Workshops

In March I took the opportunity to attend two excellent workshops. Tony Roche from Spokane Valley Camera Club shared some "secrets" for raising your photography up a notch. Many of his photographs look like there is an HDR process applied, and he shared that he uses layers to capture that look and went into detail how he does it. Yesterday I attended a seminar presented by PSA (Inland Empire Chapter of Photographic Society of America). Nevada Weir was the amazing photographer who presented the seminar and what a thrill it was to be there and learn from her stories and expertise.
     A week ago the Spokane Symphony launched their exciting 2012-13 Season Brochure, "Passion Now Playing." Some pictures I took at an outdoor Symphony concert at Arbor Crest last summer were selected for print in the brochure advertising this summer's three-concert series!  Click here to view the Spokane Symphony Brochure. You'll find my work on page 34.
     Also in March I got a Smart Phone - my first one! My first app was Square so that I can process credit cards for my Photography business through my phone. It works! I am enjoying my phone immensely, but I've got to unsubscribe to those merchants who send me daily emails! I really like reading my scriptures on my phone while commuting by bus. It is so much faster to read the cross-references, write notes, etc.
     March rainfall set a new record - I think it was 3.9 inches. All our trees have moss growing on the trunks and limbs. It reminds me of the Olympic National Park on the coast. Our perennials have emerged through the black dirt! I find that "rebirth" to be amazing. Gretta, with whom I work, planted a amaryllis bulb she received for Christmas in her office. It was fun to watch the growth and it finally bloomed in February.

 I worked on a few more images of K. She is so funny. We had to play a game of making different kinds of faces. I'd tell her to show me a scared face, and she'd raise her head to give me her best interpretation. I found that kept her quite engaged for a period of time. When she tired of that, we played Hide and Seek among the sleeping bags hanging in the door-less closet.  This kept her very happy, and she was a very willing subject to photograph, even though just a 2 year-old. Of the many faces, I like this one above the best.

Looking SO serious with baby brother.

The Gaiser Conservatory in Manito Park

Where can one see flowers blooming in January? At the Gaiser Conservatory in Manito Park, Spokane Washington! Gayle and I visited the conservatory on January 21, 2012 with a few members of Spokane Valley Camera Club. It was so refreshing to forget about the winter weather outside and come into the warm humid environment flowers love. 

This is what it looked like outside in Manito Park. 

Not taken at the conservatory at all - this is my blooming Christmas cactus 

A Few More Pictures

Big Sister loves her new baby brother! 

Conversations

A Happy 2012 Beginning

2012 started off beautifully with an additional day off of work - that allowed us to have the time to go photograph migrating eagles in Wolf Lodge Bay near Couer d' Alene, Idaho. Wed. Jan. 3 was delivery day for my niece, even though she lives as far away as one can live from me in the US, I stay in touch through Facebook as she posts often. When I got home from work the first thing I did was check Facebook and there was a picture of she and the baby. But several hours later a phone call from my sister revealed that she had life-threatening complications and the doctors questioned her survival. Family members and friends prayed fervently for her life. I believe in the power of prayer; know that we have a loving Father in Heaven who cares immensely about us, and blesses us continually. Miracles occurred that night. Maria did live, did deliver a healthy baby. She has a long road to go to full recovery, but she's taking it one step at a time. I am grateful for miracles.


Our daughter, Heather, delivered a baby boy in December and I took the opportunity on Jan. 7 to fly to Utah for a week to give her an extra hand with 2 yr. old K. and baby. As a mother, it's one of those most joyful things I have done, to be there helping with new babies. I enjoyed every minute of it, and I am missing playing with K. and holding E. Here are a few pictures from the week I was there:

       Keith is such a great dad. I am impressed with his involvement in the day to day needs of K and E.

                               E. was very cooperative during is "photo shoot." A peaceful moment.

                                  One very happy family! And good memories for me.

The Last Quarter

I'm not talking money here, but time. October through December was very busy. Some of those times I've talked about in previous posts.
October 1, 2011 - Eric, Cory, and Gayle head out for the Weber State vs Eastern Washington football game. It was nice to have Eric here for a week-end visit.

October 7-9 was our trip to the Colville National Forest, which is in a previous post.
October 15 - SVCC Field Trip, led by Jan Hannink. Jan leads a wonderful field trip every year in the fall. I look forward to these trips immensely, when we take a day trip and see places I've never been.

Let Me Out of Here!

Old Schoolhouse will be renovated

Photographer Larry Berreth 

Deserted 

These are only a few of many interesting pictures I took that day.
October 18 - Two photo shoots of infants. It was so much fun.

I purchased 5 yards of fabric and made a hammock-like swing to hold this little one.

She was so attentive and happy during her session. What an angel.

 I love this expression of surprise on big sister's face. You wouldn't know how windy it was if it were not for the pansys.

October 26 - Two photo shoots. Such a beautiful fall day it was! Everything was magic.

Ashley was so much fun to work with. You'll be seeing more of her on my website.
October 29th - This time it was my turn to be in front of the camera. My photographer friend, Ray Ward, took our pictures and let me edit as I desired. I've been a fan of Ray's photography and I owe a good share of my expertise to Ray's workshops and advice.

Nancy and Gayle

November 5th - Baby and Mom photoshoot (pictures posted previously)
November - 26th - Thanksgiving! Such gratitude I have for many things! Lisa, Hung, and the girls came for the week-end. It's been a couple of years since they've had a family portrait. The weather was cold, but they were good sports.

December 2-4 - The Nutcracker! I was asked to take some pictures for the Spokane Symphony's Facebook page. I won't put the pictures here because they are on my Facebook page as well. But a neat result came of a picture I took of Bridget in her soldier costume, which she wore while working during the shows. Bridget is also an artist, and every year she creates a new card for Christmas. This year she said she wasn't going to do one. But after seeing the picture I took of her on Facebook, she was inspired to create a card after all of herself dressed as a soldier in The Nutcracker!

December 2 - 8th, and 21 - I photographed the trees in the Davenport Hotel and Riverpark Square - Christmas Tree Elegance trees, that is. Also the brand new Spokane Symphony banners that adorn the streets surrounding Martin Woldson Theater at The Fox.

This concert was completely sold out - Yeah!!!!

December 14th - a new baby boy is born into our family! I cannot wait to see him in three weeks!
December 25th - Christmas Day - quiet, peaceful. No pictures.
December 26th - And last, but not least, Gayle and I went on our annual eagle watch at Wolf Lodge Bay, and Beacon's Bay near Coeur d'Alene, Idaho. I will post the pictures next time as the hour is late and I'm exhausted!

September 28-29 Musician Photoshoot

The end of September I was asked to take pictures of Spokane Symphony Orchestra musicians. These pictures will eventually be placed on the Spokane Symphony website in a section called "Meet The Musicians." Here are a few of them:

Chuck Karschney, French Horn

Allison Cregg, First Violin

Bruce Bodden, Principle Flute

Chris Cook, Trumpet

Lynne Feller-Marshall, Principle Bassoon