Day 45 of 2011: Love Is In The Air

Yes, faithful followers….love is in the air today.  not because it is Valentine’s Day, but because it is so nice out!  My car thermometer read a high of 64 degrees this afternoon on the way home, and as sunset is approaching the temperatures are dropping rather quickly, but I loved the chance to enjoy even a small part of such a sunny, warm day.  It really makes me long for spring, but the way the year is flying by, spring will be here rather quickly…all the more to look forward to!

On the photography front, I’ve finished editing all winter sports and the headshots of the MTHS “Hairspray” production cast.  I still have 5 more cast members who need photos taken, but all in all, I’m all caught up.  The headshots can be seen here:  http://tiny.cc/slnuu

I’m also designing two albums for a client, as well as scanning old photos to make a video slideshow for another client.  I also have some inquiries out there that hopefully will be signed and sealed by the end of the month. 

Today’s nice weather also has me thinking about when we finally do have nice weather every day.  And, it’s NOT too early to think about beach photos or outdoor spring portraits!  If you are interested, be sure to let me know so I can put you on my contact list once the weather breaks for good.  I am also available for baby/newborn portraits, engagement portraits, weddings and events such as graduation parties, bar/bat mitzvahs and sweet 16 parties.  For a reasonable investment, enjoy your event rather than worrying about taking photos yourself.   I can also create professional albums/press books for you using previously taken photos, as well as slideshows for a special event you may be planning. Please contact me with any questions or with your inquiry at jill@photocone.com. 

Shoutouts today to the MTHS Varsity Cheerleaders on a great showing at UCA Nationals in Florida, and to the Boys & Girls Bowling Teams, both SJ Group II Champs and defending their state titles this week. 

Today’s photo is in honor of Valentine’s Day, titled “Rose Wave.”  It’s an older photo of mine that I took a few years ago, but it seems to fit today very well.  Hope you had a chance to spend this glorious day with someone special.

Happy Valentine's Day!

Day 35 of 2011: “Mr. 900″ Has Entered The Building…

Well, here we are again!  Another 2011 week down, complete with more snow, ice, and cold temperatures.  While the groundhog has predicted an early spring, I am seriously doubting his prophecy.  I have gotten so many “winter weather” alerts via text from The Weather Channel, that I am preparing to send a “sunshine advisory” to my friends, once the elusive sun reappears in our world. 

As I am typing this, I am editing headshots of the MTHS Musical Production Cast of “Hairspray,” taken yesterday.  The show is gearing up to be wonderful, and the castmembers are working very hard to master their roles in the show.  If you are interested in tickets, please call the high school at 732-657-2121 for details.  “Hairspray” will be presented in the MTHS Auditorium on Friday, 3/11 at 7 pm, and on Saturday, 3/12 at 2 pm and 8 pm.  Best wishes to everyone in the show!

Tomorrow I will be photographing the Ocean County Cheerleading Championships, also at MTHS.  The competition begins at 10 am in the gymnasium.  Best wishes to the Hawks Cheerleaders as they compete against teams from around the state!  I’ll post a link to the photos once they are uploaded.

Perhaps the most exciting event this week was learning that MTHS Junior, Alan G., bowled his SECOND perfect game in a week.  If you count the 300 he rolled in a January practice, that makes 3 for him this year…thus the title of today’s post.  As ”Mr. 900″ ‘s teacher, I am very excited for him.  The Boys team has a shot to place second in their conference today, and the Girls can clinch first place in their conference as well.  See the article about the Bowlers from the Manchester Patch at http://tiny.cc/ergpi  .  Congrats to all bowlers on such a great season so far.

Today’s photo is titled “Mr. 900″, and it is of Alan taken last year.  Way to go, buddy!  Hope you all enjoy your weekend!

Day 30 of 2011…Remembering the Warmth!

