The Big 5-O..M..G

Yes, today is my birthday.  It is also that milestone of the big 5-OH.  The first thing that comes to mind when I say it -- is "great."  I am officially an old bat now I guess.  But it sure beats the alternative.

One of my oldest friends called me last night -- a send off for my 40's -- she turned 50 last month.  We both remarked how we do not feel 50 -- and most certainly don't act it.  You always think if only you had known what you know now at a younger age.  I think that sometimes and wonder would I have done anything differently?  I doubt it.  With the age does come the experience of life and the attitude of not taking junk from anyone.  I took other's junk at 25.  

It is hard to think of when I actually stopped taking a lot of junk (and be aware the word junk is replacing another word that I choose to not use on the blog to keep it all PG).  That point is realized in your life when you decide to not sweat small stuff -- and we know -- it is all small stuff, well almost.  Daily I think about my dear friend Jane Kerr and her family -- and I realize that there are some things that are not small.  When you meet these things, you realize just how petty a lot of junk can be.  Each day is a gift and to waste that gift is foolish.

I love dogs.  To not have a dog in my life is a waste and I will not live that way.  I am thankful that my husband agrees with this and also loves dogs.  Sadie is snoring beside me on the couch right now and Iris is sleeping off the morning run in the other room.  My husband is wonderful.  We both lament getting older -- but in order to be with someone for decades -- that is the big trade off.  We have been through a lot -- moved across the country and back.  It has all been fun and one big adventure.  My son and daughter test me -- like all good kids should do.  They are good kids and we have fun.  

My mother and mother in law are supportive.  I wish I visited them more often. Soon I need to really make an effort to head out of town for a few days.  My father in law was always very supportive and a good man to have in my life.  My father passed away just a couple months after Robert and I were married.  He did not make it out of his 40's.  I have a wonderful aunt and a great bunch of cousins that are more like my siblings (since I have none).

Life is good.  I have great friends and love the photography community.  Things has been busy lately and this blog has suffered.  I plan to fix that.  I love blogging; almost as much as photography.  There are a few things I need to organize in my life to make sure the time for me is still there.  We are coming up on the busy photo season here in Atlanta.  I am involved again this year with SlowExposures (love that bunch!).  Recently I have been working with Nancy at South x Southeast photomagazine as blog editor.  My work is part of a group show at The Art House Gallery in Buckhead this October. Debi used one of my photos for the listing in the ACP catalog -- thanks Debi! I am always working with Greg & Jennifer Blair at Dogwood Gallery & Framer -- they are almost like family.  My photos are currently in shows in Atlanta and at the Denver airport.  Soon I need to ship one off for a show in Lynchburg, Virginia.  Tomorrow I have a couple classes at the Serenbe Photography Center.  If anyone is interested -- you can still sign up today.  Later today I need to call the wonderful Mr. Bennette to chat about some details on the show at the barn.

So as I sit here with Grandmother Wood's poundcake baking in the oven -- I am thinking of all the wonderful positive things about being another year older.  Oh yes, I am baking my own birthday cake -- I am picky and I know the poundcake frosted with a delicious sweet/tart lemon frosting is perfection. No bakery can top that.  My husband keeps asking what I want for my birthday and I cannot think of anything other than a few days at the beach -- whenever that can happen.  I did order a new camera bag the other day -- a cool new Shootsac.  Since my son made a comment about that name, I will never be able to pick it up without smiling.  

In my mind I am always 22, but now I am a wiser 22 year old.

July 30 Workshops

On July 30 I have two workshops scheduled at Serenbe Photography Center.  

The morning (9am to noon) is all about social networking for the photographer and blogging.  I have been blogging here since July 2007.  This workshop will get into blogging for beginners and for those who have been doing it a while -- perhaps give you some ideas you may not have thought about.  It will also talk about Facebook and Twitter -- the good, the bad, and the ho-hum.  I will talk about statistics for your blog -- how you see what is being Googled to find your blog.  

The afternoon workshop is all about preparing for a portfolio review.  Atlanta Celebrates Photography is coming up -- and the portfolio reviews are scheduled for October 1.  SlowExposures also offers a portfolio review on September 17.  If you are thinking about doing one of these and would like a little prep talk -- this is the workshop for you.  Even if you are not planning on one of these -- this can help you prep your work to show to galleries or any one else interested in your work.  It is a skill and takes thought to edit yourself to a tight, cohesive, strong body of work.  You also need to be able to talk about the work.  This workshop will take you through editing, presentation, and the artist's statement.

Printed handouts accompany each of these workshops.  Sign up online at the Serenbe Photography Center website.  If you have any questions, feel free to email me.  

Birth of a Body of Work

I just posted on my other blog a photo from yesterday.  That is one of those photos that I like to think of as a Seinfeld photo.  It is about nothing -- really -- absolutely nothing -- but I like it.  After I left the gas station and headed on to Target -- just your usual day of running a few errands; a thought came to me.  More photos of nothing (and I am sure I am not the first person to think of this) -- public restrooms.  I refuse to Google to see if someone else is doing or has done this.  I want to do it and I do not want to be influenced either directly or subconsciously by someone else's work.

Target 2

I really like this photo from the Target ladies room.  The different lines and bold red color grab my attention.  I also like the fact that the round light on the right is cut off at the edge of the photo.  I can see me adding to this body of work for a long long time.  I got two restrooms yesterday -- and now I am thinking of going out today.  Not because I need to -- but because I want to hit a couple more ladies rooms.