Charitable Works

I have started 3 different photo albums, all of them benefiting the Susan G. Komen Foundation.  Each album benefits a different walker.  I wanted to do something to help, but don't have much money and then I got this idea which stemmed from another person's idea for fund-raising.  I am running this through my facebook page, so head over, take a peek and maybe buy something.  I am offering this through the end of July for two walkers, not sure about the third as she is a 3 day Warrior- she walks many 3 days.  Most likely it will run till her last deadline.

Ok so I here the wheels turning in your head asking "Why the Susan G. Komen 3-Day?"  When I was just about to turn 16, my Mom was diagnosed with breast cancer.  She had stage 1 and was easily cured through surgery.  She didn't need radiation or chemo.  She was/is lucky.  She's a 20 year breast cancer survivor. 

It isn't only my Mom.  My Gramma had it.  My Aunt had it.  My Great Aunt had it, twice.  That's all on the maternal side.  On my Dad's side, I lost an Aunt to breast cancer and three others to various other cancers.
 
Many, many, women and mothers aren't as fortunate as my Mom and I.  I know to get mammograms yearly and have since I was 30.  I check my breasts monthly.  I plan to live a long life- with or without my breasts.  I have decided that if and when my time with breast cancer arrives- I will be getting a single or double mastectomy.  I don't want radiation or chemo if I can avoid it.  For me, it is silly to risk future health issues that arise from radiation and chemo, if a surgery can avoid that.  I mean I can get really nice fake boobies that will be almost permanently perky instead of the sagging ones the kids gave me.  Am I making light of this- yes I am.  I deal with hardships with humor and sarcasm.  Those that know me IRL also know I tend to gravitate to extremes.  I recently opted for surgery, when hormonal pills may have worked instead.  I refuse hormonal treatments in part due to my families breast cancer history.  As I said I do gravitate to extremes.  It's just part of my charm.

If you don't have the funds to purchase something, which believe me I get, spread the word to your friends and their friends.  Get the word out.  

Post Craziness Slump

by cjprints on Etsy.com

After shooting a wedding, an Orchid exhibition and editing the Orchids within 3 weeks I am burned out.  Totally toasty.  I have had zero urge to pick up my camera and scrap the accumulated rust off.  I hate phases like this.  I am slowly editing the wedding, and have much more to do.  I just feel meh.

I know there was a super moon and lightening storms this past week.  Didn't pull out the gear and attempt anything.  I have moon shots and honestly one moon rising above a field looks pretty much like last year's moon over the field.  It's kinda a been there done that feeling.  I supposed I could walk out to my flower beds and attempt something and I may just do that tonight as an exercise, but I am just not feeling it.  Anyone else ever get this way?  What do you do?  In the past I have forced myself to shoot and that usually does it, I just can't seem to muster enough will to force myself into anything.

Pre Wedding Jitters

Idea found on Pinterest

 I am shooting a wedding this weekend, and I am beyond nervous.  Will I do a good job?  Will I get all the shots I need to get?  What if I miss something important?  I actually hate shooting weddings- the stress really bothers me.

So why am I shooting this one?  Favor to my step nephew as they can't afford another photographer and I know I can do better than some no name Craigslist wannabe.  I am renting the proper lens and lighting, which will help.  I have been reading articles and books trying to get ideas and practical knowledge.  I have a schedule, a contract and have met and spoken with both bride and groom more than once.  I know I am doing everything I can to be professional and hope all the prep work will result in pro images.  I hope they will print through my preferred lab instead of Wal-mart (eww).

            

I shot the engagement photos- which didn't turn out bad, but they could have been better.  I always think my work can be better.  The relentless pursuit of perfection and all that.  I think they are adorable together and very sweet, so I am honored to be part of their special day, I just hope I am worthy and that I can capture their love and happiness.   I hope I make it through the crazy of the day and shooting for a solid 9 hours doesn't kick my proverbial ass.   It's been years since I was involved in the actual wedding day and part of the wedding, I had forgotten how crazy it all gets.  Thank God for coffee :)

Portfolio Review

I have been looking at the images I have posted on this blog- some good, some great, others are crap!  To watch and see my growth as a photographer is amazing to me.  To see work I thought was interesting a year ago and now know it for the junk it is, well that's a great gift.  I feel an artist has some classic pieces that are timeless to their portfolio and others that will be out grown and need to be trashed. 

