The adventure begins...

I love photography. I have my dad to thank for that. He was always the guy behind the Nikon snapping our childhood away, as early as I even have memory. I didn't always appreciate it...but I sure did love looking at what he caught on film. I have the best memories of "movie night" at our house...which was before the times of VHS, even. We would pop some popcorn and climb up on the couch and watch my dads slides on the big screen projector. A picture truly is worth a thousand words. They have the ability to freeze in time all those memories, wrap them with feelings and emotions, and tell the story like nothing else. And for the same reason that reading a book is so much more descriptive than watching a movie, I think looking at a picture has the ability for depth unlike home movies. I got my first camera for my 8th birthday. I can remember how exciting that was! Ofcourse my idea of a good shot was roaming the aisles of my favorite toy store and taking pictures of what I wanted for christmas. I also provided the same service to my siblings (for a small fee, ofcourse)...it was very critical that mom and dad have NO excuse for getting us the wrong thing. So, I've been taking pictures for a while now. It's only been a few years that I've stopped taking “pictures” and started seeing each shot I take as unique piece of art. I love being able to capture an image that's more than “cheese”, but tells a story. In my case, a story of God's faithfulness to me and my family and those that I love...the beauty of His creation. That doesn't mean that every shot is serious shot or even a great shot...I've got so much to learn. But in so many ways it has changed what I see and how I frame it when I look through that tiny black box.

I really want this blog to be a place where I can showcase photos of my children, our family and the daily (ok, with 5 kids maybe not daily) happenings around our family. But an important Second, my hope is to get my work out there for others to see and critique so that I may become a better photographer and artist, so please leave comments and suggestions. And finally,I hope that this display of my work will bring me one step closer to my dream of being a “real” photographer with a business of my own some day. If you like what you see here, and are in the St. Louis area, please contact me via the comment section of this blog. I am looking for families to photograph and bring into my portfolio. The sitting will be free and all of your proofs will be given to you on a CD. If you like them, you may print them.

I will be adding photos from my portfolio daily, so add me to your blog list and check back often.

Joyfully,

Michelle