Just a quick note to let all those who missed out on our Digital Schmidial Class that it went great!  We had 9 people registered.  (Usually I take only 8)  But one gal could only make two of the classes so I said it was fine!
I always try to tailor the classes around everyone's needs.  This can be a bit difficult sometimes since many folks are beginners and others are a bit more knowledgeable about camera stuff.  Clearly, this is not a class that will teach you how to shoot professional  basketball in six easy hours.  It just clears up all the digital nonsense out there regarding storage, pixels and touches a little on camera usage.  Several people have asked if I would go a step further and teach a more involved class regarding specifically camera techniques.  If you are interested, please drop me a line.  Also, I can also do a one on one with you if I feel that I can't put a class together quick enough for your needs!
Anyway, March 1st is right around the corner.  I saw my first Robin the other day, so that means that spring is not far behind.  I am planning on going to the Philadelphia Flower Show again this year.  Hopefully, I will be more impressed this year than last!  I will definitely let you know!
all the best,
d

Brides take so much time making sure that the little things are just oh so perfect.  This photograph was taken this past October at Joseph and Suzanne's wedding.  I love the fact that she used a vintage pin to hold her bow in place.  It's the little things that count. 

We are almost there folks!  I actually heard some birds chirping this morning!  I am keeping the faith that we are over the hump!  Okay, so a few cold days are sneaking in once in a while.  But once we hit March, it's all downhill!  (I say this because it is 15 degrees outside this morning!)  But hey, it is supposed to be in the 50's on Sunday!

We are finally feeling comfy in our new studio space in Newtown.  Local vendors have been more then welcoming!  So nice here!  All our signs are up and we have folks stopping by daily to say hello.

Stay warm and snuggle snuggle snuggle!
d

This is a great question!  For me, I think it the fact that we live in this great country with more than enough wealth to go around, but yet, if we look closer, the homeless are just a sneeze away.  People still go to bed hungry.  Lots of children are in foster homes because no one wants them. Prejudice still exists.  Folks have homes that have way too many rooms while others sleep in card board boxes.  The choice between food or taking your child to the doctor is a constant worry, yet spending five grand for a face lift is nothing to some.  Trips, vacations around the world are always in the planning stage, but having the money to keep a car going is a priority to the others.  This is what fascinates me.  Why does there have to be such a hard line between those that have it and those that just want to live a decent life?

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Okay Okay, Folks, IT"S ON!
 
I have to admit that I have been putting it off because of the holiday rush and the studio move.  But I had another reminder this past weekend from a client about the class so I thought I would put a priority on the announcement.
FIRST COME/FIRST SERVE SIGN UP.
DATES:  FEBRUARY 7, 14 and 21, 2009
Cost:  $125 checks only
Limit 8 people
Drop off check at the studio or send by U.S. Mail.  You will be notified by email if you made it into the class!

Here are the specs!
Week one:
Go over the different types of digital cameras out there.
If you have one, talk a little about that camera
Talk about flash cards, what are they, where to purchase inexpensive ones and the right ones.
The difference between area photo labs.  What to look for when you get your images printed.
How to put images on your computer.  How to send images to other people.
The best storage devices for your photographs.
Can and should you print your photographs at home on your printer?
If you decide to print at home, what is the best printer out there.
Scrapbooking
Problems that most newbies face entering the digital world for the first time.
Assignment for take home
 
Week two:
Show and share assignment.
Talk about flash on your camera.  Red eye will be discussed.
Vacation photographs, how to create a great album that your family will WANT to look at.
How to look for color in a photograph that make it pop.
Archiving your photographs.
Put together a slide show set to music of your images.  What program to purchase.
Biggest mistakes that a person does when taking photographs.
Create vacation photographs that make great greeting cards. Does your holiday card suck and why?
Assignment:  Bring camera.  We will be going outside.
 
Week three:
Show and share assignment.
What to look for when photographing candids.
What will make your camera malfunction other than dropping it of course.
How to look at light.
Where to put the horizon in your photographs
Interested in learning more?  Possible online courses as well as taking it a step further.
Camera Clubs
Snow photographs.
Should you photograph something and take $$ for it.  i.e. wedding, website, party.
Pet photography..... The last one that gets photographed!
Questions, answers and close.
 
