Wednesday, August 31, 2011

Seven More Sleeps!

I took a step today. Out the doors of the office I have been working in for the past seven months. I'm ready for what's next. My transition phase is over. The butterfly emerges from the chrysalis. From here on out, if anyone asks me what I do for a living, there is only one answer. I am a photographer.

And in one week, I will be immersed in my studies!! I get to spend my entire days for the next ten months learning about something that I absolutely love! At some point in my life, I picked up a story that work needed to be hard, and not fun. Yippee! I'm glad I let that one go!!

Stayed tuned as I check in and post my work. I imagine a Professional Photography program will have some very interesting, creative and challenging assignments :)

Check me out (Bright Point Photography) on Facebook in the meantime!

N&E

Tuesday, August 9, 2011

Big News!


Wow, it's been a while since I've written here! I've been busy building my dreams :)

Remember how I told you that my sweetie and I were starting a photography business? It's happening! We put the structures in place, booked our first client for this fall, and then got our feet wet (figuratively and literally :) at a friend's wedding two weeks ago. We're having a blast with this! I've learned that I could sit in front of Lightroom all day (or night) editing photos without noticing the time fly by. I love it!


Here's the other big news. I'm going to school this fall! Full time, for ten months! And I've chosen to focus on one thing I love - photography! The program is amazing and exciting and two of my favourite wedding photographers are graduates. Throw your heart over the mountain, I say! It's going to be a lot of fun chasing after it :)

Oh, and here's a little treat for you! A fabulous slide show compilation of our wedding in June. It really captures the fun and energy of our day. Big thanks to Mark Creery Photography



Tuesday, May 17, 2011

Future Paths

Hi! I've missed you!

My news for today, well I have a few pieces for you.

First, I didn't get into the Bachelor of Fine Arts program at the university here in my town. This year. I was sad. And then I got really clear that this is what I want. And, over the past couple of weeks since, I've realized a couple of other things too. That I played it safe and small with my portfolio submissions, even though I was told that the school was looking for contemporary images. The other is that I have other options available to me, now that I have a year to work on my portfolio. At the moment, I am considering a one year visual arts certificate, followed by a two year graphic design program. I know! So fun!

Second, my sweetie and I have been talking seriously about starting our own photography business. He's been such a champion of my art and my photography, and his creative side grows bigger everyday. Sorry, let me correct myself. We aren't talking about it, we are taking action on it. Making it happen. Now, to get past being stuck on a company name...

Here's some pics I took a few weeks ago at the resort we will be married at... in less than 4 weeks!!! We were practicing our professional skills on our friends who came to visit the resort with us. (aka, chasing them around with our cameras like a couple of paparazzi :)

Trial Run


Trial Run


Trial Run

I can totally see these as engagement photos, or wedding photos.

It's been fun, we've been hitting up outdoor events and acting like we were hired to be there. It's great practice and a chance for both of us to get comfortable with the idea that
WE CAN DO THIS!!!


Oh, one more piece of news. I am starting an etsy shop to sell prints of some of my photos! I've created my store, I'm getting my paypal account all linked up and then I will have to choose which pics to post first. I will probably put up about 10 to start.

I would love your feedback!!! What are your favourites of my photographs?? Check out my flickr stream through one of the pics above, or one of the slide shows on the right.

And my question for you today, what paths are you adapting?

Hugs!
Kat


Sunday, April 17, 2011

I (Heart) Learning

Today I learned how to make a watermark in photoshop! One of my goals that I committed to completing this week was creating a logo for my photos. I was at the lake today, in the gorgeous sunshine, with my swanky new-ish camera, snapping away, soaking up the incredible colours of the blue sky and new green leaves. So I had a delicious little pile of images to sort and post when I got home.

What better time to take on this task. A quick look on google and YouTube and I was good to go. AND, I unintentionally learned how to use Actions in Photoshop! Finally! My world just got a whole lot bigger :)

Here is my one of my favourite images from today, with its fancy new watermark.

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You can see the rest of the pics from today here:
My

And, if you want to read a lovely story that will bring spring into your heart, check out S's post today at Thumbin' My Way.


Where are you noticing signs of spring?

Friday, April 15, 2011

Creativity comes in many forms...

