In loving memory of my sweet Daddy on this first Father’s Day without him. Oh, how I miss him! ....ALWAYS on my mind, FOREVER in my heart! ~KRT // Father’s Day 2016~
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May 30, 1986.... The day I graduated from high school. If you do the math, that was thirty years ago......THIRTY years ago!! Say what?!! It's simply incredible to try and wrap my mind around that, but it's true. I know this because I've got the grey hair and wrinkles to prove it! So, as I think about yet another class of high school seniors about to graduate, I decided to dig around in my memory boxes and photo albums and find my own senior picture to get this blogpost rolling. Back in the day, we didn't have a "senior photo session" like the young folks of today. Nope! We just slapped on a drape (or tux jacket and "pretend" shirt if you were a boy), sat down in front of the regular school picture guy, and took a couple of poses. That was it. In case you're interested, here's the one I chose for our yearbook... (brace yourself!).... Okay, okay...you can stop laughing now! Remember...it was the 80s!! Anyway, as I was taking my stroll down memory lane thinking about graduation, it occurred to me...some things never change. Now, I know what you're thinking... "ummm....based on that picture above, PLENTY has changed!" (Yeah, I hear you! Let's face it, I'm sportin' lots of blue eye shadow, I have a hairstyle that involves a partially shaved head and a "rat-tail" <strategically hidden from view in this picture>, I have two holes in my right ear...and three in my left!...and I'm much, MUCH skinnier!) So, yes, in the fashion/trends/styles world you'd be right for sure! (On second thought, I'm thinking some of that has come back around to the current generation, but I digress...) When I say "some things never change," I'm actually talking about good ol' common sense. See, I believe that the things the Class of 2016 needs to remember as they turn their tassels in a few days are really no different than the things my classmates and I needed to know back in 1986. Some things were obvious to me, while other things seemed too big...too scary...and therefore, it took me a little longer to truly understand the concept. So, with that in mind, I'd like to give a special spotlight to the nine teens (and their parents) that entrusted me with their Senior pictures this school year, and I'll try to sprinkle in a little bit of that common sense as we go along. "As you start your journey, the first thing you should do is throw away that store-bought map and begin to draw your own." ~Michael Dell Son of Nick & Sharon Bell ~Grant's next stop: United States Air Force~ Basic training- Lackland Air Force Base, San Antonio, TX "You have to leave the city of your comfort and go into the wilderness of your intuition. You can't get there by bus, only by hard work and risk and by not quite knowing what you're doing, but what you'll discover will be wonderful. What you'll discover will be yourself." ~Alan Alda Son of Mark & Celina Brown ~Gatlin's next stop: Young Harris College~ Majoring in Business & Public Affairs "It is impossible to live without failing at something, unless you live so cautiously that you might as well not have lived at all - in which case, you fail by default." ~J.K. Rowling Son of Jason & Daniele Franklin ~Justin's next stop: Augusta University~ Majoring in Exercise Science "Take action. Every story you've ever connected with, every leader you've ever admired, every puny little thing that you've ever accomplished is the result of taking action. You have a choice. You can either be a passive victim of circumstance or you can be the active hero of your own life." ~Bradley Withford Son of Russ & Lauren Harris ~Branson's next stop: Athens Technical College~ Majoring in Radiography "My favorite animal is the turtle. The reason is that in order for the turtle to move, it has to stick its neck out. There are going to be times in your life when you’re going to have to stick your neck out. There will be challenges and instead of hiding in a shell, you have to go out and meet them." ~Ruth Westheimer Daughter of Chris & Susan Kubas ~Katie's next stop: University of North Georgia~ Majoring in Psychology "You will have failures in your life, but it is what you do during those valleys that will determine the heights of your peaks." ~Rahm Emanuel Son of Melissa Mercer & Ryan Mills ~Tanner's next stop: University of North Georgia~ Major: Undecided "Respect people with less power then you. I don’t care if you’re the most powerful cat in the room, I will judge you on how you treat the least powerful. So there." ~Tim Minchin Son of Lee & Becky Oliver ~Lee's next stop: Kennesaw State University~ Majoring in Sports Management "Don’t let your fears overwhelm your desire. Let the barriers you face—and there will be barriers—be external, not internal. Fortune does favor the bold, and I promise that you will never know what you’re capable of unless you try." ~Sheryl Sandberg Daughter of Rick & Staycie Rice ~Madesyn's next stop: Kennesaw State University~ Majoring in Forensic Chemistry "You can’t control how smart you are, how funny you are, how good-looking you are. The one thing you can control in your life is how hard you work." ~Ian Brennan Daughter of Shane & Angela Scoggins ~Rose's next stop: Mercer University~ Majoring in Journalism "Live life to the fullest." ~Ernest Hemingway So, you see? Good ol' common sense. It's a wonderful thing. When I was 18 years old, some of these ideas were so obvious to me, while other things seemed too big...too scary...and therefore, it took me a little longer to truly understand certain concepts. If I could give you nine wonderful young people any advice at all for this next chapter of your life it would most definitely be this... Live! REALLY live! Try new things! Meet new people! Push yourself WAY out of your comfort zone and see where it takes you! This is YOUR time. Make it count! Do NOT think of graduation as "the end", but rather... "the beginning"! :) Graduates, it was my pleasure to be a part of your Senior Year! Thanks again for the opportunity! I wish you each a lifetime of peace and joy as you travel your individual roads to success. I can't wait to see what happens next for each one of you! So, from all of us here at DTRphotography (and by "all of us", I mean my husband and me) ;) ............ Congratulations, Class of 2016! Now get out there, and do great things! :) Until next time,
~D "If you want to reach your goals and fulfill your potential, become intentional about your personal growth. It WILL change your life." ~Jim Rohn Have you ever wanted to get better at something? Maybe you can sew a button back on your shirt, but you'd really like to master something worthy of Project Runway. Perhaps you can scramble eggs, but you'd love to whip up a complete gourmet meal to serve at your dinner table. Yeah....same here. I want to get better at lots of things, but one thing is high on my list. For me it's picture-takin' (shocker, right?). Anyway, over the last several years, I have immersed myself in all things photography-related....books, online classes, blogs...you name it, but I find that my photography still hasn't changed very much. See, while I've been learning plenty of new things, I haven't put those new ideas into practice, and one thing I know for sure....practice is key. So, I've decided that 2016 is going to the year I push myself out of my comfort zone. I've going to try to shoot in various locations, dealing with lighting situations that aren't always my favorite, using the lenses that frustrate me the most.....every.single.day. Literally! Practicing every single day! I'd like to claim I came up with the concept, but alas I did not. Many, many photographers do this in an effort for self-growth. Some choose to do a "Project 52" (a photo every week). Others dive into a full-blown "Project 365", taking a photo every single day of the year (this year it's actually 366 days. Hello Leap Year!), and I've always thought it was a really cool concept, but one I was afraid to try for fear of not staying committed to the exercise. Well, this year, I'm doing it.... ...in fact, I've just completed January, and I'd like to share my first 31 images with you. Well, according to when you visit the link, you'll probably see some of February, too, since I add to the collection every day. Here's the link: http://dtrphotography.weebly.com/project-366 (Each page only holds about 10 pictures, so be sure and click on the "previous" link at the left-hand bottom of the page to go backwards and see the other images in the collection.) In just one month's time, I already feel more comfortable in certain shooting situations (which is a really great feeling!), but I think even more importantly, it's quickly become a personal daily practice in being present, being attentive to the world around me, and being grateful for everything I see through my lens. I have a feeling that this new undertaking is not only going to strengthen my photography skills, but my gratitude mindset as well! "Every day we live is a priceless gift of God, loaded with possibilities to learn something new, to gain fresh insights." ~Dale Evans Rogers Wanna' get better at something? This is your year. Push yourself. Become intentional. Get ready to experience growth! You may just gain more growth than you even imagined!
