I did a photoshoot last week with my brother and his family. They needed a family portrait but I also took a bunch of individuals as well as small groups. Winter natural light this far north is really hard to work with. But the brick in their home is stunning for portraits and I love their wood floor too! I plan to visit their home often and steal their textures! Just thought I’d share a few of my favorites.

It’s a brand new year and I have a lot in store for myself. Good things are about to happen, I’m sure of it.

I’m getting used to my beautiful new camera. I use it every day and try and challenge myself a little more each day. I try new subjects, new settings, new lighting, new angles, and just an overall different perspective of what I’m seeing through the lens. It’s so much fun, really!

I have a year-long goal. While winter is shedding it’s not so vibrant light, I’m going to work on things with the camera and develop a good workflow. Once spring arrives I’d like to do at least 3 serious shoots a month for family and friends. By summer’s end I’d like to have added in a couple of shoots from people I’ve not already shot in the past and by fall I’d like to have a decent portfolio in the works. I’ll likely do a handful of holiday card shoots before November is over. I’d like to do very little in December except decide if I’m ready to move forward with a business or continue to work on my portfolio awhile longer. Time will tell. Of course things might move faster than what I have in mind and that will be ok as long as everything is going well and falling into place properly and I’m able to keep my head above water and keep a good business sense about myself. I know it all takes time and I’m willing to take it in order to get where I want to be and not be disappointed. There really is so much to learn.

I’ve been spending my free time away from family and camera with my nose in a photography book or in the message boards trying to learn all that I can. I have found great mentors [even if they don't know it] at a couple of message boards. I’ve met some really neat people and I get to look at some awesome portraiture every day. I even try and help out those very new to photography where I can. My friend Heather Loehr and I have been bouncing all kinds of ideas around together lately and I think that really helps me. It’s good to get another opinion and a different perspective from someone with similar vision and goals.

So, for now I’m just enjoying myself, learning all I can and making great subjects out of my kids and pets. They don’t always appreciate me with a camera in hand but I always appreciate their radiant faces and funky attitudes and the joy they bring me when I open up a new set of shots. Some day they’ll love that I took so many pictures of them while they’re growing up. We’ll have all those memories saved forever.

Best wishes to everyone in 2007, let this be a great year for creativity to shine through in everyone!