Beyond Self

I have to say that I can't believe the press this project has received.  The Daily Mail, wow!!!  But I thought I'd share a little beyond the self portraits.

The little picture to the left is me when I was in kindergarten with my dad and my first cat Sugar.  I still love and own cats today.  Sugar wasn't the first animal I lived with, we had a Sheepdog named Samantha, but sugar was the first pet that was mine.  I pulled this photo out this summer after my Dad lost his battle with terminal cancer.  It reminds me of happy times spent with him.

I still have cats, two to be precise.  Here they both are.  They are one of my favorite photographic subjects.  I also am married with one son but I respect their desire not to be photographed.

I also photograph a lot of other subjects.  Nature is one of my favorite and here are a few photos to share.

In Branches - this image was on exhibit over the summer at The Chicago Photography Center and it was on display with The Artisan Group at the GBK Primetime Emmys gift lounge.

Monarch Portrait - this image is published in the current issue of 5x5 Magazine, 

a fantastic photography magazine that started in 2012.

Abstract Lavender - a painterly abstract nature photograph

I hope this offers a little more insight into me and my work.  Have a wonderful weekend!

Blue is my color

Blue is my color.  It may not be my favorite color but it is the color I look best in. Blue has never been a big part of my fashion repertoire.  I wore black, I wore brown, I wore pink and red, purples and greens but not much blue.  Recently having photographed myself in many colors, including blue, I have concluded that it is the one color that universally makes me look good.  My skin brightens up.  I shine.  It's true no matter what my hair color is.  I can go back in time and I look great in blue with red hair, brown hair, black hair, auburn hair, it doesn't matter.  So I am resigning myself to blue.  I bought two blue shirts recently in fact.  When you find your color, wear it!


What is your color?  Do you know?  Is it a color you like?  Feel free to share your color in the comments!

In Blossoms

For my week 12 theme, Joy, I took some photos at Cantigny Gardens and Park of me in the blooming trees.  Nothing says spring more than blossoms, at least not to me.

Here are some of the outtakes from that day, an unusually warm March afternoon:
 

Have a lovely week and take a moment to stop and smell the flowers.

Hello Forty

So today is the day, my birthday.  My fortieth birthday.  It's been a lovely day.  I took the day off of work.  I slept in until ten in the morning, had a nice lunch with my son and even managed to take some photos of myself.

Tonight I'm out with friends.  If I'm not here tomorrow, it's because I was bought one too many drinks.

To be clear, this is not a 365 project.  Between my work schedule, being a mom, and everything else, that would soon become phone long arms many days.  I am committing to 52 weekly photos and I will add others in as I take them.  I am posting to two groups on Flickr as a part of this.  They are:

In the Picture  You can also see In The Picture on the Urban Muser blog.
Me Again Monday - a 52 week group that offers a them for each week.  Look for my "Me Again Monday" posts on, you guessed it, Monday's.

Here are today's birthday photos.

Forty

and look, my husband is home!

Dark, because, I can't resist a dark, grainy black and white

Well, I'm off to eat a big dinner before meeting many friends out for drinks!  Have a fantastic weekend!

Just me and a little bit about the project

Just me, a photo by The Shutterbug Eye™ on Flickr.

This last year of my thirties I would be lying if I said I didn't care that forty was right around the corner. To me forty meant old, boring, middle aged and all of that less than fun stuff. It meant mid-aged spread and needing to dress like an adult lest you look like that fool in midlife crisis mode.

Two days from now, not even as it's night while I write this, I turn 40. Friday, January 6. Rather than retreat, I thought it would be fun to do a self portrait project and document it. I also have a goal to take more pictures so these work well together.

My thirties have been good to me. I've upgraded my day job twice, taking on a whole new career and I rediscovered photography and now am selling photographs, have been published in an indie art magazine and have my work going in swag bags at the gift lounge before the Academy Awards (Oscars). I can only begin to dream what opportunities this next decade will bring.

So I'd be honored if you join me through this year. And if you have your own 52 week project or 365 project, self portraits or not, let me know as I'd love to keep tabs on your work. I also hope to add some links to other photo projects.

To conclude, Happy New Year and may 2012 be a fantastic year for everyone!