Self-portrait

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Photography: #100DayProject—Almost There

As you may remember, I’m doing photography for the #100DayProject. This means, every single day for 100 days I’m out taking photos, editing them, and sharing them with my friends. In addition, I’ve started doing photography sessions for people I know. I’ve done three senior sessions, a family shoot, and several portraits.

I’m loving this! It feels like I’m understanding my camera more and more. I’m still battling with computer storage and editing, but those are getting easier too. I’m having fun experimenting with different lenses, playing around with color, and dabbling in street photography. I still have an editing class to take, but each session I’m learning something new. The project ends June 2, which means there’s still lots of images to take and skills to learn.

Here’s a ton of my best photos from the last few weeks. Let me know if you have a favorite (and I totally understand if viewing 40 photos is a bit much!) These appear in order of photos taken, not favorites. I thought you might like to see how each grouping was edited differently. Among these was my first photograph of lightening, some crazy macro bug shots from my yard, and some really cute animals.

Oh, and if you were curious if the egret’s had their babies…I think so? I was able to capture what looks like heron babies being fed in the nest (#33), but they are pretty large. A quick google search says they grow super fast, so maybe?

One more thing, at the last minute I added some photos I took yesterday (the ones I mentioned to you, Michael!)

Thanks!

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  • These were taken with my Olympus E-M1 MarkII, using various lenses and edited with Lightroom Classic.
  • To follow Anna’s progress in the 100 Days. visit Little Bits of Thread
  • See what my friend Angelica’s doing for her 100 Days, visit Journal of a Wayward Writer
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Turning 49

Every year on my birthday, I write a poem. This year, I decided to pair those words with a series of self-portraits. I’m so grateful for this space and for everyone who stops by to read. If any of these words or images resonate with you, please let me know—I’d love to hear from you. I’m so glad you’re here.

49

Within my freckled chest lie
sheets of watercolor paper over
saturated and weak in the middle
where I pressed too hard, bending
into rainbow shapes. My hips

tell of this separation, of forty-nine
years of horses, dogs, babies, troubles
sat propped against bones, praying
understanding will expose fragmented
shadows, pockets of light. Tomorrow

another sunrise, pink fog touching
horizon, hot coffee sweetened just
right with words now said instead 
of swallowed whole. White-crested waves
wake the birds, and the tide-pull aches

in every corner. See clouds
reflect upon the sand, soft starfish
clinging to crag-born rock, green flashes
flinty like my eyes. Look for it, keep tracing 
thumb over back of hand. This time

next time
another time
all time.

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  • A little note about self-portraits: I took these using my tripod and the timer on my camera. It did not occur to me (until I was done) to use Auto mode, so I kept trying to get in the focus point, hence the mixed results here. I think it works for this set, but if anyone has tips on self-portrait photography, I’d love to hear them.
  • These were taken with my Olympus E-M1 MarkII, using various lenses and edited with Lightroom Classic
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Photography: Denio’s Farmers Market

My skills aren’t growing as fast as I want them to. I have several photo shoots lined up in the next few weeks and I’m suddenly aware of how scary this all is. Yes, I’ve been playing with my camera for years, but it’s only been a few months since I took it seriously. I’ve jumped in with both feet and I’m flailing a bit.

My good friend Angy always says that super scary things mean you’re moving in the right direction. Last night all I could think was, “I’ve made a terrible mistake.” I’m not ready for this. What if my friends/clients hate what I do? What if, like my nephew’s birthday over the weekend, I can’t get the exposure right? By jumping in this fast, have I ruined my chance of having this as a second career?

So, while I couldn’t sleep last night, I edited these photos from my recent trip to Denio’s Farmers Market. It’s a weirdo space, and I felt at home taking photos here. I love these. The stakes were low and so I just had fun. This is what I need to remember when I’m out taking photos of people in the next few weeks. I love this. It’s time to play and have fun. It’s all growth.

So, today I’m taking another online class about lighting. I’ll probably beg my daughter to let me photograph her again for practice. I’ve already booked a bunch of shoots, so no turning back now.

Let me know if you like these and don’t miss my bonus butterfly photos at the end. Have a fantastic day!

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  • The photos above were taken with my Olympus E-M1 MarkII, using a 14-150mm lens and edited with Lightroom Classic.
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Photography: Boldly Go

“The needs of the many outweigh the needs of the few, or the one.”—Spock

What do you do when you want to practice photography and you’ve got no models? You find some around the house. These are silly, but they are me trying out some new settings on my camera. I’m starting to get the crispness I’ve been lacking. What do you think? Do you have a favorite?

I’m headed to visit a friend for the next five days, and I’ll be taking her portrait photos at sunset in a beautiful location. I felt legit packing up my camera gear, including my brand new fancy flash. Thank you to every single person who checks out my journey and follows along.

And if you know me in real life, or live in the Sacramento area, I’m looking for models to practice with. Please don’t make me keep using toys 🙂

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  • These were taken with my Olympus E-M1 MarkII, using a 14-150mm lens and edited with Lightroom Classic.

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Photography: Folsom Farmers Market

I went to the Folsom Farmers Market last weekend with my wonderful nephew, Wyatt, who will be turning seven in a few weeks. As his parents sold their beautiful crafts, we wandered around, and I worked on my photography. I think my image quality is improving as I get quicker at adjusting my settings and learn more about the exposure triangle, but it’s slow going. I want to get better much faster than I am, but that’s true of so many things in my life right now.

I’m also in the process of developing my photographic voice, focusing on both how I tell stories and how I edit. I’m drawn toward a vintage, warm tone, and a more photojournalistic style. Close-up pictures are usually my go-to, but I’m aiming for more diverse shots now. Let me know what you think of these and if you have a favorite.

Thank you!

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  • These were taken with my Olympus E-M1 MarkII, using a 75-300mm lens and edited with Lightroom Classic.
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#100DayProject: Watercolors-Week 5

“The first mistake of art is to assume that it’s serious.”—Lester Bangs

Welcome to the fifth week of my #100DayProject. While last week my focus was on happiness and light, this week it has shifted to mistakes. The first two paintings of the week were such a mess I started to wonder why I’m even doing this. My inner critic grew fangs and I became insecure and super wobbly. I dramatically announced to my family that I was quitting painting because “I suck” and “it’s too hard.” My family said nothing, wisely, and I eventually sent myself to my room and reread the guidelines I wrote down in week one:

  • be messy and imprecise
  • have fun with the process
  • don’t overthink
  • don’t plan
  • don’t judge the finished painting
  • be brave

With these points in mind, I tried again. With the exception of the flowers, these are all outside my comfort zone. They are messy and a bit strange, but oddly I found myself relaxing more in the mess. I wonder where letting myself live in this jumbled mistake zone will lead me? I’ve got nine more weeks to find out. Let me know if you have a favorite painting or haiku and thanks for sticking with me as I figure out how to take myself less seriously.

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under the big top
spring carnival awakes
can you hear its call?

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pitter pat splatter
colorful little clatter
what does it matter?

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fingertip dancing
fuzzy family photo
dressed in regal green

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messy self-portrait
hiding blue moon memories
tomorrow brings sun

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tulips reaching high
calling out your sacred name
remember—be brave