Franklin County Area Photographers: Getting Me OUT and CLICKING!

Sometimes I feel antisocial.

OK, a LOT of the time when I am off the clock I feel antisocial.

I am surrounded by people with my day job, side jobs, and more. Sometimes I feel like I am drowning in a sea of people.

Well, yesterday (Saturday) around 5:45pm I found myself sitting on my deck thinking, "Why did I RSVP 'yes' to this...why?"

However, I am someone that when she says she'll go, she goes. And, I am also someone who remembered she helped select the date of the event, so that would be even WORSE if I didn't show. 

I am thankful I did. 

As my images from the photo walk show, it was a beautiful time to go on a shoot!

The Franklin County Area Photographers group that my buddy Tyann Marcink http://tyannmarcink.com founded several years ago has helped me in many ways. 

#1. I have expanded my (not-so-anti)social circle and made new friends. I enjoy their company greatly, even if I don't see them face-to-face as much as I'd like. 

#2. It gets me off my deck, couch, bed, etc. and SHOOTING. 

#3. How else would I have been able to test out a fixed lens for free yesterday if it wasn't for this group? (Thank you Mr. Covert!)

#4. In all honesty, this group has gotten me through difficult moments. How? See #2, but also note that when they first started hosting Photo Challenges...well, those lists of topics were a guide for my weeks. I would make it a part of my routine and, at the time, it was a WONDERFUL thing to zone in on instead of filling out disclosure papers, etc. for a divorce. 

#5. Now, all these years later, I am in a much happier place in life, but I still find that FCAP is a beautiful part of who I am. Tyann lets me help her with the group at times (even when I am antisocial), and when I look at the people it has brought into my life that I otherwise wouldn't have met... well, that's a joy to me. See #1. 

#6. This has pushed my photography to new places. I have tried new things. I have looked at the familiar in an unfamiliar way. 

This group reminds me of my photo buddies I had back in the day at CMSU (now UCM). We often would bounce ideas, share our images with each other, talk shop, and do photo walks before they were even called that. 

Whatever your hobby, escape, or passion is: make sure it's a healthy one that benefits and grows you as a person. Also, find your "people" - a group like FCAP is a prime example of how much we can benefit from the pack and not always being the lone wolf. (Yes, I made a reference to the classic laugh out loud comedy: The Hangover. Why? Because it's my blog and I can.)

You can find Franklin County Area Photographers on Facebook. Follow our page and pop in from time-to-time to see what we are up to. We have; photo walks, events, giveaways, SUPPORT, and more! 

Until next time, 
~ M of MK Designs Photography

PS Thanks for stopping by! 

Clearwater Lake, Missouri: 2015.

I'll admit it, when I told people I was heading to "Clearwater" over Memorial Day weekend the majority seemed to assume I meant "Clearwater, Florida." 

Once I explained it was a lake in Southern Missouri that has been on my to-see list for quite some time, some of my friends started to use Google Maps to see just what I was talking about. 

Clearwater Lake is managed by the Army Corps of Engineers and is often called one of Missouri's best fishing lakes. It also has several recreational areas you can access, as well as an AMAZING paved walking trail system. You can learn more about those areas here: http://corpslakes.usace.army.mil/visitors/projects.cfm?Id=M403420

My parents, my daughter, and I all lucked out and managed to not only safely make it to and from this beautiful Southern Missouri gem, but we landed a cabin at http://www.clearwaterlakeresort.com when someone canceled their reservation for Memorial Day weekend. 

That is not easy on a major holiday weekend. 

The fish we caught may not have been big, but my daughter enjoyed herself. For the first time she REALLY got into fishing. She kept reeling them in. 

I enjoyed the scenery and loved how uncluttered this lake is. Growing up near Lake of the Ozarks, I have seen what happens when people overcrowd and overbuild on a lake. Clearwater doesn't seem to have this problem, and I hope it stays this way. 

When we weren't fishing, or hanging out near the cabin... I enjoyed walking and driving around the area with my camera. (Did you see that coming?) The beauty of the lake and the Black River was breathtaking. 

I hope you enjoy these images from Clearwater Lake and perhaps the next time you want a little "vacation" you'll consider this place instead of the crowds, tourists, homes, and stripmalls that seem to clutter so many lakes around Missouri. 

For more details about the region, here's a few links: 
1. http://www.clearwaterlake.org/about.htm
2. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Clearwater_Lake_(Missouri)

If you are interested in ordering any images you see here, contact me via the MK Designs Facebook Page and/or the contact part of my website: http://mkdesignsphoto.weebly.com

Thanks for your support! 

After the Rain... Comes the Light! ((A little Photography and Life Tip)): Robertsville State Park, Mo.

It's amazing how so many people fear "weather" when they are out with their cameras... or just out in general. 

Light is the river Photographers (and all humans) drink from. Light impacts our moods and, all too often, our plans. Same applies to weather. A little rain shouldn't ruin a day for anyone. 

This all came into play back in March on a very rainy Sunday. My daughter and I decided once it "let up a bit" to hit Robertsville State Park (a place we know well) https://mostateparks.com/park/robertsville-state-park for a stroll and for some quality time. Not many people were around. I've noticed so many people dodge "life" when it is wet outside. 

