Missed Opportunities

I adore nature photography. Nothing makes me happier than tramping through the woods with my camera strung around my neck, ducking through underbrush trying to find a good shot. If I had my own way about things, I'd make a living doing exactly that.

That being said, I also enjoy portraiture. Not quite as much, but I do get more of a sense of accomplishment from a good portrait, because, for me, portraits are more difficult.

There was the possibility recently of my shooting senior portraits for a cousin of a cousin. I was psyched about it; it had been about a year since my last actual "shoot" for people who weren't family. When the cousin finally contacted me to set up a time for the shoot, it was to let me know that the photos had to be done the next day, because the deadline for yearbook photos was the day after. There was no possible way on this green earth I would have had time to work within that deadline, having two kids to care for and all. I can't just drop the kids on someone at the drop of a hat and run off to shoot pictures. I'm a mom - I have to schedule everything to within an inch of it's life.

I'm disappointed that I missed the opportunity to build my portfolio, but that's just more incentive for me to go out and hunt down more prospective portrait shoots.

April Showers and Spring Flowers

I love so many things about spring: the warmer weather, sudden rainshowers, longer days. But most of all, I love it when all of the dormant flowers start to poke their heads above the soil.

With two babies under three at home, I'm often pressed for time and unable to get away with my camera. It becomes a challenge to find new and interesting things to photograph in my everyday environment, but the flowers of spring never let me down.

I'm not much of a gardener myself, with the exception of one lone rose bush that practically takes care of itself, but I can always count on my mom to have plenty of gorgeous blooms around. These magnolia blooms are flowering on the tree in her front yard, next to a gorgeous smelling lilac and right in front of a goldfish pond surrounded by tulips and hyacinth. The kids and I are there often, nearly every day, so I'm always taking advantage of Mom's green thumb by capturing an image or twelve. Or forty.

It's amazing what you can find to photograph right in front of you when you keep your eyes open.

Welcome!

Welcome, everyone, to the official "launch" of my photoblog, The Country Photographer. I wanted a home on the 'net to share my imaging exploits, adventures and learnings, to track my progress as I evolve into a better photographer, and to share photos with friends and family (and potential clients!). I hope you'll come along and join me for the ride.

Check back often for updates, new photos, and general news about the photographic experiences in my life.