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2013-05-21 01:00:01 (2 comments, 1 reshares, 53 +1s)

{{ falling for you... }}

2013-05-20 17:46:20 (11 comments, 2 reshares, 81 +1s)

Wait.  Did someone say art suplies? 
Cuz...well, I have a room full of shelves, with a big 'ol closet that's dedicated to nothing BUT art supplies.  (And yeah...it's a mess in there.  What'd you expect?  My hoard sometimes takes over.  It's okay.)


for #macromonday  and

+Jake Easley,
+Jennifer Eden,
+Kelli Seeger Kim and
+Kerry Murphy 

2013-05-20 01:31:39 (5 comments, 0 reshares, 65 +1s)

{{ your sweet smell still lingers in the air }}

2013-05-19 01:31:50 (0 comments, 0 reshares, 26 +1s)

Added photos to The Selfy Sunday Project.

2013-05-18 16:28:03 (10 comments, 0 reshares, 72 +1s)

Being a photographer with kids seems to go one of two ways:

A) You have endless subject material that's, usually, readily available.  (Albeit, sometimes, most times, you might have to bribe a little...)

or

B) Crap like this happens and the art of photo-bombing gets stealthily, perfected, over time.

2013-05-17 22:17:28 (23 comments, 0 reshares, 106 +1s)

{{ now you're here, now you're away... }}

Project 52 B&W
Week 20: Framed 
#P52BW13 | +Project 52 B&W 
Curated by +Tisha Craw, +Susan Porter, & +Lauri Novak 

2013-05-16 02:12:29 (3 comments, 1 reshares, 97 +1s)

So....I'm not positive, but I'm pretty sure this whole, new, G+ layout and all these new features are a bday gift for the great, and powerful, +Alan Shapiro...though, I could be wrong...

What I do know, like, for sure, is it's Alan's bday.  And what I also know, for sure, is that Alan is a, constant, strong source of inspiration for me.  Whether it's his writing that pulls me in, a photo, or the killer combo he creates when he pairs them, so flawlessly, together...I'm a fan.  Every.  Single.  Time.  And, he always leaves me wanting more.

(And, ya know, Alan...I think, after noticing the flurry of LovinComin'Atcha today...I'm pretty positive that a lot of us share this feeling.  I hope you've really taken the chance to breath it all in.  Happy birthday, my friend! )

#AlanShapiroBirthdayStyle  

2013-05-19 17:42:12 (11 comments, 12 reshares, 96 +1s)

Finally.
It's warm enough to say, 'Go outside and play.'

2013-05-14 01:58:53 (6 comments, 1 reshares, 53 +1s)

{{ an old best friend.  a hidden love. }}

2013-05-13 14:31:58 (5 comments, 1 reshares, 48 +1s)

the difference between sunday and monday is huge.

this was sunday.
it was like this.
sun, dogs, grass, warm, kisses...

today, monday, i'm running around, i'm overtired, i need more coffee, i'm almost out of gas, i forgot my lunch and i am heading into a two hour meeting.

i wish everyday was more like a sunday...

2013-05-09 02:46:22 (10 comments, 2 reshares, 63 +1s)

It has been almost one week since we've had any snow.
I think, Spring is finally here?

(Well...according to the tree in my yard, Spring's here.  And she's usually right about this kinda stuff.)

2013-05-08 15:58:49 (6 comments, 1 reshares, 51 +1s)

....AND...I'm gonna just throw another train into the mix!

Gene, I can totally picture you as a little kid, always with a train/car/truck/anythingwithwheels in your hand, and always zoomin' things around :)

So, here's to growin' up with your passion still close to heart.
I hope it's been a great day, so far!

#HappyBdayGene  

2013-05-08 03:05:08 (6 comments, 0 reshares, 50 +1s)

...i say to her:
kid.  don't play with your food.

...she says to me:
mom.  don't play with your food.

2013-05-07 18:43:26 (0 comments, 0 reshares, 13 +1s)

Alice Jones, deputy arts editor, The Independent:
What do you think of Instagram?

Eggleston:
I don't know what they are.

My favorite question/answer from a great interview. 
(And, with that one q&a I've decided I really need to re-focus on where my actual passion is.  When, and why, the hell did I get so concerned on keeping up on trends that I don't care about anyway?)

