WELCOME to my blog and my photographic journey, where my photography style is dictated by my environment. I am a full time executive member of my household. That's right, I care, feed, instruct, inspire, maintain, a group of amazing individuals and the space they live in. These individuals are my children and husband, that place is my home. Most of the time I photograph where we are together, what we are doing together and most importantly their beautiful expressions. Sometimes I have the wonderful opportunity to photograph another family or event. I post my journey here.
My photographic philosophy: I celebrate the unique differences in each person, event and place. I relish in capturing life as it happens naturally. I anticipate it! I love creating an emotional image, one that will be cherished. I seek for beauty in the simplest most unexpected places. I enjoy carrying my camera where I go, making an interpretation of that moment and archiving it for good. Creating a beautiful, stunning final print and giving lasting memories of people loved. These things put a smile on my face.
This past weekend we had the opportunity to use our newly purchased wood permit and venture on Pine Valley Mountain and cut wood for the winter. We love using our wood burning stove during the winter and the smell of firewood pine is fantastic. My husband cut and hauled the wood, our eight year old son and I hefted some of the cut wood into the trailer and truck. Being 6 months pregnant and with a two year old trailing around me, I soon retired my job and allowed my son & husband to pick up the rest. I went to work on tin foil potato dinners roasted over coals, hot chocolate and roasted hotdogs. It was tiring, hard work and rewarding. After everything was loaded, we ate our little feast next to our fire and watched the stars appear. It was magnificent and the breeze was fresh and crisp. We were so busy I didn't take too many photos but had the chance to snap a few along the way. I found a few naturally placed old wood and weeds that seemed to make fantastic compositions that reminded me of fireworks and Pinocchio, I know, random but fun. The other images seemed to capture the essence of the area we were in. The fall leaves were few and barely visible. In a few more weeks the area will be covered in yellow and orange hues. We will have to go back soon! :)
My Amazing Husband
Pine Valley Mountain
Pinocchio
Pine...smells good
My Daughter
My Son
Fireworks
Can you find the wood that looks like a hand reaching out?
September 11th 2011. It was a SUPER rainy Sunday. The kids went outside the house to play, when my husband and I decided it would be a good idea to take a drive out on BLM land and enjoy the weather. So we pilled in the 4-wheel drive "SUPER Truck" as I like to call it, where you need a ladder to get in. I love this old Chevy! We drove for 3 hours, got out, stopped played. It thundered lightninged and rained constantly while we took photos and enjoyed the time together.
These are the moments I enjoy most with my family. Thank you for visiting my blog and taking a look at my images that I so enjoy creating. :) Sharee
I love to stop and enjoy Art, something that someone has created out of thin air.
When I was in college, we used to study historical, epic paintings and the ideas the artist may have had when making the particular painting. We would analyze it over and over. It was very much like analyzing a Shakespearian poem. What was Shakespeare feeling, thinking and doing when he wrote his poem?
It is a great way to exercise the right side of your brian.
I have been going though my art "stuff" and found this painting on a post card. I had randomly bought it while working at the local art museum about 6 years ago. On the back of the this post card, I wrote a thought that analyzed what this boy might be feeling while blowing the bubble. I wanted to share my thought with you.
"Painted back in the 1700's! Wow! And the nagging, curious younger brother eager for his turn. What do you think the older brother was thinking as he watched the gliding and dodging swirls over the smooth circular pocket of air? Do you think for a moment he forgot where he was? Did he get lost into a translucent colorful day dream and what it might feel like floating along the surface? He knows the inevitable burst that must come, but, for a moment, he has forgotten all about that.
I love moments like this, that takes me into my mind and blocks out everything else, as if the world, for me has stopped. Everything around me is silent. There is only me and my breath that keeps time."
I thought this would be fun to post online. Has there been a piece of art that truly inspires you? What is it?
As a side note, I really did do well working for the museum, I wasn't in a zombie like daze while working. It must have been a little slow at the time. :) REALLY.
Thanks again for checking out my blog. Come again.
I know I have said this before. I love my husband's families dairy farm. It is my inspirational, photographic outlet.
There is always something creative and beautiful to photograph. When I go to visit, I don't case all the corn and hay fields. I generally stay on the main dirt road. Walking that mile and a half to two miles (between my in-laws home and the diary) with my children seems to inspire me EVERY time I go! It is beautiful, serene and peaceful a wonderland away from shopping malls, fast-food and crowded neighborhoods. Here is a slideshow of some of the images I have taken over the past couple of years. I hope you enjoy! :)
Here is the link to the slideshow it runs about 3 minutes.
