Saturday, January 8, 2011

Frost




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My chauffeur (sweet Jacob) drove me to my chiropractor appointment, and he stopped for me at a nearby park so I could take photos.  Here is one of my favorites--detail from one of the frost-covered trees.  They were beautiful.


Thanks for visiting today!  :)

Living life.
Capturing life.
Christine

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Thursday, January 6, 2011

Free Advertising!

I was thrilled to have my local bank, First American Bank, offer me a free business display table for half of a month!  They offer this to their business customers, and I'm welcome to reserve the space again in the spring, just in time for outdoors and graduation.


I've also begun to participate in uploading photos at my hometown page of TribLocal, a division of the Chicago Tribune which provides local news coverage and stories of interest in my own community.  I tried just one photo I had taken on a frosty morning, and they ended up featuring it on their local home page!  Of course I took a picture of the page on my computer screen.  :)


Be sure to check out my special offer for January, either here or here; time is running out!

Living life.
Capturing life.
Christine

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Sunday, January 2, 2011

2010 In Review -- God's Creation

~My photo gallery~  Christine Anne at Smugmug  ~My photo gallery~


It has been so fun these past few days, looking back on my year in photographs.  Today I'm focusing on images of God's beauty that I have seen and captured all around me.  Without further ado, enjoy the beauty that only the Lord creates.

Sunset after a day of tubing

Spring chives

Summer daisy

Rainbow Falls, upstate New York

Sunset on my favorite lake in the world :)

Oswegatchie River, upstate New York

Autumn in the park

Frosted tree, just last week

May the Lord bless you this new year with renewed faith, with reverence for His creation, and an ever-growing passion to know Him better!

Living life.
Capturing life.
Christine

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~My photo gallery~  Christine Anne at Smugmug  ~My photo gallery~

Saturday, January 1, 2011

2010 In Review -- Portraits and Candids

Since my professional photography business is still in its infancy, I don't have a full year of images to look back on.  But I would like to post some of my favorite images from the year, of portraits and candid shots.

I'm grateful to the Lord for pushing me through the door into this photography business!  It has been a privilege and an honor to photograph those who've hired me this year.  I'm humbled that they (you!) esteem my work enough to want me to capture their own families, and children, and events.  Enjoy these images with me as I look back on 2010!

Though this was from 2009, it is one of my favorites!

Father and daughter

Sweet sisters

Little guy, leaf, dirt

Mischievous!

Looking up to the older brother

Young protector

The Shepherd's shepherd--an amazing young man!

Smiles and laughter

Baptism, Father and Son

Precious Boston

Candid capture at an event--my camera, Ellie, is a baby magnet...

Happy New Year!

Living life.
Capturing life.
Christine

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Thursday, December 30, 2010

From the Breath of God

Yes, my back is hurt.  Yes, it hurts a lot.  (Thank you all for your prayers!!)  I'm struggling to keep my focus on the plans of the Lord, however.  In the words of our Pastor Fraley, I'm praying for healing, unless the Lord has something better.


Despite the pain, I continue to work out my days with His strength.  I've been visiting my chiropractor a few times per week, thanks to my kindhearted chauffeur/son.  Just as I was about to leave with Jacob yesterday morning, I glanced outside, then had Danny go grab my camera.  I had to convince Jacob to make a quick stop somewhere along the drive to capture the beautiful, ice-frosted treescape.


Jacob--usually a stickler for appointments, deadlines, and rules--obligingly pulled over at a small park, and helped me walk the 50 or so yards through the snowy playground to capture these images.  (He told me that he would "have to report this incident" to Dr. Mitchell--and he did!)  I was blown away by the hand of God on the landscape.  Winter can indeed be beautiful!  I enhanced some of the images, so the sky really wasn't that blue!  But I wanted to highlight the ice that was still covering the branches of every tree, even at 9:30am.




