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thoughts on creativity & photography by Cherie
July 2009 Posts
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So, the mentors had a reunion in Seattle, because we were all there last weekend. How did we celebrate? Watch and see!
Ahh, that was a fun evening! "The Show" (Major League Baseball) on a warm summer eve with a dog & suds, yep!
I have a wonderful client who wanted me to create a fantasy series for her son. "I'm not a graphic designer," I responded. "That's really not my forte."
"You can do it, Cherie, I just KNOW you can!" was Loriann's response.I drug my feet and drug my feet. It really ISN'T my area of expertise, you know.But I finally sat down today, and with the help of some stock images (thank you to the photographers who make these backgrounds available) I created my first fantasy series.It was fun! My client was right. I COULD do it. Sometimes we just need to be pushed out of our comfort zone. But don't tell Loriann - who knows what she'll dream up next!
It's time for a face lift! We've been concentrating on CONTENT for this web community, and now we're going to be spending some time on the aesthetics of the site. You'll be seeing changes over the next few days and weeks.
A shout-out to 99designs.com, where we were thrilled to review the designs of 44 graphic artists who turned their efforts to a new logo & masthead for MyPhotoMentor. We've narrowed the choices, and are ready to pick our favorite. Stay tuned! :)
Awesome Cherie! You never told me you could make my Harry Potter fantasies come true!
I hope everyone is having a fabulous Fourth of July! I am grateful that in 1776 AND today, people have the courage to dream new dreams and to take action to see them realized! I am reminded that the birth of new ideas arises out of unflagging work and sacrifice...But on a lighter note, here's what one photographer does on a holiday.
How utterly cool is that new Flip-video of yours! Dang but that looks like fun, walking cross that bridge like that. Wow.
I bought a Flip MinoHD, and immediately put a video up on Facebook of me in my studio. Hey, it’s a business deduction, so I’d better be using it for business, right?
I was surprised by the strong response I received. Not about the fact that I stay current with technology (although I pat myself on the back for that. I may be over 50, but I’m as groovy as ever. Oops. Did I just say “groovy”?)The observations that really caught my attention were from high school classmates whom I haven’t seen for 30 years. They commented on how beautiful I was and that, seeing my personality on the video, they could understand why I was such a popular photographer.Wow. You see, I was not a ‘popular’ teenager. Not by a long shot. I think it was because my self-esteem, in every category except academic achievement, registered in the negative scale.It made me think. What changed between geeky 17 and today? What caused me to turn from an insecure teenager into a confident adult? I know that I struggled through my 20’s and beyond. When did it change?Two things come to mind. One is life’s challenges. When tribulation comes our way, we can either grow, or we can shrink. Through the grace of God, I have grown with the sorrows (as well as the joys!)The second is photography. My passion for what I do, the response I get from my clients and my friends, the joy of CREATING, brings a deep sense of centeredness. When I am photographing, I know who I am. I feel a sense of where I belong in the universe. Photography both grounds me and allows me to fly. And I think that’s what my old classmates (and current friends) see in my short movie.Funny how it takes an amateurish video to bring that all to light, huh?
Cherie,
Yes, your personality does come flying through. And it's fun and bright and a kick in the pants.
Also, as I've said elsewhere regarding that Flip thingie, "momma, I wan one doze!"
In a photographer's magazine, I saw an article with some BREATHTAKING newborn portrait art. Babies suspended in fabric, cradled in Daddy's hands, etc. All sleeping peacefully, of course.
What the article didn't tell us is the photographer's secret to getting those serene babies. I'm thinking it must involve hard liquor and baby bottles. But perhaps I'm just feeling jaded.I had a newborn session scheduled for today, and I couldn't WAIT. Those images had inspired me to try even more creative poses, and I was ready with gauzy fabric, a beautiful soft baby basket, and other props to create show-stopping images. But little Brayden had other ideas. He did not fall into a blissful sleep. He did not think my soft bed (away from warm humans) was enticing. He did not think that being suspended in thin air with gauzy fabric was a good idea. AT ALL.
So, after quite a bit of time spent trying to convince him that great art was worth his cooperation, his parents & I did it Brayden's way. And you know what? It was magic all the same.
