Photos, words and whatever else comes to mind

Blog writing, competition, Friends and Family, karate, Kids, Photography, Smiles

Karate Moments

Catching a well-placed kick or an expressive face shouting their ki-a gives me a rush, but looking for those away-from-the-action moments is what I love about photographing karate tournaments. So it was very special to me when a parent commented on my gallery from the Midwest Open 2017, “you certainly have a gift. I love the action shots but the candids are something special. You always seem to catch those incredible moments.” Capturing moments is my joy.

To see the full gallery of images, go to dojophoto.zenfolio.com

 

Blog writing, Friends and Family, Kansas City Chiefs, Kids, Non-profits, Photography, Published samples, Smiles

Visiting a sweet suite at Arrowhead

It felt like old times as I loaded up my cameras and followed the Operation Breakthrough kids onto the field at Arrowhead Stadium where they met up with their buddy Travis Kelce. The kids were treated to pregame meet n greet with Kelce and several of his teammates who shook hands and gave away gloves they had signed. Then we went to Kelce’s suite and watched the game. Sweet! My photos appeared on the blog for Kelce’s foundation, which supports Operation Breakthrough, an inner-city daycare.

https://wordpress.com/post/photomomentskc.com/945

 

Butterflies, First Fridays, Kids, Nature, Pets, Photography

New adventure

Nothing like a new adventure to get the adrenaline flowing! So many people have asked about getting ceramic photo tiles from me that I’m going into business with my tiles. I will be setting up shop at First Fridays in the Crossroads, downtown Kansas City. And as soon as I get all the shelves I need, I will be going to area Arts & Crafts festivals. My ceramic photo tiles are a fun and different way to display a photo ~ mine or yours. Best of all, I’ll come take photos of your pet in their environment and make a tile from our photo shoot! Send me a note for prices. I look forward to tiling photos for you.

 

Blog writing, Butterflies, Nature, Photography

Butterfly Beauty

Sometimes patience and persistence works in a photographer’s favor. After spending two hours wandering around the butterfly room at Powell Gardens, I was the only visitor left in the room. I was talking with the monitor and told her I was happy with my photos, but I didn’t have a good one of the blue butterfly. She pointed to the corner and said if I was careful, I could go behind the bushes because the blue ones liked to gather there. Ahhhhh nice, I shot photos until closing time. Thanks for the access.

Friends and Family, Kids, Pets, Photography, Smiles

Teaching helps you learn

I love teaching others about photography. Especially when I get to see them in their environment and take some photos, too. Today I worked with my friend, Lynda, and her kids, all six of them: four four-legged and two human. Although at times, it seemed like the dogs could be human. When I’m teaching, I believe I learn as much as my students. Today’s lessons? Make sure you have a copy of the instruction manual because not everyone has a camera that you’re familiar with. And, keep your camera bag on the table or it will get peed on. Fortunately, I learned that lesson first.

Friends and Family, karate, Kids, Photography, Smiles

Documenting a great karate weekend

I think I shot about 5,000 photos last weekend between the KC Challenge karate tournament and the Black Belt Extravaganza. I like the action shots, but my favorites are the moments that happen in between the action, the quiet heartfelt hugs, respectful bows, and smiles, lots and lots of smiles.

Sharing my photos makes me happy. I read somewhere that when you post on social media, every time someone “likes” your post, you get a rush of endorphin as strong as when you work out. I believe it. So I’ll keep sharing if you’ll keep liking and we’ll all have that warm buzz of feeling happy.

Kids, Non-profits, Photography, Smiles

They’re just so darn cute!

I was treated to a double dose of sweetness this week when I visited Operation Breakthrough on Tuesday to photograph the kids, and again on Thursday, when I went on a scavenger hunt with the Circle of Friendship Auxiliary group. I was paired with the absolute cutest little boy named Kei’mon. He took me around the center as we gathered puzzle pieces then he curled up in my lap as I read him a book. If anyone has time to volunteer time or funds for this organization, you will be rewarded with hugs and smiles. It is well worth the time. 

Nature, Photography

A Mothy Day

I taught my photojournalism students one of the Laws of Photography today. If you do not stop and take a photo that appears in front of you, the photo Gods will curse you and it will be awhile before another photo presents itself. That was my excuse for being a minute late to class today, anyway. And I had photos to prove it. A moth was plastered to my windshield among the dew drops, so naturally, I had to take some photos. I decided to post the bluish background one on Instagram because I liked seeing the detail in the antennae, but Henry said he definitely liked the one where you could see the crystals. So we had a discussion about editing, too.

When I arrived back home, I was rewarded for my attention to the Laws of Photography. There on the front door was another moth. This one looked awesome from both sides. What a delightfully mothy day!

Blog writing, Food for thought, Kids, Non-profits, Published samples

Operation Breakthrough has my heart

I have so much fun working with the children at Operation Breakthrough, and my good buddy, Jennifer. The kids there are bright and beautiful and curious. Oh, so curious! I shot the photos for their fundraising brochure this summer to fund the summer school agers program. Then I went to their talent show to photograph their performance. What fun!

I wish I had a million dollars so I could give the daycare everything they need for their kids. I’ll have to settle for donating my time and photos so others can be generous. I hope sharing these smiles brings them many donations.