2013-05-06 16:40:46 (6 comments, 1 reshares, 56 +1s)

I thought I'd share my Selfy Sunday photo here, too.

And...to go with my country listenin', summer time dreamin', cold beer drinkin', mood lately...I, easily, found my inner-cowgirl, and went with her.

That's one of my favorite things about self-portraiture...you can channel a little part of you, that you'd like to capture, and bring that person out--even if it's for only a bit.   You can purposely be someone different each time; or, you can simply shoot, to find yourself.  I learn a lot about who I am by looking back at my photos.  I remember an emotion, a time, a feeling, and I can linger in that moment from an outside, not as cerebral, point of view.  Getting outside of my own head isn't easy for me...so, self-portraits force me to look at things differently.  And, I need that from time-to-time.

Thanks for keeping this communityactiv... more »

2013-05-05 02:26:26 (1 comments, 1 reshares, 62 +1s)

+Chrysta Rae, know what reminds me of you?

Little things.  
But, not everyday little things.
Like, the little things that make you feel really good inside.

You know....like a warm, sunny day, after a stretch of rain.  A huge smile, from a favorite friend.  A heart-shaped doily that a child gives you on Valentines Day.  A really yummy cupcake--complete with pink frosting and sprinkles.  A red and white straw sticking out of a super thick milkshake.  That smell of coffee on a Sunday morning.

Kinda like those things.  
The little things, that make you smile somewhere inside.
The little things that make you feel like there's a warm, sunny, spring day somewhere in your soul.  That's what reminds me of you.

THIS made me think of you today when I found it.  A  little, brown nest,  tucked away, behind some old boards, with aperfectly ... more »

2013-05-05 01:46:29 (0 comments, 1 reshares, 36 +1s)

Added photos to The Selfy Sunday Project.

2013-05-03 22:33:20 (21 comments, 2 reshares, 24 +1s)

Being a photographer...I hear it all the time, 'Can you make me look better?'

Wonder why??

(I was recently asked to take random, family snapshots, of people who can't make it to a photo shoot, and Photoshop them into my portraits to make it look like the whole family could attend the event.  I just stared.  That's really what photography feels like it's turning into sometimes--just a buncha lies.)

2013-05-02 03:39:24 (0 comments, 0 reshares, 7 +1s)

Despite being a baby, who lived in the Midwest, during this time...

I'm pretty sure my soul was actually here.  
Studio 54 with Andy.

Somehow.

2013-05-01 22:17:52 (21 comments, 0 reshares, 69 +1s)

So...I had to go deep into my 'InnerKimberton' to get this shot.

It was a strange place in there. 

Stoned Unicorns were there, on the big, fluffy, turquoise couch.  They were eatin' Cheeto's and playing Angry Birds (oh, and they shared all...so, all was good).

There were crooked rainbow's, hanging like chandeliers from a beautifully, textured, ceiling.  (Oh...and the purple walls...GORGEOUS!)

Glitter was falling everywhere, like snowflakes, and being swept up by a grouchy T-Rex.  (THAT was a sight, btw...I had NO IDEA they made special brooms for them, because of the arm length issue.  I also learned that grouchy T-Rex's tend to try to eat wandery, cheeto-filled, girls, like myself; however...I offered ((and held for him)) some of my uni-doobie and he gladly munched on the cotton candy cats I tossed him.  That was beneficial for bothof us... more »

2013-04-23 18:08:58 (7 comments, 0 reshares, 51 +1s)

{{ it's amazing how quickly things change... }}

2013-04-19 20:19:47 (0 comments, 1 reshares, 30 +1s)

One of the first shots with the new Raynox DCR-250, which arrived today. This is should be an actual-pixels crop of the image.
Full image: 3648 pixels wide
This cropped image: 2352 pixels wide
So this is cropped to 64 percent of the full image, to avoid Google resizing it during upload.

Shot with camera on tripod and a single, diffused flash.

2013-04-19 19:04:05 (0 comments, 0 reshares, 11 +1s)

This is the Event for our April 2013 Self Portrait Challenge: Selective Color / Textures. Here is where you enter your ONE Self Portrait using either Selective Color or Textures (or both). Your photo must have been captured this month. This Event remains open until 11:59 CST April 30th, so you have until then to create and enter your best photo from this month. Please read all rules (scroll down). Not adhering to rules will get you disqualified.

