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Monday, May 13, 2013

Franklin County Area Photographers ROCK!

I have to say I am in love with this little "network" that Tyann Marcink started. It's Franklin County Area Photographers.
My entry for FCAP April 2012 Photo Hunt
"Three" - I still love this image, even though
I should not have touched this "leaf" lol :)

We take photo walks, share tips and images online through Facebook and more, and also do monthly scavenger/photo hunts.

"Tracks" an image I got last summer for the Photo Hunt.
Printed this on metallic paper and had it juried into
TWO shows. I never would have looked for this
image if I had not had my "list" for the photo hunt!
Thank you FCAP! 

Those hunts have helped push me to see the world more and has done the same thing for my daughter. Karlene may only be 8, but she participates and really enjoys the hunts, especially when she actually "wins" from time-to-time.

"Nose" by Karlene at age 7 for the
September 2012 FCAP Photo Hunt.
This one just cracked me up! :)
It's ok to be funny with photos!


I love that FCAP helps people of all ages and skill levels learn to see the world and look for unique shots. Afterall, the vast "purpose" of photography (in my humble opinion) is learning to see. 
The very first FCAP Hunt I took part in...
"Shadows" - this one stumped me, but with
the right light streaming through the
right lace - you can get some interesting
effects. Not my "normal" shot at all. 
Do you want to learn more about FCAP? Look up Franklin County Area Photographers on Facebook or see their blog: http://franklincountyareaphotographers.blogspot.com/


For more information about my (and Karlene's) work - look up MK Designs Photography / Fine Art and Portrait on Facebook or simply go to my website: http://mkdesignsphoto.weebly.com/

All words and images by MK Designs, please do not copy or "borrow" without permission. 2013.



Sunday, May 5, 2013

Letting Go... Moving Forward...

I saw beauty on a walk with my mom a few weeks ago.

Today - I am feeling a bit reflective & this is more of a "personal" blog entry than my usual.

Perhaps it's one of the following things (or all of them?)

- I am about to turn 40.
Me - Hair tame, Hair Wild, Love my Child, &
Walks in the Wood (camera in tow!)
- My daughter is becoming a young woman right before my eyes.
This fall before a wedding. I was blown away!
- I recently had my "love life" turned upside down by someone who by all accounts I shouldn't care so much for anymore, but retraining the heart after decades of thinking pretty fondly of someone - that doesn't work - does it? (I think most family and friends would prefer me to go "Miranda Lambert" on him. ha!)
Flowers - on at least 3 occassions I was
showered with roses. :)
- I am watching so many people I love age, but what Stevie Nicks sang rings true... "I am getting older too..."
My dear friend Christy just turned 40. I joke
she'll always be older than me... but WOW.
Weren't we just 17 / 18 and running around
Mary's Home, Missouri?!?! 
Maybe those are all factors... but - I am starting to let go of a lot of possessions and "things" that have lost their use in my life. They no longer bring joy or serve a purpose, and sometimes feel like dead weight.

#1. My Car. It had bittersweet memories and beginnings... and a tragic run with constant issues. It's like it had a target on it for anything and anyone to damage it. The car is gone. And, now it's time for "Betty" to be on the scene.
Me and Betty - my new to me 2011 Ford Escape.
Fitting because I love to Escape! 
#2. My House. My exhusband and I built together in our 20's. Now it's just Karlene and I... and it's just not the "space" that feels good for us.
Beautiful little house, I am a bit sad to say Farewell to.

I had been looking at homes for years... and found one just up the hill and to the left that I adored last summer... but I kept talking myself out of it until someone talked me into it. While he may be gone now, I see that "push" is what I needed.
Almost double the square foot, beautiful "bones", and
I can't go on enough about the backyard and space!
Right now I am packing like a wild woman, selling & donating & trashing things I no longer need or use - because after months it would appear I have a buyer for my home and the home up the hill and to the left will (Lord-Willing!) be mine in just a few weeks!?
52 boxes packed, countless items donated - trashed - or sold!
It's a start for sure. - "Cheers" to Betty! 
I don't want to literally "burn" my past, because
it has defined me and I think "me" is pretty ok
when she's not having her "Miranda Lambert"
moments... but it's time to move on. 
Wish me luck, keep me in your prayers, and know that if you ever feel the urge to pack, purge, lift, haul, or more... your chance could happen in the next few weeks!

Images (most of them) and all words -  by MK Designs Photography - Please do not reproduce without permission.

See my website at: http://mkdesignsphoto.weebly.com/