Beauty Inside and Out

I really enjoy all my family portrait sessions, but when it's like getting together with a group of close friends, it seems to make the time go so fast.

Everyone appears more at ease, there is a lot of catching up in between shots, and it's just a fun time for me!

I'm also amazed that one family can have such beauty inside and out.

The interaction between everyone is relaxed, but with some lively energy thrown in.

Because I wanted to capture the unique appeal of everyone, I decided to set up a fake studio outside by the lake - complete with backdrop and off camera lighting.

This way I was able to have some 'one on one' time with each member of the family. Letting them have their moment to shine.

And shine they did!

Of course we needed to add in a dose of silliness, play acting, and good ol' horsing around.

Thank you once again for letting me capture these timeless, memories of your beautiful family.

Sometimes it's not the process of taking photographs that's important during a session like this, but the experience you come away with!

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Letting Go

One thing I’ve realized about myself over the years is that I prefer my environment to be relatively controlled.


This part of me even includes planning my leisure time, especially travel vacations.

But, in this aspect, I don’t think I am alone. We all like to research where we are going, what we want to do, lists of things that need to be checked off. Especially with our world being so globally accessible through such vast internet availiblity – why not?

But, when the universe has “other” plans for you, well...... sometimes you just have to let go of that control.



Recently, my much researched, analyzed, scheduled vacation was canceled the day before.
I vowed to go somewhere, and had a great deal of flexibility, but only one day to plan – or gain control of my week abroad.
I ran to the bookstore and scanned the travel section........a destination was decided.

 Portugal.

This would be my second time to visit this country, so I needed to make the experience unique. 20 years ago, we rented a car in Lisbon and explored the southern part of the country. Stayed in Porto Covo, Algarve, crossing over to Spain, went to a bullfight in Seville, climbed the rock of Gibraltar, and then headed back to Lisbon exploring the interior route.



This time I decided to head North, planning the excursion as we went.
This was very hard for me – but made for some wonderful experiences and discoveries.

First stop Lisboa.

Filled with clay rooftop vistas.

And quaint streets, above the hills of Alfama.

 As well as many voyeuristic views of stranger’s clean laundry, blowing in the gorgeous warm breeze.

Our arrival, greeted us with picture perfect weather, becoming the most amazing introduction to this diverse, and extremely friendly place.


Next stop ………… Cascais.



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Erotica

What is Erotica?

A sensual image depicting desire and emotion. 

A direct focus on the aesthetic form of desire and sexuality.

My challenge was to capture and insight these feelings through implied imagery.

In recent years, erotica photography captures provocative images of male or female models posed to provoke feelings of desire and passion.

But in 1888, erotic expressions were often found in statues and sculptures.

One example is the beautiful Roman fountain of Fontana delle Naiadi.

The figures seen surrounding this fountain represent four Nymphs – the Naiad Oceans, the Naiad of Rivers, Lakes and Naiad ground water – each with a suggestive allegorical animal of their environment.

With cascading water, complete nudity, and lascivious poses – this proved to be too much for the Roman public. This new freedom of expression was not accustomed to and became quite controversial, resulting in being cordoned off to prevent further scandal.

Eventually the fence came down and the voluptuous virgins were visible for all to see, enjoy and imagine.

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Small Works

This weekend kicks off the opening of the Small Works Exhibition at the Sussex County Arts & Heritage Council.

The Arts and Heritage council is a private, non-profit agency fostering and promoting the artistic and cultural vitality of Sussex County.

This, members only, show's opening reception is this Saturday May 15, 4-6pm and runs through June 5th.

Small works are limited in size to 12"x12" including frame.
Included in the exhibit are two pieces by me titled Divine Intervention.

As with all my work, I love the story behind the images that I create. These images were captured during my recent unexpected delay in Manchester England due to the eruption of the volcano - Eyjafjallajokull - in Iceland.

I was not upset so much because of the delay, but because I was without my camera on this trip now that I could get out and do some sightseeing!
Well, I wasn't totally without a camera.
I guess I still had my Iphone camera that I could use to record my adventures.
But, it wasn't going to be the same quality of images I am use to getting as a photographer.
Or was it????

My first day of cancelations took me to the quaint walled city of York.
It was beautiful and picturesque.
So, out came the Iphone and Istarted recording. After reviewing the images, I was really impressed by the quality this little machine was able to get.
So, I continued and started to get creative.

My Divine Intervention series is a result of the Iphone technology and some artistic rendering through photoshop.

I love the feeling and mood that is evoke through these two images taken at a church I stumbled upon in York.
I particularly like the light that was emitted during my visit.
A light beam filtered through the buildings as I walked through an ancient graveyard.
And the soft light coming through a church window illuminating a small desk used for prayer.

Sometimes when you are given lemons in life, the lemonade is soooo delicious!

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Spring Fest

Spring is well underway, with even hints of summer temperatures thrown in.

While the transformation is taking place, it always fascinates me that something so dead and lifeless really does have growth and energy inside!

What also strikes me this time of year, is the explosion of Yellow!

Witnessing the budding daffodils, and the vibrant display of the forsythia bush.

It's a welcome change from the brown unadorned trees, grey skies and dull grasses to the glowing sun and golden buds.

It is also the time of year that the gold finches dress up in their brightest plumage to show off for and get the attention of the nearest ladies.

Soon the yellows will have to share the stage with the other glorious spectrum of colors working their way onto the canvas.

Allowing the pinks and purples - white blooms and deep ruby petals to also shine in the limelight.

But I will always give thanks and appreciation to the yellows as being the pioneers of Spring!




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Assateague Island - Land of the Wild Ponies

Off season road- tripping, there is nothing like it.

Enjoying a place that can be wall to wall people one month, is also a place that can offer solitude and peace another.

Fall visits to the shore mean that the carnival rides are still, and the beaches are empty.

But, the sunsets are still beautiful.

This place I bring you to is the National Seashore of Assateague Island, built by sand that persistent waves have raised from the ocean’s gently sloping floor.

A 37-mile long barrier island located off the eastern coast of Maryland and Virginia. It is known for gorgeous beaches, shore birds, lapping waves and the famous “wild ponies”.

The herd of wild horses, known as ponies or Chincoteague Ponies, can often be seen during your visit. They are descended from domesticated stock that was grazed on the island as early as the 17th century.

Slightly smaller than other horses, these ponies are sturdy, shaggy and have adapted to their harsh seashore environment including scorching heat, abundant insects, and stormy weather on a windswept barrier island.

Once a year, to keep the herd managed in population, the ponies are rounded up and swim, during low tide, between Assateague and Chincoteague for the annual auction sponsored by the Chincoteague, Virginia, Volunteer Fire Company. Many of the foals and yearlings are sold with the remainder of the herd allowed to return back to the island.

It’s wonderful to see ponies that were once born on the island now living healthy lives as trail horses, giving (as well as receiving) love and companionship. Some even revisit their former stumping grounds, with their “new” families.

Besides searching for ponies, the islands are perfect environments for bird watcher seeking migratory birds.

Birds abound throughout Assateague. This is also aided by the National Wildlife Refuge management programs that are active in enhancing the coastal habitat for the benefit of migratory and nesting birds as well as indigenous wildlife.

The protection provided for the native and migratory wildlife is the refuge primary objective.

The true beauty of nature can only be experienced firsthand.

It may not be summer vacation, but you’d be surprised by what nature has to offer throughout the rest of the year.