Last night, I was at a presentation about Mixed Media Photography. It lit me on fire! This was meant for me! I left as soon as the speaker was finished, at the break, before the Q&A, because I was so excited I couldn't sit still! I needed to tap into my creativity.

As soon as I got home I took action and (finally) signed into the Dirty Footprints Studio's 21 Secrets: An Art Journal Playground. I picked my first mini-workshop (there are 21 to choose from, it really is like a playground!) and almost immediately got present to what stops me. I'm missing some key supplies. Now, this is great, because once you can identify what's getting in the way it becomes a concrete thing you can deal with. So, was this something I could just let go of? Nope. Tried that. Making do wasn't making results. Which means that it's time to come up with a concrete action plan. Proper art supplies is now officially in the budget. Clear that boulder off the road. If I'm taking on these amazing, creative avenues that are showing up as a possibility for me then I need to clear the way. I think I'm getting excited at the idea of facing more obstacles! Bring it, I've got a clearing crew :)

In the meantime, I would love to share with you an incredible local artist, Doug Gilbert, who specializes in Mixed Media/Fine Art Photography. And in sharing some of the work from one of his recent projects, I also get to share a little bit more about me. One of the creative outlets I've really been embracing the past few months is modeling. Check it out:









Now, wrap your head around the fact that these shots are compositions of two or more photographs. I was in a studio that was completely white! Inspiring!

All right, it's time for the Question of the Day! Inspired by the YouCube Art project that you too could get involved with :)

What stops You? A blank page, an inner critic?
And, can you see any new solutions now that you've identified this?

Hugs and heart,
Kat

Wednesday, April 13, 2011

Wishcasting Wednesday

What Do You Wish To Read?

This was the question on Jamie Ridler's page today! This is relevant to me for two reasons. First, because I made my way home this afternoon on the verge of finishing YES MAN (I am one of those people who walks and reads when it gets really good). Second, because when I did get home there was a new pile of books my sweetie ordered about Photography, as a business! There's a particularly yummy one on Wedding Photography. The fun part will be getting through that one with a dry eye. I've had a browse through it already and every time I saw a picture I really liked I imagined myself in that moment, and bam! The tears welled up. I get really excited at the idea of shooting weddings, because once mine passes in June there will still be many more to be involved with in the future.

Another question that I've been spending time thinking about lately is What is the Purpose of my Blog? I've come to realize that I value community, and I want to make a difference and contribute to this incredible community I am a part of here. You were all so warm and supportive when I was getting back on my feet, and you continue to encourage my creativity. I want to give back. So, on the topic of furthering business I would love to share with you two fellow bloggers.

Jodi at Living Life Photographically has had her photos up on etsy for a little while. What she's doing now is adding her photos, or yours, to glass jewelry. Really cool!!
pendant brooch

Emily at Broke Down Artist has started selling her wood block prints on etsy! Check them out:

phrenHead womanwild

So I guess it will be my turn next. I am gladly welcoming input and feedback on where people are posting their photos or art for selling. Etsy? Flickr? Something else? Pros and cons? Please share!

And I would love to hear what you are reading, or what's next on your reading list. And what you're doing to create or further your business!

Hugs and heart,
Kat

Saturday, April 9, 2011

Getting Caught Up... and more exciting news!!

I am so proud to say that I am completely caught up on my 365 photos on Flickr! It shifted from this thing that I HAD to do, to a task I couldn't wait to do. My plate is still quite full (though I am happy to say I've a let a couple of things go) and instead of spending the bulk of my time thinking about and creating reasons not to do what's on it, I just get it done. Those tasks and actions don't get in the way of my life, as I had previously convinced myself. They are my life. And I'm choosing to live it fully! :)

So, let's get on with the show. There are two new creative tools (toys) in my life.

First. A new phone. A phone? Yep. With an 8 megapixel camera in it!!! How fun is that?! Now I can take pictures on the fly and keep up with 365. Check out some of these that I've just posted...

New Phone with a fun camera! Mar.26/11 85.365 93.365
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90.365 94.365
(You can click through to see them on Flickr :)

It's so great to be able to reach out and grab those fleeting moments when you're simply going about your day. Plus the camera feature has fun effects for shooting and editing! And super easy for uploading.