Need some tips for this challenge? Have no fear! That's why we're here. :) +Tamara Pruessner put together a fabulous Tutorial about how and when to use Selective Color and Textures in your photography - find it here: http://goo.gl/c5sQQ

Prizes

1 Year of +SmugMug Pro http://www.smugmug.com/pro
+Think Tank Photo Sling O' Matic 20 Sling Bag http://goo.gl/UZh1N
+Capturing Couture Gift Code in the amountof ... more »

2013-04-19 15:35:23 (15 comments, 0 reshares, 81 +1s)

{{ on the, busy, city streets--i swear i see you everywhere... }}

Project 52 B&W
Week 16: Fade
#P52BW13 | +Project 52 B&W 
Curated by +Tisha Craw, +Susan Porter, & +Lauri Novak

2013-04-18 17:28:14 (3 comments, 0 reshares, 46 +1s)

this year is so funny, up here, in MN.

this is today.  

we're in the midst of our second 'winter storm warning' within one week.
and, i slid through a stop sign due to icy roads.

i'm okay with still baking, making crockpot meals, working on inside projects and sipping chai tea.

at least the snow melts fast.  kinda.
and, at least it stays light out much later than it did in 'real' winter--which is nice.  kinda.  (except, late brightness just gives me more time to gaze outside, into the snowy abyss...)

2013-04-14 01:55:40 (12 comments, 20 reshares, 72 +1s)

working with kids, and art, constantly reinforces the following for me...

-do what you want, however you want, with whatever tools you have.  
(but don't forget to, maybe, take advice from those more knowledgeable, and ask those around you for help--especially if they have longer arms and can reach the glue stick.)

-do it how you see it in your head.
(but, it doesn't always come out like that...so, be ready to be okay with change.  sometimes, your elephant simply looks like rabbit--just make it into the best rabbit EVER, instead.)

-put your name on your work.  if your name isn't on things, it might get taken and/or colored on by someone else.  plus, nobody will know it's yours.  (which is bad when you're proud of something.)
(i think i need to start doing this more.)

-most of the time, you just know you're donewhen ... more »

2013-04-13 00:45:26 (13 comments, 1 reshares, 93 +1s)

{{ if we can just stick together...through it all... }}

Project 52 B&W
Week 15: Flower
#P52BW13 | +Project 52 B&W 
Curated by +Tisha Craw, +Susan Porter, & +Lauri Novak 

2013-04-12 16:00:09 (4 comments, 1 reshares, 12 +1s)

Six Things I Wish I Knew When I Was Getting Started as an Artist

So...I heard Guante on the radio this morning.

(Oh.  Guante?  He's a Minneapolis hip hop artist, two-time National Poetry Slam champion, social justice activist and educator.)

He wrote this blog--obviously, it's aimed toward getting going in the music industry, because that's what he does--but everything he says can be equally geared to photographers, painters, writers, etc. 

There's a wealth of really good info on here--it's definitely worth the read this Friday!  (It's a quick, inspiring, read, btw.)

((Also...HAPPY FRIDAY!!!))


(+Billy Wilson, +Ashlan Nathens, +Ron Clifford and +Jordan Oram, a good chunk of this blog reminded me of the great conversation that happened after last week's +That Show with Billy Wilson (TSBW).)

2013-04-11 15:37:36 (9 comments, 2 reshares, 53 +1s)

despite all the snow and crabby minnesotan's...i had to stop and laugh at it.   my poor little spring, froggy, sign...

i mean for real.
there's, like, a ton of snow out there.
and thunder.  
there was lots of that too.

2013-04-08 01:30:18 (9 comments, 4 reshares, 105 +1s)

{{ that moment you open up and realize you aren't alone...}}

2013-04-07 02:59:56 (4 comments, 3 reshares, 11 +1s)

i love this list, like i love my home.

the only thing they forgot is +Atmosphere.

2013-04-06 01:57:06 (0 comments, 0 reshares, 2 +1s)

goin' love on the hour!

