Photography as Prayer

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I often pray prior to going out to take photos, and often pray during the photography process as well.  I pray for God to "open the eyes of my heart" (Ephesians 1:18) and help me to be open to see whatever God wants to show me during my photography session.

The Top Ten Things I Love about My Camera

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¯ Me and my camera, strolling down the avenue… ¯

Yes, I have a love affair with my camera! It’s true. I wish I could say it never let me down, always stayed by my side, and was ready to go whenever I was, but that might be pushing things a little bit (that's what my iPhone is for!)

Without further ado, here are the top 10 things I love about my camera!

Your Camera As a Writing Tool

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Being both a writer and a photographer I cannot believe that I didn’t think of this idea myself!  Of course a camera is a fantastic tool for a writer!  I’ve used my camera as a writing tool a million times myself but never really processed it quite that way.  Brilliant!  I must give credit where credit is due!  This blog post was inspired by Cheryl Reif and her wonderful post, Super Easy Ways Your Camera Can Make You a Better Writer.

Filling the Well

Filling the well, feeding the muse, artist date… whatever you want to call it, I spent my vacation doing just that!  (This also happens to be why there was no blog post last week!)

Vacations Are Essential

My favorite kind of vacation is filled with adventure, nature, reading, and lots of rest.  Oh, and good food helps!  Good company is nice, but optional.  My fiancee will be devastated to hear that, but I’m a person who loves to have alone time and has been known to go on solo vacations which I then daydream about for years after!

Photo Friday: Communicating with Your Muse

You may think you have to go somewhere to be inspired and meet your muse.  For a while I thought my muse was in the Grand Canyon.  Indeed she was!  

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She was also in

Photo Friday: Making a Collage in Lightroom

Summer, Where Art Thou?

Ah... Summer!  Wish thinking summer would make me warmer but with 80 plus inches of snow in less than a month, I really need a pick me up... don't you?  So, with that in mind, I just learned how to make the fun little collage you see pictured above with some of my most summery images.  Personally, I'd love to be that cat sunning her belly!

Making a Collage in Lightroom

These are instructions for Lightroom 3, since that's what I have.  

First, I began by heading over to Flourish, where Jill has made over 175 lightroom templates available for use.  Thanks, Jill!

(Instructions updated with graphics on April 1, 2015 - no joke!)

Photo Friday: Heart in Hands

My heart is in my hands, and I offer it to you.

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I had other plans for a Valentine's Day post.  Like, 10 Things I Love about Photography or some such thing.  But, instead, my heart is in my hands.

Someone I love may be dying and it hurts... a lot.  And now my heart and mind are elsewhere - as they should be.  (Update 3/22/15  She is yo-yo-ing a bit with recoveries and setbacks.  Please continue to pray for her.)

Photo Friday: Your True Lens

In Last week's Photo Friday blog post I talked about photography as a contemplative practice. Christina Greve is a photographer, life coach, and blogger from Denmark who I find quite inspiring. She said in a past post,

"Your heart and mind are the true lens of your camera."

I could not agree more.  I suppose this is why I'm fascinated by the idea of photography as contemplation or a spiritual practice.  But, what do I believe this means?  What does it mean that my heart and mind are the true lens of my camera?  To me, it means

Photo Friday: Contemplation

I just ordered two books from Amazon in my quest to make my photography more spiritual in nature.  To me, photography is so much more than just adjusting my settings and clicking the shutter.  It's seeking to connect with the beauty that surrounds me.  It's seeking to connect with and capture the spirit of the person in front of my lens.

To do so, I need to quiet the noise buzzing around my head and really look, really see.  What is the essence of what I am seeing?

Thank You!

This is a Thank You for all my loyal readers, even when I don't post regularly!

I appreciate your thoughts, your comments, and your loyalty.  To thank you for that, I'm having a sale over at my Zenfolio Gallery and hope you'll swing on by to check it out!

Go to my Zenfolio store, or one of your galleries if you've had a photo shoot with me, and apply this coupon code for 10% off your order of $10 or more.

Thank you for being a fan! Expires Monday, November 26th.

Coupon Code: Thankyou10  (Expired!)

In the meantime, enjoy a few of my latest favorite images taken with my iPhone!

In Praise of Simple Things

It's not often that I find an ad or piece of propaganda inspiring.  But, today I did.  Today Facebook put up a video that "honor[s] the everyday things that people make to get together and connect."  And most of the video was about chairs.  It was really quite clever and I might even say beautiful.

How often do we forget about the simple and beautiful things in our lives like a chair?  Or a glass to hold cold water.  Or the dish that holds our food.  Or the shoes that keep our feet warm and protected.  Or even the hot water that comes out of the shower when we turn it on.

I want to remember these little things and be grateful.  There is so much to be grateful for.  I hope to catch and remember some of these simple pleasures and blessings in capture them in my Project 365.

What simple things are you grateful for that you often overlook?

Photography Slows You Down

I recently found this quote on photographer Nathan Grahek's website:  "Too often life seems to pass us by at an increasingly fast pace.  I am continuously inspired by photography, how it allows us to slow down and appreciate the beauty in and around all of us."  