That would have been plenty exciting all on its own.

Then I got home from a workshop on Wednesday night, and Jon surprised me with an early wedding present. A Nikon D5000!!!!! My very first Digital SLR!!! I'm tearing up again just thinking about how grateful I am to have someone who fully supports my creative drive and desire. And wants to do whatever he can to help me soar with my dreams.

The camera is so light! And boy oh boy, the clarity of the pictures is incredible! Check it out!

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I am really excited by the possibilities this camera creates for me! More learning, and maybe some earning :)

And I'm really enjoying being here, and being part of this wonderful community again.

Here's some questions for you I'd love to hear the answers to! What are your favourite creative tools? Who are your greatest supports in making your dreams a reality?

Hugs and heart,
Kat

Tuesday, March 22, 2011

Welcome Spring!

You know when the little caterpillar wraps itself up into a cocoon, and then emerges as a magnificent butterfly?

That's how I've been feeling! Transformed. Strong. Beautiful.

I did this amazing and intensive weekend long workshop almost a month ago. And in that time, something incredible happened. Well, two things actually.

First, I realized that I had a fear of fear. Then I let it go.

Second, I found my voice. Then I used it to ask my boyfriend to marry me!

He Said Yes!

I've become someone (or more likely, always was) who has clarity and is decisive! We're getting married in less than three months! The wedding dress is picked and on order. So are the rings. Venue. Booked. Officiant. Booked. Photographer. Booked. We just had our engagement party this past weekend, and I let someone else plan it!

I am so excited by this energy I've had the past three and a bit weeks. My future has just gotten so much bigger. I may not be around here as much as I originally was and I may be sharing in a different way with you. I want this to be a place to showcase what I'm creating. And so it will :)

It's so good to be back!

Looking forward,
Kat

Wednesday, February 23, 2011

Hibernation

So I've been bragging a little about our weather. There have been several photos of blooms and buds. Lots of green to be envious of so early in the year.

I felt sympathy for all those pleas for blue skies and warmer weather. I was compassionate for everyone who got stuck in a snowstorm, all across Canada and the US, and in the UK too.

I didn't feel terrible, because I lived somewhere temperate. I made the choice, and the trek across the continent to be here, so I've earned the right to be happy about it. And maybe flaunt a little flower or too.

There's something I'm learning though. We have winter for a reason. To hibernate. To rest and store up so we can be fresh for spring. I've been going full steam ahead, scoffing at the notion of winter.

I got my comeuppance.

This is what I awoke to this morning.

6:30am

And it wasn't stopping anytime soon.


8am

Everything shuts down when we get snow like this here.
Even if we know it will be melted in a day.


9am

I spent the day watching this heavy blanket gain weight.


Wall of Sky

And the sky.
It was unmoving.
Like a wall with nothing beyond it.


10am

Ever more.

10:30am


And then, mid-afternoon, the wind appeared, bringing with it the sun.

3pm





And finally, shapes began to emerge.
And a little piece of blue sky.
4:30pm

Here's what I have learned today. I need a hibernation too. A chance to blanket myself away. Clear some projects from my plate. Feel the weight come off when they've been completed. And breathe all the way into my lungs. Full of fresh energy for the spring.


Monday, February 21, 2011

Alphabet Soup - M is for Me Day Mondays


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51.365

My sweetie left for Cuba yesterday, with a gaggle of our friends. I miss him already. I made it through the night though. No nightmares. Now I sit back and relax and enjoy the rest of this week of bachelorette living :)

Okay, so maybe not that wild. I am proud to say that I went to bed at a decent time last night. It meant that I was up early to enjoy this day, which started out with a good chunk of time in bed, catching up on blog reading.

After the Breakdown (aka 6.8.10), my bed was my favourite place to be. Second favourite was the couch. Usually with the lights low and the curtains drawn. As I started to get stronger, I did the classic me and tried to do everything, and take on too much. I remember having low key weeks, time at home, an art class, an appointment or two, and then the weekend would hit and I would want to make up for it, and keep up with my sweetie. Needless to say, by Monday morning I was exhausted and needing recuperation time.