On my website ( www.mjbrennanphoto.com ), I have deleted quite a few images that couldn't stand the test of time.  Some were poorly composed, others were out of focus (gasp!) and still others were just blah.  I take criticism well, years of having my work torn apart will do that to you, and take direction well too.  Critiques do not bother me- no matter how harsh.  In fact I love them passionately.  A good searing crit will do more good than anything else I know for you to grow as an artist.  Sometimes it's also good for growth as a person.  Does it hurt- yes absolutely.  Is it worth the pain- without a doubt.

If you see an image the strikes you- tell me.  If you see an image that bores you- tell me that too.  Have I always been this way- no.  In fact critiques during my college years would often drive me to tears.  I hated being torn apart.  I wasn't able to see it for the gift it was- the honesty.  Today I would give anything to have one of my photo teachers critique my work.  I belong to a photo forum and recently received some harsh criticism, and it didn't hurt.  I could absolutely see this man's point and had to agree with him.  As they say- put your big girl panties on.  Well mine are definitely on.

Epiphanie Camera Bags

ROCK!  They are cute and stylish and huge!  I can fit all my gear in my 'ginger' bag.  Well the lovely ladies at epiphanie are holding a contest and the prize is a bag!  I really really want a Lyric in Yellow.  So here is my entry...  I entered the @Epiphanie Picture It photo contest! http://bit.ly/xN3Pqc 

My Ginger in Slate Blue- she's loaded here.

Nerves. I got 'em.

Brassit Unknown

I have a huge shooting opportunity tomorrow.  The yearly Columbus/Central Ohio Orchid Society Show is tomorrow and I am the official ( at least I think I am ;) ) photographer.  This is part of the American Orchid Society, which means I may get national exposure.  Wow!  I am nervous, which I think is good.  I am not petrified, yet, and I will be too groggy tomorrow morning to feel any nerves, so it's nerve time now.  I feel a bit of nerve is good because it means I am going to try my best and hopefully succeed.  So far the COOS has been pleased with my work.  I have to alter how I shoot, but it's worth it.  The experience and access is so worth the nerves.

 The picture to the right I took at my first meeting and it was the last shot taken.  I love it.  I love the stacking appearance of the blooms, the way the depth of field gradually blurs the farther blooms, yet the crisp clean bloom on the end.  I love the variety of plants the COOS allows me to photograph.  I want to do a great job for them tomorrow.  I want to walk away with some amazing images to share and hopefully sell. 

I am also receiving quite an education thanks to the COOS.  They graciously impart all their knowledge to a beginner like myself.  Hence I am beginning to know my latin names for the orchids, and not just calling them yellow and brown orchid but a Brassit Unknown.  They make me sound more intelligent :).  Well my nerves and I are going to rest and get my energy levels up for tomorrow!

~MJ

Some new work...

 I am working with my flash, still, and also trying to work with adding ambient light.  More natural light or even my husband's latest invention to hold a light.  Gotta love the dumpster diving when it yields photo equipment :)


Pink Callas.  One of my most favorite flowers- ever.  I LOVE the simplicity of the blooms.

 The lovely color and shape make me giddy each time I see them.

The slight ripple to the bloom, for me the imperfection adds so much interest.

  Ah, the tulip.  My other favorite bloom.  And again for it's simplicity.  Clean lines will get me every time.

 These particular ones caught my eye as they weren't pink or peach but a lovely combination.

Has it been a year?

Almost since I have come here and blogged.  That's like a criminal offense in blog world.  I guess I need to get back in my groove.  Who am I kidding, I never had a groove here.  Find a groove- that would be good.

I am still shooting- quite a bit actually.  I have a massive Orchid Show this weekend and a wedding in 2.5 weeks.  Any one reading have good wedding photography tips to share?  I am all ears.  I have had tons of fun and very few sales this past year.  I have a nice portfolio of floral and nature based images- people not so much.  But that's changing.  Slowly, but changing none the less.  I promise to come back soon and maybe impart anything new I have learned.  Which isn't much to talk about, more just doing.  You learn photography by doing not blogging.

~MJ