Webpage Updating

It's past overdue that we update our webpage. Currently I am working on some butterfly images that will go up soon. Here are two of my favorites:

Monarch (Danaus plexippus)

 

Mourning Cloak (Nymphalis antiopa)

Remembering moments, not days...

More Chicago

Inspiring! That is the best word to describe the photographer's conference. If we can even put into practice a third of what we learned this past week, we'll be that much better at what we already love to do. Murray and I have been working on some ideas, and making a plan of action for the coming months, so stay tuned for some fun stuff and some giveaways coming up very soon!

Because what is a blog post without a photo, I'll put up two:

A live model instruction with Portland, Oregon's awesome photographer, Mike Long. Thanks Mike for not sugar coating it for me.

The softer side of Chicago. I'm sure this would never win any print competitions, but I love the colours and the softness of it regardless.

Remembering moments (that's why I took lots of notes), not days...

Chicago | Sarnia/ Lambton County Photographers

We're in Chicago for a few days for some photo training. We're attending the No BS Inferno Conference. Photographers from all over North America are in attendance. It's pretty informal. Lots of speakers, an evening open forum, a print competition tonight.... There is so much to take in and so much to learn that I must confess, I am currently feeling overwhelmed and frustrated.

 Murray and I and three other local togs. It's about six hours drive for us to get to Chicago.

Just a little ways away from our hotel is a retail center. It has a real unique look. We're hoping to get some shots before we leave on Wednesday. I think a photo walk is in order.

Because we remember moments not days...

Library Days | Sarnia/ Lambton County Photographers

Tuesdays and Thursdays are Library days for us. We get together with four other homeschooling families for French classes. The children learn French and three of their Mamas chat while they're busy in the classroom with the fourth Mama. This library is a heritage building. It used to be a railroad station. Surprisingly we're not chatting away here. It is a blessing to be a part of this small group. These ladies have a real heart for God and their children. We share our joys and struggles and a LOT of laughs. I am thrilled to know them!

Because we remember moments (even the surprisingly quiet ones), not days...

Supper by Lantern Light | Sarnia/ Lambton County Photographers

Supper was late, so we went to church hungry (well, sort of). Then Bible study at church went late too. It was dark when we got home, so we decided to have supper by lantern light. Soup and Ezekiel bread. It was well worth the wait.

It was also fun to eat by lantern light.

Remembering moments, not days...

Spring Bursts Forth | Sarnia/ Lambton County Nature Photographers

No more of this when we look outside.

 Spring is here! In the Norway maples (Acer platanoides).

Tiny, tiny blue flowers of the creeping speedwell (Veronica repens).

The joyful blue of the squills (Scilla spp.)

And the deep magenta of the pasque flower (Anemone pulsatilla).

There is something so wonderful in those first warm shirt sleeve type days of spring when the first brave flowers show off their unmatchable beauty!

Because we remember moments, not days...

Back In Houston | Sarnia/ Lambton County Photographers

I was back in Houston again, after a week at home from my last trip. From the work side, things were not as busy, and this gave me a lot of opportunity to finish up a number of other things I had to do. Again, my evenings were free to wander downtown Houston and try to shoot this city from a different perspective. I'm not sure I succeeded but I think I did get some interesting pictures again.

It was not the nicest day to be out. I went to the top of the parking garage of the Toyota Center for this shot. I kind of thought that the city looked like a bunch of different Lego© blocks set up like buildings.

Same city, different day and the opposite side of the downtown. I drove around the downtown on my way to the airport when I was going home trying to find a place to park so I could try some different shots. It's strange how this looks similar, yet not.

Again, the same building but opposites sides on different days. This one, obviously is being built very close to the older part of downtown. These buildings that are being dwarfed by this glass tower, are so unique and were the "towers" when they were built. How long will they last before they are replaced?

I tried my hand at some night photography, without a tripod. I got a lot of pictures with fancy dancing lines. This one I almost got a steady hand for it. I had to show one, just to prove I really did try to do this. This was shot from the top of my hotel. There is a open balcony up there which allowed me some shots across the city from up high.

I'm not sure when my next trip to Houston will be. I first have to go to Chicago, then Boston, and then Red Deer, Alberta. But I'm sure I will be back in Houston shortly after all of those trips.

Geocaching Successes and Failures | Sarnia/ Lambton County Photographers

Our geocaching adventures were a mix of successes and failures.

Successes: 1) We found three caches.
                 2) We enjoyed some beautiful weather and exercise.

Failures: 1) We failed to complete two cache puzzles because: a) we could not find the one clue cache and
                                                                                              b) we ran out of time.
              2) I didn't bring a second battery for the camera, so the photos are minimal. Thankfully I don't do this on a shoot :oS.

Finding another one of the Lambton County Cemetery (LCC) series. This one is in the cemetery where some of Petrolia's most prominent (and wealthy) early settlers are buried.

 Yesss! Another successful find! The littlest kid found this cache. She was so nonchalant about it that we all laughed.

A clue! (Which  unfortuately, initially led us on a wild goose chase -- until we realized the cache is on the other side of the park). We didn't have time to finish this set.

The wild goose chase.

Searching, searching. This is one of the ones we did not find. Frustrating!

I'm sure if the weather is decent next Sunday, we will head back out to see if we can complete the three step caches and find the ones that eluded us this time. It's addictive I say, addictive.

Because we remember moments, not days...

Incredible Sky! | Sarnia/ Lambton County Photographers

Yesterday, we were driving home from a trip to the Big City. We couldn't get over the wild sky. I actually wondered if there was a tornado watch/warning out considering the wind and the incredible clouds.

An anteater traipsing across the sky.

Then dusk began to set in.

Despite the clouds there would be a sunset yet.

I love the play of light and shadow. There is such depth to it.

Because we remember moments not days...

Eastery Egg Hunt | Sarnia/ Lambton County Family Portrait Photographers

I was hanging laundry on the line when I noticed that the Easter bunny had stopped by ;o). I let the kids in on the news and a few of them were more than excited.

And one was a little more reserved. At thirteen and a half, you have to be a little bit cool about this.

Yum lots of delicious chocolate to enjoy!

Because we remember moments, not days...