Through the Eyes of My Blog

Make no bones about it.

This blog has transformed my life.

Susan Tuttle said it most beautifully in her article titled A Room of One's Own in the most recent issue of Somerset Life. She said,

When I create a blog post there is an unveiling of truth that takes place -- I am often surprised by the manner in which the photos I share and the thoughts I write about weave together into a cohesive whole, revealing something more powerful than I could have ever imagined.

And as I have written posts, day after day, and week after week...my heartsong has been revealed to me and I have made amazing self-discoveries.

Like the fact that I absolutely love photography.

Jim gave me my first digital SLR camera about 6 years ago -- but I didn't really move past the "auto" settings until I began serious blogging. I wanted the pictures in my posts to help tell the story...and that led me to explore creativity in photography that went beyond the green auto setting.

This year for Mother's Day, Jim bought me a new camera body that has a much more powerful sensor...this will help me take better pictures in low light (aka indoors). Right now, I am slogging my way through a 500-page manual on getting the most from my camera and I'm not even bored. In fact, I'm fascinated. (OK. You can call me on it. Some parts are boring...)

It's like a whole new world has opened to me and I have just jumped in with two feet. And this Summer, I've been more quiet than usual because I've been studying photography and taking lots of online classes on taking photos, workflow and editing. And *phew*, it's been quite a ride.

The first online class I took was a few years ago from Karen Russell. I love everything about Karen's photographs...She has the gift of telling her life's story through her images which is something I aspire to do.

Through Karen, I learned of a new community called Clickin' Moms. Since they charge a fee for membership, I decided to join for only 6 months. Now, after reading all of the tips in the forums and learning through watching the process of thousands of talented women photographers, I wish I had become a lifetime member right out of the gate! There are tons of free tutorials, helpful members willing to respond to questions, and many different courses being offered all the time.

They should have just called it Clickin' Women. Even if you're not a mom, it's a very active group of talented photographers and worth checking out.

So that's some of where I've been.

Studying photography so that I can better share my life's story with you...

And with me.

{My brother John sent me this link to a speech given by photojournalist, Renee Byer, who won the Pulitzer Prize for telling a story with photographs. Here's a link to just the prize-winning photographic essay titled A Mother's Journey. It's a bit tough to watch but very beautiful...}