Hollyhocks: First Images Post Surgery

Jedcat Turns 20.

Jeddy Grant turned 20 yesterday. It has been quite a journey. I love and appreciate him so much for all he is doing to help me right now and for his many sacrifices. Happy birthday to my Gentle Giant.

So, this is a scanned photo of him THEN. Circa 1998/97?

And NOW.... a few quick birthday fotos from yesterday. These fall into the catagory of Family Fotos and therefore may not be perfect, but are about life, day to day, in my household.

And finally..... One pose, several processing methods. Always the student. Always wondering what works best. In this case, I wanted to make sure his fabulous eyes stood out and eliminate  background noise. Which do you like best? 

I am Pink Challenged

I am challenging all of my friends and family to post pink tomorrow for Breast Cancer Awareness. It would be very cool if we could turn FB Pink for just one day.

 This is an image of Jeddy in 2009. He was a Freshman in high school and wanted to wear a pink bra over a pink T-shirt to school for Think Pink Week. I had no problem with his doing this, but the school did. He was told to remove the bra, because “Boys don’t wear bras.” He rebelled and refused at first, but then he was threatened with being expelled.

In many ways this was the experience that started the Sisterhood. That same week my doctor found two tiny bumps in my right breast. It turned out to be nothing. I was also at a turning point in my life and…. I needed a photo project for an art class. I began taking pictures of bras in unexpected places. I think the bras, like me, were rebelling against the structures that had kept “us” bound…

The Sisterhood of the Traveling Bras has had quite a journey and that journey is not over yet. I haven’t looked back and I have had a lot of fun with the girls. Originally, people would ask if this was a project about Breast Cancer and I would answer that it was indirectly, but it was really about being a woman and the full scope of what that means. I have always hoped that the Sisterhood would somehow help other people. A year ago when I discovered that I had a large lump in my right breast I decided to document my personal experience with breast cancer through the Sisterhood. How could I not do that? I was determined that somehow, I would take this scary experience and find good in it and, maybe, help others along the way.

Happy Birthday, Dad.

Happy 83rd Birthday Dad.

I found this sharp, depression era image as I was perusing old photos--looking for ones that I would like to have in my personal collection. I scanned it and did a teeny bit of cleaning and restoration. I would like to print this one to hang in my house. Eventually, when I have a house full of my belongings again.

Floyd Smith Gardner, William, Stephan, Joseph, Mary Henderson Gardner, & Michael. Circa 1937/38?

Crowd Fund Raising

My children have organized a fund raiser to help me with the cost of cancer, of not being able to work, for day to day expenses, and eventually to move into my own place. More than anything.... I want to be independent again. I want to live in my own little house with Logan and the dog. I want to go to work everyday. I want to take people pictures and make $$$ while I do. I want to finish college..... but my life is on hold.

First, I have to be cancer-free. I have to be well again. I can do this. I can. I can. Just not today. Not yet and I need help until I can reach the level of independence again.

If you read this--and I doubt I have very many people following me here--please, share the go fund me link with your family and friends. Please. The more shares we get, the more people it will reach and the more chances there are that we will raise the amount of money we need to achieve our goals.

Thank you.

GOFUNDME Link :-)

 The Boy. The Mom. And the dog.

Thank You!

A Day at the Beach

A Family Outing at Cemetery Point, Huntsville, UT.

I am sorry that most of the time this past year my blogs have been Family Fotos. I made a choice while battling cancer to take a break from shooting, from building my portfolio and clientele, from working with other people. Frankly, I do not feel well and I tire easily and I want to give my clients 100%. I am now arranging sittings on a limited basis. I really need to do this. it is time.

When the kids and I go somewhere I ALWAYS take my faithful camera. I always get more than enough images. I think a non-family member would be pleased to get the great pictures I am taking.  On this day, the light was fading fast, but it was gorgeous. We had taken a drive and were all dressed casually. I stood back as an observer taking what might be classified as Storytelling and Life Style images. It was more about getting out of the house and having fun than it was about posing. I think we succeeded.

Pink For Breast Cancer Awareness

We all wore pink t-shirts for breast caner awareness month and went out to try and get some fotos of us as a family. 

I had to turn the camera over and let other family members shoot a few times. I can be very picky about what is worthy to post and most of the other fotos just didn't make the cut. I have a lifetime of photo making experience. The others were only humoring me.

Here are a few that I like.

Heather & Steve

I was positive that I had shared this wonderful wedding. Apparently, I did not. 

When I shoot a wedding--and I love all that is involved in sharing the full, long, hectic day with the Bride & Groom--I love to get all of the details. Shooting a wedding is about a life event. It is the day the bride has usually dreamed of and planned for a lifetime.  It's important to get images of the ceremony, the posed group shots, cutting the cake, etc.... but it is also about the small details--what was the weather like, what time of year was it, the flowers and other decor`, the guests.... When selling a wedding people want to see the romantic images, but when an album is created they want to show the full scope of what the day was like.

This is an older couple, but it was still important to record her special day.