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Funny Faces

February 5, 2010 Children

I try to document happy moments.  But when it comes to children, I am usually not the one in control.  If a child does not want her picture taken…ooh…tough one.  I have a couple of tricks up my sleeve, though.  The digital age is a magic one for kids.  You grab a photo of the rambunctious little darling and then quickly show her what you’ve shot.  Next thing you know you’ve got her hamming it up for you.  Warning: When it comes to a gaggle of the little ones, beware the stampede.  But for tow or three, this works great.  It especially works wonders if you’ve got a little actress that can make a face for any emotion you request.

Have a great weekend everyone!

by Janet Andersen

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February 5, 2010 - 11:32 pm Harmony Bryce - Thanks for the tip! So cute :)

My Camera Needs Fresh Air

February 4, 2010 Landscapes & Travel

“People, people who need people, are the luckiest people in the world.”  It’s true…I heard it in a movie.  But I’m here to tell you this, “People, people that live in Cache Valley, are the luckiest people in the world.”  We all need the right kind of air.  But what about the varied greens and the sky & water blues.  The nostalgic old and the fresh, really fresh new air.  I was lucky enough to fill my lungs and eyes with that world a few decades back.  Actually lived in it.  And I like to frequent there as much as possible, when luck prevails.

My camera loves this kind of nature, too.   In fact I think my camera needs the fresh air as much as I do.  I believe all of our cameras do.  Look at the treasures I found on a walk last year in that valley.  Out with some fast walkers, we saw a few dogs, maybe some cows but very few people.  My advice to you, get out there and take some pictures of anything but people.

People who need people are lucky but people who need, better yet–get–fresh air, viewed through their cameras, are the luckiest people in the world.

Now go and do and Happy Thursday!

by Janet Andersen

8 comments

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February 5, 2010 - 1:04 pm Loni Bender - Home sweet home. I think I take for granite the beauty of cache valley sometimes.

February 5, 2010 - 12:00 pm Karen - Beautiful! I too wish I could live in Utah for the summers!

February 4, 2010 - 8:34 pm Marnie Bushman - Love it Janet. I love the area too in the summer. Winter is sooo cold.. That is why we live 35 miles south. LOL

February 4, 2010 - 7:53 pm Blaine Smith - Very beatiful photos of my old stomping grounds Janet! It doesn't take much to make me homesick for the old Valley...tell the old man "hi" for me! Blaine.

February 4, 2010 - 2:11 pm Harmony Bryce - Can I live there in the Summer and here in the winter?! Beautiful!!!

February 4, 2010 - 1:55 pm rennie - I don't know Cache Valley...but I do know UTah...that is beautiful and I miss my home state so much it hurts!

February 4, 2010 - 7:49 am Susan Munk - Sorry, shouldn't be confused with a Red Letter Day!

February 4, 2010 - 7:47 am Susan Munk - Kinda of looks familiar. Love the pictures and the area and the memory. But it is kind of funny because Cache Valley this month has had the worst air in the nation for a couple of days. THE NATION! It has been red air days practically all month. Do you Arizonions know what a red air day is? Should be confused with a Red Letter Day.

An Observation in Creation

February 3, 2010 Personal

My sister has a Black Belt in Crocheting.  No, really she does.  We live in different states so I don’t see her often but when I do she always has a crochet bag beside her chair, stuffed with projects.  If I close my eyes, I can envision her quick hands stitching through the yarn at hummingbird wing speed.  Weaving and pulling, her flashing fingers are a sight to behold.  She can complete a project as quick as you can think of chocolate on a diet.  I have seen her work through the years.  Neat rows with even stitches.  I want to carbon copy her work for myself.  She inspires me.

I have a sister-in-law that inspires me.  She can create art in most any medium.  She “creates” because she feels the need.  She knows it fulfills her.  Spending time with her fulfills me and I then feel the need to add to my own life, the things she taught me, the things I observed during our time together.

“The desire to create is one of the deepest yearnings of the human soul.” D. Uchtdorf.  Because it is, I know I can create, too.  Not necessarily from scratch but from careful observation of the talents of those I admire.  It’s as simple as that.

Happy Wednesday.

by Janet Andersen

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February 7, 2010 - 10:17 pm Jeanmarie Andersen - YOU inspire me! I LOVE YOU!

February 4, 2010 - 8:35 pm Marnie Bushman - I agree mom is good. Wish I could have caught some of that talent..

February 3, 2010 - 7:59 am Susan Munk - love the picture. thank you

FORMER FAVS: Secrets of the Beautiful Bride

February 2, 2010 Wedding

Last month, as you may recall, my blog exploded @#$%^&*()_)(*&^%$#!!”?.  I didn’t lose the text portion but lost all but the image information.  I have been re-importing many images but that is so tedious.  As I was looking over these past posts I ran across this one from last October.  It was one of MY FAVORITES so I decided to RE-POST it.  Thought it was good enough to repeat.  And so I offer it to you today, Groundhog Day 2010.  And Happy Birthday Clayton!