This is so true.  Taking the time to really look at an object or person, to really be in the moment and connect, is such a wonderful thing.  Photography can be a type of meditation. 

I haven't tried this yet but I intend to.  I recently received some materials about contemplative photography that I'm really excited about.  One of the exercises is to find a subject you are interested in photographing and then sit with it for at least 5 minutes before you take an image.  Just look at it and observe.  Let the image come to you instead taking an image.   I think this might bring my photography to a new place.  Sometimes its important to be fast to click the shutter but, more often than not, it's more important to slow it down.

Here is an example of a time when I spent at least 5 minutes (probably more!) snapping away at some ferns last fall, but it wasn't 5 minutes of stillness.  Here I was taking images and searching for images.  That's not a bad thing to do, but I'm so interested in seeing the difference.

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I'll let you know how it goes.  Anyone care to join me?  I'd love to see your results!  Post a link to your work in the comments or share your thoughts.  Happy Snapping!

Being Found

Today I listened to a webinar about being found.  Who doesn't want to be found?  I mean, it means someone was looking for you!  Isn't that a great feeling?  Being sought after?  It gives you a sense of value and worth and recognition.

The webinar I listened to was specifically about being found on Linked In during a job search.  (Want to see my profile?  Click here!)

I listened to this webinar for a few different reasons.  One, I happen to be looking for a day job that helps me live and work my passions and pay the bills so I can continue my photography.  Two, one of my passions is being a job coach and this was an excellent set of tools that could be used in a job search.  Three, it also can help me get exposure for my blog and for my website.  Yes!  I have a website!  You didn't know?  Check it out!  www.theresekayphotography.com

What did I learn and why am I sharing it on a blog about photography?  OK, so here goes my line of logic.  Photography requires creativity.  Creativity requires risk-taking.  Taking a risk is hard and scary.  Putting yourself out there to be found is a risk and is scary.  So, therefore, being found is part of photography - especially if you are wanting to make it a business!

So here is the scary part.  What happens if you are found?  What happens if someone says, hey, I think that person or that person's skills, or that person's art is what I've been looking for.  And, suddenly, you are in a spotlight...big or small.  And people are looking at you and your skills and your art.

And you get scared.  What if you disappoint the person?  What if the person thinks you're a fraud (or discovers that you are a fraud - even if you're really not - you know what I'm talking about here, right?)  What if so many people find me I can't keep up?

And then there's the other fear.  What if I put myself out there and nobody wants me?  What if I think what I created is beautiful and everyone else thinks its hideous?  What then?

All these fears are valid and need to be addressed.  Journaling, talking with friends, counseling, prayer, and positive self-talk are all tools that you can use to address those fears.  Believing in yourself and in the work you are creating is paramount to your success.

Here are a few strategies that I was exposed to (and am still learning about) during this webinar.

• Being found online, whether on Linked In or otherwise, is only a stepping-stone to face-to-face or other more personal interaction.
• Have lots of connections both in and out of your industry.
• Have connections with other people who have lots of connections (On Linked-In, you have access to the third level of your connections so this can be exponential!)
• Be sure you are using appropriate key words on your website, your profiles, your blogs, etc. 
• Listen!  What are other people in your industry doing and talking about?  Are you participating in the discussion?
• Create a personal brand!  Who are you?  Your resume lists your skills but not your passions and enthusiasm.
• Create a call to action.  (What's a call to action?  Simply put: including a call to action means asking your reader to do something. Check out http://www.kinesisinc.com/marketing/use-a-strong-call-to-action-to-generate-more-leads/ which is where I've started to learn more about it myself.)
• And, get lots of links back to your own website.  This is called SEO - search engine optimization.  I'm definitely still learning about this and am very open to suggestions and ideas.
• IMPLEMENT!!!  So easy to gather ideas, ideas, and more ideas and never do a thing.  Anyone out there use Pinterest?  Yeah?  So you know exactly what I mean!

What are you doing to be found?  I would love to hear some ideas!  And how are you dealing with your fears of being found?  Please share in the comments!  (See, a call to action!!)  If you like what you read here, share it with others!  (Look!  Another call to action!!)

Compared to Whom?

We all do it.  We all compare ourselves to others, and usually the best version of others.  Leah Remillet over at http://www.go4prophotos.com really stated it quite well.  And I don't think I could do it better.  So, check out her post and remember you are who you are and who you need to be!!   Embrace it!

http://www.go4prophotos.com/inspiration/get-out-of-the-comparison-funk/

Most Embarrassing Moment

We've all had one.  I have one that I don't tell many people.  And I'm not going to tell that one here.  But, I will tell you one.  Why?  Because we've all had them.  Right?

Pull Backs

Pull backs?  What the heck is a pull back?  Well, until this year I didn't really know what one was either.

A pull back, in photography (and probably other things), is when you pull back from what you are shooting to take an image of the full surroundings or set up of the shot you are taking.  It gives you  the context of the shot and is often used to educate yourself or other people on how you got the results that you got with the situation you were in - whether found or created.

