October 19, 2015
I've MOVED! NEW WEBSITE!!
March 25, 2015
Out to See.....
Heading out to look for whales we went through this beautiful fog patch...
and on the other side we saw two large Humpback whales. Photos soon!
and on the other side we saw two large Humpback whales. Photos soon!
March 4, 2015
February 5, 2015
January 25, 2015
Feeling...
Road Side....
(New Mexico)
October 13, 2014
Field Shoot
September 5, 2014
July 20, 2014
Beach Bikes
While in Panama City Beach last month we had a dinner date on the beach. As we picked our spot, I couldn't help but snap a photo of these bikes.
June 8, 2014
Parking Lot Cactus...
Nick was inside getting doughnuts.... and I was outside photographing parking lot cacti. Typical. :) June 7, 2014
June 6, 2014
April 24, 2014
April 8, 2014
February 20, 2014
Face Behind It All....
Three years ago, I read an article on a local blog about an animal shelter that needed food donations. I had just moved to the South and saw, only the week before, my first stray: a starving boxer mix. I sat crying on the side of the road as I tried to feed him. But he was a little too scared and a great deal too wily, and I never caught him. With that experience still weighing on my mind, the article about the local shelter struck a nerve.
**
Let me first explain my experience with animal shelters up to that point in my life. Growing up, my dad always told me that we rescued our purebred Australian Shepard. In reality, a nearby family needed to give him up -- he was just too much to handle. Our local shelter had several dogs, and as a kid I visited them on field trips. I grew up in an area where stray dogs didn't exist. Any dog running down the street had a collar on, identifying its home. And even if there wasn’t a collar, a local neighborhood dog alert would go out, because everyone realized that the dog in question likely belonged to a neighbor. Even when I moved to Boulder, Colorado to attend college, I still never saw a stray dog. And when I say never, I mean NEVER. One time, in order to lift the mood of a friend who’d recently gone through a break-up, we went to the animal shelter to meet and walk some dogs. The shelter was bright and shiny and had dozens of volunteers, as well as a long waiting list for most of the dogs inside. Imagine, for a moment, a squeaky clean vet clinic full of happy people and but only a few animals; this was the Boulder shelter. Another surprise: none of the dogs were from Boulder. Every single one had been trucked in from neighboring areas and other states.
**
**
Let me first explain my experience with animal shelters up to that point in my life. Growing up, my dad always told me that we rescued our purebred Australian Shepard. In reality, a nearby family needed to give him up -- he was just too much to handle. Our local shelter had several dogs, and as a kid I visited them on field trips. I grew up in an area where stray dogs didn't exist. Any dog running down the street had a collar on, identifying its home. And even if there wasn’t a collar, a local neighborhood dog alert would go out, because everyone realized that the dog in question likely belonged to a neighbor. Even when I moved to Boulder, Colorado to attend college, I still never saw a stray dog. And when I say never, I mean NEVER. One time, in order to lift the mood of a friend who’d recently gone through a break-up, we went to the animal shelter to meet and walk some dogs. The shelter was bright and shiny and had dozens of volunteers, as well as a long waiting list for most of the dogs inside. Imagine, for a moment, a squeaky clean vet clinic full of happy people and but only a few animals; this was the Boulder shelter. Another surprise: none of the dogs were from Boulder. Every single one had been trucked in from neighboring areas and other states.
**
The boxer mix I'd seen on the street had left me haunted. It was an experience I explained in great detail to my husband, Nick. After seeing the local shelter's need for food, Nick and I agreed that it would be nice to bring some food to this shelter. After all, we were trying to make a positive impact in our new area. Driving to the shelter, I mentally patted myself on the back for doing a good thing. I had just moved to a new city and I was already contributing to the community. I deserved a cookie, and planned to make some later that afternoon. The music was loud, the sun shining, and we were in high spirits.
**
Nick grew up with a dog adopted from the pound; a grey, scraggly mutt named Rosie. Like most rescue dogs do, Rosie had touched his heart, and as a result he was insistent that our first dog should be a rescue. I, however, was set on two specific breeds, and often complained about how much breeders charge; it would be so expensive to buy the dog of my dreams! I told Nick that I would keep an open mind about adopting a dog, but I was very dubious.... after all, I had a vision. I guess I can't blame myself entirely; my experience in Colorado led me to believe that if you wanted a dog, you should buy one, because there simply aren't very many at shelters. How naïve.
