Going on a Photo Hunt. Part Three.

Part One: http://mkdesignsphoto.blogspot.com/2016/02/going-on-photo-hunt.html
Part Two: http://mkdesignsphoto.blogspot.com/2016/03/going-on-photo-hunt-part-two.html

Now, it's time for Photo Hunt Three for the Spring Semester of Photo II that I am currently teaching at Washington High School...

Portrait

Eye(s)

Fashion

Ice/Frozen 

Beautiful Garbage

Ghost or Alien

Sparkle

Wildlife - Bullfrog at Little Indian Creek Conservation Area/MDC

Wildlife - Cardinal in Union, MO

Deer at Meramec State Park

Deer at Meramec State Park

Inspired by...Steve McCurry

Sports/Action 

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! 

We All Shine On... (Like the Moon)

For a Photo Challenge - Summer 2013. This
was liked so much by one of my fans
she used it in honor of her father. 

As summer 2013 slips into fall... I am honestly super excited. :) Fall is my favorite season. It even has a special smell to it.

Love it when the moon has a haze/glow!
Image made in 2010, one of my
FIRST accidental "good" moon shots!

I love moonlit fall nights, out by a fire, in my hoodie, listening to music or to just the sounds of the night.

Robller Winery. In the Fall. Love it!
New Haven, MO

Which leads me to this... one of my first goals was to get "good" at photographing the moon. I've improved at it greatly and now have other challenges to face: star trails and lightning. Those last two are quite a challenge, as was photographing the moon at first.

SuperMoon! 2012. Union, MO

There were times I honestly felt my camera had gremlins hidden within it to vex me. I'd get white dots of blur. I'd get camera shake so bad it looked like some ghostly orb, not the moon I enjoy so much!

Couldn't get the moon so I
just went for moonlight!
Union, MO a few summers ago.

I started to realize it wasn't the camera, it was the LIGHT that the moon puts forth. I was having my exposure too long and not treating the moon as the bright object she is! In time, I figured it out. Faster shutter speeds. Tighter MANUAL focusing. Patience! Those three "BINGO" moments helped me become less angry with the process and more happy with the results. 

Did this at the urging of several of my friends
August 2013 in Union, MO near my house. 

Now if someone tells me the moon is fantastic and I should go "get it" - I can because I know what settings to put my camera on and the steps to take. Granted, there may be about 100 images and I have to select the "best" of them (and trust me, they are not all pretty!) but I can get the shot I desire.

Hermann MO - Fall 2012. Beautiful Moonrise.

Now if I can just master star trails and lightning! ha! But until I get to those next challenges, I am going to relish in the fact photographing the moon no longer vexes me... I have it figured out.

Moon in Aug 2013 with a quote I LOVE.

All words and images by MK Designs Photography Fine Art and Portrait. 

See my website and like my facebook page! 

Feel free to comment, but know that I moderate comments and will publish them, they will not show instantly when you submit a comment. 

Thanks! 

August 2013.

Life Doesn't Stop For ANYBODY

Having one of my more "personal" blog moments. I read recently those words above "Life Doesn't Stop for ANYBODY" and thought - "oh my, ain't that the truth!" I feel like I have lived a year this summer with all the hustle and bustle and work.

June 2013. A day working (and playing) at Zia Gallery in New Haven,
where I have work available for purchase. 

Packed up and moved my household contents in May, went on a vaction to FL and - while there - my old house sold, came back from FL and instantly closed on my new home and started unpacking, renovating, working, writing checks, whew! (if that sentence confused you, try living it!)

Mae West said: "You only live once, but if you do it right,
once is enough." - Mexico Beach Florida May 2013

Overall, it's been a whirlwind, but I am so pleased with how it's all coming along. And along the way I have had some moments of fun.

Christy and I hanging out for 6 1/2 uninterrupted hours
 in July 2013! This is huge with all the miles between
us and the fact her three sons keep her BUSY BUSY! 

It's those "needed breaks" that have helped me focus on getting this house done one bit at a time. I am so greatful for them.

Originally a pretty sickly looking evergreen was here in the
front yard. Had a redbud put in and Karlene & I did the
rock hunting, laying them out, mulching, etc. Took two hours,
but it got done quickly with TEAM WORK! July 2013. 