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“Gorgeous,” “Beautiful,” “Radiant,” “Lovely,” “Dazzling,” Exquisite,” and, just so I don’t go on forever, “Pulchritudinous,” (yes I said “Pulchritudinous.”) All words describing THE BRIDE. A SPECIFIC BRIDE. Not an ordinary bride that just wants to be married and a she’ll stand for nothing less than a wedding that’s big, extravagant, expensive. This, dear readers, does not a beautiful bride make.

You’ve heard of the BRIDEZILLA. We, in my profession, try to stay far away from these women. Because they are so into themselves and not into their husbands to be, they radiate no beauty and then blame the photographer for the images that just don’t meet their expectations. (By the way-there are GROOMZILLAS, too.)

So what is the secret? The beauty secret ALL women dream about? LOVE It’s that simple. When a bride is IN-LOVE, believe me, it shows. The camera cannot lie and it cannot create it. It just has to be there.

I just want to give out one more secret to the beautiful bridal images you may be looking for. It is this…bring the groom along to the bridal session. When a woman IN-LOVE is looking at the man of her future, she is going to sparkle and that is when I click, click, click away.

Remember BRIDE + GROOM, IN-LOVE= Pulchritudinous images that you will cherish for a lifetime and beyond!

by Janet Andersen

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Picture*Bonus

February 1, 2010 Personal. Photography

Imagine this…you’ve got camera in hand, ready to get the perfect shot of something you have wanted to capture for ions.  You put camera to eye…and…click!  YOU GOT THE SHOT!  The one of the dog licking Baby’s gelato.  Or of Grandpa, that twinkle in his eye, just before he tickles Grandma.  And the one I always look for but have yet to get, at the perfect moment, the father of the bride wiping a tear from his eye while the mom grins broadly just as their beautiful daughter kisses her betrothed at the altar.  Yeah, I really want that one.

Later you take them to your computer to edit and save.  You bring the image up, LARGE on the monitor.  And there it is…the image you wanted plus something…an extra image or addition to your story.  You know, like as the dog grabs his treat while Mom dives wildly for the treat or the dog sacrificing her body for her baby dear.  Can you picture that?  Or how about Grandpa’s approach with the grand kids giggling and holding their laughter in or out in the background.  And the parents of the bride…picture that sweet shot…now imagine Uncle Ernie picking his nose in the background.

Carefully check out each image before you crop anything out.  Look through the lens at the whole image and shoot accordingly.  It’s tricky because you need to be aware, very aware of what is going on around you, if you want to do that do that you do so well. Each image tells a story and many tell a story*plus.  They are the ones I like.  They are the ones that make my job feel more like the fun it really is.

More than one story going on here.

by Janet Andersen

3 comments

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February 2, 2010 - 2:36 pm Harmony Bryce - That was such a great experience. We must do it every year :) Maybe next year we'll get one of the kiddos picking their cousins nose, haha!

February 2, 2010 - 8:17 am Susan Munk - I want to see more pictures of that day!!

February 1, 2010 - 10:31 am Karen - Aw, this was a special day and I love the stories that you captured here. Your photos and words to go along with them are inspiring and beautiful!

Sweet Ivy

January 29, 2010 Children

There is a little girl, far away, that I love to visit.  She is sweet and cute and full of life.  She speaks a language that I do not yet understand but I am working on it as is she.

And so I show you a few images of the last day of my visit when a restless night of sniffling and fever had left her feeling at odds with the world.  Nevertheless, she put on her brave face and pointed to…well…everything, questioning their names.  I complied.  I miss the sweet dear already and wish a speedy wellness.

I had to take her picture and so by the window we went.  I actually made the head band myself.  What do you think?

I wish you all a happy weekend free of illness!

by Janet Andersen

6 comments

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February 5, 2010 - 12:11 pm Shellie - You are amazing!! Love your work!!

January 30, 2010 - 10:23 am Jeanmarie Andersen - I just want to reach out and squish that darling little girl!

January 30, 2010 - 8:44 am Annette - SO Sweet!

January 29, 2010 - 6:34 pm Karen - Those are great, and she looks so darling in her new headband, which by the way you must've made in record time! Awesome! Shereen loves wearing hears and is very proud of it!

January 29, 2010 - 12:40 pm Hilary - Oh, sweet baby girl! Those are beautiful. And the hair bow add a cute touch.

January 29, 2010 - 8:54 am Whitny - Wow. Amazing colors. So sweet.