The good stuff in between

Since July 9, life has been different: dealing with the grief, the trauma and the terror of the attack, lots of doctor's visits, ultimately hand/wrist surgery, and nerve damage in my wrist (affecting my thumb and pointer finger the most). And yet, I can hold a camera and shoot as of Saturday, 8/22 when I got back to work. There are more things I can do, than things I can't do and I try to remember that when I get frustrated. I can type! I have a good left hand when the right one is needing help. Time is my friend. Wow, sounds depressing!! It has been a challenging time but I know I walk through this to become a better me. I guess I don't believe in bad things. I believe all things happen for my good...even less-than-ideal experiences such as this one. Historically, this has proven true and I hold onto the knowing that better times are on the way.

So...the good stuff in between.....I've worked with a dear friend and colleague to create her very own UNcorporated headshot. Her mother loved it so much, it made her cry! Said she's never seen her daughter in pictures like that before. Yeah....I love that kind of feedback! I assisted Mike Cowert of Myrick Studios photographing a beautiful wedding at Opryland Hotel. I donated my time and services to Freedom Farm Animal Sanctuary, taking pictures of pooches during their recent Animal Fest on September 12. (I just had to ask each owner to be sure their dog wouldn't bite me!!! and trust that to be the case). I finished shooting and designing my son's 50 pg football program, working all day and night to complete it the day before my surgery, since the surgery was suddenly scheduled with less than 24 hrs notice. My first post-surgery session was for a beautiful family, which was shot at Centennial Park in Nashville with 2 of the cutest kids I've ever seen. The flowers were just gorgeous and the children picked their own bouquet. (see photo)

I am a member of Ladies Who Launch, an organization dedicated to the success of entrepreneurial women. On August 29, Nashville hosted a regional LIVE event, which featured such speakers as the first female Congressman from Tennessee, Congressman Marsha Blackburn, radio and talk show host Debbie Allen, and Grammy & Dove award winning artist Reba Rambo-McGuire among many other inspirational women. I contributed my time and services as part of my LIVE event sponsorship and really enjoyed all the speakers and vendors who were present.

Last Wednesday, I photographed the Eating Disorder Coalition of Tennessee's Fall Fashion for EveryBODY Pre-Party at Aerial's which was co-hosted by Big Machine Records Recording artist Danielle Peck and Capital Record's Recording Artist Emily West (see photo). What a great location for an event!! I will also be shooting the Fashion for EveryBODY Show this Saturday, September 26 at the Vanderbilt Hotel. Big names, big clothes, bright lights...sounds like fun!!

What else?? My son and I attended the symphony to see Lang Lang on season-opening night, who was as incredible as they say he is and more! I really enjoyed the Mother/Son night out topped off with coffee and an amazing dessert at Amerigo's. I am continuing to develop my first fine art photography body of work, but that's the topic my other blog... http://angelahowell.blogspot.com/

Lastly, another birthday came to visit me, renewing the promise that time marches on and time heals everything. An added bonus: my husband actually took me shopping and bought me some fabulous new birthday outfits, predominantly at full price (the previous retail queen and consignment diva within me had to allow the indulgence for once in my life)!!

Now, Onward with this journey!

Reflections of Maximus

Late Wednesday, July 8, I had just returned from a wonderful trip to Boulder, CO to see family members and do some photography. I had never been to CO before and it was as beautiful as everyone had said. I especially loved the town of Boulder and having zero humidity!! I am anxious to get all the wonderful images downloaded to my computer and processed.

Sadly, on that next Thursday morning, a neighbor's pit bull/ boxer escaped from their back yard. The short story is I lost my 13 yr old cat, Maxey, whom I'd had for 11 years. I was also bitten by the dog 4 times in the process of rescuing my cat. At 12:50, the vet said Maxey was doing much better and would survive with some surgery. He unexpectedly passed away at 1:10 due to a complication from a blood clot. The vet notes say, "1:10pm. Faithful Friend. No return."

In honor of my faithful and loyal friend and family member, Maxey, I am posting this print entitled "Reflections of Maximus." He was the subject of countless photo ops. You are sadly missed and will never be forgotten!!!!

Summer Summer/Christmas in July

July 3, where does the time go? Today has been busy and it's not even noon. I got up early this morning to photograph a dynamic speaker and wise counselor for a 7am shoot. Weather was completely fabulous...not a drop of rain in sight! This person hasn't had a headshot made in twenty years, and the last one was taken by her hubby, which she said more resembled a mug shot! She said she saw something in my work that made her feel like she actually wanted to pull the trigger and update her media image. None of us feel like our bodies, our faces, our "fill in the blank" are perfect...and then we get older to complicate matters even more! Never fear..there's always that "right" angle that shows our best side!!! I wanted to make her a badge of courage for conquering her fears and "whatevers" that made her avoid the camera for so long. She brought along her hair and makeup gal and we had a blast! I even showed her a few of the images on the LCD screen if she promised not to say anything mean about herself. I actually got a few "WOW'S" out of her!! She was obviously pleased and that makes me so happy. Now she will have an updated, professional image to project to the world and one she can also feel pretty darn proud of, as a woman!

After a brief stop at the grocery store, it was home again and then on to the next stop. I got to photograph this gorgeous strawberry blonde named Ginger! I don't think she's ever had a care in the world about her figure. I showed up with a handful of treats and we were best friends instantly. What a natural! She sat gracefully and let me snap away at her. Ginger even agreed to wear a pink tutu...though I'm not sure she really cared for it. This picture is of Ginger in another costume.....Christmas in July. Santa Ginger looks ready, doesn't she??!!

And I'm off again.......

Shutter Creek is LIVE again...and neighbors

Shutter Creek Photography website re-launched!!!! After much angst and thrashing about, I finally settled in on my new and improved website's gallery names and which images to put in each gallery. After preparing the subsequent image folders for the various thumbnail sizes needed (oh about 50 million catrillion times with each change of mind), I finally presented my wonderful web guy, Todd Cecil of QuillPen design, the final image files needed to go live.

Other than a few minor glitches that we will address, the site is up and I'm so pleased. All the continual evolving was worth it for the final outcome. To celebrate, I enjoyed a cold beverage with my wonderful soon-to-be 78 years young neighbor across the street. I admire her greatly....and love to listen to her talk of her life's experiences while sipping something cold on her back deck. This is the lady who taught me how to make a pretty mean dirty martini...yes, lots to learn from this one!

Speaking of neighbors, I am just so blessed to be surrounded by immediate neighbors who each offer very "synchronistic" contributions to our lives. There's the lady across the street, whom I've just mentioned. To the right of her, also right across the street from us, is one of my son's best friends, our dog's best friend and a pretty neat friend of mine. She has had all the "official" photography training, unlike me, and as assisted me recently on a shoot. It's fun to have a photo buddy right across the street! To our right, I have a fabulous family of artists, a strong Verizon wireless connection for occasional "insider's" cellular help and a framer if you can believe it!!! When I need something framed, I walk across our driveways and drop it off....sweet! And to the left of us is the most fabulous couple and his 93 yr old Mother and they have totally adopted us. Through surgeries, a serious illness/death of a family member, for art exhibits and piano recitals.....they are always there to help and support and cheer us on. They are my son's surrogate grandparents and fill the gap for his own relatives who don't live nearby. It isn't Mayberry, but it doesn't get much better than this. If one of you is reading this, thank you from the bottom of our hearts for being the special people that you are.

Okay, so go check out the new website and let me know what you think!!! http://www.shuttercreekphoto.com/

Updated website almost ready to be launched

Okay, Todd and I are cranking again in an East Nashville coffee shop...stay tuned!