Perfection, Inside the photographer's mind.

Every picture tells a story, or a few images can direct the story. As a photographer, I can adjust the color and lighting but it is not like a painting where I can just put things where I want without the use of photoshop. I'm not a big believer in photoshop. I like to take photos that are real or actual. I also like to challenge myself with lighting and composition. This morning's walk along the beach was no different than most. I'm always looking for that money shot or what makes an image extroadrinary. I was greeted by an ibis fishing for breakfast. I thought my image would be far more attractive if the white ibis was surrounded by white sea foam. It's always a photographer's challenge to capture white on white and I accepted that challenge! After a couple of those shots, my mind begins to switch gears. I'm thinking, wouldn't it be cool to capture the ibis as a silhouette in the sunrise. So rather than waiting on the ibis to walk a little, I move to center the ibis in the sunlight. Now I have my subject right where I want. Only it keeps moving. Sometimes I can see it clearly and other moments I can't because the ocean and foam are different with each incoming wave. As I try to keep up with the ibis, a seagull photo bombs the bottom of my view finder. Ok, that's cool, I like the seagull's shadow in the sand. But could you fly a little higher next time? The sun is changing and getting brighter with each second. Like a clock ticking. In a couple minutes the sun will be too bright for anything. I don't have much time. No pressure, haha! So I wait for another seagull. Usually there's lots. But this morning, not so much! Go figure. Where's a seagull when you need one? Finally, I spot one coming up the beach. Each second feels like forever. I waited patiently, panning up the beach side, but it flies too high. Mean while the ibis is still fishing back and forth. I am amazed it is still with me. With one eye I am trying to keep view of the ibis in line with the sun and the other eye anticipating another seagull in sight. And you're probably reading all this thinking, man, this is for the birds! An elderly woman slowly walks by and I have to pause. Breathe. Yes, it's the beach. We are just out of a 2 month quarantine and I am not the only one out viewing God's masterpiece of the morning! I can still see the beautiful sun rays pouring through the clouds. Like angels upon us. The ibis is in my view finder. But the sun is getter more brighter and I have a white blob on the top of my image. I can't zoom in or I would loose the ibis in the foreground. The whole idea is to have both birds in the shot to be unique.  If I could just get a seagull to fly straight through where the glare spot is, I would be golden! My opportunity arrives coming from the north. A large seagull is in view. Perfect! The seagull is like a stealth, slowly it begins to hover. Much to my surprise, it hovers right in front of the sun where I needed! Amazing! CLICK! So in my next shot in a matter of seconds, my timing is right! I lower my camera with a huge smile of accomplishment on my face. I know this moment will never happen again! Oh the excitement of a photographer's life! All in a days work! Happy shooting!

Celebrate Life

I would like to share my version of Celebrate Life blog with you.  Being a photographer is not always just fun capturing nature and weddings. It also involves capturing people. An image, or expression of a split second that can last a lifetime. A reminder of what once was or whom was. It can be heart wrenching if I photograph a person and soon after they pass. That's the hardest part for me as an artist.  It may be a birthday celebration, anniversary, event or even our finest local young musicians. I'm also responsible for capturing the very last photo of my Mother and dear Grandmother together. Both passed within 30 days of each other about a week after I took the photo. It is also up to me, emotionally, to turn that negative into a positive. It's not an easy choice and I still struggle with some of those ever lasting smiles.
I have to choose joy that I was able to capture that person, their expression or lasting impression as my gift to others. I don't seek the thank you's, I feel it's my purpose here on earth. I know I was given a gift as an artist, but it's mostly to promote and give back to others. So today I say out loud Rest In Peace. All is not lost as they are home.

