:-O (does that relay my freaking out?)

I'm happy to report that I have a "job" photographing a wedding in August, but it's for a friend and for minimal money--I told him they could pay me whatever they see fit. When he asked me in January I was elated, but the closer we get to the actual task, the more I'm freaking out. I have no clue what I've gotten myself into.

The good thing is that they aren't actually expecting a "professional" job, they were just hoping for someone to take pictures during the ceremony (it's a second marriage for both--very low key). Unfortunately, that will be a real challenge, as the church is dark, dark, dark. The ceiling is dark wood. The floors are dark wood. The pews are dark wood. The walls are dark wood, but only the bottom five feet or so, and above that the walls are white plaster. That actually makes things even harder. The lighting for this is going to be a real problem. I've already gone to the church to take some test shots, and it's a good thing, because the first batch were a nightmare.

Of course, I want to give them a great set of shots, something that would hopefully be good enough to show in a portfolio. At the very least I'm hoping I don't leave them with a crappy set of pics. Oy.

Camera club entry...

I've titled this one, Can I Hold Your Hand?, because it looks (I hope) kind of spooky. Tonight's theme is churches and cemeteries, and I didn't have anything to enter until this weekend, when I ran around town frantically taking pics. I'm not in love with any of my entries, but I think this one would make a nice Halloween party invitation.

Photography show reception...

The reception took place on Saturday, and I'm rather pleased with it. We had a decent turnout, I'm guessing 50-60 people, maybe even more, since it's hard to know with people coming and going during two hours.

Out of the probably 70 people I invited, three showed up. This was both exciting and disappointing. Exciting because I realize an art show is not everyone's cup of tea, so to have anyone show up was a really big deal. Disappointing because the people who promised to come forgot about it. Oh well. At least my Sunday school friends, the Coles, came, as did my neighbor/personal trainer, Amy. That meant SO much to me.

I got lots of thanks from club members, some of which really raved about how nice everything looked, how organized it was, etc. I may have glowed with happiness. We even had two pieces (unfortunately not mine) sell in the week leading up to the reception, which is a pretty big deal. Evidently we've shown there in the past and didn't sell anything during the run. I've got my fingers crossed that I sell my pics...it would be great to have money for more camera equipment!

BTW, I have my photography website up and running! Here's the link. I hope to have a flashier version soon... after I learn Flash! Let me know what you think.

Photography show up and running...

Just a quick post to inform everyone that the show is currently going on from today, January 5 until mid-February. The reception is this coming Saturday (January 10) from 3-5 pm in the Frankenburger Art Gallery at the University of Charleston. Finger food will be provided (cookies, cheese and crackers, punch, etc.) and everyone is invited!

Hope to see you there!

A couple of tidbits...

I began seeing a chiropractor on Monday for the knotted muscles and headaches that have plagued me for a decade, and I'm already feeling the difference. The knots are loosening (I've gone three days in a row), and I thought that would never happen. Having a professional crack your back is the only way to go.

Yesterday, I booked a photo exhibit for the camera club at a local college's art gallery. I'm pretty excited about this, as it will be the first showing I've participated in. I just hope it's not a big let-down. We'll have a reception on opening night, which sounds kind of swanky, but somehow I doubt it will be anything like I imagine. I'd like to have something where people who are actually interested in what you do come and glow over your work, dressed in elegant evening wear. It will probably be more like the flannel and denim jeans yokels looking for some free food. Don't get me wrong, I'm a denim jeans kind of girl, but that's not what I what my first photography showing to be like. I'm also hoping to send out invitations, mostly because I really get into making my own holiday cards and party invites. Maybe if you're lucky, you'll get a personalized invitation to the show of the year! Well, it's the show of the year for me anyway...

House stuff and photography...

I haven't done much posting lately, and I really don't have a good excuse, other than trying to get a lot of house stuff done. I've been in a mad flurry of activity for weeks, trying to get house stuff done before our Halloween party. I can't stand the thought of having people see the bathroom with two colors of paint (I ran out of the new color), the holes in the living room walls where I pulled out old screws (I've now patched and painted these, BTW), or the kitchen cabinets with the doors removed while I'm painting them in the basement (hopefully I'll be finished so hubby can put them up on Saturday). Anyway, I've been extremely productive at home, and extremely tired at work. And occasionally busy.

Anyway, I've joined the local camera club, and after entering two contests, I'm excited to have two first-place wins. The first you see here won in the novice color "Old Buildings" theme.

This one you've seen on the blog before. It won last month in the novice black and white category. It was an open theme.


I've been doing a lot of photo taking lately, at least up until the last few weeks. Hopefully I'll place in more than one category in November. Selfish, aren't I?

Rust can be cool...

More pics (and don't be scared...)

This is a picture of the concrete base of my birdbath. Actually, it's the concrete base of nothing, since the basin part broke years ago. I still dig it though; it's great yard art. :-)





Check out this scary pic of a teeny, tiny spider sunning himself on a daisy. He's a scary monster, isn't he? You probably can't see it, but he's wearing a little black mask so we can't identify him later.







