Session Site -- Greene Valley North, Woodridge, IL

I had a group session (more on that soon!) at a playground, and I was concerned that I would be able to take only head-and-shoulders shots.  The playground was surrounded by tennis courts, a parking lot, fences, streets, and houses.  Plus a few other urban sights.  Getting in tight was okay, but I wanted to be able to take shots without having to worry about the angle, or the background.

I visited Google maps to see what was close by, a mile or so around, and found Greene Valley Forest Preserve.  At the north entrance, there was a parking lot, some walking trails, and a dog run area.  I figured I'd better scope it out beforehand and decide the best locations for taking pictures.

And, this past Sunday, with brightened skies and warming spring air, afforded the opportunity for Fernando and me to check out the park, specifically the North Gate.  Here's what greeted our eyes at the very first parking area:

Oh, this was going to be great!  What a beautiful location.  I love that tree, especially pre-leaf.  Its lines were beautiful.

My honey makes a good portrait subject, even if he doesn't look like a high school senior any more.  ;)

Yeah, here's that tree again.

If it's sunny on the photo shoot (postscript--it wasn't), we could hop out of our cars and shoot right here!

Across from the parking lot was a wide open grassy area, with walking paths and a dog run area.  Ooh--an S curve!

That'd make a nice area to shoot in if we have overcast weather (postscript--it was way more than overcast).

What a pretty sky!

I started noticing the shadows in the afternoon sun.  Pretty cool, huh?

Looking west toward the walking paths.

The road led northward to more parking and more grassy areas.

The trees were shorter, and a little more dense.  It was a pretty area to wander, but I don't think I'll shoot there.  Well, except for overcast conditions.

Tree branch shadows were cast all over my "test subject!"

Almost back at our starting point, I noticed a little brook.

The brook is down in there among the prairie grasses.

Time for another head-and-shoulders of my test subject.

This tree is pretty even backlit!

Yeah, I kept a goofy one of him.

Same tree, really cool shadow.  On the right side, the guys saw a woodpecker shape, and I saw a pregnant ballerina, lol.  What do you see?

Treasuring life's moments,
Christine

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Signs of Spring

The calendar may say that technically, legally, it's here.  And although the weather refuses to cooperate, the signs are beginning to, literally, pop up.  Right out of the ground.

At my friend's home the other day, I spotted crocuses!

Back at my own home, and with my repaired macro lens (very, very happy girl here!!!), I wandered my yard to see what I could see.  I accidentally wore my slippers, too.

 Daffodils.

The sage is still dormant, but it made for pretty pictures.

The coral bells are still curly and brown, but there are a few hints of colorful leaves.

Coral bells heuchera "Marmalade"

I wondered if I would find anything in my veggie garden.  Sure enough, steady as she goes, garlic was sprouting up everywhere, right where we planted it last autumn.

I had to really look for the rhubarb plants; I hope this continues to grow!

Finally, after removing the protective straw, I found--strawberry leaves!

Just seeing the pretty green leaves makes my mouth water.  :)


Treasuring life's moments,
Christine

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Spring Photo Session | Website Images

Spring is here, but you'd never guess.  One smidgen of warm-up, then the cold returned.  Brr.

But one sort-of milder day, the sun shone, and the puffy clouds drifted by, and a client came by for a session.  She needed a professional image to put on the website of an organization she's working with, and I was happy, of course, to oblige.

Since she came by during bright sun hours, we found a shady spot so the light would be more even on her face.  The images ended up being back-lit, of course, but they were also bright enough to capture her beautiful face, which deserves to be on a web page!

I took this first shot to make sure the lighting was even, and to double-check my camera settings.  Not bad!

I snapped a few more, then ended up with this one, my favorite.  Isn't she pretty?  :)

I love beautiful images, and beautiful clients.  And--all my clients are beautiful!


Treasuring life's moments,
Christine

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After the Snowfall

The snowfall a few days ago was absolutely beautiful--a peaceful, gentle snowfall with big, fat flakes.  The next day, I went back out for some "after" images.  I simply had to capture that pine tree with its boughs weighed down with white.

Then, the day after that, I went back outside.  The sun was shining, and since this was a March snowfall, things were melting pretty quickly.  I tried to capture the droplets of water dripping from the grill.

My veggie garden looked so peaceful and still, all the beds covered with blankets for a little while longer.

In just one day, much the the snow-laden boughs were clear, the white stuff either having fallen to the ground or been melted by the sun.

Back to our patio and the icicles hanging from the patio table.

My veggie garden beds really did look like beds, pillows and all!

I climbed up to the pool's deck to capture as much as I could of the beds.  This is when I really miss my 17-85mm lens.  I hope to have it fixed pretty soon, then I'll be back in business.

My special spot.

The snow line on the patio.

The snow melted away within a few days, but it's now cold enough for another snow.  I am longing for spring at this point.  :)


Treasuring life's moments,
Christine

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March Snow is the Best

I love March  snow!

Especially this particular snowfall.  Flakes floating straight down in big, wispy clumps, and not just a few inches, either.  Enough snow to tromp through with my new boots on.

I bundled up and clomped around the back yard.

 Pine tree on the other side of the fence.

Winter yucca.

My special spot in the back yard.

Then, I tried to go through the gate at the back fence, but it was stuck.  Determined to explore the church side of our fence, I simply kicked as much snow as I could off my boots, walked through our house, out the front door, and around the outside of the fence to the church side.  Like I said, I was determined.  :)

It sure was pretty back there, down the tree-lined path along the row of fences.

Along our back yard fence.

Gently falling snow, peaceful and comforting.


Treasuring life's moments,
Christine

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Red-Tailed Hawk

One day last week, I saw a bird land on a tree limb in our back yard.  I thought it was a mourning dove; from a distance, the coloring was similar.  When I took a better look, I realized it was a red-tailed hawk.

It posed while I put my 70-300mm lens on, and I was able to capture it through my family room window and screen (hence the hazy image).  When I stepped outside to get a clearer shot, he promptly flew down and just over the fence.  Seeing him was still "way cool."  :)

I know every bird of the mountains,

And everything that moves in the field is Mine.

Psalm 50:11 NASB

Treasuring life's moments,
Christine

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One Trusty Lens Left

Right after my drawer organizing project, and right in the middle of my cookie-baking project (for a wedding shower), my macro lens quit.

Had to use my 50mm lens for this image.

Same error message:

Err 01:

Communications between the lens and camera is faulty.

Clean the lens contacts.

Not my beloved macro lens.  And not to mention that communications should probably be singular.  (I thought Canon was American-made...)  I went ahead and cleaned all contacts (camera and lens), then cleaned the contacts on my 17-85mm lens (not used since October), and put that one on my camera to check it out.

Random shot from the patio door, 17-85mm lens at 17mm.

Wow.  So I put the macro lens on.  Error.  Then I put the 17-85mm back on.  Error.  I was devastated.  Two lenses down.

I took one last shot of my wedding shower cookies with my 50mm, then took off for the shower festivities.

I wasn't feeling very festive, but the Lord is good anyway and helped me to be cheerful.  I took a handful of images (meant to do more, but there were lots of friends there and I got caught up in conversation).  Good thing I wasn't shooting the event professionally!

I've always trusted the Lord with my business, from Day One.  My portrait lens still works, and I'm still shooting professionally.  I know He has good plans for me, and I trust Him with what He has in store.  Meanwhile, I'm researching a solution for my lens problems.  And I'm thankful I can still take a pretty picture for you!


Treasuring life's moments,
Christine

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