Divine Love

Everyone desires a divine love. A love that never disappoints. But we use the word love freely. We love our family, we love our children, we love our spouse.  We love our jobs, and special places. We even love the cars we drive. But what is true love? Love in the acts of kindness? Giving gifts of love? Or is it the feelings of attraction in being close and intimate? Perhaps it's an unconditional love while never expecting anything in return.  It's a love we can't live without. A love that is free and fulfilling. God's love is the only love that never falters and never fails. Take comfort in your faith and know that God truly loves you, now and forever.

As one door closes

We've all heard the phrase, "when one door closes, another one opens" The question is, do you have the faith to walk through one? Or which door is right? Only you'll never know if you don't take that opportunity right in front of you. As we step into 2020 I wish you the very best. There are no goodbye's, just another time and another place.

Trust your instincts and walk through those upcoming doors. May you find peace and happiness in the New Year! 

Purple Aurora
On Nov 21 2019, I decided to have a camp fire. It was a mild evening shortly after 7pm. It was one week before Thanksgiving. A time when I miss my Mother the most. Family gatherings just aren't the same without her. Though sometimes I feel she is right here with me. That evening was no different. At 7:21 I started taking photos of the campfire. The cold season was already upon and I wasn't certain how many more nights like these were left. The next twelve minutes left me in a mysterious awe of wonder. It was like having my own personal Aurora in my back yard. I really have no explanation for the images I took. Only I have my own conclusions. I know what I saw, and I know what I felt. Did I mention Mom's favorite color was purple? The images are not edited. I took several in those twelve minutes and the shadows left like they came.

Gems in the rough

As a young teenager I was intrigued by rocks and minerals. I had a great collection and a black light. Shortly after moving to NC my Mother called to let me know of a mineral mine close by. I never knew where it was and never seem to have the time to research where it actually was. Soon after my Mom passed. I was offered an opportunity to show my photography in a little town named Hiddenite. I had no idea what that little town was all about. On my way to the location of my debut I saw a sign that said Hiddenite Emerald Mine. Holy cow! This must have been the place my Mother told me about! I decided I needed to stop on the way back to at least inquire about setting up a time to actually dig for rocks and minerals. They had a table outside where you could buy rocks and minerals. I wanted to buy a pretty blue stone but a voice in my head told me it wasn't necessary. After inquiring about days and hours of operation, I left. I knew I would be back one day.
My week ahead as a flight attendant was a busy time. Some days would start out with five flights in the first day. After each flight it was our job to make certain the cabin was clean and all seatbelts were crossed and ready for the next flight. Oddly enough I came to a row where one seat already had the safetybelt crossed. On top was a gift left for me. It was a blue heart shaped stone. I cried, it immediately touched my soul. No wonder I didn't to buy any stones the other day. Much to my surprise, it was also the anniversary of my Mother's passing.
A few more years past before making time to get back to Hiddenite. Actually 10 years.
 I didn't know what to expect. When I arrived I met two women getting out of their car. I asked them if they had ever done this sort of thing before and they said no. I introduced myself and told them my story of how I came about coming to dig rocks. They found my story inspiring and invited me to join them. We started the day digging but we really didn't know what we were finding. I found some quartz right away. On the way back to the entrance I came upon some erosion with small emeralds and jasper. Even though I was content with my findings we all agreed we would try our luck buying a bucket and sluicing. The mine has a variety of buckets to choose from. I happen to pick a bucket that had Emeralds and other Hidden gems. Did you know an Emerald doesn't have to be green? One in particular was a heart shaped Emerald. It was the perfect way to end a day decicated to my Mom.

Sign Above

It was a super hot day walking the streets in Santiago Spain with my daughter. We decided to visit the Cathedral. What a wonderful spiritual experience that is breathtaking! I was the typical tourist with my camera stopping to snap photos every now & then. We crossed the street and all of a sudden a sign appeared before us.
I looked at my daughter & she looked at me. We were both speechless. She knew the story my Mother always told when I was born. If I were born a boy I would have been named Michelena. I instantly took a photo of the street sign before us. We knew right away my Mothers presence was with us. It truly was a sign from above.