Until next time, ~D "Adventure may hurt you, but monotony will kill you." ~Author Unknown I'm a creature of habit. Plain and simple. I'm not all about "change" as it applies to my normal routine. This is not a characteristic I'm happy about, by the way. It's just, unfortunately, the truth of the matter. I really DO wish I could be more of a "go with the flow" kind of person. I envy those that are! It just isn't in my innate makeup, I guess. Somehow, I find a level of safety in the mundane schedule of my everyday life. However, lately, epiphanies just keep sneaking up on me, and one of the latest is basically the old adage..."if not now...when?" See, for me lately, the fear of monotony is greater than the fear of the unknown. As the name of this blog will attest, RutnDot are living in a very "roomy nest" these days, and to still be in our 40s (sure, late 40s, but 40s nonetheless!), we're ridiculously "settled" in this life. This is MY doing...not Rut's. As long as I've known him, he's been a man who loves adventure. I'm the one who holds us back. Not cool, Dot. Not cool at all. We're too young to be living a "boring" life filled with "tedious sameness." It occurred to me recently that we are so fortunate to still be extremely healthy individuals. Perhaps we're a bit out of shape, but we ARE healthy right now in the grand scheme of things. I know all too well that life can change in the blink of an eye, so...as a I said before: If not now....when? (My Daddy had his massive brain-stem stroke that changed the course of his life at the very YOUNG age of 51, and this is never far from my mind.) So.... a month or two ago, I made a comment in passing to my sweet husband. It went something like this... "Hey, Honey, now that football season has come and gone, we're going to have a lot of extra time on our weekends. I was thinking maybe....well...it might be kinda' cool to.... what are your thoughts on hiking?" (See, we are SO NOT "camping people". No offense to those that are. We just aren't into THAT much outdoors. LOL So, I figured he'd think I'd lost my mind to even suggest such a thing as hiking around in the woods/through trails/etc.) "Every man can transform the world from one of monotony and drabness to one of excitement and adventure." ~Irving Wallace Turns out, he was all for it and (in true Rut fashion) immediately began to research all things hiking-related. So...fast forward to last week. We decided that we would do a "trial hike" in a state park here in our own neck of the woods. No, we weren't scaling mountains or anything, but we just wanted to see if it's really what I was envisioning it to be. Great news! It WAS!! I loved it from start to finish! Here's why....
This guy is just THE best! SO patient while I took a gazillion pictures...even pointed out a couple of potential macro opportunities! I love him beyond measure and treasure the time we spend together! So, there you have it! Hiking! Looks like we'll be taking our backpacks on some road trips in the near future. I never would have thought it would have been for me, but as I recently told my own daughter..."never say never!" Who knows....maybe we'll even buy a tent and some sleeping bags one of these days. Ha! Now that's just crazy-talk! :) So, Reader, are you in need of an overhaul on your life's "tedious sameness"? It might be time to find a way to break that monotony! Maybe it's hiking...maybe not, but there IS something out there for you to try...something new.....something strange....something extravagant.... but most importantly, something that feeds your soul! All my best in your personal search for adventure! Until next time, ~D Hello, my few (but faithful!) readers! You may be minuscule in quantity, but you are MASSIVE in quality...always supportive of my thoughts here at The Roomy Nest, and for that I am most grateful. Well, here we are...in a brand-new year! I gotta' tell you the older I get, the quicker the wall calendar needs changing in our home! What's that all about? Hmph...strange. Anyway, 2016 is here, and you know what that means....resolutions. What exactly IS the point of them? Let's find out... "Resolution." Merriam-Webster.com. Merriam-Webster, n.d. Web. 3 Jan. 2016. <http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/resolution>. ** (See, students? I DO practice what I preach! Citations are a must!) ;) ** Ahhhhh..... of course! It's all about finding answers! Had a problem last year? Bummer! So, just find a SOLUTION to that problem and you won't have to deal with it in this clean slate we call 2016. Easy enough, right? For example, bit your nails down to the quick last year? No biggie. Stop biting your nails in 2016. (no problem, right?) How about this one? Gained a TON (pardon the pun... or is it?) of weight in 2015? Solution: Lose the weight this new year. (Easy as pie! Oh....wait...there's pie??) Of course there's the age-old problem of not being able to find anything in your house/garage/car/etc. Problem solved! Just get organized. (I mean, how bad can your closet be? right?) Okay, so you get my hint of sarcasm in these examples. Listen, I'm all for finding solutions to problems. Thus, I guess I'm all for making "resolutions", but, unfortunately, I think a lot of folks just spout off a list of solutions at the beginning of every "new year" with no real PLAN to successfully achieve them. So....I think we need to take the annual "resolution process" a bit further. I, for one, plan to use the "kick-start approach". In fact, I've already started! Curious? Keep reading..... "Kick–start." Merriam-Webster.com. Merriam-Webster, n.d. Web. 3 Jan. 2016. <http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/kick–start>. I know what you're thinking...."what's this got to do with motorcycles, Dot?" I hear you. Stay with me. While I DO have my license to drive a motorcycle, (Are you shocked? Yep. I do, but it's been a long while since I've done that kind of tom-foolery. Moving on....) I'm focused on the THIRD definition in the entry above: "To give new energy to something." THIS idea makes me super-giddy! See, I've got SEVERAL areas of my life that need some attention. Frankly, a few of them need a major overhaul. I'll spare you the specifics. Just know that I've got stuff to work on. You do, too. If you say you don't, well..... I'm not sure you're tellin' the truth, but hey, that's between you and our good Lord! Anyway, back to me. I've identified my PROBLEMS (well, those that are fixable). I've listed SOLUTIONS (a.k.a. "resolutions") to those problems. I even used the last couple of months of 2015 devising some PLANS to achieve those solutions in this new year. So, now...I'm ready to KICK-START the whole process. In fact, I've already made some changes. (I can read your mind..."Really, Dot? It's Jan. 3rd. There's no way you've done anything substantial just three days in." Yes, I really have. I'm giving it new energy. I'm hitting it head-on....with a POSITIVE mindset, and for the first time in a long time I'm actually excited about what's ahead. I have NO idea what that might be, but I just have a clear sense of PEACE that I'm headed in the right direction. That's the best way I can explain it. "If you asked me for my New Year Resolution, it would be to find out who I am." ~Cyril