Once again, it was a busy week for me…midterms, snow again, snow again, and snow again!  At least the snow gave me ample opportunity to get a lot of photography work done.  On Monday 1/24/11, I photographed the MTHS Varsity Wrestlers vs. Brick Twp. HS.  Those photos are uploaded and can be seen at http://tiny.cc/gab1h .  I also finished editing all 697 photos from the Bar Mitzvah I photographed last weekend.  It’s such a great feeling when I finish editing before anticipated…now I have time to play around with creading a video slideshow for my client as a special “thank you” add on to the package ordered.

Next Saturday, I will be photographing the 2011 Ocean County Cheerleading Championships at MTHS.  Looking forward to this exciting opportunity!  I’m also working on some family projects, as well as adding some more events and weddings to my 2011 calendar. 

On a side note, congratulations to MTHS Bowler Alan G., who bowled a 300 last Tuesday in a match versus TR East…more congratulations to both the boys and girls bowling teams for winning the Lakewood Scotch Doubles Tournament yesterday.  And our Boys Indoor Track Team are B South Champs!  Nice going, gentlemen!

I’m beginning to think that New Jersey’s climate is becoming like Florida’s with a twist:  instead of daily afternoon rain showers, we are getting daily afternoon snow showers.  Jack Frost is certainly busy this year in NJ!  Today’s photo was taken last spring in Florida…it helps me to remember what warm weather feels like!  Here’s hoping you stay warm today, and that the day brings you many smiles!

Taken in Spring 2010, a little "Tropic Recollection" so that you can remember what the warmth feels like!

Day 23 of 2011: Brrrr, it’s COLD!

I am not a fan of the cold, and man, is it frigid or what?!?!?!!  It was 9 degrees this morning!  Unbelieveable.  It’s been a very busy week for me, hence the lack of updating my blog.  The highlight of the week was photographing a wonderful young man’s Bar Mitzvah yesterday.  It was an excellent affair and a good time was had by all.  I’ll be editing those photos all week, and I am truly hoping my client is happy with the final product.  I also photographed BOE headshots, girls basketball (halfway done editing), some clubs and new winter track team photos (Congrats Boys Indoor Track Champs!).  I will be at tomorrow’s big MTHS wrestling match to get action shots of our wrestlers in action…Go Hawks!

Additionally, I have a number of inquiries that look good for official “bookings.”  Hoping in the next few weeks the details are finalized and I can add these weddings and events to my schedule for 2011.  In the meantime, I still need to select a photo for a juried photography show in March…still don’t know which photo to submit.  Hoping I can narrow down the choices this week. 

All in all, I still can’t believe how fast 2011 is going already.  Since it’s been so cold, I thought a nice spring daisy photo would bring some cheer to today’s entry (I actually grew it from seed a few years ago and it comes back every year).  Here’s hoping you have a fantastic last week of January!

Taken in the Spring of 2010, I grew this from seed a few years ago and it comes back every year.

Day 17 of 2011…A Busy Photography Week!

I’m proud to say that I was productive on this 3 day weekend…organized all of my computer files, complete backup again, and ready to face 2011 with a clean hard drive and files correctly named!  Took a while but I accomplished my goal.  I also edited and posted the photos from Friday’s Pep Rally, which can be seen at http://tiny.cc/6hbda .  One of my favorite shots is below…nice jump!

This is a very busy week for me with regards to photography.  Tomorrow I am meeting with a potential client for a June Bar Mitzvah, Wednesday I am taking new headshots of our Board of Education members, Thursday I am shooting the Girls Basketball Game, and I will be shooting a Bar Mitzvah on Saturday.  Lots of editing going on next week, but it’s the week for editing as we have midterms at school so I will have the time to do it.  I also booked a wedding last week for May, and I have two potential wedding bookings in the works…hoping I am selected!   The spring calendar is coming along with a lot of exciting photography opportunities!  I also need to select a photo to enter into a local juried photography show…hoping to make my selection by month’s end.