Except I would feel stressed and guilty about everything I wasn't getting done. J came home one Monday eve to me in tears because of all the things I felt I hadn't accomplished. We sat down together and wrote out a list of everything I had done that day. It was quite extensive. Though I hadn't left the house, I tackled what some people would take on in a week. Two things happened that day. First, I started making those lists at the end of every day, so I could bear witness to how much I was doing and connecting it to how I was feeling. It only took a week or two to get the point across.

The second thing we instituted was a "Bed Day". Just because I was getting better didn't mean that I had to be all the time. It was okay to have a day to put it all down. Just rest and relax and recharge, and do what I wanted to do, not what I felt I needed to do. I loved my bed days. I had a reason to say no to things, not schedule things that day.

As I continued to heal, my bed stopped being my favourite place to be, except when I'm curled up with my sweetie nodding off to sleep. If I want to be there at other times, it's a good sign that I need to recharge, or I'm getting sick. I was fighting off a bug last week, and it drove me up the wall that I needed to be in bed. I think that's a good sign

Now, I have Me Days on Mondays. For a while that meant At Home Days, which was needed to preserve and refuel my energy. As I shift away from that it gets a little blurrier... about what falls on which side of the Me/Relax line.

Not having my sweetie here this morning made me realize that the best first step to Mondays is not getting up right away. The rest I'm sorting out. I've really enjoyed having an art filled morning so far. Updating my 365 pictures on Flickr, spending time with Picnik, making a really cool folded origami envelope out of wrapping paper to send something to my snail mail buddy B at Sweet Limes... all made me happy and calm.

I can't show you what I sent B, yet.. though I can finally show you the ATCs I made in January :)





Now we shall move on to the photography portion of this program :) There have been a lot of floral photos in my collection lately. No apologies. It means I've been getting a lot a flowers lately!


Alli's theme this week at Happy Monday is Yellow. I love this picture. The petals of the pink flower in the background curling through, trying to embrace the daisy.

I had a little fun playing with it in post. Dropped the exposure a little and raised the temperature, which brought more of the yellow out in the centre of the daisy. I love the little dusting of yellow on its petals. And then, I couldn't resist and had a little rendez-vous with Picnik. A little vignette was all I needed...

48.365
48.365




This next shot is something I hope to working on this week. I love this shot in theory. All I've done to it so far is a little crop. I want to soften out the skin, make it less pink, except that would involve masking and PhotoShop (insert scream from Psycho). I downloaded the MCP mini-fusion action last week and I have been planning to learn how to use it. It's on my list for this week.


P1060140


Lucky me, Ashley Sisk, of Good to WOW, is going to be showing everyone how it works! Hopefully I will have something a little different to post up and show you on Thursday!

In the meantime, I will enjoy staring at that sunny day we had at the beach, and miss my sweetie something fierce.

Sunday, February 20, 2011

Hope Rocks



Today is officially the last day of my Experimental Art e-Course by Amelia Critchlow. I have immensely enjoyed it and I have gained so much from it. No longer do I fear the blank pages of my art journal, or cling to the simple and ordered. Messy, blurry, Big? Bring it!

Our final assignment was to embark on a little guerilla art. A while back I was wandering my pal Red's blog and read about her participation in something called Hope Rocks, a movement started by Woodstock Lily. What better reason to finally put this into action myself?

So, yesterday morning, I grabbed my sweetie and headed to the beach. It was super sunny and absolutely gorgeous. We had a lovely time, cameras in hands, stopping to admire the little things.

I collected up five rocks I felt to be worthy. The plan is to shoot them in their natural habitat, shoot their transformation, and shoot them in their new home. Here's the first one that I completed yesterday.


1stof5
Hope Rocks - First of Five

This beauty was re-nested at the Home and Garden show. I hope that it will have a hope-full journey.

Thursday, February 17, 2011

Photo/art

I want to share with you one of my new fave pics.
46.365

I took it a day after Valentine's, when the beautiful roses I was given by my sweetie started to open. It was late, and the light was low. Before spending time with Amelia in her Experimental Art e-Course, I probably would have dragged them under the light and shot them relentlessly until I got a bright, crisp, perfect photo.

