And The Rain Came Down

And The Rain Came Down
Originally uploaded by Freesia28

Another year at Spirit West Coast...only with a twist. I was one of the volunteers that worked on the ministry team during alter calls. I was so blessed to be a part of this major outreach. There were so many people there that came to Christ for the first time, and others that rededicated their lives to God. A powerful experience.

I also got a chance to be up close and personal through my lens for the first time. I was able to get some good shots of the bands that appeared. I used this opportunity to practice using my manual settings, which was valuable to me. I find myself to be more intuitive with my camera through this experience. I was also able to meet other photographers and either assist them with their settings or get more of an insight on the various lenses that are on the market.

Bottom line, I was blessed. I had a great time, I was refreshed and renewed in the Spirit as well as gained knowledge in photography. A perfect weekend for me!

And So It Came To Pass...

What He Lives For
Originally uploaded by Freesia28

I know that I have been slacking a little on my posts (understatement), but really, I have been busy. Last time I posted, I was living with my sister and her daughter and hired as a photographer for a company in San Diego. I have moved since then (for those of you know know me, that is certainly not a new phenomenon) and still employed by the same company, however, I have been promoted to Manager. How did that happen? Who said I was ready to get those 5 AM calls again? This can only be explained as a blessing from God. He sure knows how to stretch me. :) This time, my team has grown and so has the responsibility. Now, I am not complaining about it, but goodness, I thought I was free from those phone calls! :)

So, I continue to learn about photography, Photoshop and the equipment that we have available to us. I have become acquainted with lighting principles and have been able to incorporate them in my private work. The more I learn, the more I realize I still have to digest and put into practice.

I have also found my source of joy here on this earthly plane. I absolutely love the freedom of riding on a motorcycle with my gear stowed and having the ability to stop anywhere and take the shots that I see through "my" lens. I look at things differently now, how I would frame it, the lighting that is perfect and the angle that I would take, and I am able to hop off the bike and capture that perfect shot. It is almost inexplicable the rush, the joy the immediate gratification that I get from this type of experience. Of course, sharing this with another just brings it to another level of fun. I ride with one of my friends and we are able to compare notes, angles and stories about what we captured, even though we may be in the same immediate area. We have met some interesting people this way.

I am still in search of more information on wedding photography. My heart is drawn there and I long to be in the company of those who have a lot of experience in this area to garner precious information. It will come, I am sure. I just get a little impatient. I want to know everything now.

Oh, well...that is the latest. Hopefully I won't wait another 9 months to post.

New Chapter

Feet
Originally uploaded by Freesia28

Okay, so a LOT has happened since I last posted. I did go back to NY for 2 weeks, from where I originally hail, and found MANY reminders why I live around San Diego. My brother and his family were gracious hosts and I just thuroughly enjoyed my time with them. I was so blessed to be a part of the graduation celebrations for my niece and nephew. We all had a great time at the Great Escape, where we learned just how nice everyone is. God sure had me there for that time and for reasons that became quite clear when Dad and Grandma ended up in different hospitals at the same time. God is so good, and I am so glad to be back home.

At last posting, I wanted to continue my education in photography but with classes that fit around my busy life schedule. Uh, yeah...about that. I quit my job. I no longer work in the social services field. I no longer get calls at 5 AM about people who are not able to make it to work. *Huge Grin* I am now employed as a photographer. Yep, sure am! I am going to be working with a company that does the annual images for school children. I start training next Monday and for one week, I will be learning everything from the ground up. Later, as we become more accompanied to the equipment, we will also have the opportunity to work with other more portable cameras to capture sporting events and other school socials on the weekend. That is really what interests me. The camera rumored to be used is the D200 by Nikon. Oh yeah, I can't wait!

My niece, Lindsay is here living with my sister and I now. You will find that she is one of my favorite subjects to photograph. She is used to the camera, and does not feel the need to pose everytime I break it out, which is nice. I am able to get more natural expressions from her. I have been posting like crazy on Flickr since my trip to NY. Feel free to click on my badge to get to the photo site. This photo is one example of Lindsay's fine modeling skills. This image made the Flickr top 500 photos for July 1. This one's for you, Chris. Happy Birthday.

So, that is about it. Enough changes for now, I guess, but I am not daunted by it. I embrace it and look for more wonderful things to come!!

All Things Great and Small

Sunset in Del Mar 3
Originally uploaded by Freesia28

I am continuing my adventure into the realm of photography, as I am posting my images on Flickr; a fabulous site for those who find photography a great hobby, as well as others that aspire to turn it into an art form. I am finding so much inspiration in this particular community and love getting different ideas. It's as if I am looking at things through a new set of eyes. It is quite exciting and often am disappointed that I am distracted from taking a picture because I am working, driving, using the restroom...you get the idea.

I have been looking into opportunities to expand my knowledge in this area, so of course I have been researching the options for working around my busy and full-life schedule. I have been found a place that will allow me to complete one-on-one instruction. There are sessions that are broken down into 2 to 4 hour blocks and I can take them whenever I have the time. How wonderful is that?

I am finding that I do want to work in the wedding business as well as take family portraits. I would love just spending the day with a family as they have their reunion and capture all of the precious interactions that take place that can never be replicated.

I also am going "home" to NY next month. I am looking forward to spending time with my Mom and Dad, but also being able to get some great images to take back with me. My father is quite elderly, and I know that I am not able to go back to see him as often as I would like. To open a picture and be able to see his smile, that is what the good stuff is made of. I love my Dad. He will always have a very special soft spot in my heart.

Starting Out

I never thought that I would be one to publish my thoughts to the World Wide Web, but lately some very interesting and just downright funny things have been happening that I believe others would be interested in hearing about. I am a 37 year old woman who is discovering that growing older is an adventure all its own.

I have come to a point in my life where I don't know what I want to be when I grow up. How weird is that? I have been working in the social work field for 18 years, and now I am finding that I want something different. Is this normal? Have I reached the mid-life crisis that I thought was reserved for:

1) Individuals in their 40's.
2) Men (Sorry guys, but society places you on the corner on that market)

I thought that a change in job would help until I interviewed with a 12 year old who would be my supervisor as a skin tag on my neck got snagged on my blouse. That was a defining moment for me. I finally realized that I am no longer what the world views as a "spring chicken". To compound the matter, I have become aware that I am no longer a "Miss" and have now established the "Ma'am" title. When did that happen, and why was I so blissfully ignorant to that transformation?

I want to explore photography. I have always had a passion for capturing the moment on film and more recently on the LCD screen, but now I would like to expand my hobby to something more substantial. I know that it will take work and paying my dues, but I am up for the challenge.

So, that is just some information to get started. Have a great day.