One of my favorite exhibitions/contests/sales every year is sponsored by First National Bank in Columbia, MO. It occurs during the Columbia Festival of the Arts every Fall. I think it is so important to me personally because when I won first place in the Non-Professional division the first year I entered, it really gave me the motivation and encouragement I needed to find my way back to photography. The process I go through every year in selecting my images for entry gives me valuable insight into my progress as an artist. The first year I entered, I printed out 5 or 6 8×10’s on my home printer and hung them up in our home daycare-asking our clients to help me choose which ones to enter. (You can enter up to 2 images) They chose a different image than the one I would have picked but I went with their decision…and it won! So every year, I select 6 images from the past year and get as many people as I can to vote on their 2 favorites.

One great thing about the Visions contest is their ability to find quality judges every year. This year was no exception. I found this year’s judge, Gloria Baker-Feinstein, particularly impressive. If you have some time to sit with a cup of tea or coffee, visit her site. I found her words on the “convergence” gallery to be particularly moving. They really explain how I feel about photography and that moment when I stop time.

I am very pleased to announce that my entry titled, “The Birthday Tree” was awarded 2nd place in the Professional Division.

This entry is pretty special to me. It was taken using my toy camera, a Diana, and it shows the tree in our front yard. We tie ribbons to it to celebrate the birthdays of our family. I remember the morning I took it–It was my birthday, early February. It was cold and the light was coming through just perfectly. I thought it would translate well into black and white so I loaded my Diana up with actual black and white film and took one shot of it. When I finally processed the roll of film, most of it wasn’t any good….but this first shot took my breath away. Enjoy!

A big thank you goes out to the most fabulous on-line printing company:  Printing for Less without whom, this image would not have been created! First of all, they are just a fantastic company. They have done all of my brochure, business card printing. Recently, I had them do a job for The Marc Salon–a really cool card with their group photo on the front and the salon menu on the back. Printing for Less always gives me a call after the job is completed to make sure I am happy with the outcome. (Did I mention that aside from their superb printing, it’s their customer service that separates them from the crowd of online printers) They called yesterday afternoon and I looked out my studio window (something I often do when on the phone) and saw this great, crazy car sitting outside at the bank. As I was talking to the representative from THE ASPEN TEAM (The best team at PfL) I was taking pictures of this cool car.

SO, Aspen Team….this one’s for you! Enjoy!

So….first of all, let me apologize for not updating the blog more regularly. Who knew there were so many of you actually reading this! I have wanted to buy a lensbaby for quite some time. It’s this totally cool lens you can put on your SLR camera to selectively focus different parts of the frame. Check out the website for a more complete explanation. This weekend while at the judge’s lecture for the Visions Photography Exhibition, fellow photographer Lea Lichty, mentioned she had one for sale. After speaking with her about it, she surprised me by bringing it to the awards reception to let me borrow it and play around with it before making my decision to buy it. Well, Lea….if you’re reading this….better contact me quick—I’m hooked! Here are a few images I shot just looking out my studio window. If you know me, you know I’m a VW enthusiast–that explains the first one. The next one is of “my” gingko tree outside the studio window. I’m looking forward to watching the leaves change and fall this season-I’ve heard it’s magical! Keep checking in, I promise to post more this week!

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