Cusack Let me try to sum it up this way. If you've followed this blog at all over the last two years you know that I deal with some pretty big mental/emotional issues. It's January. January is usually NOT a good month for me. I'm not sure why exactly. I've actually been told before that it's "just the January blues." Well, one of my 'kick-starts' is taking a picture and posting it every single day of 2016. (If you're interested, you can follow along here: http://dtrphotography.weebly.com/project-366) Today is (obviously Day 3/366) and THIS is what My God shared with me this evening through my lens.... You may not believe me, but it's the honest-to-goodness truth.... When I looked at the image on the back of my camera, I clearly heard Him say (not audibly, but in my heart/mind) "Dot, THIS is how I want you to look at January Blues from now on." Wow. Chills. Thank You, my Lord, for knowing me, for loving me, for Your always right-on-time reminders. In fact, I'm also going ahead and thanking You in advance for what I KNOW You're going to do in my life in 2016! "Believe you can and you're halfway there." ~Theodore Roosevelt So, you know the drill, dear Reader. This is the part where I ask you if you've made any resolutions for this new year. So...have you? More importantly, have you devised your PLANS for achieving those answers? Do what I'm doing....give yourself a good kick-start. The sooner....the better! Wishing you and yours a very Happy 2016...full of peace...and joy...and new discoveries...and endless possibilities! Much love!
~Dot Remember those colored tags I mentioned in my last post? Well, they're back! This time they've taken over my friend's copy of this incredibly thought-provoking book...The Best Yes by Lysa TerKeurst. (I'm returning your book soon, Ace, I promise!) Much like Elizabeth Gilbert's Big Magic, I heard God's Message to me loud and clear within these pages. Now, the question I find myself asking is....'Whatcha' gonna' do now, Dot?" Oh, okay. I sense a little confusion on your part, so maybe you're new to The Roomy Nest. Perhaps you haven't read all about my issues these last few years. No worries. I'll try to briefly catch you up to speed. --Key word: "try". ;)-- In a nutshell, I am cursed with the Disease to Please. Need a spot filled on the committee? Sure, I'll do it. Selling magazine subscriptions for a fund-raiser? I'll buy two. Looking for someone to donate tons of "free time" to a great cause? Okay, I'll add that to my list. See what I'm getting at here? Hello, my name is Dot, and I'm a people pleaser. I can't ever remember a time when I wasn't this way. Innate? Maybe. Easily corrected? Not a chance. So, as a result, I had worn myself down to a shell of a person....doing everything for everybody....and very little for my own soul. Next thing I know, I'd gotten myself into very dangerous territory. I had NO desire to be involved in ANYTHING. I just wanted the madness to stop....even it if meant I had to take myself out of the equation of life. So...after plenty of professional therapy, I was told very clearly that I had to "take some things off my plate"....to "keep my personal teapot filled"...and plenty of other cute little sayings that frankly just seemed like a joke. Truly, I felt as if I was being punked. Hey, am I on candid camera here? Are you a psychologist or an actor trying to catch my reaction on camera for a prime-time comedy show on TV? Because here's the issue....I'm a "yes girl", and I'm baffled by (and honestly a bit envious of) those folks who can verbalize that simple two-letter word so eloquently...."N-O". Why is that word so difficult for me? This is why. Yep. These very reasons. However, I don't want to be caught up in this cycle of lies. See, I really DO believe Satan LOVES to plant these notions in my head so that he can continue to enjoy watching me mentally and emotionally implode. "Dot, if you don't serve another year on that board they are going to be SO disappointed in you...not to mention, they are totally going to pretend they don't know you when they see you around town." Lies. From the biggest liar crawling around this earth. I am SO sick of him, by the way. What a jerk! See, Lysa TerKeurst says that most everything we are asked to do IS a good thing. Singing in the church choir? Good thing! Serving on the School Council? Good thing! Being involved in Community Theatre? Good thing! These and many, many more are all very good things to say YES to. However, for those of us suffering with the Disease to Please, it comes down to asking ourselves..."What is the BEST Yes for me? How do I fix my overwhelmed scheduled & my underwhelmed soul?" I know what you're thinking, dear reader. You're already saying....okay, so how do I possibly decide what the Best Yes is in my life? It's ALL important, right? Ah....and now we've come full circle to my days in therapy when my psychologist/TV host advised me to "just take some things off my plate." It seemed impossible to make that decision back then. What makes the cut and what doesn't? Here's what I learned from this book: So very obvious, yet sheer genius! I had been asking God forEVER to send me a sign. Tell me by way of specific scripture jumping off the pages of my Bible.... Write it on a billboard....whatever! Just tell me, God! And here He's been telling me all along...for YEARS! I've said this before, and I'll continue to say it. God speaks to me. I'm not talking about audible messages in a burning bush or from angels showing up in my house here, but I DO hear God when I stop and truly listen. This time, He's used Lysa TerKeurst to write this message, and then He used my co-worker to suggest I read her book. So, we've acknowledged that most everything is a worthy candidate for a "Yes", but the question is...."Do I have the resources to handle the request physically, financially, spiritually, and emotionally?" If I do, then, hey, Ladies & Gentlemen, I have a BEST YES opportunity in front of me! If it doesn't meet all of those criteria for MY life and the goals that I believe my God has planted deep within me, then I have to say No. It really IS just that simple. "It goes without saying, there are certainly some decisions that need to be processed. but then there are other decisions we just simply need to say yes or no to and move on. Find that courageous yes. Fight for that confident no. Know it. State it. Own it. And move on without all the complication. ~Lisa Terkeurst So, now that I've caught you up to speed (that was "brief", right?), back to my original question.... "Whatcha' gonna' do now, Dot?" Well, I'm wiping several things off my plate ASAP. Without a doubt, they are all good things. They ARE "yes things".....but they are not BEST Yes things for me right now. I'm owning my confident No, and I'm moving on. God's totally in this. I can feel it. I've said a lot here, and, as always, I thank you for reading all the way down to this point. So, now, I ask you, my friend.... do you have an overwhelmed schedule and an underwhelmed soul? Don't fall victim to Satan's lies about that dreaded Disease to Please. Remember, there IS a cure! Find out what YOUR Best Yes is and follow it boldly wherever it takes you. Also, find some time to read a copy of this book and when you do, make notes in the margins, underline sentences, or use those nifty colored tabs to help you remember things that jump off the page at you. That's our God meeting you where you are and answering your cries for help. Listen, follow His Guidance, and find your Peace. I'll be praying for you, and I ask that you do the same for me. Until next time,
