Week 15: Wood

I'm sorry, I'm sorry....this week has been so crazy I finally found the time to post my Week 15 shot. The theme was Wood and I knew exactly what I was going to photograph. This is the back door of my garage, I LOVE this door. It is worn from the weather and the elements and the fact that this door is the SAME door that was hung when the garage was added to the house in the 70's. It is old, it is wise, it has stood the test of time and as a photographer, there isn't a better back drop for me. I can't count the number of subjects I have placed in front of this door for their head shots. This door represents me, that after all these years and all the health issues of mine that have sprung up, I am still standing....a little worse for wear but I am still here. I hope you all have been having a great week and I will see you on the flip side:).

Cheers!

Sammee

I often look at natural wood on new buildings, when it is fresh and newly varnished, and think how wonderful it looks.  Wood is so beautiful.  But how quickly it changes and fades especially in the Scottish wind and rain.  Unlike Sammee's garage door which has taken on character as it gets older and the paint peels slightly, some of these buildings just look drab and unkempt!

This is how is feel about our natural wood fence and yet the paint to spruce it up has lain in our garage for nearly 2 years now.  Time to get those brushes out and change it for the better.  Well . . . maybe next week.

Cheers,

Dot

Next week Week 16: Leaves

Week 14: Smile

Week 14's theme was Smile.....what does smiling mean to you and what is the definition? Is it someone who smiles like this picture I took of my daughter or is it images that when you see them, they make you smile, like the shot of my daughter goofing off in the corn field? If you ask anyone that knows me, the most ridiculous things make me smile and I am ok with that, because I would rather have a smile on my face then a frown:). Week 15's theme is.....dun dun dun....WOOD! :)

Cheers!

Sammee

A TIP FROM DOT:

How not to smile for a photo shoot?  Like this!

If you are a parent taking your young child to a photo session for a natural, relaxed shot please, please, please can I give you one BIG tip?  Don't shout at them from behind the photographer telling them to smile.  It does make a great dental record but not necessarily a great photo.  Believe in the professional you have hired to do the job and let the photographer control the session even regards smiles.

Keep smiling til next week,

Dot

Next week theme is Week 15: Wood

Week 13: Animals

Oh no, falling behind.  Eek!  It has been another busy week for me and I just haven't had a chance to venture out to the countryside where I was hoping to catch some lambs in the fields.  Instead you have a storyboard of the animals I have taken previously for my 365/366 Projects.  They are all beautiful but I think Pinkie the Piglet is my fave :-)
Enjoy.

Dot

Week 13 has come and gone and I just can't believe we are into April already. It's time to get the horses out and go for regular rides again. There is nothing more beautiful or calming then spending time with these serene beings. Do I spend most of my free time photographing horses.....yes, I absolutely do. Until next week:).

Cheers!

Sammee

The theme for next week, Week 14: Smile 

Week 12: Sport

Ha, Ha! I beat Dot this week, she has been so busy working with the amazing Naked Inspirations that I don't think she will hold it against me. This weeks theme was Sport and I am sure you are looking at my image and laughing but let me ask you this, when was the last time you went bowling? My family and I love it, we don't get to do it as often as we would like but when we do, we have a blast and I am always exhausted by the time we get home. The first time my son bowled without having to use the bumpers he got so excited that a couple of bowling leagues that were playing around us gave him a standing ovation. He was grinning from ear to ear and I can honestly say he was hooked. He is definitely the sportsman in the family, he roller blades everywhere he goes, if he isn't on his roller blades then he is on his skateboard, his wave board or his scooter. He likes Football but loves Soccer and this fall he will be playing La Cross for the first time. Not going to lie, I am a tad bit scared about him playing La Cross because from what I have heard it is up there with Football in the injury department. But I am not going to stop him, I love that he likes to try out all different types of sports to see if he truly likes them and I love that he would rather be outside playing then inside in front of the television or playing video games. I hope everyone had a great week, next weeks theme is ANIMALS.

Cheers!

Sammee

Well done Sammee!  And I definately don't hold it against you.  My image was ready and I was just waiting on permission to post it from the parent of the girl in the shot (which I now have) and I'll explain why I wanted this.  I believe that as photographers we have the duty to consider whether or not the content of a shot is appropriate or inappropriate.  The sport I am involved in is Gymnastics (as a coach, not a gymnast) and am glad to say that Scottish Gymnastics Child Protection Policy gives very clear guidance on images we post and, whether we like it or not, we as coaches have to abide by it regarding the sharing of images taken of the gymnasts.  This straddle shot would be deemed inappropriate had the gymnast been in a leaotard only but because she is also wearing shorts the photo is okay to publish.  Me?  I just like to double-check where possible and hence I asked the parent's permission.  It is a fine line we tread.

