Easter in September

I took picture of one of my friend's kids (no charge) and just now finished editing them. I'm terrible when I'm not getting paid.  Oh, well.  She doesn't mind (I mean...how else is she going to get free, quality pictures).  She used to go in several times a year and pay someone, so...

Just some of the photos I edited.  I thought they turned out pretty well. 

I need to start taking more pictures for myself and loading them onto my photoblog. I quit because it is a multi-step process to get big pictures loaded. Also, I have had to start putting a watermark on my pictures because people would taking them and using them without permission. I can only imagine how many have been used without my permission since I have had 3 people ask for permission (and got paid $200 for one!).

Mostly, I need to start taking pictures other than portraits. My true love is taking nature photography, but I'm not always up to driving around and finding the perfect picture. I did buy a new lens and can't wait to try it out once it gets here!

How Many Books This Year???

According to my LibraryThing list, I read 32 books last year. I'm a little disappointed by that. I feel that as an English teacher, and a lover of books, I should be reading more than that. I would think 52 books (one a week) would be more what I should be reading. Obviously, I watch too much TV.

I finally managed to change my LibraryThing wigit to list the books I have read so far this year. February is half over and I've only finished 3 books! That's terrible. To be fair, I've been reading a lot of old issues of photography magazines, and that has been taking up part of my time. I'm going to try to make an effort to spend a little more time reading for pleasure!

Frustrations Abound

I have had a few frustrating moments over the last few days...

My junior students have spent the last 2 months or more begging me to be their class sponsor next year. They are losing both of their sponsors after this year (one to retirement, one to a job change). At our high school, each class gets two sponsors their freshmen year that go through the next four years with them. Senior year is a big deal because the seniors run all the concession stands at games in order to raise money to go on senior trip. Today I finally capitulated and told them I would do it (I just did it a few years ago and it is A LOT of work for very little pay). I told the principal that I would do it, only to find out that two other teachers already said they'd do it over a month ago, but they just hadn't told the kids yet. The kids aren't going to be very happy about it because they thought that I was going to do it and they were excited. The teachers that are going to do it are not core teachers, so the students don't really know them. They will do a good job, I just know the kids will be disappointed. I'm glad I don't have to do it though.

I ordered a new lens for my camera and paid extra so it would get here sooner...it didn't get here sooner. I was so disappointed. I tracked it on UPS and they say there was weather delays. Ridiculous. They can say that just so they don't have to refund my money. I know what the weather was like; there's no reason for a "weather" delay. I keep watching UPS today, but it hasn't updated at all, so I don't know if it is going to be delivered today or not.

My other disappointment is my new DSL. I finally got it hooked up yesterday (although not to the wireless router. Can't seem to get it to work yet), but after checking the speed, I was only getting around 260kbps download rate. I am supposed to be getting 1.5mbps speed. That's what I'm paying for. I was getting over 300kbps with my stupid satellite internet. I'm going to have to call them because this is ridiculous!

Good things have been happening too, but I needed a "vent" post!

My New Project

It has been o' so long since I have posted anything.

I have been busy working on setting up my new side-business. I've always wanted to work on selling my photography and I have finally decided to do something about it. I am now in the process of creating a photography business based on natural light portraits and nature photography. I've just begun and I have a lot of practice to do and a lot to learn. Right now I am doing photo shoots for free in order to get the practice, but I hope to begin charging for shoots and editing soon.

I just ordered a new lens yesterday (Nikkor 50mm f/1.8) and I am really excited about getting it and starting to shoot with it. I have already asked a few of my students (11th grade girls) to pose for me. They love to do stuff like that and it will be great practice for me. Until the weather gets warm enough to shoot outdoors (currently there is still 3-4 inches of snow on the ground), I am studying technique and looking at portraits for inspiration.

I would love to say that I will try to keep up with this blog, but I can't promise anything. I have so much going on right now that I have let this fall to the way-side. I am hoping to post more often though, so don't give up on me just yet. I have a lot of fun doing it, but I've gotten out of the habit...

If you want to check out my new photography sight, here it is: Gifts of Nature Photography