Here's a close-up. That's some mask he's wearing, isn't it? Very Zorro-like.

An odd assortment of pics...

Yes, this is a picture of a human skull, and yes, it does cost $800. It's for sale at Robert's Antiques in Lewisburg. I said, "So, Bob, how did you come to have a human skull?" His response? "I used to have a few bodies." Good answer. Someone said I should have asked what happened to them; somehow that didn't occur to me.

If you ever get the chance to go, it's a cool antiques store, having a horse-drawn funeral carriage, complete with child-size coffin; a real electric chair; a guillotine; and old medical equipment, though not as much as he used to have. It's also a huge wine shop, for those interested.

Here's a pic of my orange living room that I promised to post. It's not the best photo, and you'll notice that I hadn't cleaned up (there's a laundry basket in front of the fireplace). But at least you get a feel for the look. I call it a spicy pumpkin color. Hubby says it looked like pumpkin right out of the can. Meaning the pumpkin can and the paint can. Note the rockin' Moravian star light. I love it!

And now, for the test. Anybody want to guess what this is?

:-)

I am a HUGE smile today. I met with Steve Shaluta last night, and he liked my work! He was very complimentary, pointed out specific things that were good about my photos, and even suggested I enter one particular photo in contests! I'm so excited, and this really gives me the courage to start entering contests, exhibiting, and maybe doing a few arts and crafts shows. He was especially impressed by the fact that I didn't study art in school, and said I have a natural eye for things and that my photos display the "rules" you learn in school. Color me happy.

Okay, I'm super nervous...

...because after work today, I'm meeting Steve Shaluta to show him some of my photography! I'm starting to wonder what the heck I was thinking, but I actually called him up, gushed for a moment (hello, he's the official state photographer!), and asked if he could give me an opinion of my work. What the heck was I thinking? I think I'm going to go throw up.

Photo Friday...

Okay, I love this picture. Love it! Is that wrong of me? I framed it as an 11x14 in a 16x20 frame that is black with subtle gold accents and has a white mat. It's gorgeous, if I do say so myself. I realize this kind of photography isn't everyone's cup of tea, but I love sepia prints and have been doing a lot of stuff in this vein lately.

Corinthian column in an antique store in Lewisburg, West Virginia.

Photo Friday...

So what do you think of this pic? I took it in a wine shop in Lewisburg, then digitally altered it. I think it's pretty interesting, if I do say so myself.

I went this morning to a plastic surgeon to see about getting my nose done, both for cosmetic and medical purposes. Basically, I have a hard time get enough air through my nose, so if I'm going to have that done, I thought I'd get it reshaped at the same time. I've always wanted to but been too much of a chicken. It's going to cost more than I have available. If you'd like to contribute to the beautifying of America, let me know... :)

It's been a loooong time...

Wow. I can't believe I haven't blogged since October. Such the slacker. Anyway, I'm back, hopefully with lots to post. First, I have to tell you about how AWESOME Ichthus was for me. I met the most inspiring speaker while there. His name is Shane Claiborne and his organization is The Simple Way in Philadelphia. He's this amazing Christian who has worked with Mother Teresa (he calls her Momma T sometimes in his book) and now he is living this radical life in Philly, helping and working with the poor. I can't begin to describe him or what he does accurately, so you should read his book, The Irresistible Revolution: Living Life as an Ordinary Radical; it's life-changing for me. He gets back to the real, original church, as it was meant to be. Jesus was homeless and he wanted the rich to take care of the poor. The early Christians shared their belongings and we, the 21st Century Christians, have gotten SO far away from that. We're like everybody else...we own too-large houses with unused bedrooms, two (or more) cars, swimming pool, closets of clothes we can't wear, or worse, just don't want to. Shane has made me see just how materialistic I am, even though I didn't think I was. I thought we were living conservatively; I never imagined how extravagant my junk is. (I have a pie safe filled with hundreds, perhaps thousands, of vintage linen napkins. It's the one girly thing about me.)

Anyway, another thing about The Simple Way is that they just suffered a terrible loss due to fire. They lost their community center, neighbors lost homes, Shane lost all his personal belongings. Thankfully no one was seriously injured or killed. They now have a lot of work ahead of them (Hubby and I hope to go there to assist, when they've come to that point, and I'm SO excited by the prospect!) and need support, so if you can, please prayerfully consider donating to this fabulous organization. Even if you can't, definitely pray for them. Thanks!

So what else? Oh yeah, my photography. I finally did it...I went digital! I got a kick-butt Sony DSLR and I LOVE it! The resolution is awesome, 10.2 MegaPixels, and I can have Hubby print my pics at his workplace because they have an expensive, high-quality printer. Here's an example:




Of course, I sized it down to a much smaller size so I wouldn't use up all my account space. The second pic is a blow-up of a section of the original photo. Does that detail kick butt or what?!