~Robert G. Ingersoll

This past week was a pretty difficult one for me . I am relieved that it is finally coming to a close!

What I loved this week ~

• Realizing that there are few problems that are as big as they seem.
• So happy that my lensbaby arrived.  This recent post from Georgianna has really inspired me.  After we exchanged a couple of emails, I can’t wait to experiment! Thanks, G.
• I celebrated 500 fans on Facebook! Congrats to Maria for winning the print!  It was my first ever giveaway on Facebook, and I don’t think it will be my last.
• Loving the new Anthology magazine – have you discovered it yet?

What did you come across this week that you loved?  Please do share.

This weekend, I couldn’t help but bring some of the autumn goodness inside.  I love my warm sweaters, warm tea, and warm colors of this season!

“Start writing a new chapter, for if you live by the book, you’ll never make history.”

~ Ben Sobel

And finally, the last installment of Q&A……

Q: What is your favorite software when editing your images?

For post processing, I use Lightroom and Photoshop CS4.

Q: How do you post process your images?

I get this question ALOT!  I’ll start by saying that when I sit down to post process images, I almost never use the same recipe twice (unless I am editing a batch of images from a shoot – in which case, I try to give them all the same look and feel).  It all depends on my feelings and mood.

I’ll start with my camera – I shoot in RAW, and I like to slightly overexpose my images.  I use Lightroom to import and organize my images, and this is also where I make my first adjustments.  I crop and straighten in Lightroom and adjust exposure, saturation, and contrast.  I almost always decrease contrast because I prefer a soft, older  feel to my images, as opposed to a sharp, precise look and feel.

I finish editing in Photoshop.  Here is where my magic takes place (or so I like to think!).  Here is where I put my finishing touches – I like to adjust midtones, apply grain, use textures and filters – really anything that distresses my images and adjusts my tones.  Finally, I apply my watermark, which I don’t like to do, but with all of the unauthorized uses of my images, I feel that I have to.

I have been thinking about creating my own set of actions that captures my process.  Would that be something that you would be interested in?

Q: I’m inspired that you are a self taught photographer. Do you have any tips for someone just starting out?

My main advice would be to photograph, photograph, and just when you are tired, photograph some more.  Keep your camera with you at all times.  Invest in your craft, and by that, I don’t mean financially.  Invest time in learning your camera and lens, how to use it and what works best for you.  Invest time in learning your post editing tools.  Experiment with different mediums, film and digital.  Last year, I completed a photo-a-day challenge that really impacted my photography.  I wrote 15 tips for a daily photo project that may be of interest to you.

Finally, be true to yourself and it will appear in your work.

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I’ve enjoyed this Q&A time with you all!  I’ll be sure to do it again soon!

November is upon us!  This time of year seems to fly by – the holidays are just around the corner.  I am loving the cooler weather – soaking in the sweet colors of the season…..

Last week, I mentioned that I would host a Q&A Session.  Thanks for all of your kind words and sweet emails!  Here are the first batch….

Q: What is your favorite lens?  Which one do you use the most?

My favorites are definitely prime lenses. The majority of the time, you can find either my Sigma 30mm f /1.4 or Nikon 50mm f/1.8 on my camera.  I probably use my Sigma 30mm lens the most – simply because it is sharp, performs beautifully in low light, and I love the bokeh that it produces.

Q: Where do you find your inspiration?

For me, inspiration comes when I least expect it.  I am drawn to things, people, and places from the past.  I honestly feel that I have an old soul.  Light, natural light, always captures my eye.  If I hear a song the evokes a memory, I try to capture the essence of that song with my camera.   I have a small notebook where I capture all of my ideas so that I won’t forget.

Q: What makes you want to pick up your camera?

Photography for me is essential to my being.  I love being able to capture a moment in time – to share my view of the world.  But like all good things, there are times when I have to put my camera down and recharge my soul, my creative spirit.  Not for long, though!  And of course, having two beautiful daughters inspires me to pick up my camera almost daily!

Thanks so much for your questions!  More later this week…..

• Realizing that we make some problems in our lives out to be larger than they really are.  Most times, the answer is staring us right in the face.
• My 2011 Calendar being featured by Holly on Decor8 blog!
• I discovered Kelly’s blog, Enjoying the Small Things.  I was literally in tears after reading her post on the birth of her 2nd daughter, Nella.  Kelly learned upon her birth that Nella had Down Syndrome.  Not only are her images moving, her writing is so candid and honest.  Love.
• And finally, next week I’d love to have a little Q&A session right here on the blog.  Send any questions you might have for me over the weekend and I’ll answer them next week.   I think this would be an excellent opportunity to open up discussion!  Photography questions, life questions, mommy questions…. You can use the contact form on my blog (click “Say Hello”), send me an email, or leave a comment.  Sound like fun?

As always, thanks so much for visiting – all of your comments and emails are truly appreciated!

Have a wonderful weekend.

And yes – I did indeed eat this cupcake!

Tutus, ballerinas, and all things pink ♥