~Dot It's no secret that I love books. I mean, I love books a LOT! I read a lot of books, and the older I get the more varied the genres become in my bedside book-stack. A while back, I read Elizabeth Gilbert's "Eat, Pray, Love" and was deeply moved by her personal account of self-discovery. (If you haven't read it, I encourage you to do so.) Fast-forward about 5 years. I recently noticed that a family member was Instagramming lots of love for EG's newest book, "Big Magic." My curiosity was piqued, so I bought it (in hardback 'cause I couldn't wait!) and started reading right away. I should also mention that, as a normal rule, when reading, I use these... ..... to help me remember specific quotes/ideas/wittiness/wisdom within a book.Normally, I tend to use one (or maybe two) of each color (in an average "good book." After I've finished the book, I go back, find my colored tags, jot the quotes down in my quote journal (yes, I have one.... so? I like quotes, okay?), and then sometimes I actually go back and reread/re-digest those specific passages again with an even deeper perspective. Take a look at Big Magic's impression on me: It's been a long time since I've read a book with this much jump-off-the-page wisdom in it. I am SO into this book that I..... 1) texted both of my children at college and told them to drive to their nearest bookstore and purchase/read it immediately, 2) texted several other young adults I think the world of and made the same suggestion, 3) ordered a copy for the library where I work, and 4) plan to read the book again from cover to cover very soon myself! Yes, in my opinion, it's THAT good. Now, I know what you're thinking...."Oh, a self-help book? No thanks. I'm good." Yeah, I feel 'ya. I'm not big on a bunch of hoopla from folks who haven't walked in my shoes trying to tell me how I can better live my life either, but just hear me out. When I read this book, honest-to-goodness, it was like hanging out with Elizabeth Gilbert on my back porch sipping on a cup of coffee and listening to her conduct an adult-version of storytime. I was hanging on her every word! It's like she knew exactly what kind of internal struggle I've been dealing with and basically said, "Hey, Dot...it's time to kick things up a notch. Let me help you." Now, if you know me at all, you know I'm a Christian, and I value God's Will for my life more than any other source. Lately, I've asked Him on a daily basis to give me guidance on this particular subject, and I haven't gotten anything loud and clear until now. I really do believe that my stumbling upon this book wasn't sheer coincidence. Nope. I believe it was Divine Intervention. Here's the weird part, though. "Big Magic" is truly a wonderfully written pep talk for those creative souls out there that have been too afraid to take a leap of faith and simply DO what they've yearned to do instead of just dreaming about it. While I DID take some things away from that main theme, my main take-away from this book actually seems even deeper than that. See, the thing is, a couple of years ago, I took a big step in my creative journey and put my work out there for all to see. So, I feel like I've already (sort of) conquered that part of the process. Unfortunately though, somewhere along the path, I've lost my way, and I haven't been able to find those breadcrumbs I dropped along this journey in order to find my way back to my happy place. Confused? Of course you are! Let me try to explain myself a little better. I've collected a few "pretty versions" of some of her direct quotes from the book to share here. I'll jump in with my thoughts along the way, too. Take a look..... Over the years of my adult life, I have struggled with lots of demons that I have allowed rent-free residence in my head. In an effort to combat their messages and elevate my self-worth, I have tried lots of creative outlets: acting/theatre, cake baking/decorating, singing, jewelry-making, and yes, even photography. Most of these were not very successful endeavors because I was doing them for all the wrong reasons. I was 'creating' for the approval of others. When I use the word "successful", I'm not speaking in terms of monetary reward at all. I am referring to a sense of personal satisfaction.... a sense of self-pride.... a stirring of a passion I wasn't even aware was in me.... an awakening of my own soul's delight. I'm pretty sure I've found my "strange jewel". It's actually been there all along....way before jewelry-making and cake decorating. It's probably no surprise that it IS photography, but, believe it or not, I continue to struggle with the demons. Because I now know that fear is just a demon trying to extend his (or maybe it's a her) lease inside in my head. What if I don't measure up? What if my photos don't look as pretty/clear/vivid/muted/dreamy/blah,blah,blah as those other photographers around here? What if I'm not good enough at my craft to be chosen for the occasion? What if those other photographers see my work and think I'm copying their style. What if...? What if...? What IF....??? "Uncertain outcomes" make me nervous...REAL nervous. Unfortunately, I'm a control freak, and these mind-games can quickly spiral out of my control. I'm SO tired of worrying about what others think of me....of my craft....of how I live my life in general. It is absolutely mentally exhausting! Truth be told, it is highly unlikely that anyone really gives two hoots about me or my work at all. This is probably all in my head. See what I mean? Demons.... plain & simple, and those sanity zappers are definitely something to be dealt with. Do I want to be creative? Absolutely! Does looking through a tiny window and clicking a shutter bring me joy? You bet! However, oftentimes, I feel like I'm putting out my own creative fires simply by doing the thing I love so much for the wrong reasons. Reasons that simply don't feed my soul. Why AM I doing photoshoots for the public? Sure, a little extra money is nice. (If nothing else, it funds this pretty expensive creative outlet by way of more cool gear to learn about and play with!) However, when my calendar is packed to the max with "real work" (aka my Mon-Fri/9-5 gig) and "photography work" every weekend, there's no time for me to tap into my need for creativity. How do I fix this? Clearly some changes need to occur, and I think THIS is what my God is trying to tell me. But... (here comes fear again to do what he does best...) what if photo sessions are all I'm good for? What if I don't have anything original to bring to the creative table? Then what? Ah....yes...."authentic." I adore that word. I strive to BE that word. I don't want to be a copycat. Being a second-rate version of someone else doesn't appeal to me at all. I desperately want to be a first-rate version of ME! I want to be authentic in what I say... and do... and create. I just want to capture the world...big parts...small