Grateful, Thankful and Joyful

by Stephanie

Somehow it doesn’t seem fair that I have to do this twice in one week but today I have the unhappy duty of telling you that this will be Stephanie’s last regular post with FOL. Stephanie is one of the original ‘Life Sisters’ here at FOL and we’re going to miss her. But as you’ve learned from reading her posts and seeing her photos, Stephanie has three young children and in the past two years, Stephanie’s life has brought on many new opportunities and challenges. As hard as she tries, Stephanie just hasn’t managed to turn into Wonder Woman so we’ll be bidding ‘adieu’ to her today.

We’ll miss her beautiful images, her wonderful writing, and most of all, Stephanie herself. I had the joy and honor of meeting Stephanie at Oasis in 2012 and what a pleasure it was. Join me is wishing her ‘godspeed’ as she channels her energies in other directions. And who knows? Maybe she’ll be like our prodigal Life Sister, Susan, and rejoin the team one day. Thank you, Stephanie, for sharing with us and being part of our FOL family.  ~Dotti

I'm sure many of you are knee deep in holiday preparations as you read this. With only five days left until Christmas, there are meals to be planned, gifts to be wrapped, parties to attend, and food to be cooked. It's easy to get lost in the hustle and bustle of it all. I know for me, as hard as I've tried to slow down and enjoy the journey, this year has seemed a bit like a sprint with everything going by in a blur. So I'm planning to use these next five days to take some time to stop and reflect on the joys of the season and even the past year, and to be grateful and thankful for all the pieces and parts that make up the craziness of my life!

As Dotti mentioned above, this is my last post with FOL. I look back on the journey of the last two years and I have so much for which to be thankful! I had never blogged before becoming a part of FOL and agreeing to do so pushed me a bit out of my comfort zone, but the rewards and joys have been countless. Not only have I met many beautiful women who inspire me every day, but I have had an opportunity to share my love of photography and life with all of you. And, although I will no longer be a regular contributor on the blog, I will continue to be a cheerleader from the sidelines. 

So as I sign off for the last time, I am sending you all big hugs and wishing you a most joy filled season!

Across the Room

by Stephanie

I know many of us are intent on documenting our everyday lives and the people we love. We take pictures of our children, our grandchildren, our parents, our siblings, our pets, and our surroundings. I also know many of us are working on becoming more comfortable stepping out from behind the camera….as scary as that is….and turning it on ourselves. But how often are we capturing those two things together?

Through a recent self-portrait workshop, I was introduced to Thea Coughlin and her work she calls Across the Room. After studying at her photos and contemplating her approach, I began challenging myself to think of ways I can capture the everyday life of my family, but with me included.

Often I have to resort to pulling out my tripod (gasp!), but many times I can find a near by chair or table as well. I set my timer or I use my remote and fire away.

Just like with a self-portrait, there are challenges. How do I make good composition choices, especially when the house is a mess and there is clutter everywhere? How do I keep the spontaneity in the situation with having to set up my camera on a tripod or table?  I don’t have all the answers right now, but I continue to work on it. And I know that my children will appreciate being able to look back 5, 10, even 20 years from now to see me with them in the every day moments of life.

So as you go about this season of joy, remember to capture some moments that include you and your loved ones enjoying it together!

Five For Friday

by Stephanie

We’re going on a little fantasy trip today. Don’t worry, I promise it will be fun…..

If time and money were no object…..where would you and your camera take a trip?

And since this is five for Friday, what five places would you visit?

Here are mine: 

1. Europe. I know. It’s an entire continent. But with so many great places to take in, I can’t pick just one and I don’t want to use up all 5 of my picks, so I’m lumping the whole place into one trip. Plus if money and time are truly no object in this fantasy, I’d stay for a long time until I saw everything! I want to visit all the big cities and I want to see the countryside where I have to stop the car for crossing sheep. I want to walk on centuries old cobblestone streets and I want to see wash hanging from clotheslines, and I want to have coffee sitting at a streetside table at a quaint little restaurant.
2. Eastern State Penitentiary in Philadelphia, PA. While I’ve been to Philly a few times in the past, I wasn’t there long enough to do any exploring, and I had no idea this place existed. At one time this place was the most famous and expensive prison in the world. And it housed several renowned criminals, such as Al Capone and "Slick Willie" Sutton. But it closed in 1971 and now it is falling apart and in a state of ruin. And for a mere $12 I could spend the day there photographing all its beauty!
3. New York City. Street photography, pure and simple. People. Buildings. Architecture. Hustle and bustle. Central Park. Staten Island. The Freedom Tower. The city that never sleeps....and neither will I! 
4. San Francisco. Of course there's the Golden Gate Bridge, Alcatraz, Ghirardelli Square and so much more, but I would use the city as a starting point for a tour around wine country and then a drive through the Redwood Forest. 
5. My local city. Money is definitely not a hindrance here, but time certainly is. It’s easy to get lost in my day to day life that I forget all that my local city has to offer. I live right between Dallas and Fort Worth and a quick 30 minute drive will get me to either place. I need to remind myself this need not be a fantasy trip!

 I hope you enjoyed allowing your mind to wander a bit today! And maybe one day you can share with us the actual photos from your fantasy trip turned real!

Happy shooting!