“Sometimes I do get to places just when God’s ready to have somebody click the shutter.” ~Ansel Adams

I think that this may very well be one of my all time favorite quotes.  Sometimes I just happen to be in the right place at the right time.  All of the past events have coalesced into that one moment.  And there I am, with my camera.  I depress the shutter button, and I get to keep that moment, that one instant that evolved from so many millions of moments before it.

And I am aware that it is a combination of education, understanding, openness, and intuition that got me to that point.  I’m grateful for the support and encouragement of those around me, all of those people who have said to me, “yea, you’re doing something right. Keep on with it…”. And so I practice every day, and every now and then, all of the principles and elements work together for me under my control, and by some greater power, at that very instant, magic happens. And click, I get it.

You know, intermittent reinforcement is the strongest and most successful form of reward.  Every now and then, you get something AMAZING, and it keeps you wanting more.  So you practice and practice in hopes that someday soon you’ll be in the right place at the right time again.

And this brings me back to that “You are SO lucky” thing.  Sure, I happened to be at the right place at the right time, but I’d also like to believe that I had SOME say in how this image came out.  I exposed for it. I set the DOF for it.  I brought my kid to the beach, pixie cut and cute bathing suit.  I stuck a bucket in her hands and said, “dig” while I snapped away.  And maybe some greater power helped make all of these things come to be. I don’t know.  But I do know if you don’t do the time with your camera, you won’t get the results.

So that’s why I shoot every day. I have an army of images that I have never even looked at, and that’s ok.  For me a large part of it is getting out there and turning my camera into second nature – an extension of me.

At the same time there is only so much I can teach myself and that is why this winter I’m thinking about maybe attending a conference or signing up for a course or two.

And that’s what is on my mind on this glorious Monday.  I hope you are all enjoying your time of.  For me? It’s time I jump in the shower.  I have big plans to dress my girls in rediculous outfits and take their pictures outside this evening.  We’ll see how that goes!

xo

meg

This week I was paired up with Vlatka.  It was a pleasure working with her, and we threw some ideas around, but of course the ideas I started with ended up being something entirely different (mainly due to time constraints).  If you get a chance, check out her blog, her flickr stream, and of course – her etsy shop!

Week 23 :: Secrets

Left: Me

Right: Vlatika

I had a long post typed out, but I deleted it.  I’m not feeling well, and after reading through it, I’m not sure that it made any sense!  So, it’s more about the image today.  I get an intense feeling of peace and calm from this image, and I hope you do too.

xo

meg

Busy week, busy day.  I’ve worked more these past few weeks than I have in months and months.  Maybe it just seems like that because I’ve been more organized? I don’t know.  So, not much time to talk as I would like to spend the evening with my kids and not on the computer!

This week, I was the admin and came up with the themes.  I thought I was so clever.  Half-Empty and Half-Full. Yea.  Hardest week yet for me.  Luckily I was paired with the amazingly talented Korana, who sent me a little thumbnail of her image.  It totally inspired me.  Thank goodness

Week 22 :: Half-Empty

Left: Korana

Right: Me

(sorry the resolution is so poor. I wanted to blow it up b/c the copy I have is so tiny!)

As always, please be sure to check out the Miss Match Project blog to see all of the amazing work!

I’ve gone to doing 4 festivals to two.  You will find me at:
Westfield’s 21st Annual FestiFall: September 26th from 10am to 5pm

and

Somerville’s 23rd Annual Arts & Main: October 3rd from 11am to 5pm

In the meantime, I’m busy placing order’s for my booth, assembling and packaging calendars and cards, and brainstorming some displays.  I hope you will stop by to see what I have.  I’m going to have a HUGE sale on some leftover inventory items, I’ll have some new items available (like totally cute and affordable 2.5×3.5 prints mounted on Bamboo!), and every one of my products is priced and packaged with gift-giving in mind.  Hostess gifts, housewarming gifts, stocking stuffers, teacher gifts – I could go on and on.

And, just a reminder, EVERYTHING at the festivals is priced LOWER than my normal online pricing!  So, be sure to stop by and stock up on unique hand-made gifts for use throughout the year!

Ok, I’m all done plugging myself (for now). I hope you have an amazing weekend.  Mine will be spent shooting the beginnings of a wedding for a friend, more ordering for festivals, and hopefully some shooting for myself! Have a great weekend!

xo

meg