parts...and everything in between from MY perspective on my own journey through life. Really and truly. That's all I care about. If my work brings joy to others...great. If it doesn't touch another living soul but my own, that's okay as well. Before having this epiphany, I had discussed with my husband at great length the idea of just packing up all the photography gear and closing up shop. You see, my creative outlet has morphed into a soul-sucking monster that I no longer want to be attached to. "Big Magic" has helped me see things differently. Yes, things are definitely going to change in this coming year, but they don't have to stop completely. Lately, I've realized that, in addition to photography, I also really enjoy writing, and it's been made abundantly clear to me that I should mix the two and see what happens. In fact, this blog has been and will continue to be my practice field because as Elizabeth Gilbert says "...in the end, creativity is a gift to the creator, not just a gift to the audience." I'm ready to start unwrapping my gift. So, dear Reader, if you're still here, thanks for listening. I realize this was nothing like my normal book reviews at all. It took a personal turn real quick, but I don't apologize. I needed to say it, and maybe (just maybe) you needed to hear it. "Big Magic" IS an incredible book. My hope is that you'll read it yourself and experience a Divine Intervention specific to your own situation. Elizabeth Gilbert ends this book with this simple set of questions: "What would you do even if you knew you might very well fail? What do you love doing so much that the words 'failure' and 'success' essentially become irrevlevant?" I know what my "big magic" is....do you? Until next time,
~D "The problem is not that there are problems. The problem is expecting otherwise and thinking that having problems is a problem." ~Theodore Isaac Rubin I've got problems. I'll bet you do, too. The reality is EVERYONE has problems. If they say they don't, well.... I don't buy it. Problems are a part of life. However, I do believe the term means different things to different folks. Ol' Websters Dictionary defines the word this way: "problem"--something that is difficult to deal with : something that is a source of trouble, worry, etc. See what I mean? Like I said EVERYONE has had to deal with "trouble" at some point in their lives (and *spoiler alert* if you haven't yet....you will). My Lord & Savior said so Himself! Check it out..... "In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world." ~Jesus Christ (John 16:33) See? He said we WILL...not MAY....but WILL have trouble. Told ya', and wow, what a relief to know this truth, right?! Oh, wait, not the part about us having troubles, but the part about Him being bigger than all of it. That very statement is the solid foundation that has given me TREMENDOUS hope and security to maneuver through this problematic world we live in. As you may know from other posts here on my blog, I have seriously considered ditching this earthly world more than once because of some deep-rooted "problems". However, by sheer Grace, I'm still here. :) But enough about the p-word. Let's move on! “Talking about our problems is our greatest addiction. Break the habit. Talk about your joys.” ~Rita Schiano Talk about my joys, huh? Okay. I'll give it a whirl. These (in no particular order) are some of the things that bring me joy:
"Man is fond of counting his troubles, but he does not count his joys. If he counted them up as he ought to, he would see that every lot has enough happiness provided for it." ~Fyodor Dostoevsky Indeed, it would seem that I've got plenty of joys to draw from when things get less than ideal in my little corner of the world (and those were just things off the top of my head!) I encourage you to make your own list and see how quickly they tumble out of your head. A dear friend gave me this mug last year as a gentle reminder...... ......and I just love it! Great advice! Don't you agree? I must admit that, while it's been a foreign concept to me for most of my life, I'm starting to get the hang of it ...... and, man, does it feel good! :) Bottom line here is this, dear Reader: Look for the joy. It's there. You just have to actively pursue it. Then, after you find it, CHOOSE to live in it every. single. day!
Until next time, ~D "Do what you feel in your heart to be right.... for you'll be criticized anyway." ~Eleanor Roosevelt Have you ever been punched in the gut? I can honestly say I never have.....not literally anyway.....but I'm pretty sure it feels like you've had the wind knocked out of you, and you want to throw up, and you're totally taken off-guard all in one quick moment, so, in essence (figuratively speaking), I've just been gut-punched. My character has been attacked, and I'm really, REALLY not cool with it at all. "I don't want to be around people anymore that judge or talk about what people do. I want to be around people who dream and support and do things." ~Amy Poehler I'm not really going to get into specifics here. It would serve no purpose (other than for the gut-puncher(s) to recognize themselves and their actions here in this blogpost), so I'll leave that be. Here's the bottom line, so listen up gut-puncher........ What I choose to do, eat, drink, wear, read, sing, quote, photograph (within reason...and quite frankly everything I do, eat, drink, wear, read, sing, quote, and photograph is WELL "within reason"), is MY business. Period. My husband approves of his wife's choices. My children approve of their mother's choices. I am NOT a bad person. Those that think otherwise don't know me. It's just that simple. "To be yourself in a world that is constantly trying to make you into something else is the greatest accomplishment." ~Ralph Waldo Emerson I proudly boast of my faith as a Christian every chance I get, and I love my God deeply. So, this afternoon I had to dig really, REALLY deep, and ask Him for direction. How do I handle it, Lord? Where do I go from here? The human side of me wants to lash out.....big time. Make a big stink. Prove my worth. We're talking about my character here, and that is not something I take lightly. However, the Holy Spirit that most definitely resides in me is making it abundantly clear that I have to move on from this or Satan will use it to his full advantage sending me straight back into that terrible pit of darkness where I have been before. That is NOT a place I can afford to go back to! So..... even though I'm extremely hurt, I'm moving on. “Forgive others….not because they deserve forgiveness but because you deserve peace.” ~Jonathan Lockwood Hule Yep, I'm still pursuing peace. I think I deserve it. It's a daily effort, but I have no doubt I'm going to get it one of these days......might not be 'til I'm on the other side with my Lord, but it's coming. So, I'm going to try my best to forgive, but I gotta be honest......forgetting is a little harder task for me to accomplish. I'm going to pray a little harder for that part to happen. In fact, please say a prayer for me if the Holy Spirit brings me to your mind. In the meantime, I'll close with this thought. "Before you start pointing fingers, make sure your hands are clean." ~Bob Marley Are your hands clean??
