My Pet Project

There is a wonderful organization in our little lake community called Adopt-a-Pet. Adopt-a-Pet, inc., is a non-profit animal center situated on eight acres in Fenton, Michigan. They are committed to helping people and animals in need. Their mission is to provide a means to place unwanted, adoptable animals into appropriate loving homes. When this non-profit corporation was founded in 1978, the Humane Society put animals to death on a certain day, no matter when the animal arrived at the shelter. Founders of Adopt-a Pet Judy Neuwirth and Sue Lucas started holding open houses in front of a local business to try to find homes for some of these animals. Soon they became a foster home based organization and became what they are today. I wanted to do what I could to help! Like most photographers, I like to reach people through my images. Ron from Adopt-a-Pet brings me one animal at a time - unless they're puppies or kittens from the same litter. It takes me about a minute with dogs, longer with cats. They have a mind of their own. Puppies are like children, camera ready. I have to work fast to keep their attention. I'm sure it helps that I've been photographing children since 1987. It's all about timing and anticipation. My tips for taking better photos of your animals? Learn how to make funny high pitched noises. Those noises will get their ears up (this can sometimes be a challenge). Don't expect them to sit still cause most won't. Be ready to "catch them in the act", haha! I love capturing their personalities. Their facial expressions tell their story. I'm proud to state that most every animal that I've photographed has found it's "forever" home! Now that's something to brag about! How could anyone look at these sweet babies and not see their souls? For more information about Adopt-a-Pet go to http;//www.adoptapetfenton.com

What's this Pop Up Giveaway on my fb page?

Well, I'm jumping back on my soapbox again. This time it's about Moms. Yes those devoted caregivers that spend the majority of their lives taking care of those they love. Think about it…they probably aren't in many family snapshots, why? Because they're usually the ones taking the snapshots. Mother's Day is coming quick. I just had to come up with a way to honor a Mom. Another reason I feel compelled to honor Moms is because my Mom is no longer here on this earth and I'm sad I don't have any one on one images of her and just me. I have 4 sisters and we have Christmas images of all of us with her, but I have none of just the two of us. I can't believe I didn't think about this. I did go to Florida and photograph her walking her beach in Bonita Springs. We really love those images and are thankful we have them, but……Why didn't I think. And why didn't I think to photograph all my sisters with her. I figured what better way than to use my fb likers. It's not just a picture, it's a memory. A memory I don't have and my sisters don't have and I'm sad. So please participate in this Pop Up Give Away on my fb page. Here's the details: 1] If you haven't already liked Caught in the Act's fb page, do please 2] Nominate your special Mom, Grandmom, Great Grandmom. Post your name and her name under the Pop Up Give Away post along with a couple sentences explaining why she is so special to you. (Don't worry about your writing skills nobody's going to grade you. Just write from your heart) Your names will be put in a fish bowl. 3] On Mother's Day I will pull out the winner. You will be notified on fb who won. 4] The winner receives a free custom Session with Mom and a Soft Cover Book of all your favorite images. This is going to be a story telling session. I will require a consultation to plan out what memories to capture, clothing choices, etc. Please help me honor one of your Moms. It's not just a picture, it's a memory.

Happenings 2015

Happenings Winter-Spring 2015

Fairies in Wonderland

Hurry and call. Promotion ends soon!

Anyway

As i sit here staring at a blank screen what keeps creeping into my head is the fact that I'm not a writer, I'm a photographer. It's so mush easier to tell a story with one of my portraits then it is to actually type it. Anyway, here comes part of my story….. One of the reasons, I believe, that I chose Photography as my career at the late age of 30 is the fact that being a middle child, I have "no" images of myself before the age of 5. There's something wrong with this as I use to constantly tell my mom, but too late, nothing can be done about it. I've put out a plea to family with no return which obviously means no one else has any pics of me either. I think that's sad. Anyway…another reason I chose photography is that I am married to a fabulous musician (drummer-singer)who has worked at his craft since the age of 5. How wonderful for him to have known exactly what he wanted to do with his life. Not many can own that. I spent the majority of the early years of our marriage living life through him. I'm not saying that's a bad thing, but it was for me. I needed a purpose. Thankfully I found that purpose in photography. I love what I do. I really love photographing children, that is why I chose to specialize in that direction. I must say I've learned a lot. If you let them, they will teach you. They make me smile. I love the fact that I get to capture a moment of their life. Long after I'm gone from this earth, they have that moment and so does their children and family. Lucky me. Anyway….I highly doubt a Photography career is feasible in our changing industry which is why I chose not to speak at a recent career fair for children about the career of photography. I believe photography studios will not exist in the years to come. Everyone has a camera of some sort. We've become a society of "it's good enough".At least when you have your memories captured by a professional they aren't saved on a hard drive, left in a computer or left on a cell phone never to be printed by a professional lab. These are memories. Print them so your family will have them to look at and remember. I guess I'm just sad about all this….. Anyway…I'm not going anywhere. I still believe in what I do and the importance of capturing memories. Anyway…One thing I'll be doing more of is photographing for myself of which I'm so looking forward to doing. I'm going to be adding a "My Art" page to my website so check in now and again. Another chapter in my journey, ANYWAY……..

I'm in need….

For whatever reason this winter is taking a toll on me. I'm in need of a trip to an art museum or a walk on the beach or a quiet room sitting with my baby in my arms. I'm lacking inspiration and energy. Walking through a large building filled with art inspires me. I remember walking through the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City. The best thing ever. So many fabulous artists. I found myself tearing up standing there in awe of such beautiful work. Or the beach. Yes warm weather with the sun in my face. Clearing my brain of all thoughts. Giving it a rest. Yes… Or sitting in a quiet room with my newest grandchild in my arms. The smell of her, I just love the smell of a her. Picturing her all cuddled up in my arms just puts a smile on my face. Got to figure out a way to get out of this Winter Funk. Searching for the answer. I need to breathe. I'm sure most of us don't take the time to breathe, I know I don't and that truly bothers me. That's it, that's my New Year resolution. "I will take the time to breathe". "Just Breathe". I think tomorrow I'll take a walk in the snow with my camera. Be posting soon.