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my last 24 hours . . .

admin — Fri, 26 Jun 2009 19:59:10 +0000

Here’s what I’ve been up to in the last 24 hours! More pictures to come very very soon!

Happy Friday!

new fisheye!

admin — Thu, 26 Feb 2009 22:15:53 +0000

As always, Orvis is my go-to guy when I want to test out anything new. We pulled out the new fisheye lens this afternoon and took a few pictures before I had to start getting organized for and packing for my 6am flight tomorrow!

Orvis stalking our neighbors.

I cannot wait to play with it a bit more when I have time- it’s a lot of fun!

leader of the pack(?)

admin — Tue, 20 Jan 2009 15:31:58 +0000

After reading an article in this month’s Outside Magazine, I am once again reminded how important it is to keep up with your dog’s training. We worked with a wonderful trainer in Portland this fall, Nancy Freedman-Smith, and we learned a tremendous amount about the dog’s psyche and how to overcome his or her alpha dog complex. If you are a dog owner in Maine who has not undergone some type of formal training, I would highly recommend Nancy as a dog trainer.

Our main goal with Orvis was to let him know who is boss. Eye contact is absolutely essential. Nancy demonstrated this time and again, and the Outside Magazine article nicely reiterated the point. As the dog looks to you for approval for nearly everything (that you can actually control), you become the alpha dog in the pack. We have fun playing the training “games” with Orvis, and he’s become quite proficient at them. According to the article, to further establish yourself as the dominant dog in the group, doing things like eating first and going through doorways before your dog are essential. I am once again reminded that racing Orvis to the top of the stairs, while fun and always truly challenging, might not be the best tactic when it comes to training. We always make a point to eat before Orvis too, even if he does drool a bit more while he watches us on an empty stomach.

Orvis, Pre-Nancy: Not making eye contact for a treat (or a veggie burrito).

Orvis, Post-Nancy: Always looking to us for approval, before treat, before fetch, etc…

In order to behave like an alpha dog, you must carry yourself as one … unfortunately this means no unnecessary cuddling or affectionate behavior. Translating this to our situation with Orvis, means that for this reason alone, he will always be the alpha dog. Michael and I are both suckers when it comes to Orvis and his outrageously cute mannerisms. Since we both work from home, we are constantly able to keep an eye on our dog, and at the sight of him doing anything remotely cute, we tell one another. Often times one of us will wind up on Orvis’s bed, giving him a nice belly rub with one hand and a killer ear scratch with another. Do we love our dog too much? Nope. Do we obsess over his quirky cuteness too much? Absolutely! Perhaps the other ways in which we carry ourselves as alphas might counteract the damage we do by our excessive affection…

Orvis and his lovey-dovey parents:

resolutions

admin — Thu, 08 Jan 2009 20:44:43 +0000

Inspired by one of my clients, Brook, I am posting my resolutions for 2009 just a few days late. In the past, my resolutions have included goals like taking more pictures (which I stole from my favorite Friends character, Monica, one year. I would say it has worked out pretty well so far…), flossing more (check!) and becoming fluent in Italian (a big “X,” despite the fact it was my minor in college). This year, instead of having just one resolution, I will have a few, and those few resolutions will not be as concrete or tangible as my previous vows- 2009 will be my year of conceptual resolutions!

1. Seek inspiration from a variety of (unusual) sources. Of course this is not strictly applicable to photography, but to my life as a whole.

2. Be bolder. I’m naturally a bit of an introvert, which is not something I want to change, but if I truly want something, I will pursue it. Period.

3. Savor the sweetness of life. In the world of photography, where deadlines often abound, life can sometimes feel like one big whirl. It is my goal, both in my personal and professional worlds, to slow down and appreciate even the most chaotic moments, as often times those lead to some pretty amazing outcomes.

4. Identifying compassion. One of my yoga teachers in college would often remind us to ask ourselves what compassion looked like in both yoga poses and in life. When you truly stop to think about this notion of finding and identifying compassion in everything you do, whether it’s half moon pose or standing in line at the market, it can be pretty influential.