Until next time, ~Dot “You have three types of friends in life: Friends for a reason, friends for a season, and friends for a lifetime.” ~ Ziad K. Abdelnour The folks on this porch are some of THE coolest people you could ever have the good fortune to meet. I'm telling you, their life stories are simply fascinating! Here's the thing, if you want to get their stories from their perspective, you'll have to learn to speak their language, and you'll have to be able to keep up with some fast-moving fingers, hands, and arms! Think you're up for it? Trust me, it's challenging......even for me, and American Sign Language is my "first language"! Are you totally confused? Keep reading. Here's the story... These are my parents. I love them with a fierce, protective love that is, quite frankly, beyond what many would deem to be a "normal" daughter-parent bond. That's okay, though, since we are far from "the norm." If this is your first time stopping by The Roomy Nest, you may need a little explanation via backstory. You can find that info in a couple of my previous blogposts here: http://theroomynest.weebly.com/my-blog/my-hero-is-the-strong-silent-type and here: http://theroomynest.weebly.com/my-blog/a-steel-magnolia-hits-70 Go ahead.....read them now. I'll be right here waiting when you get caught up. :) So, you see, bottom line.....my parents are both deaf. They met at a magical place, fell in love, and the rest is history! That magical place, aka, The Georgia School for the Deaf (GSD) in Cave Springs, GA, was also where some lifelong friendships were made with other fascinating human beings much like my parents, and those friendships have been going strong for almost 70 years! In fact, they all lived in South Georgia as neighbors for about 40 of those years, but the separation was necessary when my sister and I moved our parents north several years ago to be closer to family due to Daddy's health issues. While I knew in my heart it was the right thing to do, man, oh, man did I struggle with the decision. In essence, I was moving them away from these dear friends who are, without question, their (and my) 'family' as well. Here's Ann with me and my parents back in the 70s. She is older than Mama & Daddy, and she was in the upper grades at GSD when my Daddy arrived on campus as a six-year-old boy. She had actually graduated and moved on with her life before Mama got there years later, but, clearly, they were meant to be friends because they bonded after they were adults. Trust me when I tell ya', those two women should have been named "Thelma & Louise" for all the mischief they would get into together. :) Ann was married to the love of her life, Roscoe (also deaf), for a very long time. Roscoe is now with our Lord waiting on his beloved to join him there on those Streets of Gold one day. She has two adult sons (both hearing) and four grandsons. These days, Mama & Ann talk to each other on their VRS (Video Relay System....much like Skype) at least once a day. Here she is now... what a beauty....inside & out! Now, here we are with Janice & Clinton (also circa 1975ish)... The similarities between these two couples is remarkable! Daddy and Clinton both started attending/living at GSD as very young boys. Mama and Janice both ended up there as much older teenagers. The men did every sport offered. The girls did "girlie stuff" and batted their flirty eyelashes at their boyfriends. :) These days, Janice & Clinton are retired (Clinton worked at the same Post Office with my Daddy for many, many years) and they have three adult children...all hearing...and several grandchildren as well. Here they are now.... "A thing is mighty big when time and distance cannot shrink it." ~Zora Neale Hurston A couple of weeks ago, these sweet folks were all able to spend a few days together when the South Georgians made the drive to see their "friends up north" and oh, what a great time of reunion it was! They ate, they talked (hands were flying, by the way), and I watched them have a wonderful visit. We even took them on a mini-field trip around our stomping grounds. Take a look... Those BFFs even tried their hand with a Selfie Stick! Fun! :) "True friends never apart....maybe in distance, but never in heart." ~Helen Keller I am who I am, in large part, due to these people and the amazing influence they've had on my life. I don't know anyone more courageous than these dear folks. I would like to hope that if God ever chooses to take something away from me....my hearing....my sight.....that I'd have the strength and grace to move on with my life-- always seeking the positives-- like these five people have done their entire lives. They ARE the definition of "Super Heroes" in my book! “No distance of place or lapse of time can lessen the friendship of those who are thoroughly persuaded of each other's worth.” ― Robert Southey So, Janice, Clinton, Ann, from the bottom of my heart, I thank you for making the trip to see Mama & Daddy! It means SO much to us that you cared enough to come! You are our family! I love you more than you know! ...and for you, dear Reader, thanks for stopping by! Cherish your friendships....let them know how important they are to you. Also, let's remember to always give thanks to our God every single day for His Blessings in our lives. They are all around us. We just need to stop long enough to realize it. Until next time, ~Dot “We don’t stop playing because we grow old; we grow old because we stop playing.” – George Bernard Shaw Since my own baby birds have left the nest, I'm borrowing a bird form my sister's nest. ;)
Also, gotta give props to her for taking these pictures. It's kinda' cool to be on the other side of the lens every now and then. In 1986, I graduated from high school. It seems like a million years ago now. (GASP!!! I just did the math...next year actually WILL be THIRTY years since my high school graduation!! Wowzer......that stings a lil' bit...) Anyway, something else happened in 1986..... Robert Fulghum's wildly popular book entitled "All I Really Need to Know I Learned in Kindergarten" was published. Ever heard of it? Well, it's chock full of lots of wisdom, and sometimes, I think we get SO caught up in the "book smarts" of this world that we tend to forget good ol' common sense. You know...... basic "life concepts" that we SHOULD have gotten a firm grasp of way back in our earliest of years. So, in honor of the Class of 2015, I'd like to share some of Mr. Fulghum's wisdom here as gentle reminders to us all, but especially to these seniors who I've had the honor of photographing this year. “I believe that imagination is stronger than knowledge. That myth is more potent than history. That dreams are more powerful than facts. That hope always triumphs over experience. That laughter is the only cure for grief. And I believe that love is stronger than death.” ~Robert Fulghum ~Conor's next stop: Mercer University in Macon, GA~ “You may never have proof of your importance but you are more important than you think. There are always those who couldn’t do without you. The rub is that you don’t always know who.” ~Robert Fulghum ~Jessica's next stop: Georgia Regents University in Augusta~ “It doesn’t matter what you say you believe - it only matters what you do.” ~ Robert Fulghum ~Marlin's next stop: Athens Technical College in Athens~ "It is still true, no matter how old you are-when you go out into the world, it is best to hold hands and stick together.” ~Maggie's next stop: University of Georgia in Athens, GA~ “Every person passing through this life will unknowingly leave something and take something away. Most of this “something” cannot be seen or heard or numbered or scientifically detected or counted. It’s what we leave in the minds of other people and what they leave in ours. Memory." ~Jacob's next stop: The United States Navy~ “Sticks and stones may break our bones, but words will break our hearts.” ~ Robert Fulghum ~Carolina's next stop: Athens Technical College in Athens~ “It’s the spirit here that counts. The time may be long, the vehicle may be strange or unexpected. But if the dream is held close to the heart, and imagination is applied to what there is close at hand, everything is still possible.” ~Avery's next stop: The United States Air Force~ “As one old gentleman put it, " Son, I don't care if you're stark nekkid and wear a bone in your nose. If you kin fiddle, you're all right with me. It's the music we make that counts.” ~Marlee's next stop: Georgia College in Milledgeville, GA~ “About winning and losing: It isn't important, what really counts is how you play the game. About playing the game: PLAY TO WIN!” ~ Robert Fulghum ~Tim's next stop: Georgia Military College in Milledgeville~ “Knowledge is meaningful only if it is reflected in action. The human race has found out the hard way that we are what we do, not just what we think.” ~ Robert Fulghum ~Cross' next stop: The United States Air Force~ So, class, let's review........ “These are the things I learned (in Kindergarten): So, you see? Life really is just a good bit of common sense. Graduates, keep these simple truths in your daily practices, and you're going to be just fine! It was my pleasure to be a part of your Senior Year! Thanks again for the opportunity! I wish you each a lifetime of peace and joy as you travel your individual roads to success. I can't wait to see what happens next for each one of you!