2013-04-06 00:02:40 (2 comments, 0 reshares, 3 +1s)

+That Show with Billy Wilson (TSBW) brings together Artists, Musicians, Photographers, Personalities, & all sorts of fun and interesting people from around the world each Friday for a hangout and is one of the largest & longest running shows on G+. This week we'll be talking about Photography and licensing and will be joined by Photographer and Blogger +Thomas Hawk. Photographers +mel peifer, +Jordan Oram, & +Giuseppe Basile. Visual Artist +Ashlan Nathens of +scribblegraph. Photographer and Community Builder +Ron Clifford. Librarian concerned with Copyright Issues +Ryan Schultz. Photojournalist and App Developer +Noel Chenier (http://www.noelchenier.ca/), and Special Musical Guest +David Santy !

The show will be embedded on this event where you can watch and chat with us and other people watching the show, the recording will be available immediately afterwards. You can getremi... more »

2013-04-05 23:02:29 (9 comments, 0 reshares, 71 +1s)

{{ not all of us get there in the same fashion.  oh.  and some of us crash a bit on the way... }}

Project 52 B&W
Week 14: Transportation 
#P52BW13 | +Project 52 B&W 
Curated by +Tisha Craw , +David Bowden , & +Susan Porter

2013-04-05 22:11:12 (3 comments, 0 reshares, 13 +1s)

TSBW #53: Photography, Licensing, Creative Commons, & +Stocksy United along with Live Music from David Santy ! (On Air Hangout)

On Friday at 10:00pm ET we'll be joined by Photographer and Blogger +Thomas Hawk. Photographers +mel peifer & +Giuseppe Basile. Visual Artist +Ashlan Nathens creator of +scribblegraph. Photographer and Community Builder +Ron Clifford. Photojournalist and App Developer +Noel Chenier (http://www.noelchenier.ca/). Special Musical Guest +David Santy ! Let us know if you’d like us to answer anything.

For more information and to get reminders about the show visit the event page: https://plus.google.com/events/c9kh0hg0nlrrn2gngq31lh0heug

2013-03-29 21:26:27 (11 comments, 1 reshares, 67 +1s)

Yes. This is spring, in MN, this year.

Personally, I don't mind the snow, or still wearing the Sorel's or even the chilly temps...but, lots of those around me do. (Okay. Not gonna lie. I AM getting a little jealous watching all the amazing, spring, photos from my fellow photographers start to pop up...)  Today, it's almost 50 out there and they say that maybe by Easter, all the snow will be gone.  We'll see :)

+SmugMug was, however, kind enough to send me an awesome sweatshirt though to help keep me warm. Seriously. THANK YOU SmugMug. You're the BEST!

www.smugmug.com

2013-03-29 14:41:03 (19 comments, 1 reshares, 83 +1s)

{{ i don't know how to sleep but staying awake is so lonely }}

Project 52 B&W
Week 13: Look Up
#P52BW13 | +Project 52 B&W 
Curated by +Tisha Craw , +David Bowden , & +Susan Porter

2013-03-23 18:03:53 (8 comments, 1 reshares, 119 +1s)

{{ dreaming of yesterdays }}

2013-03-22 01:35:28 (3 comments, 0 reshares, 11 +1s)

This is the Event for our March 2013 Self Portrait Challenge: Face Close Ups. Here is where you enter your ONE Face Close Up / Eye Macro Photo Submission. Your photo must have been captured this month. This Event remains open until 11:59 CST March 31st, so you have until then to select and enter your best photo from this month. Please read all rules (scroll down). Not adhering to rules will get you disqualified.

Need some tips for getting a great photo for this challenge? Have no fear! That's why we're here. :) +Shantha Marie Fountain put together a fabulous Face Close Ups & Eye Macros Tutorial - find it here: http://goo.gl/XrNpu

Prizes

1 Year of +SmugMug Basic http://www.smugmug.com/photos/photo-sharing-features
+Capturing Couture Discontinued Camera Strap - nobody else can get these anymore. :) http://www.capturingcouture.com
more »

2013-03-19 22:38:15 (14 comments, 2 reshares, 103 +1s)

...so, i'm pretty sure he's hatching a grand plan called:  

'how to become mel's adorable, little, new pet while not giving her rabies at the same time.'

or...maybe that's me wondering how easy it might be to capture and keep a squirrel as a secret pet--while not getting rabies.  or yelled at when the secret is discovered.  which it probably would be.  like right away.  because i'm not sure you can keep a pet squirrel a secret.  it'd be way too exciting.

