Photos by Michelle

Inauguration

2009-01-20T18:38:00.003-05:00

I don't usually talk politics, but here it goes.....

First let me say that yes, today is a historic moment in history and will always be remembered as such.

Second....and here's where I actually get on my soap box....I voted for McCain, but I'm so tired of everyone complaining about Barack Obama. We as a free society voted on November 4th to choose the next President of the United States. Yes, I will say that the media has given him so much hype and basically turned him into a celebrity, but the majority of voters decided he should be our next president. Some may have voted based on him as an individual and the promises he made. They may have voted based on the media hype, or many different reasons for that matter. The bottom line is they voted. If you voted, your vote was counted. Your voice was heard. If you didn't vote, you definitely need to stop complaining. He was elected president and now the country needs to move on. Whether you support him is totally up to you. I certainly don't want him to fail though. If he fails then the country fails and goes into more of a decline than it is now. If he does something that is for the good of this country and her people then of course I'll support him. If he doesn't something that isn't in our country's best interest, I will voice my opposition as a citizen of this great country.

My main point is stop belly aching, and whining over things that have been decided and cannot change. Look forward to the future and stop dwelling on the past. Wait and see what happens. Don't base your emotions on past events, base them on what he does going forward.

I'm certainly not thrilled that he was elected, however I'm not going to waste my energy being critical, making jokes, name calling, etc......We should all hope he succeeds for the sake of our country.

2009-01-19T16:13:00.002-05:00

I'm very excited because things for Simply Elegant Photography are looking up. We have received a lead through Wedding Wire that looks promising. It wouldn't be until October, but exciting none the less. I'm really hoping that the bride chooses us.

Things in life are looking up too. I'm just really happy at the moment. It's not often that I can say I'm truly happy. I'm feeling happier with myself and most importantly my marriage. I'm feeling much more confident in myself as a photographer too.

I'm still going to be doing some things solo as well. I have a project coming up with Catherine to do more photos for her website. You can see Catherine's photos at www.myspace.com/photosbymichelle and click on her album. She's a model and so beautiful and fun to work with. She's teaching me a lot about poses, lighting, directing the subject, and catching details I might not otherwise notice. It's just really great fun.

Well that's all for now....thanks to the few who actually read this :)

Oh how I love Vera......

2009-01-12T22:44:00.004-05:00

Ok....I'm weird, but the highlight of my day has been getting a rockin new pair of glasses and deciding to buy a Vera Bradley bag. I'm so excited about the Vera Bradley bag. I'm going to buy it in just a little bit and will be counting down the days until it gets here.

Those who know me, know that I'm not a girly girl into foo foo frilly things. However recently I've decided that I need to try and bring out my inner girly girl LOL I know she's in there and I'm trying to coax her out. I've always secretly liked the VB bags, but never admitted it to anyone until recently LOL My new eyeglasses are girly, yet very sophisticated. When I get them I might even post a rare self portrait or two.

I'm kind of watching TV a little as I write this and can't believe all these commercials. Is it just me or are commercials just getting way out there?

Anyway, off to buy my Vera....I'll be having sweet dreams of carrying my Capri Blue Lola LOL

Good times with the girls!

2009-01-11T23:14:00.002-05:00

I had the most fabulous time yesterday with Stephanie, Mandi, Mama Cribb and Jenivee. We went to St Augustine to do some photos of Mandi and had a blast. We spent some time in the square. Took a walk down St George St, went to the Light House and visited the Castillo. It was so much more than just pictures. We all had such a great time just talking, laughing and being girls.

We're planning our next adventure in February. Savannah is our next stop. It is such a beautiful place to photograph. So much history and fabulous architechture! Oh and probably the best part.....we're going to dine at the Lady and Son's baby! It's a country girls dream come true.

Today was a really lazy day for me. Got up and went to Stephanie's and just sat on the couch all day. This blog and the fact that I'm going to work on some editing will be the most productive part of my day. It's ok to have some lazy days right?