That aside, this is a fantastic shot of one of our gymnasts on our new inflatable Tumble Run.  What an asset it is, giving the kids confidence to try and perfect moves they are hesitant to do on a matted floor.  And it is even in our Club colours of black and pink!!

Hope you'll pop over next week to see Week 13.

Dot

Theme for Week 13: Animals

Week 11: Flowers

This week's theme is Flowers and my image is in support of Marie Curie Cancer Care http://www.mariecurie.org.uk   It was an easy theme for me but one with LOTS of meaning and memories.  During my childhood my family had  fruit, veg and flower shops in Edinburgh (oh, and one sweetie shop!)  It meant really, really busy times of year like Christmas, Easter, Valentine's Day and Mother's Day.  For those of you who don't know it, today 18 March 2012, is Mother's Day in the UK and I received a beautiful bouquet of flowers from my kids.  I adore them (Thanks, you two xxx).  Yesterday I received a beautiful bunch of flowers from my friend as a Thank You and the day before I had photographed these beautiful daffodils in the local park.  It has been a busy week for flowers!  I never tire of them, I wish I was given them more often and I love the things they remind me of - both happy and sad.

I think you should buy someone some flowers - even if that someone is you.

Until next week,
Dot

Spring has sprung....although in Utah Spring and Old Man Winter go hand in hand. What happened the 1st day of Spring? It snowed, that is about par for the course here. Yesterday I was walking the dog and saw three Robins hoping from branch to branch in my neighbor's yard. Yep, Spring is here, I love cold weather but I am definitely looking forward to a bit of a warm up.

Cheers!

Sammee

Theme for Week 12: Sport 

Week 10: Gratitude

I Support People Affected By Breast Cancer.  This is for Rosie.

It has been another busy week.  Manic in fact but loads of fun.  Just over 2 weeks ago I was asked by my friend Rosie, who had recently been diagnosed with breast cancer, if I would shoot a Calendar Girls type calendar which she was putting together as a fundraiser for Breast Cancer Care Scotland.  The reply, of course, was YES!  It has now expanded into 2 calendars - one for the girls and one for the boys.  It staggers me how many people are prepared to get their kit off for their friend and a great cause.  I have therefore been photographing scantily clad  men and women all week so when it came to this week's photo I just had to do it again!!  The photo is of me and you may be wondering what this image has to do with Week 10 theme which is Gratitude. Well, I'll tell you.  I have realised this week how grateful I am.  I am grateful for my health.  I have minor ailments but I don't have breast cancer.  I'm grateful for my family.  Nobody is more special to me.  I'm grateful for my friends.  For the support they have given and continue to give me.  And I am grateful to Rosie for inviting me in to her journey because without looking in on her situation over the past fortnight I would not have taken stock of my own life and remembered what matters.


Wishing you health and happiness in your life.


Until next week.


Dot


PS If you are interested to follow Rosie's story please visit her website at http://www.nakedinspirations.co.uk/index.html or Facebook page at http://www.facebook.com/pages/Naked-Inspiration/199935553439394

This weeks theme was Gratitude, I didn't realize how much I missed having a dog until we began dog sitting for my Mother-in-Law. My Mother-in-Law and her husband left on their mission to Navuoo, Illinois and didn't have anyone to take their dog Jacque. He is my Mother-in-Law's buddy and she had a really hard time leaving him. From the moment Jacque came into the house he has brought a calming effect over the entire house. My blood pressure has leveled out, I don't yell as much because he came from a quiet and calm home. He is always under my feet, following me to the door, the kitchen, the bathroom. He keeps me company when I run errands and pick the kids up from school and he cuddles at our feet when my husband and I go to sleep. I am grateful to my husband for telling his Mom that for the next 18 months we will give Jacque a loving home. I am grateful for the kisses, the cuddles and nudges with his wet nose. But most of all I am grateful for the unconditional love that he has given me, without want, without question. We are grateful for each other and I know when the 18 months is up I am going to be a snot spewing, tear soaked wreck. Next weeks theme: Flowers

Cheers!

Sammee

Theme for Week 11: Flowers

Week 9: Laughter

I laugh a lot and so do those around me but I found this theme really difficult.  Eventually I decided to revisit some of my older shoots and came across this shot.

I think Little Brother was trying hard not to laugh at Big Brother's mischievous behaviour!


Very busy week with work this week but I'm already on the case for Week 10 theme: Gratitude.


Dot

FINALLY! Week 9: Laughter is up! There is nothing funnier then when family gets together...well, there is also nothing as tragic either. Thankfully my daughter, her sister and their cousin manage to laugh their backsides off whenever they get together. I don't even remember what set them off, I just remember my daughter laughed first, then she teared up, then she kept getting closer and closer to the ground. Her giggle was so contagious that her sister and cousin joined in...oh how I love these girls :). This weeks theme is Gratitude...onward and upward!

Cheers!

Sammee

Theme for Week 10: Gratitude