Some of you may remember my infamous park bench that doesn't look like a park bench at all.  A pull back would have been a shot of the whole bench or a shot of me taking the picture of the bench so you could see what angle I was shooting from and where I was and where the sun was etc.  This is good to know if I ever wanted to replicate the shot or improve it.  What did I do or not do in order to get those results.

Click It Up A Notch is a blog that I often read.  Today she had a post on Photography Location Ideas.  It's a great example of what a pull back is.  You see the final image and where the image was actually taken - very surprising!

There are many other blogs and such that do this and lots of groups on Flickr that help with that too.

But, I like the idea of pull backs in life too.  I like the idea of taking a step back and seeing what it was that I did or didn't do in order to get the results that I got.  What can I do better?  What can I do differently?

I just made that person happy.  What was it that I did?  Can I do the same thing for someone else to make that person happy too?  OK, I just got reprimanded at work.  What did I do?  What can I do better?  I just solved that problem.  Is there a way that I could have solved that problem better?  Is there a way that I can apply what I learned in this situation to other situations?  Will that help other people too?

So, don't forget to pull back every now and then and take a look at what's going on.  You could be pleasantly surprised.

Here is an example of a pull back of a dandelion shot - with much thanks to my sweet Steven.

What Else Is In Your Camera Bag?

Yesterday I was reading a blog I visit occasionally  - Divas and Dreams.  The post was on 3 Steps to Make Better Photos.  Right off the bat, I'm struck by the title.  Not "take" better photos, but "make" better photos.  In order to make better photos, you need to have the right tools.  I already posted previously about what to keep in your camera bag.

Life is Groovy

It's true.  Life is pretty groovy.  Who can really argue that one?  It's weird, strange, fun, creepy, scary, and cool all at the same time. 

But a groove can also mean a path, like the path a record player needle follows on a record (sorry to all you young'uns out there who don't know what a record player is!).  So, it's like a pattern or a routine that you run through over and over.  Put a negative spin on it and it can be a rut.  A groove that you're stuck in and run through over and  over...... and over and over and over.

Yeah, life can be pretty groovy.  Something I both aspire to and despise.  I aspire to establish good routines and habits.  Take my vitamins, exercise, eat healthy, keep a clean house, keep in touch with friends on a regular basis.  See?  These are grooves that are good and healthy.  That's when we like to call them routines and habits.  It's when the routine is unhealthy, that it becomes a rut. 

You know what I'm talking about.  The groove of commuting to work each day.  Talk about a rut!  OK, fine, that's just an unpleasant but necessary routine that feels like a rut.  I guess a rut is more like when we feel stuck in a negative cycle or a groove that isn't doing us any favors.  Maybe it's a job that doesn't make your heart sing or eating habits that add inches to your waistline and subtract years from your life.  Maybe it's an unhealthy relationship or sloth or disorganization that keeps you from being the best you can be.

Whatever it is, life is groovy.  And so is this photograph!  This was a long exposure at a roller skating rink.  In photoshop I adjusted the contrast and then I added a bit of a twirl to make it look like a wave.

So, take control, and get into the groove, or out.  Get your groove on!

Where In the World????

Vermont
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Where in the world have I been?  Good question.  I'm not sure.  I've been busy living life and trying to figure out how to balance my energy with fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue syndrome.  Not easy.

Sometimes I feel like my mind is going to explode!  But, instead, I've taken a step back and listened to the advice of doctors and friends and have gone out on short term disability for a bit.  During this time I plan to rest, revamp my diet, and start working with an integrative medical center.  I also plan to feed my spirit and my humor with creativity and photography.  And that includes attempting my blog occasionally.  I'd like to try for once per week and see what happens.  No promises!

To add a little fun, I've taken on a photo challenge with a friend of mine which should be quite fun. http://www.divasanddreamsblog.com/2011/09/40-photo-challenges.html. Maybe a few will make the blog, but I WILL be posting them on my Therese Kay Photography page on Facebook. Feel free to check it out!

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Obscured Vision

Fog, rain, snow, clouds, haze, people, buildings....  All of these can obstruct our vision or distort our view in some way.  Sometimes the obstruction or distortion creates a reality that is quite lovely - such as in the image below.  The tree and clouds obscure the view of the full moon, but add to the whole experience.

Forest River Park, Salem, MA
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The same can be true of how we view life or events in life.  The clarity of our vision can be obscured by negative thinking, guilt, anger, whatever.  Our reality is always obstructed or distorted in some way.  Sometimes it is obscured by love, compassion, or optimism.  But, how your final "image" turns out will be based on how you frame it in the view finder, what techniques you use to manage your composition and point of view.

So, the next time someone cuts you off in traffic, will you view the event as annoying and/or dangerous?  Probably.  But then you can shift your focus or point of view or try a technique such as deep breathing, positive thinking, forgiveness, or prayer. 

In the end, how you see your world is up to you.  How will you choose to see it?