Giving Back | Oklahoma Photographer

"Dream and Hope" set, because that's what it's all about for children!

There's nothing like walking into the Duncan Elk's Country Club and seeing the room filled with items donated from businesses and individuals to help the Duncan Chamber of Commerce & Industry support the First Day Program which buys books for kindergarten children (http://duncanbanner.com/local/x1996911798/Bid-Bash-set-for-tonight).

When Cindy Reynolds first asked me through facebook if I'd donate a couple of my prints, I hesitated, thinking, "you want some of my images?" LOL Actually, it was more like, gosh, how could I ever pick anything for this? Would people like what I chose, and then it was how would I choose.

So, when I looked through the thousands of files I had, I picked something I had not promoted online, had four images printed black and white, instead of the color. Then I had a couple of beautiful floral images that I love but had not framed yet, one in metallic. I ended up giving Cindy the entire batch of images. And she was so gracious also, because she framed the images! She really is as nice as she looks!
So when I walked in saw the tables, then saw "MY" photographs framed and looking just awesome, I was a bit surprised.
I love the way Cindy framed my floral images (the one on the right is metallic). Will have to order these again for my own delight!

It really made me feel good to be helping a program that benefits children and literacy.
It was also fantastic to see so many donations. Including this fantastic image which I fell in love with from Martha Burger (MB Images).

Who really gets the thanks!! Debra Burch, Susan Camp, Laurie Baldwin and Cindy.(Sandy, where are you?!!)

At the front of the room even! Nothing like photographers getting near the front of the room. Also, big shout out to Brian Hibbard and Indie Jane photography for donating sessions. Great job Duncan photographers!!

New in my etsy shop!

This is the view from Monument Hill, that shadow falling across the ground is actually the monument and it is huge! I love this place. The history of this spot is rich with cowboy and cattle. This is one of the reasons I love Oklahoma. There is so much history here to explore.
I've added this image to my etsy shop. This image is also one of those I'm debating on getting as a large canvas for my home...20x30 probably.
I shot this photo after attending a fine arts festival in which I won first place in the professional division. My husband and I stopped here and enjoyed a little bit of time taking in the beauty of the land. I had been there many times to cover various tours when I was editor of the newspaper down there in Waurika, but it was the first time my husband had been.
Have a great day and don't forget to stop and enjoy the beauty of our country, or your own if you live somewhere besides America.

Midway Lights

These art images are available for sale, as prints, posters or notecards. The final image will not include the borders or my watermark. I will post prices later and will have these and more on my website for ordering. I will be putting them on my etsy store soon. More on that later!

Storms!

I have an obsession with storms! When I was little, I was scared to death of them. See, in California, we learned about earthquakes, but a tornado was unheard of. So, moving to Oklahoma, hearing a tornado siren sound and not knowing what a tornado was (I was only 10 at the time!) I guess I thought it was the end of the world. It was many, many years before I got past that fear! LOL
It wasn't until after I really got into photography and was living in Colorado before I realized, hey, this whole storm thing could be FUN! Yes, I know, demented, huh? But I have some super wall cloud images on display in my home and while to Oklahomans they look scary, shooting the images was extremely safe. Sitting out on the plains of Colorado, you can see for miles and miles. The storms were a good distance but the photos look like the storm was right on top of me. I think by the time we took cover, it might have been half a mile away.
In Oklahoma though, the storm can be right on top of you before you know it. Like today! There I was sitting in Duncan in front of the Stage store at Elk Plaza, deep in conversation on my cell, when all of a sudden it got really dark and there it was. I'm sure I shouted obscenities when I looked up at the sky. I was semi-prepared. I had taken my camera and gear with me this morning, but when I could have jumped out and got a great shot, it started raining hard and so I didn't risk getting my camera soaked.
I headed back to the newspaper and while there talking with a co-worker, we hear over the scanner that a funnel had possibly touched down at Halliburton Stadium (Duncan High's football field). I don't think much happened though other than just a toss of some field equipment.
But, I was kind of bummed to not have gotten any shots so far this year. And for it supposedly to be one of the high risk days, it wasn't much and was short lived. My adrenalin barely moved!
So, if you've read this much, and are still clamoring for a storm shot. The link is in the title of this entry and will take you to my old proofing gallery and some 2005 images I have up. I'll try to be more diligent in the future!
Also, here's a link to a photo I really like that I shot in Oklahoma http://tphotos.smugmug.com/gallery/508938#34889330-L-LB
If you have any great storm shots from this week, send them my way. I'd be happy to post them!

Kaitlyn and Jarrod

OK, these two were so much fun! These are just quick edits, not completely finished, but I wanted to give you a sneak peek first thing today.

thanks again and just keep having fun over the next few weeks!