Just playing around...

This afternoon I discovered this feature on the editing program that came with our printer, called Photo Explosion SE, and just experimented. I kind of like how it turned out. Please tell me what you think!

(All of the photos on this particular post were taken with Fuji Finepix A205)

Our daughter still to this day loves to take naps with her Memere. She says Memere's bed is "so nice and cozy" When Memere really misses her more than usual, she will have dreams of her. Well, Have only sweet dreams, Memere, we are hoping to see you in the near future!

She has always been very snuggly and loves getting snuggles back. The last time Mimi came to visit, she would spontaneously run over to her and give her big hugs and snuggle on her. Her Mimi hated it when it was time for her to go back home.

It's very hard for grandparents to not be able to share in the day to day lives of their "grandbabies" when they don't live near each other, but we have been really thankful to be able to send updated pictures often over the internet instead of by snail mail, so they can still watch her grow.

I love the way her great aunt is talking to her and cradling her in this picture. Definitely a possible pose I will keep in mind!

My First Request For A Photo Shoot!!!

I'm so excited right now, I just had to blog about it! I got an email this afternoon from someone I used to work with and she let me know that she saw my blog site here and that she was interested in having me take some outdoor pictures of her and her family. She has a son that just turned 3 in the last few weeks. Of course I wrote her back immediately accepting. I was so excited that my hands were shaking while I wrote my response.

It's one thing to ask others if you can do pictures of them and their family and quite another when they ask you. I will be sure and keep posting as these opportunities develop into reality.

Leaning On His Everlasting Arms,
Denise

Infant Shots...

In furthur preparation, I sorted through my own photos for ideas to use for the baby's shoot. Here's what I found. (All of the photos on this particular post were taken with Fuji Finepix A205). They sure brought back a lot of memories...

"The Calm Before The Storm"

This one was taken just before we were hit with the first of 3 hurricanes, hurricane Charlie just 3 days after our daughter was born. This one to me is like the calm before the storm.

(Please excuse the quality, taken with a disposible camera the day after the hurricane.) Our daughter was only 3 1/2 days old. I used it because I like the pose in her pawpaw's arms.

This one was taken in a clothes basket taken a few days later. Our power was down for 7 days, so our church family who had a generator allowed us to do some much needed laundry. They were such a blessing during that time.

"Someone's Sleepy"

A picture taken on our daughter's baby dedication day.

These two photos were of my husband's grandmother. She passed away the following spring so they are my most precious pictures of her and our daughter who she had just met for the first time. They were taken during the second or third hurricane in just a few short weeks. We came up to protect ourselves and had a much needed rest as well.

Our very own "Gerber Baby"

For My Toolbox...

This afternoon, I was able to get a few things to add to my "toolbox". I bought some ivory tulle, ivory fabric for a backdrop, soft pink baby knit blanket fabric, soft pink to line it underneath. A single long stemmed pink rose and 2 tiny flower wreaths in pink and lilac, and a large wooden basket. Not much to start, but it's a start! One step closer to my first shoot! Now I just need to get all my ducks in a row and I'm off and running. I couldn't be more excited!

I got to see the baby last night that I'm hoping to do a shoot of and she is just so beautiful and tiny. She is just weeks old! I'm still studying up on poses and such that is necessary for this to be a successful session and have gotten some great tips from someone that is already an accomplished photographer. I'm so excited!! (did I say that already?)

Leaning On His Everlasting Arms,
Denise

"Do You Like My Hat?"

(Line from the book 'Go Dog Go!')
Our daughter was introduced to this book by her Memere(french canadian term for grandmother) the last time we visited. It has since become one of her favorites, and lately I will catch her going into her hat drawer and pulling one out, looking at me seriously and saying,"Do you like my hat?" She's such a ham! So today is dedicated to her love of hats.



















(All of the photos on this particular post were taken with Fuji Finepix A205)

Playing with Black & White

I love this one. "Mimi" came for a visit. Our daughter made sure lots of hugs and kisses were soon caught up from Christmas and a few extra to tide each other over until the next time.

My poor daughter has to put up with me always taking her picture. I'm surprised she hasn't contracted flash bulbs for eyes!

Our baby's not a baby anymore!!!

(All of the photos on this particular post were taken with Nikon L11)

My Little Family

Here's some pictures I took over the weekend.
(They were taken with my Nikon L11)

Potential Portfolio Shots

Here are a few of my favorite shots. Sorry they are all of my daughter, but I still need to get a permission from parents in order to post any other children. (All of the photos on this particular post were taken with Fuji Finepix A205)

Just A Temporary Roadblock...

Well, I talked to a computer store this morning to see what exactly I needed to do in order to get my computer where it would be able to be compatible to use the PSE 5.0 program and it looks like I might be better off waiting a year or two until we can get another computer equipped with what we need. So for now at least, I will make do with what I have.

It's a good thing that I am just a photographer-in-training, just working on my portfolio. If this is what the Lord would have me do professionally, then everything will fall into place, in His time. I won't even give it a second thought for now.

Leaning On His Everlasting Arms,
Denise

Is Opportunity Knocking?

So much has happened since the last time I wrote. Both good and bad. I got the PSE 5.0 program in the mail on Saturday. I was so excited. However, when I went to install it on my computer, it wouldn't take it because we didn't have Windows xp. I'm so disappointed! I don't want to send it back though because if we get another computer in the next couple of years, I know I'd wish I'd have kept it. So I must put it aside for now. I was so looking forward to using it with my first photo shoot.

Well, now to the good news. I may have 2 potential clients for future shoots! I'm really hoping they work out. It was so encouraging to me. I was approached by 2 families at church on Sunday after telling them about my deciding to pursue photography. The first for a Christmas shoot and the other a potential wedding!

Wow! I'd better pray really hard that we can save up to get the Windows xp program since we can't get a new computer right now.

Leaning On His Everlasting Arms,
Denise

Let's Get Started!

This week, I decided for sure that this is what I'd like to do someday professionally. I want to take portraits of families in natural settings for the most part, and capture them 'in the moment'. I'm tired of being apprehensive about it. I feel that I could do really well and love taking pictures, especially of families. I feel that it is my passion. I'm so excited!

We don't have the means right now to pursue it as far as taking courses to learn "the tricks of the trade" or to get the DSLR digital camera that I really would need, so for now, I am just focusing on building my portfolio which can only work to my benefit later on. You will see a lot of pictures of my own family but as I get permissions from parents, hopefully I can include some portraits of some little ones as well that I have taken. For the subjects protection, I will just be using the first name and for my protection, including 'captured in the moment photography' on the pictures in order to prevent copying from others.

My husband surprised us the other day and popped in on his lunch break for a few minutes. This is my favorite shot of my little family from that day. (taken with Nikon L11)

I may already have my first self-assignment as a couple that I know that have a newborn are considering letting me practice on them. I'm thinking of even seeing if they want to include grandparents in on the shoot. I really want to do a good job so I will be spending the next few days doing research, seeing what other photographers do in finding the right elements to get the best pictures possible.

I'm so excited! Last night, I got a photo editing program called Photoshop Elements 5.0 through Ebay at about 60% less than retail. It comes highly recommended and I love what I've seen others do with it. I can't wait to get it as I begin to build up my 'toolbox'.

I hope you enjoy and learn with me as I embark on this new chapter in my life.

Leaning On His Everlasting Arms,

Denise

Under Construction...

Welcome to my blog! As I keep a journal and portfolio of sorts in my journey in becoming a professional photographer, please feel free to visit often. If you like what you see, or have some constructive criticism, by all means I'd love to hear your feedback.

Leaning On His Everlasting Arms,
Denise