So, from all of us here at DTRphotography (and by "all of us", I mean my husband and me) ;) ............ Congratulations, Class of 2015! Now get out there, and do great things! :) Until next time, ~Dot I'm not a big traveler. Never have been. I guess it's because my family just didn't take trips when I was growing up. A getaway vacation was rare. So, as a result, I think I've become a woman who views a "staycation" as a peaceful time to do what I want....when I want....and never have to leave the comforts of home. What can I say? Bottom line is I'm just an ol' boring creature of habit. I married a man, however, who loves to venture out into the world and explore. He's made sure our children have that same inquisitive spirit (which I totally support). So, over the years, the four of us have packed some suitcases and had some awesome adventures together, but now, as you know, our nest is quite roomy. Our baby birds have flown the coop, so our days are much calmer now. The family wall calendar is mostly a bunch of blank squares. Is there really any need to "get away" from real life anymore? Turns out.....the answer to that question is a resounding "YES!"..... “Every person needs to take one day away. A day in which one consciously separates the past from the future. Each person deserves a day away in which no problems are confronted, no solutions searched for. Each of us needs to withdraw from the cares which will not withdraw from us.” ~ Maya Angelou ...and so, he and I packed up and headed to Hilton Head, SC for four glorious days last week. Yes, we've been to HHI before, so, no, it wasn't a brand-new adventure for us, but it was still a wonderful getaway. Let me show you.... First up... a beautiful lazy day on the beach. The beach was nice, but if I'm to be honest, I LOVED Day # 2 even better. Bike-riding all over the island! My guy was even cool with me stopping every single time I saw something I wanted to photograph. :) We had several alligator encounters along the way.... ....and I LOVE wandering through cemeteries. Always so peaceful and so beautiful. In fact, Hilton Head's scenery in general is simply breathtaking! So, you've seen the beach chairs.....the bikes.....and now let's address how we came home with bulging bellies! It's hard to deny the photographic evidence. Hopefully, the 20 miles via bike ride counteracted the delicious calories, but I'm not entirely certain. (We inhaled a LOT of calories!) Anyway, like I said, it was an awesome trip. I can't wait to see where our next adventure takes us!
Until next time, ~D P.S. Our trip did make a slight detour on the way home to be able to see our two favorite people on their college turf. They may have flown the coop, but the coop has wheels! ;) "If you want to change attitudes, start with a change in behavior." ~William Glasser I need an attitude change.....that's for sure.....because things are getting darker and more cynical in my lil' ol' brain every single day. I keep telling myself that it's not me....it's everybody else's attitudes that need adjusting. Time to face the truth...it IS me. Well, at least I'm the only person I can control...attitude-wise.....behavior-wise... so, I guess that's who I need to focus on. Baffled by my bizarre babble? Let me hit the rewind button and give you the backstory. In the Rutherford household, way back in the early years of the 21st Century (2005, maybe?), before the Facebook phenomenon hit our family, there was Bebo. After that came.... ...yep, good ol' MySpace. Who else remembers these two social networking sites? Anyone?? Well, I sure do because I created an account in both cyber-camps. However, it wasn't for any interaction with my own peers. Far from it! No, back in those days, our daughter was a middle-schooler with profiles on both of these sites, and NBC's "To Catch a Predator" show seemed to be airing every time I turned around. I was consumed with the idea that she might be caught.....by a low-down, good-for-nothing, slithering, creepy predator....and this Mama Bird wasn't about to let that happen! So, I created my own profiles on both sites (she had to accept my friend requests.....that was the deal) in order to just "stand guard" on the World Wide Web. That's the honest-to-goodness truth. It never occurred to me at that point to become "socially inclined" online because, frankly, no one I knew (other than Chelsea's friends) was on it networking anyway. ...but then....this happened.... ....and all of a sudden it was a brand-new world! I could reconnect with folks from my college days.....high school days....even my childhood! These were people I had not laid eyes on for YEARS!! It. Was. Awesome! Truly, it was like a big ol' cyber-reunion complete with long lost yearbook pics and images of beautiful growing families and sugar and spice and everything nice! Best part? I could "hang out" with these folks from the confines of my own home....wearing my PJs and no makeup! SCORE!! I even created a page for my husband because he wasn't interested in it and thought it was pure poppycock. I told him that if he'd give it a chance I just knew he would love it. (By the way, I'm thinking about opening a fortune-telling business 'cause I sure was right about THAT prediction!) Anyway, Facebook has been a staple in my life for quite some time. In fact, I wasn't sure exactly how long I've been addicted to its charms, so I decided to take a field trip back into my Facebook archives and found this post from our daughter (by this point, a high school Freshman) teasing me for, once again, being that social media helicopter parent.... So, it would seem I've had this love-hate relationship with the mighty Facebook since November of 2006. That's eight years and three months. Lately, though, I have been pondering this whole thing pretty seriously because I am finding that, for me, there is a direct correlation between my cynicism and the amount of time I spend scrolling my Facebook newsfeed. That giddy "Facebook is SO cool!" feeling I used to have is no longer there. Sure, I still feel connected to those folks that I mentioned above that got me hooked from the start, and I DO love to keep up with those that are miles away, but there's a new twist to this whole FB thing for me now. I find myself reading some people's posts (a little closer to home) and become quickly frustrated that some get a bazillion likes and comments while others (who have the same type announcement, issue, problem, concern, request) receive NO attention at all.....and they have the very same "Friend List" for the most part. Kinda' makes me start to question the idea of Facebook "friends." At any rate, I decided to do some research. Turns out, I'm not alone. LOTS of folks are starting to see the downside to constant connection with social media and many are turning in their FB profiles for a simpler way of life. You know...back to the dark ages when we were more concerned about what was happening in our own REAL world...way back in 2002! (Google the phrase "Why I Left Social Media" and see for yourself!) I believe we have crossed a dangerous threshold into a place where even we (the middle-agers) are finding it difficult to put our technology away for any length of time. It's become a really bad habit......for some, maybe even a full-blown addiction. It frightens me a bit. Recently, all four of us (in my immediate family) were home together for a quick 24-hour visit. I realized that for a hefty chunk of that time, all four of us had our cellphones out and were in our own cyber-worlds when we SHOULD have put those blasted devices away and been soaking up every minute of the time we had together! We, as a society, have GOT to wake up and stop this incessant cycle of posting constant stuff in hopes of getting instant validation from "friends." We've also got to take a step back from constantly feeding those needy online personas that seem to camp out on our newsfeeds! Please don't misunderstand me. I'm not anti-social media at all! Facebook....Instagram...Twitter......Pinterest... and on and on and on......They all have their place and their purpose, but the lines between fiction and non-fiction are really starting to blur. I have no use for people who act one way online for the masses to see and a totally different way when there's no one there to give them the ol' "FB thumbs up". Yes, those people do exist. "To change a habit, make a conscious decision, then act out the new behavior." ~Maxwell Maltz So....back to that original quote at the beginning of this post as well as the one above....the ones about changing behaviors in order to change attitudes. I haven't enjoyed the new attitudes taking up residence inside of me. So, I decided to figure out a way to bring some better behaviors back into my life. It's definitely a work in progress with some days better than others, but, here's the deal........ For the last few weeks, I have made a conscious effort to NOT scroll down my Facebook newsfeed on a regular basis. It has helped me tremendously. While I don't know a lot of the local social news these days, I am also enjoying the notion of "ignorance is bliss" when it comes to some of the ridiculous posts that usually make my head pound. I am also trying very hard to not be concerned with how many likes one of my posts may or may not get or........ more importantly, who chose to like it and who didn't. (That has been a REAL source of hurt for me, which I realize is completely ridiculous, but unfortunately true.) I am doing a better job at reminding myself of the following: Frankly, it is my opinion that others would do well to read this reminder on a regular basis as well. I haven't deleted my profile and probably won't ever do so since it is part of my job as Library Media Specialist at our local high school to maintain our school's website and Facebook page. I enjoy that part of my job immensely and find it to be a very useful tool to get information out to our students and parents. I also plan to continue to post things on my own personal pages (this blog included) from time to time because social media can and does bring me joy when my real-world-friends and I can connect. So, yes, there ARE good things about Social Media when used with a little bit of maturity and good ol' common sense. I HAVE, however, decided that a form of "digital detox" might be just what the therapist ordered. In addition to the changes I've made for myself, my husband and I have also made the decision to put our cellphones/laptops away (as in...in another room...on another floor of our home) for the majority of our evenings and just enjoy each other's company while catching up on our favorite TV shows and discussing them together or just talking with each other about our day or plans for upcoming days. Committing to this "Semi-Digital Detox" has made a TON of difference in our life together here in the "Roomy Nest." So, what about you? Do you feel the need to go off the cyber-grid for a bit? Are you so busy making sure everyone knows about your life that you don't have time to really live it? Let me leave you with this link to ponder. (I'm not suggesting that you wipe out Facebook or any other form of social media from your app list. I'm simply encouraging you to scroll down and read the 10 "what-ifs" in the article by Matthew Warner and see if those could be some first steps toward you having your own Semi-Digital Detox.) http://theradicallife.org/the-real-reason-to-quit-facebook-and-10-what-ifs "The price of anything is the amount of life you exchange for it." ~ Henry David Thoreau As for me.....well, I'm taking back some control for my own sanity. The price has gotten too high. My techno-toxins have got to be managed. It's time. Thanks for reading.
Until next time, ~Dot “A portrait is not made in the camera but on either side of it." – Edward Steichen Over the holidays, I decided to create a space on the web devoted to this fairly new venture of mine..... DTRphotography. It just felt like the appropriate next step for me. Now, I'm not ashamed to tell you that I am VERY proud of my work....not because I think it's the best photography out there. Hardly! I'm on a journey and hope to always find ways to improve. No, it's more about the effort I put in...not just for the hour or two that I'm with my clients but also the hours of post-session work I do to put my own signature on the product. I LOVE the work, and I am grateful to the people that put their trust in my skills (however limited those skills may be). Having said this, I gotta' come clean and admit that I've always felt that I put a LOT more into a photo shoot than my clients. I mean, after all, the only thing they have to do is just "be pretty", right? Well, due to my recent experience on the OTHER side of the lens, I feel I owe those awesome clients of mine a big ol' apology. Confused? Let me explain..... Remember that new website I was telling you about? Well, I wanted to create a page within the site to help prospective clients know who they'd be dealing with.... Sort of a "who IS this "DTR" person, anyway??" kind of thing. I figured I better add a picture of myself as well. Trouble is ..... I don't have many pictures of myself. In fact, other than school pictures and those dreaded Olan Mills shots back in the day, I can count on one hand how many times I have been on the receiving end of a camera's lens. About 6 months ago, we did a family shoot with a local photographer (Holla, Dee!), but that was all four of us together or combinations of us. None were of "just me" (which suited me just fine!) So....I asked my sweet husband if he'd be willing to get behind my camera and snap some shots of me. Here comes that apology, y'all..... I am SO sorry I didn't realize how challenging it is to be in FRONT of the lens!! Posing and trying to be halfway "natural" at the same time is HARD!!! My super-patient man took a total of 81 pictures of me as I was trying my best to do what I ask my clients to do. Every few shots, he'd give me the camera and say "Okay, take a look and see if this is what you're wanting." I'd look, and then I'd be SO bummed! Sure, a few were just plain and simply out of focus (hey, bifocals are no joke, right, Honey?), but the vast majority were fine composition-wise. I just wasn't loving looking at myself! See, I'd had big assumptions that it would be easy to just "be" while Rut followed me around snapping away, but it was MUCH harder than I thought. I felt totally on display.....awkward....a 2015 version of Olan Mills flashback! I mean.....do I tilt the head ever so slightly or not? Do I sit?.....or do I stand? (More importantly, which will make me look thinner?!) :) Also, do I look away, "pondering life"....or.... ......do I look straight into the camera's soul? ...and what about the smile? Closed mouth? ....or... ....do I show some teeth? Ugh!! SO many things to think about....all the while trying to look "natural". Posing is hard....period, and I have totally left THAT out of the whole photo shoot equation.....until now! I think this may be why I lean so heavily toward "lifestyle" photography as a preference because it's just capturing someone living their life....doing their thing....naturally. THOSE are the shots I am obsessed with capturing these days. So, all you DTRphotography clients out there, please know that I no longer think you had the easy part of the shoot. I am going on record as saying that being in FRONT of the camera is no walk in the park (well...actually sometimes it IS exactly that now that I think of it.... but you know what I mean). :) As the quote at the top of this post reminds us....it takes effort on BOTH sides of the camera to make a pleasing image. ....and sometimes, when a wireless remote and a tripod are involved, both sides can freeze a moment in time together! Thanks for your patience...and super-rad photo skills, my Love! I really enjoyed our afternoon together, and I'm already trying to figure out what our next "Roomy Nest" outing can be! Oh, by the way, I DID finally decide on one for the actual webpage. It's none of the ones I posted here, though. Here's the link if you're curious.... "About DTR".
Thanks for reading! Until next time, ~D |
AuthorHi! I'm Dot. I refuse to succumb to the "empty nest syndrome"! So, this is my journal.....my photo album.....my attempt to enjoy the next chapter of my life as it unfolds. Welcome to The Roomy Nest! Archives
January 2020
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