While it's true "Life Doesn't Stop for ANYBODY" - we can make sure to slow down a bit and enjoy some moments in order to recharge our batteries.

Another Stellar Sip of Wine & Sunset at Robller Winery! Summer 2013. 

How do I recharge?
- Meals or Winery Trips with Friends &/or Family
- Reading a book (slowly savoring my current one and it's "heavy" on the heart so I have to take breaks from it)
- Good Tea or Coffee or Ice Cream!
- Creek Days With My Daughter
- Texting or Chatting on Facebook with People
- PHOTOGRAPHY
- Stopping and Really Enjoying all I Have Accomplished by Putting my Touch on this New Place aka: Making This House a Home (cliche but true)
- Little Drives Here and There
- Doing MINIMAL Work for My Upcoming School Year (it ain't August yet!) I am just doing FUN Things and Posts with my Journalism Students
- Participating In 30 Day Photo Challenges and Other Photo Projects That Push Me to Think / Create / SEE / Observe
- Reading Blogs and Articles I enjoy
- Watching Movies (new ones and old ones)

CREEK! Blue Springs Creek with my daughter.
June 2013. 

So, while Life Doesn't Stop for ANYBODY" - we can slow a moment down and enjoy it to recharge ourselves. This is a clip from a SCI FI movie, but give it a chance. One of my favorite scenes.

The PERFECT moment: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xdgjUPMiiEc

Thanks for reading and as always if you leave a comment you can be entered to win a prize from me.

All words and images by the M of MK Designs :)

July 2013.

Lake of the Ozarks State Park 2013

In April I was able to help celebrate my friend's 40th birthday in Eldon, MO.

I can't be that close to a state park with weather like that and not go take a look.

In this case, it was a park I have been to many times over the years: Lake of the Ozarks State Park.

The difference was that this time I took my daughter. She loved the water! The waves splashing over the rocks near the Public Beach resulted in a lot of giggles!

The waves were KICKIN' :)

We decided a hike was in order and we hit Fawn's Ridge Trail (marked yellow) opting for the 1.25 mile loop.

Spring was starting to show herself in the woods near the Lake.

The hike was pretty easy, some gentle ups and downs... until the end. The steps leading back out had my happy girl a little annoyed with me, but it was worth it. Once we reached the top - 4 deer ran past us! Naturally, my camera was off and not at hand! If only I had known... isn't there a quote about hindsight? ha!

It's easy to turn off the treadmill and give up, but on a hike - not the case! 

I love our Missouri State Parks, maybe more than I love Photography! (shhh, don't tell!)

If you want more information on Lake of the Ozarks State Park, visit their site: http://www.mostateparks.com/park/lake-ozarks-state-park

If you want more information on MK Designs, see my website: http://mkdesignsphoto.weebly.com/

All images and words by MK Designs - Published June 2013. Please do not copy without permission!

Critters.

I don't even pretend to be a wildlife photographer. The idea of camping out for hours, days, weeks, months - waiting for one fox family to pop out of a hole in the side of a hill or a elk to come into perfect view... it just doesn't fit my ADHD nature. However, I do sometimes get lucky.

Sometimes, my daughter notices a little critter on a flower, with a perfect sky as a backdrop... while other times a little turtle likes to make a home in my Grandma's flowers...

In the case below, as I walked around Mono Lake in Northern, CA - this little critter thought they were hidden from my view - so I was able to softly walk up and capture this moment in time. 

In the case of a vibrant duck on a half frozen lake, I cannot lie - this was courtesy of the St. Louis Zoo's 1904 birdcage. However, the slithering green creator of many screams below is courtesy of my friend Kathy's eye. As we walked around Paddy Creek in the Mark Twain National Forest, Mr. Snake caught her eye. I got closer. She did not. (She's always been a bit smarter than I am.) 

While wildlife photography isn't my first love and I certainly am not a pro at it, it's something that when chance meets me when I have a prepared mind and equipment in tow - I will pursue it. 

All images and words are by MK Designs Photography. Do not copy without permission. If you would like to, visit our website: http://mkdesignsphoto.weebly.com/

If you want more information on how to order prints, just comment on this blog post, contact us on facebook, or on the contact area of the website. 

Thanks for reading and happy clicking! :) 

Jan 2013.