Except I didn't. I climbed right out of that comfort zone. Sometimes it's necessary for the sharpness, yes, I haven't let that go entirely. Other times it's more beautiful to let things be softer.

I love how it turned out. Like something out of an Andy Warhol painting. Andy Warhol meets Georgia O'Keefe.

I was tempted to figure out how to flip it so it faces the other way. I fought the urge, and was rewarded by finding Kat Sloma's blog, and her interesting discussion about breaking the Rule of Thirds. This one doesn't follow the rule, I checked, and I am embracing that as well, in this photo and ones to come.

So thank you Amelia and Kat, for encouraging the uniqueness that results from knowing when to break the rules, or work outside of them. That's where we find ourselves sometimes, yes?

To add it to the portfolio submission, or not... that's a whole other question.


art course


Now, I want to share with you my new crush. Picnik. It's an online photo editing program that you can use to add some pretty neat effects to your photos. I'm still terrified of Photoshop and I think this is a really simple way to ramp up the look of what I've captured... until Photoshop and I become more acquainted.

Here's the Before



I sifted through several different effects, and settled on Lomo-ish.
One click, and...

Windy Day Edit

Ta-da!

I knew I liked this program when I tried it on Valentine's Day...
Now I think it might be the beginning of love ;)

Windy Day Edit

Wednesday, February 16, 2011

Wishcasting - Artist

Wishcasting Wednesday:
What aspect of your personality do you wish to express more of?

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The artist. I know I bang on about this a lot. It's on my mind right now as I prepare my application to the Visual Arts BFA program I'm completely excited about. It's a double major paired up with Computer Science, and just the idea of it makes me drool. Like Pavlov's dog, thinking about spending my days having art education poured into me, and releasing it onto canvas, clay, or film.

Oh, and confidence. I'd like to express more of that too, please :)

Click here to help me sort through my Portfolio submissions!

Monday, February 14, 2011

Alphabet Soup - L is for Like

Happy Valentine's Day!

I hope to be celebrating with my sweetie tonight over a scrumptious dinner of bison steak and raw oysters! And maybe some baked pear stuffed crepes drizzled with the tiniest amount of melted dark chocolate.

7.52
edited in Picnik

And on this day dedicated to Love, I want to talk about Like.

I don't think I learned to fully Love until I better understood Like.

I had all the classic textbook behaviours and responses. Poor boundaries. Letting people in too easily. Sharing my story and my space, too soon. Accepting less than I deserved. Putting their needs before mine. Appeasing. Leaving behind a piece of myself each time I finally walked away.

How fickle my heart and how woozy my eyes (M&S 1)

Whenever I met someone new, I fell in Love, with the idea. Immediately. I saw everything I wanted, to see. I was blinded.

And so began the dance, the pitch, the performance. Marketing myself, driven by the fear of losing the opportunity.

If you stand for nothing, you will fall for anything.

So I started to take care of me. Started to get to know, me. I took myself away for my birthday - stayed at a B&B with a hot tub, took myself out for dinner and bought myself a ring. Because I was beginning to Like me.

And I made lists. Detailed lists of what I wanted. Which helped me become more Discerning. Still, I was giving too many chances. Stuck on the possibility. Wanting to prove myself right.

Then, finally, I turned that corner. Realized that I would rather assume guilt, until innocence was proven. Or, rather, Unknown until proven Known. Love was allowed to rest on the shelf, until Like had entered the room.

And chances were not given. It was freeing, to decide "I Don't Like".

And so I will be found
With my stake stuck in the ground
Marking the territory of this newly impassioned soul

You have neither reason nor rhyme
With which to take this soul that is so rightfully mine (M&S 2)


That's when I met the Love of my Life. In the most common of places. I took my time deciding if I truly Liked him. All of him. And he was busy teaching me about Love.

Now I have both, Like and Love. I don't think I could have had one without the other.

And when I started to realize that I truly Liked me, our Love blossomed even more
.

How glad I was to be myself
And use my heart once more

And love that (man) that I adore

Well my eyes shall see light again
And my heart shall bleed right again (M&S 3)





1. Mumford and Sons - Awake my Soul
2. Mumford and Sons - Roll Away your Stone
3. Mumford and Sons - Banjolin Song