As I end today’s musings, I would like to ask all readers to keep Lakewood Police Officer Christopher Matlosz, his family, his fiance, his coworkers and his friends in your thoughts this week.  A young life heinously taken away from the world for no reason…while I did not know Officer Matlosz, I am grateful for his service and cannot comprehend why this awful tragedy had to happen.  Thanks to all police, firefighters, EMS, and servicemen/women who put their lives on the line every day.

Taken during the MTHS Winter Pep Rally on Friday, January 14, 2011. Nice jump!

Day 13 of 2011: Kindness, Time for Design, and April 19…

Yesterday we had our first official snow day off from school…where I live, we got about 6 inches of snow.  I shot some photos out the window in the morning, nothing spectacular, and when I looked outside again a few hours later, I noticed someone had shoveled a path for my car, the end of our driveway, and our walkway.  We still don’t know who it was, so if you are reading this, thank you so very much.  Humanity and kindness were demonstrated yesterday by our “mystery shoveler,” and I hope to return the favor to someone else in need someday.

The bowling photos I shot last week are uploaded and can be seen at http://tiny.cc/4336o .  I am pleased with the photos.  Tomorrow I’ll be shooting our Winter Pep Rally, which will give me some photos to play with over the weekend.  Yesterday, I used part of our snow day to update and design some more cards to add to my client choices, including some new holiday cards, save the date cards, birth announcements and graduation announcements.  Those can be seen in the galleries at http://photocone.zenfolio.com/cardsandproducts . 

NASA just announced the scheduled launch dates of the last two shuttles, Discovery’s last launch on February 24 and the last shuttle launch EVER on April 19 (Endeavor)…which coincides with my school’s spring break!  While I hate that the shuttle program is ending, I am definitely excited that, barring weather and other unforseen mechanical issues, I will probably be in Florida for the last shuttle launch ever and will witness it with my own two eyes.  I was at the Astronaut’s Hall of Fame for the launch of Discovery STS131 on April 5, 2010, and it was simply incredible to witness…the only thing I regret is going into “photographer mode” when the engines ignited, thus missing out a bit on the emotional aspect of the launch.  I will not let that happen if I am there in April!  http://photocone.zenfolio.com/discovery_sts131_launch

Today’s photo is one I shot last year after the February Blizzard at Allaire State Park.  Hoping NOT to see much more snow this winter, but we know how Mother nature is…

"Winter One," shot at Allaire State Park in February 2010

Day 10 of 2011…Winter Sports, Snow and a Happy Client

We are 10 days into 2011…and it’s been a busy 10 days!  I had the wonderful opportunity of delivering an album to a client yesterday, and I always feel proud when I exceed expectations.  The album is beautiful and the client was extremely pleased with the final product.  I also spent the weekend editing sports photos that I shot last week.  The photos from the boys basketball game are done and online at http://tiny.cc/4txqi .  Today’s blog photo is one of my favorites from the game. 

I am halfway finished with editing bowling photos, and I anticipate being done with those mid-week.  The forecasted snow will probably allow me some free time on Wednesday between shoveling to finish this task, unless it takes us another 3 days to shovel out! And speaking of the snow, if we indeed receive the predicted 12 inches for my area, I honestly don’t know where they will put it!  We have so much snow already piled up on the streets here (about twice what Manchester has) that it will be interesting to see what does happen with it, if it comes. 

Here’s hoping the forecasted storm is kind to us! 

Manchester Township HS Boys Varsity Basketball vs. Toms River South Boys Varsity Basketball, January 6, 2011, taken during the second quarter of the game.

Day 7 of 2011…

One week into 2011 already.  The first week of 2011 went very slowly, yet quickly at the same time.  With work and some sports photography this week I haven’t had a moment to sit down!  I don’t know if you are like me, but once the holidays pass, I am ready for warmer weather.  I enjoy the snow and the cold in December because it adds to the season, but come January 2, bring on the spring and summer temperatures! 