I like to post Scripture along with my nature photos, so I looked up the word ice in my beloved concordance (other than the Bible, the best book you could ever own!).  Here's a verse I found:

From the breath of God ice is made,
And the expanse of the waters is frozen.
Job 37:10 nasb

Then I decided to read "around" that single verse, and had a fascinating Bible study this morning.  Here it is in context:

Out of the south comes the storm,
And out of the north the cold.
From the breath of God ice is made,
And the expanse of the waters is frozen.
Also with moisture He loads the thick cloud;
He disperses the cloud of His lightning.
It changes direction, turning around by His guidance,
That is may do whatever He commands it
On the face of the inhabited earth.
Whether for correction, or for His world,
Or for lovingkindness, He causes it to happen.
Job 37:9-13 nasb [emphases mine]

God created this landscape with His breath!  I serve an awesome God.  Not only that, but these verses highlight the why, which really is the bigger picture.  He uses all the different types of weather--storms, cold, ice, lightning, storms, tornadoes (read v. 12), wind--to correct or punish us, to water and nourish His earth, or to show us His love.  He causes it to happen.


Living life.
Capturing life.
Christine

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Tuesday, December 28, 2010

A Boston in Winter

I don't see myself refining my skills into becoming a pet photographer.  I do see myself refining my skills through photographing pets, however!  Hey, an opportunity to capture wiggling, barking excitement should not be wasted!  Having grown up with two very special dogs, I have a natural affinity for these loyal domestic animals, and an attraction to photographing man's best friend.  When we spent Christmas Eve with dear friends, what a treat to have them bring along their beloved Sweet Pea.


I had never really been a fan of Boston terriers, but this little girl grew on me.  Our family dog-sitted her on a few occasions, and she impressed me with her keen intelligence.  Within a day, she knew where to sit while waiting for us to finish our meal (rule:  no pets in the dining room), whom to bark at if she wanted to go for a walk, and how to avoid coming back inside after a nice romp in our back yard.


Not only those, but she also knew how to pose just-so for the camera.  Though I took tons of family and people photos of our shared day together, Sweet Pea won the "most photos taken" category.  :)





Living life.
Capturing life.
Christine

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Monday, December 27, 2010

Don't Walk Away From This Gift

As I reflect on this past Christmas weekend, I've grown to appreciate even more God's gift of His Son, Jesus, to save me from my sin.


Our extended family had a very simple Christmas this year; the only gifts exchanged were puzzles, one for each family unit.  We had a blessed time being able to focus on opening these heartfelt and thoughtful gifts, and we shared merry laughter throughout the afternoon.  Our focus was more easily turned to our Savior, in inner worship and thankfulness.

We saw the four beautifully wrapped gifts sitting under the tree.  Though there are no longer little ones in our family, the urge still rises to pick a gift and rip open the wrapping.  In our gift exchange this year, four gifts sat side by side--which one would we choose?  They were all so prettily wrapped.


The glitter, the colorful paper, the bows--it all makes me want to grab and open.  Who wouldn't want to open such a beautiful gift?


Even the manger scene is pretty--the ceramic figurines my mom hand-painted are beautiful.  They are nestled safely inside the pretty stable.  But I know differently.

While they were there [in Bethlehem],
the days were completed for her to give birth.
And she gave birth to her firstborn son;
and she wrapped Him in cloths, and laid Him in a manger,
because there was no room for them in the inn.
Luke 2:6-7 nasb


He wasn't wrapped in glittering satin.  He wasn't placed in a golden crib.  He was born unknown, except for a few chosen by God.  He was wrapped in cloths, and placed in an empty cow trough.

...He has no stately form or majesty
That we should look upon Him,
Nor appearance that we should be attracted to Him.
He was despised and forsaken of men,
A man of sorrows and acquainted with grief;
And like one from whom men hide their face
He was despised, and we did not esteem Him.
Isaiah 53:2b-3 nasb

Few wanted to unwrap that particular gift.  Few were willing to accept it, even though it was free.  Thank You, Lord, for opening my eyes to the greatest gift I have ever received.


It's nice to receive gifts!  Remember that God sent Jesus, His Son, as the greatest gift.  He asks nothing, and yet everything, of you.  Surrender your life.  Receive everything in return.  Won't you open His gift today?


Living life.
Capturing life.
Christine

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