K(arlene) of MK Designs and I had a blast walking around and chatting it up, while clicking some photos. So what if it was a little damp? It made for some great images. 

If you like to click pics, then go for it. A little rain will make those images SING once it lets up a little. Also, once that rain is done, the light will come (even if briefly), and your mood will lift and your photos will take on a whole new vibe. 

So, the next time a little "weather" comes your way, get outside anyway. You like to shoot photos? Great! A little water shouldn't stop you. If you like to just "be" - that's great, also. Odds are you'll have a place to yourself because everyone else is sitting inside afraid of melting. 

May your days be blessed as they grow longer here in the Midwest. Summer, sweet summer, is on her way! 

And, if a little "storm" comes your way, don't be afraid. It will pass. It always does. Just takes a little cure called "time" to fix it. 

If you see any images you'd like to have on canvas, metal, wood, framed/unframed prints, contact me! http://mkdesignsphoto.weebly.com 

~ Michelle of MK Designs
Spring 2015 

Grounded

"Have you been able to rest at all? If you need help, I can probably pack up my things and come up."

Now, that's a friend. 

I'll get back to that soon, but let's rewind to the beginning.

Sunday my week started pretty awesome, or so I thought. FaceTime, in real life no less, with someone I view as an interesting part of my life's landscape for almost two decades, a beautiful sunset once I got home, and dinner with flowers from another newer friend...she was wanting to spoil me a bit. She's known for going above and beyond for others. 

Flowers from T.

Playing with Zoom & Twist with that amazing sunset in my backyard!

The week seemed to he starting off fairly grand, but we know grand can change in a snap.

If I give my days a report card for Mon-Fri, this is how it goes:

Mon: C+
Tues: D+
Wed: F
Thurs: D
Fri: F

That report card would get ya grounded, eh? And, it did for me! Grounded in many ways.

Grounded to my house sick as can be most of the week.

Grounded in that I am once again reminded that "time marches on" and it stops for nobody.

Grounded in knowing that my #1. priority needs to be Faith - which has been a little rocky this month...that way I can focus (with His help) on parenting/raising my daughter to reach her true potential (which is a challenge). 

A little walk in Robertsville State Park two weeks ago.

Grounded in knowing the fragility of life and our time here. Yes, Michelle, it's time to stop delaying satisfaction. Not that I need to go blow thousands of dollars or follow Dave Grohl on the road (that's extreme), but I guiltily admit my camera body is outdated. Very outdated. I finally ordered a new one so my work will continue to grow. That's one example of an itch I plan to scratch this year. 

I am so bad at parting with $, but it's time!
PS The camera bag I got for it is AMAZING (and so me).

Grounded in saying enough is enough with the buzzing & dinging of personal Facebook notifications on my phone. Buzz buzz. Ding Ding. I deleted my personal FB app (kept biz pages & messenger) off my phone. I have to log into a web browser to see it now. Now I can nap, listen to tunes I stream through my phone to my speaker system, have a conversation on my phone, etc - without Facebook personal push notifications distracting the hell out of me. I may add the app back when I travel from time to time for ease, but I am not missing it so far.

Oh, and grounded in that I am reminded of who my real friends are. Ya know, not the flirty playful constant jokesters who entertain me, but the ones like Kris who takes care of kids all day, as well as her family, who sent me this message...

"Have you been able to rest at all? If you need help, I can probably pack up my things and come up."

Kris may kill me for this scanned photo from college days! 

Thank you, Kris. It's not that bad you gotta haul it here from Columbia, Mo. That you'd do that for me means so much. Luckily, I got Terri and Tyann bringing me bland food, medicine, Gatorade, etc. 

That's what friends do, right? Keep you grounded, even when your grade card for the week was atrocious. 

Oh, and the F on Friday was capped off with a wonderful sunset. As long as I still notice the sunsets, I know that I am ok. :) 

Friday's "F" day, ended with an A sunset! 

Signing off for now... while still slightly grounded in Missouri listening to the Soul Patrol on Planet Radio http://www.planetradio.us as I compose this first draft of this blog post (note: you'll see a revision!)... 

Much love, ~M

PS Enjoy this: 

Pink!

Ahhh Valentine's Day is coming up... the month of "love" :-) This has me thinking of the color "pink" and how I see it! Enjoy this visual mashup of PINK today. 

Pink is a beautiful color, because it is one of the colors that the sun makes at twilight and in the dawns.

We got into an argument over the color of love. I said it was pink, and he said it was red.

I had a dream about you. The sun was setting on our relationship like the sun was rising over the ocean. It was so beautiful, with all the pinks and soft blues.

I believe in pink. I believe that laughing is the best calorie burner. I believe in kissing, kissing a lot. I believe in being strong when everything seems to be going wrong. I believe that happy girls are the prettiest girls. I believe that tomorrow is another day and I believe in miracles.

Photos by MK Designs Photography / Fine Art and Portrait. Quotes found online at Goodreads (www.goodreads.com). Please contact me if you would like to order any of my images. I can do framed/unframed prints, canvas, metal, and more! My site: http://mkdesignsphoto.weebly.com

Have a great day!