While yesterday’s “storm” amounted to nothing where I am, today’s sudden and unexpected Winter Weather Warning of possibly 3+inches will give me time to de-Christmas my house, enjoy the wild card playoff games, as well as time to edit photos from this week’s shoots.  I photographed boys varsity basketball, varsity cheer, team shots of all teams, and varsity boys & girls bowling.  I love shooting people in the air, and I am anxiously awaiting the time to edit the boys basketball players practicing their layups, and I also know I got some air shots during the game.  Bowling photos may seem dull to some, but those are also some of my favorites to shoot. 

What I am most excited about today is putting the final touches on a piece for an art show that I also shot and designed this week.  The theme of the show is “Embracing our Differences.”  Now, keep in mind that I find it very difficult to visualize…for instance, if you were to describe something to me I would not be able to see it in my mind’s eye.  However, when I saw the details of this show, I immediately saw the photo that I wanted to take in my head.  Once I shot it, I transformed it into a “poster” of sorts with border, filters and text, all encompassing the theme of “Embracing our Difference,” and it is exactly as I originally saw it in my mind.  It’s not just a photo…it has definitely become a piece of art to me. Some fantastic models were used for this shoot, and if you are reading this, THANK YOU MODELS…you know who you are and YOU ARE AWESOME!  After I hear if the piece is accepted or not, then I will post it…won’t be until March or so.

Today’s photo is one I shot in January 2009…unlike the Holiday Blizzard of 2010, this storm left a beautiful snowy coating on the trees…which is what I hope today’s supposed storm does…maybe I’ll add some more photos to my inventory today!

 

Day 3 of 2011…

It’s January 3, 2011.  Over the weekend, I finished post processing the last of my 2010 client shoots, beautiful baby photos of Elizabeth.  I also created my first wedding slideshow for a client using new software, as well as did a complete hard drive cleanup and backup.  The best of all was that I received a $100 gift code for one of my favorite photography companies…so, what to do with the gift code?  I’ve been busy creating a press book of my favorite photos I took in 2010, as well as documenting some of my photography highlights of the year (minus my Savannah/Charleston summer trip photos, because I created a separate book to document that wonderful time).  I only hope that next year at this time I have just as many highlights and even more favorite photos.

Every year, I find the last day of holiday break to be quite depressing, and the first day back to reality even more depressing.  The magic of the holidays is gone, along with the fun and festive commercials and music.  Every year the holiday season goes by faster and faster, and I find myself just wanting to embrace each day more and more while each day slips by even quicker.  However, the blizzard this year made the holidays pass more rapid than ever, and here we are, already 3 days into the new year.  At least I have winter sports photography on the schedule this week…boys basketball and bowling.  Good times, and good sports to shoot!

Today’s photo is one of my favorites I took while in Savannah that I’ve titled “Market Art.”  The bright colors lift me a bit out of the winter duldrums…I hope they do the same for you.

Taken in August 2010 at River Street Market in Savannah, Georgia

Goodbye, MMX…Hello, MMXI!

As 2010 inches closer and closer to an end today, I would like to thank everyone who had a hand in the success of my photography in 2010.  Whether you are an awesome client whom I had fortunate opportunity of working with and creating memorable images for you this year, a friend who came to a show that I had a piece entered into, or a supporter who provided encouragement and kind words, I am eternally grateful for you.  I’ve learned so much this year, and am anxiously awaiting the opportunity of not only taking more memorable images for clients and friends like you, but also expanding a bit into the design arena in 2011. 

Those who know me well know that I love quotes, so here’s one for you to embrace the start of 2011 with:  “Every man should be born again on the first day of January.  Start with a fresh page.  Take up one hole more in the buckle if necessary, or let down one, according to circumstances; but on the first of January let every man gird himself once more, with his face to the front, and take no interest in the things that were and are past.”  ~ Henry Ward Beecher.

<!–, “A Completed Year,” Plymouth Pulpit: Sermons. October 1882-April 1883, 1887; CTO–>My wish to you is that 2011 is an exciting, positive, memorable and special year…start fresh, and make every day count.  I know I am going to try to follow my advice too.  Happy 2011!