Summer 2014 Blogger Challenge #1.

Last summer (2013) I did not one, but TWO 30 day photo challenges with my friend Slava --> http://slavabowmanphotography.wordpress.com 

This summer I am feeling a bit out of the creative loop. My summer got a delayed start thanks to an extra long school year due to excessive snow days here in Missouri. Lately, as I follow the blogs of bloggers I really enjoy, I feel totally uncreative. 

So, when Juli of Olive and Ash Studio --> http://oliveandashstudio.blogspot.com started talking about Blog Challenges on her blog - I knew I found a way to get out of my summer slump!

Thanks to this young blogger from Australia --> http://emilyjane.typepad.com I found the perfect way to get the creative flow back and help out my neglected blog...

Yes, this is a "photography" blog - but it's also about my creative journey, so why not!?! 

I have to be honest, I am positive that there is a huge chance this July Journaling Challenge will spill into August due to the travel and play I do a lot during the summer season, but that will just have to work for anyone who follows me. 

As I look at the list, I know the best place to start is #1, but I think I already covered that in previous blog entries. So, to mix it up a bit for #1 "All about you" I am going to do a goofy survey. 

Here is goes...

This is me: (Thank you Slava for our current headshot session for a magazine article I am in for my sorority Zeta Tau Alpha) 

1. I worry about: the future of our planet, the odd shifts in values of people in my country, my finances, my daughter, extreme changes at my work place.

2. I dream about: Yosemite. Alaska. Scenic Drives. Travels. A vagabond life (with an income and retirement - Is that possible).

3. I am proud of: My students' accomplishments. My daughter. My mom. 

4. I am interested in: photography, journalism, education, learning, travel...

5. I am afraid of: tight enclosed spaces that make me feel trapped.

6. I don't believe in: a judicial system that allows men and women who rape, murder, and/or abuse children to be housed and fed, you know allowed to breathe air, etc. I miss the old days of "Western Justice" in a lot of cases. 

7. I am good at: Well, people say I am good at teaching. ;-) I think I am still a work in progress. 

8. I am bad at: saving money the way my mom does.

9. I have to: take my daughter to her dad this afternoon. I hate saying "see you later" to her so often.

10. I feel like: early retirement! 

11. I regularly: look at facebook, twitter, snapchat, etc. It's addictive. Some people are tv addicts or do crossword puzzles, etc. I skim blogs, follow crafters, read current news headlines, etc. 

12. I never: have smoked pot. Honest to God.

13. I can't stand: people who self-loathe, child molesters, people who cannot buck up and admit they hurt you and apologize, and cooked cabbage.

14. I have difficulty: keeping weight off. I am chunky.

15. I have a habit of: see #11!

16. I no longer: actively seek anyone to date. I tried dating sites, and people setting me up, etc. I just have given up. Not to sound mean, but once I quit trying, I felt better. I don't need a "relationship" to define me... I have other relationships: with my child, my mom, my Lord, my friends (the real ones), my co-workers, other creative types, etc. Also, I no longer force myself on others. If someone (male or female) wants my friendship, they will seek it. No need to force "best friend" status, etc. People come and people go. People change. (and some people aren't fond of this saying... but...) "It is what it is!" 

17. Lately: KEVIN HART makes me laugh.

18. Lately: NOT MUCH makes me sad. 

19. Lately: NOT MUCH makes me angry.

So that is it... I have crossed off #1 on the July Journaling (I prefer to call it BLOG) Challenge. Hopefully, this little self-assignment will kick me in the rear and get my creative flow back! 

All words & thoughts by MK Designs. July 2014. Please do not copy or print without permission. If you want to join in on the blog challenge, link up with me! Let's do this! :-) 

Learning How to See

As many of my "fans" may know, I am a teacher. 

The majority of my day I teach Photography... and the big challenge is teaching students how to see, and really look at the world creatively.

This semester for my Photo II final exam, I decided to bring in an exercise in "creativity." I put items on a table, and gave my students about 30-45 min to create an image using at least one of the items in their photograph. The results were stunning. 

Remember, great photos are all around you! Sometimes it can be as simple as scraps of paper, small glass jars, feathers, aluminum foil, and more.

None of these images are mine, they are my students' - please do not copy or use without permission.

MK Designs - Summer 2014 

Photographs, Smiles, and Altered Schedules

Winter 2014 certainly threw me for a loop. Excessive ice, snow, and horrid road conditions led to nearly 13 snow days (I honestly lost track). Since my main "job" (let's be honest - career) is in teaching, this tossed my whole spring and kick off to summer for a loop. 

Right now, I am still not done with the current school year! Normally, I am headed back from Vacation #1 and processing images from it at this time... but this year was/is totally different. 

However, in the Spring I was able to enjoy teaching Photography, Art, and Broadcast. My daughter turned 9 at the end of April... shortly before that I found myself in San Diego for a convention/contest with students. I was lucky that even though the Spring felt rushed, it did come... along with all the bluebells in bloom that make me smile so much! 

