I shot Rachel

As much as I enjoy taking pictures, I've never really tried to take them of people. Flowers and scenery are easy. They dont blink and you dont have to worry that they're making a weird face... But I have always wondered how I'd do shooting people and I finally got the chance this weekend...

A few months ago, my friend Rachel was looking at some vacation shots I had taken and asked if I'd come over and photograph her family so she could have some updated pictures to hang. I happily agreed -- but we decided to wait until I had the digital camera - and until things were blooming in her yard.

Yesterday the weather cleared just in time and I spent a couple hours shooting away at Rachel and her fam and we had a blast. Having never worked with living, breathing subjects, I wasnt sure what I'd come away with. Fortunately there were several keepers -- It helped that the three of them are pretty photogenic and not a bit camera-shy... ; )

Here are a few of my favs from the day...

In other news, Mom and I head to France tomorrow with a dozen of her students...back in a week and a half. Will definitely share stories and pictures when I get back... Fingers are crossed that we have an uneventful trip.... A bientot!!

Mother Nature puts me to shame

Here’s the most impressive “before and after” that I’ll ever post and – aside from documenting it – I had nothing to do with it. I went out a few weeks ago with my camera to get some pictures of the poppies (which were gorgeous, but unfortunately they didn’t last long – I should post some of them too…next time…) when I noticed the buds on the two peony bushes around the side of the house.

I’d never seen peony buds before, but I couldn’t get over how…perfect…they are. Perfectly round, kinda shiny. Like little natural marbles. The peonies had pretty much had it by the time I moved in last year, but I remembered them being pretty big flowers and I couldn’t quite believe what that these little round buds were going to turn into.

I also learned from a few of my more botanically-aware friends that the ants I’ve seen all over the buds belong there. Apparently the buds have sugar on them, which the ants eat, allowing the buds to open. Who knew?

If I were a more poetic person, I’d probably mention something about the natural beauty of the world we live in and the need to take care of it and that only in nature would you find that ants and flower buds needed each other…

But instead, after a year of posting Before and After pictures, I’ll give Mother Nature full credit for the most inspiring transformation so far...