Hello, all!  The last 3 months has flown by, and I'm just about caught up with everything to wrap up 2015.  I hope you all had a happy Holiday Season, whatever that means to you.  I love this time of year for a variety of reasons;  but although we may differ on what this time of year means, I hope that at the essence, it means peace, love, and compassion for all.

Having just arrived in Milwaukee from Texas, I can tell you that because of the nearly 80 degree weather there, I was missing snow.  The weather was so summer-like, that I didn't even bother to pack sweaters.  The last night of my trip was a reminder of how unpredictable Southern Winters can be! Tornadoes in Dallas, flooding in certain areas of the state, and 2 feet of snow in El Paso all culminated in my flight being cancelled.  My dad was happy to have me an extra night, anyway.  And, of course, my 'white-winter' prayers were answered with a snowstorm the minute I arrived in Milwaukee.  Be careful what you ask for!

Before I left, I did a photoshoot for some dear friends for the purposes of a holiday card.  So much fun.  I love my unconventional friends!  I also put on a 'Pop-Up Studio' for Christmas, and was very pleased and thankful for the turn out.  Check out the Pop-Up Gallery to see the images.

My trip home was very fullfilling.  I made the decision to not be a 'photographer' for the holidays;  I captured images when I felt compelled to, yet I just wanted to sit back and enjoy my family.  The weather was such that Dad had a couple of beautiful roses blooming, so I captured a pic of a bud just about ready to open.  I also photographed what was left of his garden.  It's been awhile since I've seen snails, but I captured their images, because they aren't something I see every day.

I visited with my brothers as much as possible.  My brother Rudy found a way to light his house with laser lighting, making short work of home decorating for the holidays.  It really looks beautiful, and I did my best without a tripod to capture the effect.  We sang carols, ate Mexican food, and enjoyed the time we had.  

My Brother Frank is one of my favorite people in the world.  He is so musically gifted, and every time we get together, he puts up with my 'Lucille Ball' voice and asks me to sing with him.  I enjoyed singing with him, spending time with him and his wife, and most of all, attending his church on Christmas Eve. The service was awesome, and he sang and played beautifully.

The most joyous part of the Holidays was the fact that, for the first time in 20 years, we were all peacefully together.  My family is starting to heal, and it feels wonderful.  My brothers and father have not been the closest, but it's amazing to note the things they have in common.  That's why, when we finally came together for a meal last week, I had to point out that all 3 of them have flip-phones, and all 3 absolutely refuse to move with the times!  That's why I love the image of them together with their phones! I love them.  Hopefully, we can all continue to get together and find common ground to build upon.

I also had the chance to spend some time with my lifelong friend, Debbee.  She is still pushing forward, despite kidney failure, a broken tail bone, and a staph infection.  She is raising her kids with more dignity and grace than I have seen from people with far less on their plate.  I have so much respect and love for her.  

Thanks, all for a wonderful year.  Let's look forward to being all we can be in the coming year, and remember life is about connection and love.  I can't wait to see what each new day brings!  Happy New Year, everyone!

Hello, Friends!  It's been awhile since my last post.  I had a very busy and productive summer.  Now that fall is approaching, I'm settling in with extra layers of clothing and comfort foods.  I have some time to think and I wanted to pick this up where I left off.  So, here's what I've been up to.

Summer was a whirlwind! Working at VIP has put me in touch with a whole new group of great photographers that I now have the honor of calling 'friends'; and many familiar friends to lead the charge to what was a very exciting season.  We all felt very scrambled and exhausted at times, but we all love what we do and wouldn't have it any other way.  I learned a great deal by making a mistake or two here and there, but that's how we learn.  Being surrounded by counterparts that share the love of photography provides me the availability of growing and evolving.  It's been great.

My own projects have been very exciting, as well.  I had the honor of photographing the 10th Annual Milwaukee Comedy Festival.  What an opportunity! Not only was it a great way to meet fun, interesting people and performers, but I was completely entertained, and laughed the whole weekend.  One of the perks of being an "Official Photographer" for any event is the all-access I am provided: that means I was able to talk to performers from different places and people from near and far.  I made many new connections, and am so thankful to Matt Kemple, the organizer of the event for allowing me the pleasure.

There are so many things happening in this city, and I jumped at the chance to pick up my camera and participate in Doors Open Milwaukee.  This is an annual event happening all around our community.  It is a two-day event where businesses, historic sites, and a variety of places allow the general public in so they might see and learn a little more about Milwaukee.  I only had availability one day, but next year I will definitely take advantage of both days.  There are so many potential places to see, but I only had time to visit three or four.  The highlight for me was The Basilca of St. Josaphat:  I'd never been inside, and could not put the camera down once I entered.  So much beauty!  A feast for the lens!  

On Halloween, I also attended my first Dia de Los Muertos Celebration, and although it was a very cold and rainy day, I could not have been more pleased. The celebration was beautiful, with so many facets and traditions, and some good friends, old and new in participation. Sugar skulls, crafts, good food, sage burning, dancing, drumming and respectful prayers for positive reform and peace were all part of that fantastic day.  I did what I could to capture the essence with my camera.  I even gave my video function a try (which usually doesn't even come to mind) and I was pleasantly surprised at the quality of the video.  

Last week's highlight for this photog was the Dusk/Night Shoot we organized.  I intended to get a group of photographers together to practice our craft in a fun environment.  We had a group of 6, and met at the Art Museum at dusk, with tripods, timers, glow sticks, and a flashlight.  I dare say, after talking with my fellow shooters that we all learned something that night and had fun at the same time.  THAT'S what it's all about-coming out with more than you had before.  I loved it, and we are hoping to make it a monthly gathering.  All are welcome to join.  

Last, but not least, this past Saturday I was able to photograph my dear friend, Alice in costume.  Alice is a woman of many talents, and she and her husband put together an outfit to add to her living statue/performing artist collection.  It is a tribute to Gene Wilder;  She became a Bronze Statue of Willy Wonka!  (Have I mentioned how great my friends are?)  She looked amazing, and we had a blast walking around downtown and photographing, while interacting with many passers-by.  

All of these images are in my gallery.  Feel free to take a look.  Thanks, all!

Hello, friends!  So many wonderful things have happened in the past month.  First, and most importantly, School Portrait training has started with my company, and we seem to have such a wonderful group filled with talent and great attitudes.  This year promises to be a great one, and I'm looking forward to working with them all.  It's nice to be an employed photographer, and to work with a company that cares about personal relationships.  It's good stuff.

Also, I had a few of my own photo shoots that I learned from, and I am happy with the results, as are the clients.  I was lucky enough to share my results with perfect strangers, and build relationships while tending to my art.  I'm a lucky gal, and thankful to be constantly evolving as a photographer.

Yesterday was a great day to be a photographer.  So many events happened right outside my doorstep.  So, with camera in hand, I took a few walks, saw many friends, old and new, and captured some wonderful images.  I am working on uploading them now, but I can only go as fast as uploading allows, so stay tuned, friends.

Have a look at my newest gallery, 'Gundamraj Celebration'.   This is an example of the kind of photography I've been doing lately.  These clients were celebrating one daughter's graduation, and another daughter's Sweet 16.  They welcomed me with open arms, and although it was an incredibly humid day, we all got through it with good attitudes, and the atmosphere of celebration at hand.  They were very easy to photograph, as there was a wealth of colors, smells, and sounds abundant.  I share their gallery with you, and am proud that I was their photographer.  More images of other shoots will be coming soon.  I've had a great month.

Good night, all.  And I leave you with this thought:  remember what you have, and concentrate less on what you don't.