“Is the spring coming?" he said. "What is it like?"...

"It is the sun shining on the rain and the rain falling on the sunshine...” 

 ~ The Secret Garden

Even though my school year was extended a bit... I was able to squeeze in a quick "mini-vacation" with my daughter to Meramec State Park in Missouri (( http://www.mostateparks.com/park/meramec-state-park ))

We went the first weekend Fisher Cave was opened and before the CRAZY busy camping months of the summer start there (MSP is known for being pretty busy on the weekends during the summer). It was fun to hike trails, and see the cave, and get our first camping trip in. Note: before then we went on a day trip to hike and take photos there with my mom, too! 

“She turned to the sunlight
    And shook her yellow head,
And whispered to her neighbor:
    "Winter is dead.” 

 

As an educator (wrapping up my 18th year), spring also means major changes. People retire or get new jobs, kids graduate or move, things just... change. However, it's a sweet time to reflect upon the year and be happy for all the new opportunities people have before them. Even though it makes me weepy saying "Goodbye" I have come to learn that often it is more like "See you later."

So we have road trips, adventures, changes in life, and lots of hikes to take... and all that time... I carry a camera of some sort because PHOTOGRAPHS document and record those moments we (or me!) do not want to forget. 

Speaking of photographs, even though many kids at school said goodbye to me this year, some said hello. My underclassmen coming back to my broadcast class gave me this framed photo. Love it!

 

by MK Designs Photography / Fine Art and Portrait. DO NOT COPY / USE WITHOUT PERMISSION. See my website at http://mkdesignsphoto.weebly.com

June 3, 2014. 

Uh oh! ;-) I am coming up for air!

Pardon the lack of entries, but once again life is kickin' me upside the head... but in excellent ways.

Here's an update!

I found out I will be honored in San Diego... actually five of us High School Broadcast teachers from all over the US of A will be honored for what we do. I am just shocked and humbled over the whole situation.

With that said, the day job is in full swing... the spring Photo II students are impressing me constantly, my broadcast staffers are enjoying the fruits of their labor as they compete at regionals, state, and nationals... and when I see my students achieve - it does my heart so good!

These kids... I told them just today that
the BEST kids in our school walk into my
classroom daily... and I am pretty sure these are among
the BEST not just at our school, but in the
country! LOVE THEM.

As for photography? I think I've been making some interesting images. Been trying to "branch out" a bit with macro and more abstract/impressionistic type views.

Macro Fun! Got some extension tubes!

I've sold a few prints here and there, came up with a new postcard design for New Haven, Missouri -- and the best? Got to be a part of the Franklin County Area Photographers Birthday Bash/Photo Walk just a couple of weekends ago.

Macro/Impressionistic Fun at Astral Glass on the
FCAP Birthday Bash Photo Walk

On the homefront, it's been an adventure. Spending time with Karlene (my lovely kiddo), navigating the waters of relationships with friends (old and new) and family, and realizing that someone I've always had an admiration for may actually like me too. Who knew? ;-) (those shy ones are hard to read, folks - hard to read!)

Pizza Monkey Bread. The first attempt at it, and
dare I say... S U C C E S S ! ! ! 

Finally got a break at times in March to get out and
walk... and take in the Blue Skies! 

I am looking forward to some portrait sessions this spring, if Missouri even will thaw out, and to more chances to grow in photography. With that said, still working art shows! Have had more entries juried into several shows these past few months.

Work for two shows. One at Framations in St. Charles
the other at Soulard Art Market in... Soulard (STL). 

All in all, things are busy and blessed... but tonight is a prime example of the fact I could use some rest!

It's always a blessing when a friend can
figure out how to meet you for a day... my buddy Jen
lives in North Carolina. We get together when
we can, and it just so happened I ended my March
with a day visit from her! I loved it!

Thanks for reading and for following my work.

Bless you!
~ michelle of MK Designs - April 2014

Like a caption is needed here! 

ALL IMAGES AND WORDS BY MK DESIGNS DO NOT COPY OR PRINT WITHOUT PERMISSION.

Photos are EVERYWHERE

It's truth: PHOTOS ARE EVERYWHERE.

To prove it at my "day job" (yes, I am a photography teacher) I often drag my students around school and ask them to take "photo walks" with me.

The classes that "get in the zone" and can be trusted, are the ones that I take my camera along, too... so I can click off a few rounds! 

If anything, it's more than to practice and fine tune MY skills, but to drive home a point: PHOTOS ARE EVERYWHERE.

When I show some of my classes the collection of shots I have gotten around Washington High School, they are often suprised... it often gets their eyes looking more closely at the things they walk past daily and NEVER see.

After all, doesn't a camera teach us to see without a camera? Yes, it does... and if you don't know what I mean by that, I will be glad to explain because my day job is full of explanations - AKA teaching :)  

All images and words by MK Designs Photography / Fine Art and Portrait. Do not use without permission. 

Please browse over and click "like" on facebook and check out my website.

Dec 2013.