Lately... Ice, Kindness, Encouragement, Instagram, and more!

If you are new the party, welcome. :-)

Lately, it's been a bit difficult to get off my a$$ and walk/photograph more. Mother nature isn't very cooperative. On the days I am at the "day job" - she likes to toss me 60+ degree weather. The days I do not work are comprised of ice that could break my back. 

Yes, 1-13-17 is quite a time. Ice storm, Friday the 13th, and a full moon. I can't say I blame Soulard Art Gallery (and banks, schools, businesses, etc.) for closing. Tonight's opening of the "Driven to Abstraction II" show I am in has been postponed until next Friday. 

So today, I forced myself to get off my a$$ by working towards bettering my "photographic world." 

I got a wild hair in 2017 and decided it was time to try Instagram again for MK Designs. So, today I read tutorials to add an instagram widget to my website mkdesignsphoto and to this blog you are reading. Wasn't easy, but I figured it out. 

Then, I designed a simple ad for my MK Designs facebook page that will also go in a local high school newspaper. I was gifted free advertising by a fellow photographer who had already purchased for the whole year, but is deciding to scale back a bit. I am blessed that through our friendship she thought of me when she made this decision. 

I don't understand the need to be in "competition" with fellow artists and photographers to the point of petty backstabbing or undercutting each other. Friendly competition is a good thing, but taking it too far burns bridges. I am thankful that the bridge between she and I is a strong one. 

On that note, I am excited that not only I made the "Driven to Abstraction II" show in Soulard, but another local photographer did, too. She even gave me a shout out on social media for it! 

I am a firm believer in kindness and encouragement. When I saw some of the work she posted, I felt it was perfect for a show. I didn't hesitate to let her know. THIS is how we should all treat each other, don't you think?

I have to admit that there's other things I could do today (1-13-17) to get off my a$$, but after adding more content to my website, starting this blog post, and many other things... my couch and a book are screaming my name. 

More to come later... 

July Update: "The summer night is like a perfection of thought." ~Wallace Stevens

As I stated back in January, my "mantra" for 2016 is this: 

"I want to become a woman who overcomes obstacles by tackling them in faith instead of tiptoeing around them in fear."

My goal is to face the following obstacles with faith and not fear as often as possible:

Cooking

Watching

Reading

Finishing

Uplifting

Expanding

Cooking. I am, in many ways, getting better at creating meals for myself and my family instead of depending upon restaurants, but as I travel in the summer that drive-thru is so tempting! Hopefully, I can get back on track. 

Watching. Mom and I are still enjoying "Grace and Frankie" on Netflix. It's so good! We have two more episodes to watch of the current season and then it's the waiting game. I have also been sharing more of my favorite "kid/teen" movies with Karlene this summer now that she is older. She enjoyed "The Sandlot" quite a bit! 

Reading. I have faithfully committed myself to reading more this year and it is paying off. I finished the following books over the past few weeks! (Granted, one is mainly photographs, but it was still nice!)

Finishing. Karlene and I finally finished cleaning, sorting, purging, re-arranging, and more in her room. I even painted her table for her reading/iPad nook and the pretty "K" letter I have had sitting in my garage for over a year now. It's interesting to see her room evolve into more of a place for a "pre-teen" than a small child. Now, the bad news... she needs a new ceiling fan! The other one is kaput! 

Uplifting. I admit that in 2015 several of my goals were directed towards myself. In 2016, I've planned to faithfully take the time to uplift others on a regular basis. Here are two examples that are coming up fast. I have somehow worked myself into helping with Youth Group at my church, and assisting in the planning and hosting of a Journalism Summit here in Franklin County. 

PS Need a flyer designed? I think I am getting better at it! 

I have also been working hard at thanking those who go out of their way for me. I did so recently in a blog post for BJJTV and was so excited about the results. Give love, get love. It's so true. 

Here's the link to my blog post/open letter: 

http://bluejayjournaltv.weebly.com/ms-turner/an-open-letter-to-master-photographer-peter-lik

Expanding. I have been a teacher for a long time, but I know there's areas I have to improve upon. Networking is one such area. As seen above, I reached out to network with a local college professor after reading about the importance of networking in education. 

I also decided to reach out to a local group "Buddies Not Bullies" to help them develop a Video PSA Contest for this fall. Not only will it help spread the word about their organization, but it will help spread the word about bullying. This is another topic I have expanded my knowledge about. 

Networking is a little new to me. Working over a meal with someone over a project that will benefit kids is pretty exciting. It's very unlike my rushed lunch period at school. I am happy I am more open to networking with other people than ever. 

Now, let's look at some recent happenings in my life... I have work in the current Soulard Art Gallery show "Wide Open." I hope you get a chance to go see it: 

I was able to enjoy one day in a pool with my friends Charles, Krista, and their baby Grace. Oh, and this rather loud frog:

I have connected with the River Hills Traveler (see link: RIVER HILLS TRAVELER) and had an article published. I am so excited. It's on actual PAPER: 

I love how this photo collage blanket came out. My cousin and I had it made for my Grandma's birthday. She's not a fan of hanging things on her walls, so we thought it was the perfect gift. Then, she surprised us and had it hung on her wall. Ha! Gotta love it:

On a very recent trip to Florida, my daughter and I had a great time with a cat that decided he liked us. We named the kitty "Howie" and it really added a fun layer to the adventure:

I loved seeing how a client used her engagement photos. What beautiful centerpieces for her bridal shower! I am excited for Kate and Wally's big day. Even though I am not a wedding photographer, I do love engagement sessions:

Until next time, I am going to leave you with some images from Florida taken over the first week of July 2016:

~ Michelle of MK Designs

mkdesignsphoto.com 

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!