Of course I am extremely open to adding more subjects to this list.  These are just some of the subjects that my clients have asked me about.  So, jot down your concerns and send me a list.

Lets have some fun!
donna

Dog person.... 95%  Cat person 5%.  Nothing against cats.  Had one for 9 years.  I just love more interaction for my buck!

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Kind of a sad day for me.  I had to have my father's dog Skippy euthanized.  As many of you know, my father passed last January leaving me his dog to take care of.  Having two dogs of my own, I thought I would give it a try until I could find a suitable family.  After caring for him for a month or two, I realized that he could never be placed with a family.  He was just too old and set in his ways.  He bit my son on two occasions.  He had trouble deciding if he should go to the bathroom outside or inside.   There were times when I think that he was rallying, but to no avail, the accidents would arrive like the moon changes. 

I wasn't particulary fond of this dog and used to tell my dad such.  I used to kid with him all the time and tell him that within an hour of his demise, I would get rid of that dog!  He laughed and then looked rather forlorn and ask me not to do that.

So Dad, if you are reading this blog in heaven, I want you to know that I really did try for a whole year. I walked him, I fed him and even had his shots updated. If you were watching from up above, I'm sure you saw that. 

Now, he is with you Dad, his best friend.  Perhaps where he wanted to be the whole time.

d

1.  Hearing a child giggle.
2.  Having my dogs cuddle up with me.
3.  Having my friends just call to say "hello".
4.  Receiving flowers!
5.  Receiving chocolates are even better!
6.  Hearing my children's voices.
7.  Having my husband ask how my day is going.
8.  Arriving home and finding dinner made.

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Well friends, we made it!  Another year in the books and on to a new and exciting 2009!  I am extremely excited this New Year for many different reasons. My business will be taking a different avenue this year and I am pumped!  Off with the old and on to the new! 

I wish you all good health this year.  Without it, you have nothing.... literally!  Yes, family and friends are just as important.  You can be the most successful person in the world, but without close friends and family nearby, you are the loneliest person out there. 

Take time for yourself in the next few months and do what you love.  Personally, I love the beach.  Not to sit and bake like most folks, but just to gather my thoughts.  I know it sounds a little weird, but I always feel a bit closer to God when I watch the waves.  So, I am posting this photograph that I took recently of some time reflecting at the beach.  Taken about 8:00 in the morning, the light was just beautiful. 

Thank you.  ...... thank you for your business, thank you for your friendship.  Just plain "thank you".
 
donna

Hello Friends and Family!
Happy Holidays!!!!!!!  Just a quick few lines to wish everyone a healthy and happy holiday.  Hmmm.... almost everyone!  I checked my email last night and Comcast has gone ahead and deleted my entire business email account as well as my personal email account.  Their excuse?  "No one from the business office transferred over my account names when I moved my studio."  So, it may take a week or so to try and get my email up and running.  So, when I spoke to "Angela" at Comcast when I moved last month, she assured me that it "would be an easy transition" and "I wouldn't lose anything."  Well, apparently not so!    Errrrrrr.......
I am trying to be positive!

Anyway, the photograph below give me a great laugh.  My daughter Ashley decided to help out a small child for the Salvation Army.  On her wish list, she wanted a Barbie.  Being a first grade teacher, Ashley was super busy the past week and ran to the store on the last day the Salvation Army was accepting.  She picked up a Barbie with a pooper scooper.  Of course it comes with a dog that poohs when you lift it's tail.  How unique!
  
I love that it says "Its clean up time!"

 
If you push down "Tanner's" tail, he poohs.  Then it is time for Barbie to go to work!

Love, love, love this!  Unfortunately, when Ashley took it over to the Salvation Army, they said that they weren't taking any more toys!  So, guess what,  Barbie and Tanner are mine!

My "kids" on Christmas morning.  Jason, on leave from the Marines.  Ashley, home for the holidays. Always so very proud of them.

Miss Dinkers in the festive mood on Christmas morning.  Always having something to say, she loves the holidays!

All the best to everyone!
d