**
Nick and I had barely driven around our new town, much less to this particular animal shelter. We drove and drove, but the shelter was much further than expected... hell, it was in the county. As we approached the address we noticed that the entrance to the property, a long dirt road, was blocked by a rusty metal gate. Driving past, we could just make out the facility. I gasped. I could see about 20 pens facing the road, all full of dogs, and there were even more behind it! We pulled over a little ways down the road and debated what to do. We decided to wait, hoping the gate was only closed because it was lunch time. Part of me wanted to leave the bag of food resting on the gate, drive back down the road, and go home forgetting what I had seen. I think my curiosity kept us waiting. I wanted to see how many dogs they had.
An employee unlocked the gate and agreed to show us around. As we drove up the driveway, my shock quickly overpowered my curiosity. You know the feeling when you are inside your house or office and walk outside on a hot and humid day? The sudden rush of hot air overwhelms your lungs, knocking you back. That’s the best way to explain the reality check that slapped me smack in the face.
I suddenly felt sheepish as we unloaded two measly bags of food. Thank God we even had two; Nick spent 5 minutes in the store convincing me that it would be money well spent. Looking back now, I think my idea of bringing a bag of food was more self-serving and symbolic than anything else. A pseudo-altruistic check-in-the-box to make me feel like a good person. I remember setting the food down, but not much else. It was LOUD.
There were 200 dogs greeting us: big ones, small ones, light ones, dark ones. Some with four legs, some with… less. There were brand new puppies, romping in the afternoon sun, and old grey dogs, steadily eyeing us from their perch. The pens were clean, the water fresh. But there were so many homeless dogs… it was haunting. That was the moment when I realized that I could never buy a dog. I couldn’t ignore these 200 beautiful smiles tugging at my heart.
**
I think of that starving boxer that I met on the side of the road just weeks after moving to the South. I never saw him again, but he has never left my mind. I started returning to the shelter in following months to walk dogs. I began to develop bonds with some of the animals, learning their names and habits. On one trip, I decided to take photos, and I snapped a shot of a dog named Lily. It was this photo, and Lily's beautiful soul, that showed me why I was brought to this shelter: to capture the hearts of those animals waiting for a home. Since then, I have devoted hundreds of hours to photographing these beautiful creatures. Some have stolen my heart, several have ended up in my home, and many have been adopted. I have grown as both a photographer and a person through my experience with ARF, and the amazing animals - beginning with Lily - helped me realize not just a passion for dog rescue, but a passion for pet photography.
Lily will never know how much her face chance my life. I am so happy to say that, after several years waiting in the shelter, Lily was recently adopted and found a home...and a new little boy.... of her very own.
**
Nick grew up with a dog adopted from the pound; a grey, scraggly mutt named Rosie. Like most rescue dogs do, Rosie had touched his heart, and as a result he was insistent that our first dog should be a rescue. I, however, was set on two specific breeds, and often complained about how much breeders charge; it would be so expensive to buy the dog of my dreams! I told Nick that I would keep an open mind about adopting a dog, but I was very dubious.... after all, I had a vision. I guess I can't blame myself entirely; my experience in Colorado led me to believe that if you wanted a dog, you should buy one, because there simply aren't very many at shelters. How naïve.
**
Nick and I had barely driven around our new town, much less to this particular animal shelter. We drove and drove, but the shelter was much further than expected... hell, it was in the county. As we approached the address we noticed that the entrance to the property, a long dirt road, was blocked by a rusty metal gate. Driving past, we could just make out the facility. I gasped. I could see about 20 pens facing the road, all full of dogs, and there were even more behind it! We pulled over a little ways down the road and debated what to do. We decided to wait, hoping the gate was only closed because it was lunch time. Part of me wanted to leave the bag of food resting on the gate, drive back down the road, and go home forgetting what I had seen. I think my curiosity kept us waiting. I wanted to see how many dogs they had.
An employee unlocked the gate and agreed to show us around. As we drove up the driveway, my shock quickly overpowered my curiosity. You know the feeling when you are inside your house or office and walk outside on a hot and humid day? The sudden rush of hot air overwhelms your lungs, knocking you back. That’s the best way to explain the reality check that slapped me smack in the face.
I suddenly felt sheepish as we unloaded two measly bags of food. Thank God we even had two; Nick spent 5 minutes in the store convincing me that it would be money well spent. Looking back now, I think my idea of bringing a bag of food was more self-serving and symbolic than anything else. A pseudo-altruistic check-in-the-box to make me feel like a good person. I remember setting the food down, but not much else. It was LOUD.