Tomorrow it's back to work. One day my hard work at photography will pay off and maybe I can either go part time or do photography full time. That's my dream anyway.

Keeping with the committment...random thoughts

2009-01-07T21:21:00.003-05:00

In keeping with my commitment to update my blog on a regular basis....here it goes.

Stephanie and I are really excited with the progress of Simply Elegant Photography. We already have a couple of shoots lined up. Yay. Our Myspace page is coming along quite nicely. Pricing structures have been developed, forms created, equipment is being purchased, slowly but surely. Once we're more established and earning a little money we're going to publish a website. Things are really coming along quite nicely.

We have an opportunity in March to do school photos for a school with special needs children. Stephanie and I are really looking forward to this!

It's going to be an awesome year, I can feel it! Thanks to everyone, our friends and families who have supported us and continue to support us!

With a New Year comes those pesky resolutions

2009-01-05T20:19:00.002-05:00

I'm not making any resolutions this year. Why? Because I never follow through. I'm just going to say that I am going to try harder at the things that need fixing in my life. The main thing being George and I. Not too much to do there because things are fabulous! I can't believe how great things are.

Second....my photography business. Stephanie and I have created Simply Elegant Photography. Yep, we're going in together and creating afforadable, but fabulous photography options. I've got to get into the whole networking thing! My wonderful husband gave me a laptop for Christmas (yay!) I don't have to fight over the computer anymore and can work on my photos in peace. I can really get out there on the web and promote our business. I'm into the whole technology thing now lol

Thirds....blog! I really need to keep this blog up. I'm going to make a committment and really work on it!

Vacation is almost over :(

2008-05-24T11:21:00.002-04:00

My vacation is coming to an end and I will be leaving to go back home tomorrow :( I've had so much fun visiting my Mom here in Kentucky and have been able to do soooo many things this week.

Sunday we drove to St. Louis. We went to the top of the Gateway Arch. I'm not usually afraid of heights, but going to the top freaked me out lol. Getting to the top was like being on a bad fair ride and then being up in that tight space with all those people was just too much. I did get some great pictures from the top though. Anything for the shot lol. After the arch experience we went to a St Louis Cardinals baseball game. We had purchased the tickets before we left and were thinking that we would just have regular seats. When we got to the game we were looking for our section (316) and realized we had bought tickets for the party room. Free food, free beer, access to the stands....it rocked!

Sunday night we drove to Chicago. We stayed the night in Chicago and drove into the city the next morning. Chicago has the most crappiest expressway system I have ever seen. There are tolls upon tolls and it's obvious that none of that money is going to repair the interstate. So we got into the city and found the parking garage for the Sears Tower. It said $6 for the first 20 minutes, so we called to find out the extended rates. Let's just put it this way, we ended up paying $31 to park for not even 3 hours. Getting to the top of the Sears Tower was really cool. I didn't freak out up there. I have sooooo many pictures. It was fabulous. After the tower we were going to go to Gino's and then the John Hancock observatory. The parking situation put a damper on the Chicago trip and we ended up only walking around the immediate area. We just couldn't afford to park in the different lots at the rates they wanted and it's just to big to walk. Over all though, I'm glad we went and we had a good time despite it being a rip off. We were told that the city of Chicago allows the parking garages to charge astronomical fees because they are trying to discourage driving in the city. Whatever.

Wednesday.....We went to the opening of Black Widow Customs www.black-widow-customs.com here in Louisville. It is owned by Victoria (the wrestler). This was an experience. We got to meet her and several other wrestlers. Got some fabulous pictures here too.

Today we're going to Abbey Road on the River. It's here in Kentucky every year and I haven't been able to go until now. Lots of Beatle impersonators and cover bands. This is definitely my cup of tea!

Hope everyone is having a great weekend.

My hubby rocks!