My father is Art Hale. He is a wonderful barber. He started at Knell's Barbershop, apprenticing for Ron Knell for many years and then taking over the business after Ron passed away. My father loved it there. Soon, the Barbershop, the Cafe, the ground was all sold. Down went the building and up went Sun First Bank. My father is still in town, he is now at Art's Barbershop on 100 West just off the Boulevard in St. George, Utah, where you can still get an amazing cut.
As long as I can remember, I remember Dick's Cafe, the pie, the old photographs of John Wayne, the good 'ol boys who would come to eat every morning and afternoon. To learn a little more about this famous Cafe and see more images visit Card Cow.
Just before they tore down the building I took a portfolio of images of the building, inside the cafe, barbershop and the people enjoying themselves inside. I photographed these images using my Bronica film camera. I shot with slide film and black and white film.
I made a quick video set to folk music by The Waillin' Jennys called "Beautiful Dawn." I hope you enjoy the images. If you would like to purchase the images please contact me through email and I will give you more information on the upcoming coffee table book, I am creating.
I have photographed Connie, a dear friend and her family, for years. They have always been pleasant with me. Even better, they appreciate my style and approach. But Monday, was where the photo stars were in perfect alignment of what I value in technique, putting away my pride and focusing on the art of capturing emotion of a beautiful family.
Being from Southern Utah, I have only photographed at the Brigham Young Home in Downtown St. George, twice. Monday was the first time for Connie's family. My resistance to photograph here, was out of sheer pride. This is a popular location, and with our over-saturated market of portrait photographers, I am VERY eager to separate myself from feeling like another photographic drone. Since I have retired I feel less inclined to have the same worries I used to.
I had a BLAST photographing at this location!
Shame on my insecurities and pride.
Any location can become unique, based on the photographers skill to make it original. That is the freedom of personal style.
TECHNICAL Craft
I photographed Connie and her family at 7pm in the evening, it was beautiful evening light. I shot at 400 ISO and the images ranged from 5.6 to 3.5 Fstop at about 125 to 60th of a second. I used my Cannon Speedlite with the Gary Fong light diffuser. I shot about 140 images, deleted about 15. I narrowed the slideshow down to about 44 images. And YES, I always shoot in RAW with my EOS 50D. I processed the images in Lightroom and did one or two touchups in Photoshop. I strive to have sound images so I limit my time on the computer, yet I still spend at least a couple hours processing, editing the sitting, making slideshows, putting logos on the web images and getting this blog prepared.
My Approach to Capture Emotion and Play
The children ran about and played. I stay away from the traditional "porch group shots" simply because I think they look LAME. I focused more on creating natural, relaxed poses, with point of focus compositions. I shot whatever seemed to come natural and worked to mold the family so they all look their best together. The kids seemed to immediately, feel comfortable with me. I seized the moment and brought them in, talking softly and giggling with them. I relished, that they were ultra relaxed with me. We played for a while and then immediately focused on a few family poses. Connie and her husband have quite a bit of trust in me, so they backed off and became silent observers as I played and photographed the children. Afterward, I let them play as a famly and would occasionally gather them in together. It proved to be a good experience for everyone.
The most important thing here, was that the family felt secluded, relaxed and themselves, this way, I could focus on emotion. I love being able to ANTICIPATE a moment. To allow my personality be a tool to help the family loosen up, and truly be themselves. To create a portfolio of happy, intimate images.
I am glad I put away my insecurities for this one. The images are beautiful.
I photographed the area after the sitting was over about 8:30 pm For this I bumped up the ISO so I could have more depth of field, since I had no tripod on hand. Scroll down to see those images.
Tasting the most delicious chocolates and jelly-belly flavors. The stores are splashed with new fresh pastels, I pull out my summer wardrobe and ready the sunblock. Baskets are full and eggs are decorated amazing designs and colors. Kids dash from tree, to grass, to tiny spaces, searching for that surprise! The Easter Bunny is sure to bring something delicious to eat. Water parks & splash pads are crowded as children squeal with delight. Art festival: face painting, chalk artists, festival fresh food in a historical place. I bought myself some original pottery today, filled it with fresh flowers and displayed it on my mantel. Yes, Easter-time is a wonderful American tradition that symbolizes the emerging fertility in the earth (I got that last phrase from Wikipedia).
BUT.
What else is Easter to me?
It is remembering the actual resurrection of our Savior Jesus Christ. It is remembering that He lived, sacrificed his life and atoned for our sins. It is knowing that I am a Child of God. It is knowing that I can be with my family forever, after this life. It is knowing, with the bruises, heartache and troubles of this world, there is a purpose to this life, for all of us. It is daring to have faith, applying sacrifice and then feeling the sweet reward of peace, joy and warmth of a
I know that Jesus ChristLives and He loved us enough to sacrifice for us. I know that we are are loved, we are all children of God and there is a Plan of Happiness for all of us.