2013-03-15 22:57:37 (13 comments, 0 reshares, 100 +1s)

{{ whispers hello, i miss you quite terribly }}

Project 52 B&W
Week 11: Old 
#P52BW13 | +Project 52 B&W 
Curated by +Tisha Craw , +David Bowden , & +Susan Porter

2013-03-15 03:50:46 (12 comments, 0 reshares, 59 +1s)

i love seeing so much thought, put into so many of your photos.
----
i love seeing you capture a place and/or time, in your life that you want to remember.  (or, possibly, move on from and forget...)
----
i love seeing new faces grow more, and more, comfortable in front of the lens...instead of just hiding behind it.
----
i love hearing your initial, selfie discomfort, be soothed by friendly comments and encouraging words of advice from others in this community.
----
i love what you guys are doing to make this art of self portraiture community what it is.  keep it strong and keep that lens lookin' your way!

2013-03-08 22:47:35 (32 comments, 0 reshares, 69 +1s)

so.  one time.  like a really long time ago.  i met a girl.
and yeah, it was the middle of the day.
and yeah, i think i was drinking and she mighta been too...but we clicked.
and, as friends, we stuck.
in fact...so much so, that i don't wanna ever be without her.
i, actually, didn't realize that i was missing her brightness in my life until she showed it to me.

and she had this little thing she really loved to do with her friends.
and she thought that taking it to g+ might be fun for her, her followers, and the new friends she had already made.
and, so she did!  and she TOTALLY brought it!
(i tried to help the first time...but, well, let's just say that i pretty much fired myself shortly after making a big mess out of it.)

and.  okay.  when i say she brought it...she seriously, like, took over g+ with it.  
AND, along theway...... more »

2013-03-08 14:59:15 (28 comments, 1 reshares, 84 +1s)

{{ i cry for you }}

Project 52 B&W
Week 10: Reflecting 
#P52BW13 | +Project 52 B&W 
Curated by +Tisha Craw , +David Bowden , & +Susan Porter

2013-03-04 03:53:36 (13 comments, 1 reshares, 84 +1s)

{{ she never was like the rest }}

2013-03-03 03:30:14 (3 comments, 1 reshares, 81 +1s)

and, as he held her, he whispered to her...

i like when you're alive.
you're like my poison.

2013-03-02 03:48:25 (22 comments, 1 reshares, 123 +1s)

{{ i don't feel like i'll ever have more than just me, to give you... }}

Project 52 B&W
Week 9: Hands
#P52BW13 | +Project 52 B&W 
Curated by +Tisha Craw , +David Bowden , & +Susan Porter

2013-02-28 16:02:10 (1 comments, 3 reshares, 26 +1s)

Very Important Print Sale: Please Read!!!

Hi everyone!
I absolutely hate ever asking for help (ever!), but because I'm in a pretty dire situation right now, I feel compelled to write this message to my beloved G+ family to see if anyone is able to help me out of a very bad bind.

Last May, I acquired a dying Canon 5D, which is the camera responsible for every picture that I have shared with you all on G+. I have been trying to make do with this camera, hoping to use photography as both a creative outlet and as a means, as a single mom and full-time student, to support my young son Ben. However, the 5D is now officially on the verge of death, often shutting down even when the batteries are fully charged, and adding so much noise to every image that I have to push the luminance to 100 in Lightroom for every picture that I edit; it won't be long before the camera... more »

2013-02-26 23:55:22 (13 comments, 1 reshares, 44 +1s)

ya know what i love?  

all my foodie, photog, friends--and how AMAZING they make all of their food look on my screen.
ya know what seems to be missing from their photos though?  
some everyday, midwest, wintertime, cookin'.
(all that coast food is, uhm, cute.  but...it just doesn't stick to your ribs like we like up here.)

so.  i bring you what we love here in MN.

we love our crockpot meals...our meat and our veggies.
(not to mention our casseroles...i'll save that post for another day ;) )
i prefer dumplings with it all, too.  (i simply boil the broth from the chicken, mix up my dough and drop it in--15 minutes later...i have melt in my mouth dumplings.)

after six hours of cooking, you can literally smell dinner, outside, when you get home from work.  (despite everything out there being frozen.)  and, eventhough ... more »

2013-02-24 04:29:29 (0 comments, 1 reshares, 44 +1s)

Added photos to The Selfy Sunday Project.