2008-05-02T20:12:00.001-04:00

My husband is the best! Wednesday night at dinner he said he was thinking about going to Kentucky to see my Mom on our vacation. He wanted to know if we go could we go to St Louis and Chicago. Either one is about a 5 hour drive from Louisville. There was absolutely nothing for me to think about. Of course I want to go. 1. I get to see my Mom!!! 2. I may finally get to the top of the Gateway Arch (wasn't able to the last time I went) 3. I've never been to Chicago! I'm so excited about going to the top of the Sears Tower!!! I'm definitely not afraid of heights as long as it's a safe structure lol. We'll be leaving on the 17th and will be gone through the 26th. Lots of time to spend with my Mum!

So there you have it....that is why my husband is the best!

My obsession with the Main St Bridge

2008-04-26T19:38:00.002-04:00

Well I did it. I walked across the Main Street Bridge. It was the coolest thing. My obsession with that bridge borders on weird. Can't help it, I just love it. Got some pretty good pics....at least I think so. It was a fabulous day and afterward I just kind of hung out near the friendship fountain for awhile and just enjoyed the sun, sites and sounds. Check out www.myspace.com/photosbymichelle or www.flickr.com/photos/photosbymichelle for more pictures.

Things change

2008-04-25T20:37:00.001-04:00

Nothing stays the same. Everything changes and I'm tired of sitting still and always doing the same old stuff. Always going the same places. I always wait until someone else is ready or available to do something. I never take it upon myself to just go and do what I want to do. I've been doing things by myself for the last week and it's not such a bad thing. So I choose to be independent and do my own thing. Those who really want my company will seek me out.

What's this alone time everyone is talking about?

2008-04-24T20:53:00.001-04:00

It appears that I shall be spending the weekend by myself. Whatever. I can handle it. I will use this as an excuse to be totally self-absorbed without having to worry about anyone else. Photography doesn't always need to be a group effort anyway. I will use this as a chance to really focus and develop my skills.

Now that I have all this time to myself....what ever will I do. There are so many choices. I suppose I could take that walk across the Main Street Bridge, or I could just up and go some place totally new. The possibilities are endless. Either way I know I will end up with some fabulous pictures in the end.

You've gotta spend money to make money

2008-04-23T17:18:00.002-04:00

So I as talking to the hubby last night about how much I want to make a go at photography. I was telling him that to make money, I need to be able to spend some money. Lenses, filters, flashes, memory, etc (I have a wish list a mile long)..... I mean we're far from being loaded and don't have the money to spend to purchase all these things at once. So he says, "well put back a certain amount per month in savings to go towards photography." As it accumulates I'll buy the things I need.

My first purchase is definitely going to be a flash. Not sure if I'm going to get the SB-600 or the SB-800. Not sure if I need the bells and whistles of the SB-800 yet, so I'll probably go with the first one. Then the next thing will be the 50mm 1.8. Everyone in the Nikon D80 Flickr group is raving about how great the lens is at such an inexspensive price.

To blog or not to blog

2008-04-23T00:33:00.002-04:00

Just posing a question that continues to nag at me....feel free comment or not. For the record this is not directed towards anyone in particular, just a generalization.

What is the point of a blog if you cannot express your feelings? To me a blog is an outlet. It is an outlet for creativity, expression and communication. If one cannot honestly express themselves for fear of offending someone then what is the point? Which is the better way? Post the blog and risk offending someone, censor myself by making the blog private, or should those reading need to understand that that which they find offensive is easily cured by the "x" in the upper right hand corner of their screen?

Just a thought......

Finding the Matthew's Bridge

2008-04-20T14:28:00.007-04:00

Friday evening my friend and I set out to find a place to photograph the Matthew's Bridge. We somehow ended up at Jones College but didn't want to get in trouble for being on the property. We kept driving around and low and behold there's the Arlington boat ramp. My next mission is to photograph the Hart Bridge. It is absolute beautiful and so under photographed. I have a pretty good idea where to go. It will be a challenge but I'm up for it.

If you have myspace.....check me out at http://www.myspace.com/photosbymichelle or if you prefer Flickr..... http://www.flickr.com/photos/photosbymichelle