Hey Jude

My husband and I recently adopted two kittens... which means the subject of 98% of my photography this month has been... the kittens :o)  I will try to refrain from posting exclusively kitty shots for the next few weeks, but this one was just too precious not to share.  I usually have a tough time catching them with open eyes because of my flash, especially up close like this, and yet here we have a beautiful portrait of Jude showing off his awesome eyes.  We've had a blast watching them grow and they are now about halfway through their first round of vet trips and shots... at the moment they're driving me crazy running around and clawing up my hands, but they're still adorable ;o)

on a wire

There is a little grocery store at the end of our street.  Austin and I walk to it occasionally when we need to get something for dinner (they are a bit pricier than the local chains, so while we can't afford to shop there as much as we'd like we do still try to support their business).  On one of our walks this fall I decided on a whim to bring my camera along.  I was sure glad I did as I've often wanted to capture an image similar to this and wouldn't ya know when we walked out of the store there was a whole mess of birds hanging out on the wires.  Looking at the image now evokes feelings of comfort for me.  Some people might find it a lonely scene but I see the multitude of birds huddled together, finding comfort in each others' presence.  I love the drama of the multiple power lines underneath them as well.

Arctic Freeze

It snowed again in Detroit today.  A lot.  I'm actually really hoping that my husband ends up getting the day off, since he's only supposed to work a half day anyhow and I'm sure he'll spend it ALL on the road it he has to go in.  We shall see.  The weather tonight inspired me to share this photo I shot last year at the Detroit Zoo (which I love).  I was actually there to do a portrait shoot for a client and of course took advantage and shot quite a few for my own collection while I was at it :o)

Polar bears make me homesick.  Those of you who know me may be making Canadian jokes now, but I'm not kidding... I was born in Thompson, Manitoba, which is at the end of the treeline... a couple of hours north of me? Polar bears.  No joke.

The polar bears at the Detroit zoo aren't always easy to see, and usually less easy to photograph.  The good reason is because they've done a really good job creating a natural and LARGE habitat for them.  The downside of course, is that I rarely get an opportunity to get shots like this one.  I love the icy feel of this shot, and how the bear is looking off to the side, almost casually... like he sees something interesting but wants to play it cool.

Stay warm out there dear readers... hope you've enjoyed my tangent into my own history ;o)

where is the love?

Happy New Year, dear readers!  Since my last post, we've celebrated a wonderful Christmas season and rung in the new year (who ever thought 2011 could come so quickly?!) we've also adopted two adorable kittens to add to our family (making us a 3 cat home with a dog who comes to visit occasionally)

I am not one for new years' resolutions, however I do often spend the holiday season reflecting on life, on the past, on the future, and this year is no exception.  I have spent a lot of time considering just how much love is my life and being supremely grateful for that.  There have been many many many trials in my life the last couple of years, but love and support from friends and family have gotten me through, and I am so thankful that they have been there for me!

Today's photo reflects that warm fuzzy feeling love gives me, as I was in Traverse City this summer, and found this heart randomly painted on a bridge.  The sight of it not only made me smile, but made me instantly think about the intent someone may have in painting a heart on a bridge in the middle of the city.  It made me think of the times in our lives when we just need to be reminded that we are loved.  I hope this image brings a smile to your face as well today, and that you can be reminded that YOU ARE LOVED!! :o)  Happy Monday all!

winter wonderland

snow has hit Michigan.  The last few years my winters have been less than inspired and we have had far less snow than is usual, so my photography has suffered in the winter scape arena.  This year we have been blessed with some snow and sun at the same time (ideal winter shooting scenario!) and so yesterday I treated myself to a morning in the cold and snow to get some great winter shots.  This one struck me particularly as I was wandering through the wooded area in our apartment complex.  I loved how the leaves still held some colour, but were almost translucent as the sun shone through them.  The ice clinging to and around them really added some extra crispness to the feel of the image, so I was quite pleased with the results!

If you'd like to see more of my winter works, including some more from yesterday's walk, just check out this album.  Let us know what you think!

One Sweet Day

One of the things my husband 'worries' about leaving me on my own is that it's too quiet and I'll be lonely.  He often tells me to put on some music if he's leaving for awhile.  It's kind of cute.  Tonight I took his advice and opened up my iTunes to keep me company while I unpack some more boxes and put away groceries, and the first song that came on my mix brought back a wave of musical nostalgia for me.  Mariah Carey's "One Sweet Day" (performed with Boyz II Men) brought me back to being 13 years old, the height of my music obsession, and the many many many memories that came along with that time in my life.  I've always loved the sound and emotion of that song, so it was a pleasant surprise to hear it again, it's been awhile!

I decided to post the image above as an interpretation of the lyrics of the song.  I actually took this photo a few years ago of my husband (then boyfriend)'s hand while we were on location shooting his music video.  We were on a short break and I was eating up the light and the shadows of the afternoon and made him model for me (with his hand) for a few shots.  The results I felt evoked a certain image of hope and welcoming.  Fitting for the song.

A Tribute

This past Sunday was a bittersweet day for my husband and I.  A couple of weeks ago, we received an email informing us that a good friend of his had been placed in hospice care and that he had requested Austin play at his memorial service.  We hadn't known Andy was sick, so the whole thing came as an extreme shock to us, and Austin took it very hard.  We spent the last couple of weeks meeting with Andy's family and friends, and preparing for the service, which was Sunday.  I have been meaning to dig up the disc containing the photos I took at the birthday party Andy hired Austin to play at several years ago, but haven't been able to locate it yet with all that's still in transition in our moving process, so instead I'm posting the image above (shot at one of the Rodeo's that came through Auburn Hills a few years ago) in tribute to Andy Cummins, one of the truest cowboys we've known.  Below is a copy of the poem that Andy wrote shortly before his death.  While his body finally gave into cancer, his spirit never did, and his legacy will live on forever.  Rest in Peace Andy, you are missed here, but we will continue to ride for the brand in your honour.

 Cowboy Up

Cancer versus the Cowboy

by A.J. Cummins

He ain't a bronc I'd choose to ride

with a 44 brand burned high on his side.

He had little pig ears and big Roman nose

but I had to ride him and see how it goes.

He was a straddle-legged Cayuse strawberry roan

he was muscled and rangy and bad to the bone.

An outlaw they said had never been rode

I had eight seconds to stick before I got throw'd.

I stepped up beside him; I had to face him alone

this was the ride that would take me home.

I checked all the leather on my judgment day throne

this wasn't the ride that I was gonna get thrown.

When I ride this ol' warrior I want him cinched up tight

there'll be no second chance on this ride tonight.

I knew with no doubt this was the ride for life

so let's get it on and see who's right.

With great fear and wonder I stepped in the leather

swung my leg over and we sat there together.

His job is to finish me one jump at a time

my job is to prove that each leap is benign.

Just when I thought this might end in the dust

I thought about you, your faith and your trust.

You said I'm a tough guy and beat this I can

that's when I felt your grip in my hand.

He went up with the moon and came down with the sun

he sure was a sunfishin' son-of-a-gun.

But we got him licked, he's startin' to tire

he's losin' his hump, he's losin' his fire.

With us in the saddle, stickin' with prayer

no doubt the outcome soon will be there.

This is the ride of my life and I'm up to the task

just stay there beside me, that's all that I ask.

Thank you for all you have done for me and my family.

"Cowboy Up"