There were 200 dogs greeting us: big ones, small ones, light ones, dark ones. Some with four legs, some with… less. There were brand new puppies, romping in the afternoon sun, and old grey dogs, steadily eyeing us from their perch. The pens were clean, the water fresh. But there were so many homeless dogs… it was haunting. That was the moment when I realized that I could never buy a dog. I couldn’t ignore these 200 beautiful smiles tugging at my heart.
**
I think of that starving boxer that I met on the side of the road just weeks after moving to the South. I never saw him again, but he has never left my mind. I started returning to the shelter in following months to walk dogs. I began to develop bonds with some of the animals, learning their names and habits. On one trip, I decided to take photos, and I snapped a shot of a dog named Lily. It was this photo, and Lily's beautiful soul, that showed me why I was brought to this shelter: to capture the hearts of those animals waiting for a home. Since then, I have devoted hundreds of hours to photographing these beautiful creatures. Some have stolen my heart, several have ended up in my home, and many have been adopted. I have grown as both a photographer and a person through my experience with ARF, and the amazing animals - beginning with Lily - helped me realize not just a passion for dog rescue, but a passion for pet photography.
Lily will never know how much her face chance my life. I am so happy to say that, after several years waiting in the shelter, Lily was recently adopted and found a home...and a new little boy.... of her very own.
February 17, 2014
French Quarter Balcony After Dark...
Stumbled across this photo I took awhile ago while walking the streets of the French Quarter in New Orleans. Just started planning another trip and I'm so excited to get back!
February 16, 2014
Deep Freeze...
Normally during a huge ice storm people curl up with a good movie on the couch. I, of course, grab my camera. Here are a few shots from a big ice storm that happened while I was visiting Memphis, TN. Ice covered everything in a thick quarter-inch of beauty.
February 14, 2014
Splash of Yellow….
February 2, 2014
Soft Super Bowl Pretzels…
Nick and I love making these Pretzels by Gale Gand. For anyone looking for an amazing treat during todays game, I highly highly recommend them! They are so fun and easy to make! GO BRONCOS!
January 25, 2014
Missing Colorado...
With the X-Games on T.V. I can't help but miss Colorado even more. Took this photo from the top of Aspen mountain the last time I was there.
January 19, 2014
January 14, 2014
Winter Beauty...
One of the things I hate about Winter in the south is that there isn't the beautiful snow to photograph. I've always hated that things just get brown and the weather gets rainy. Recently I've been presented with some amazing moments that make me realize that maybe I just wasn't seeing the beauty that was around me.
January 11, 2014
Looking back on 2013….
Sometimes a favorite memory isn't one that is expected. Looking back on 2013 I had so many amazing moments with friends and family. I saw beautiful scenery and took thousands of photos. My favorite memory in 2013 is one that truly warms my heart when I think it. The smells, the tastes… truly the whole experience. On our third or fourth day in France we decided to drive around and explore Provence. After an extremely rewarding, but long day, Nick and I (and our mothers) headed back to our hotel in Antibes. Somewhere between an ooh and and aah….. we passed a beautifully small and quaint fruit stand selling strawberries. We continued driving but it quickly became apparent that we should turn around. I am so thankful that we did. Completely covered in vines, the little stand had what appeared to be good looking strawberries. Allowing us to sample the different types, the owners stepped back to watch our expressions as each one of us bit into the most amazing strawberry any of us had ever tasted. It was like a cheesy commercial….but real life. The owners laughed as we looked at each other in disbelief. Never in my life have I had something as tasty as those strawberries. I truly mean that. There we were, the four of us… on the side of the road… in France… laughing with the locals and soaking up the sun. We waited to eat the ones we had purchased until we got back to the hotel, where we had a small picnic of great cheap wine, Spanish ham we had bought on our last day in Spain, and unexpectedly expensive cheese. Although all were so delicious, the strawberries were by far the best. Sitting in the sun with some of my favorite people, I marveled at how lucky I was… and desperately wished I had more strawberries.
December 1, 2013
Colorado Colors….
Every year I feel like I visit my home state and just miss the peak of the fall colors. This year was the closest I've seen to peak colors in a very long time. No words or pictures can truly capture what we witnessed as we drove from Glenwood to Denver several weeks ago. Between the oooo'ing and ahhh'ing I noticed my camera was about to die. We quickly pulled off the highway and I was able to catch one last photo…
November 26, 2013
Colorado Welcome....
Evening Storm...
Last month I visited my family in Colorado. As I flew into the Eagle airport I snapped this shot from the air. A typical evening rain shower was looming and the view was beautiful!
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