First major snow storm of the season in NYC

It started yesterday, Friday December 19, it was already snowing hard when I woke up. For a split second, I felt like a child again, staring in wonder out the window as the white flakes fell hard and thick.

Today I went out to look at the snow. It was white, bright and gorgeous. The squirrels were nowhere to be found, and only a stray finch bird here and there was hopping around, braving the elements. There was a good strong wind and it didn't take long for me to feel a bit winded. I went to the supermarket and picked up some supplies for the kitchen, some snacks, some drinks, before scurrying back home to a waiting dog who didn't see all that put out to not be walked. She seemed to just know it was majorly cold out, with the temps in the 20 degree level, and she was not in a hurry to get out there and experience it herself.

As soon as I got home I put the grocery items away, changed into comfortable home clothes and climbed into bed with a hot cup of tea. The dog followed me and within minutes was snoring loudly and contentedly wrapped in the comforter with me. And we were both content.

Theme for December 2008

Took a picture of the ol' Christmas tree....and thought about how certain conservatives are starting to distance themselves from the holiday, simply because of the pagan origins of such things as the Christmas tree....the wreath....the Yule log....December 25....la la la!

So....it'll be interesting to see where Christmas is in ten years. Especially as conservatives will have to find a new religion to tout, because Christianity is guilty of destroying pagans yet keeping the holidays (excuse me, HOLY days) and trying to disguise them as their own.

Good luck with that! Ain't history a bitch?

Veterans Day NYC 2008

One of the many sights and colors seen at the Veterans Day Parade in New York City.

Veterans Day NYC 2008

Today was a glorious sunny day -- perfect for parade viewing. It was great to personally thank the veterans. The veterans stood so proud.

Interesting timing

Makes someone who could be paranoid even slightly more so.

I get a call from a prior gig I used to work -- suddenly they need someone. Bleary-eyed from working overnight the day before, I was surprised and sort of chuckled. Did I want to reply?

Well, this is a gig I've done for several months that didn't lead to any huge revelations or skill building. Yet I liked the person I worked for. Then I get the doozy. The call will be for like 6 in the morning. What the hell are we filming, the sunrise? I wondered to myself.

No wonder. Nobody else would have done it. Do I really think so little of my time? I considered. I wasn't doing anything, miracle of miracles, for Thursday. It was my first clear clean day as far as my other jobs were concerned.

Another person wanted photos done and yet was shy about coughing up what their "budget" was. If you are emphasizing the word budget, then give me a number so I can make a decisive move as to whether we should continue taking up each other's time. I advised what I could offer as a starting point chopped from the original price to negotiate from after already showing the potential client some of my work online. I think I've done all I can do.

Very odd. And frustrating. People want product, and quality product, but don't want to pay.

Happy July 4th

The Fourth of July in New York was rainy and humid. After stuffing myself at a friend's BBQ, I found myself arriving late to the fireworks and thus locked out of standing by the water to view the light display. I could only watch from a block away, with many a tall financial building blocking the sky. An occasional firework would flirt with my camera view and I had to guess with the timing -- so it was a matter of luck that any pics came out.

Checking out the paper to find the next adventure to photograph...

Gay Pride - June 29 2008 - NYC

Our local politicans


Well, I wanted color and boy I got it! What better way to have such colorful pictures than to check out the Gay Pride parade in NYC? It was my very first visit and I was not disappointed by the glamour, fun and camp. Saw quite a few local officials and politicians show up for the parade and walk in it. There was so much to look at and photograph, I was getting slightly dizzy moving my camera and eye around to try to get as much on camera as I could.


Candis Cane - Actress/transgender - Grand Marshall



a touch of whimsy



time to get the party started!

dancing sunflower

Mermaid Parade - Coney Island, NYC June 21, 2008

The Mermaid's Parade was very colorful and fun. I was there with a good friend on a picture expedition as we hear there's a battle to covert the Boardwalk to luxury towers and retail space while blocking the view to the beach and ocean.

It was a glorious first weekend of summer. The weather was great, the water and sand felt good between the toes, and the food was delicious. A ride on the Cyclone was a great way to end the day in Coney Island before heading on back to Manhattan for a quick dinner before going on home.

I've been attending artist showcases

And wanted to place some of what I've seen onto this site, because that's what this thing is all about.

I was feeling a bit stuck, and needed some inspiration. My close friends certainly were not providing much and going through their own creative turmoils. Was it just the weather? I wondered. Would it be a long wait til Spring when one can be more mobile and thus more inspired (at least in my case).


I checked what was going on in the neighborhood through myspace of all things. Lo and behold, I couldn't have picked a better time to go check some of the local talent out here in NYC.
March is Celebrating Women in History month.



This is Elena, who is a photographer and just lights up the room with her smile. She had just had her exhibit the day before I took this picture, and she was, as she puts it, still floating on air from the big reception and huge turnout of supporters to her show (me among them!). Here she is supporting a fellow artist's exhibit which was taking place the very next day.


Here is the packed house for her exhibit:









Here Elena was directing the crowd to check out some more artwork that was for display and for sale.





Here is Mia - her show was also a hit, lots of people came. She was a bit nervous but her artwork speaks for itself. She is finding her voice and is only getting stronger and better.





What was interesting was that it was nice to see someone human standing up there, someone who was passionate about their work but not necessarily a polished professional who had all the words or everything figured out neatly.


















Here is Maria. She is a spoken word/performance artist. She enacted a piece inspired by the writings and life of a famous Mexican saint, Sor Juana. Maria kept our attention with her focus and intensity.




Each of these women approach their art very uniquely and differently. Each had something positive and powerful to say. Each one had their own outlook and opinion on what they viewed. We saw what inspired them, what made them come to where they were currently at and gave a hint as to where they might go from here. The month is not over yet. There is still plenty I need to see and make a point of observing, learning and recording. Somehow I feel I'm stepping in and being a part of history in the making.

Energy renewed, inspiration coming!

SUPPORT YOUR LOCAL ARTISTS!!!

A dream of fresh vegetables, chocolate and chiles -- ahhhh, chiles from Oaxaca

all copyrighted - write me if you want to use any of these photos or copy them elsewhere.

Pictures from Oaxaca

Hello, my name is Dawn and I'm trying to create a new career for myself using some of my hobbies as a foundation or clue to build on. Photography is just one of my favorite hobbies -- and one I would like to pursue as a career, and make some good money in the process.

I am interested in travel photography and would love to hear from others and how they got there. How does one get paid gigs where the client pays for your trip and housing, and you get paid for your photographs? What is the process on selling your art, and what about ownership rights? How much should one ask when one is starting or barely starting, in order to give up one's rights to another in order to get published or pay one's rent? Where does one begin?

I am also interested in still life, food photography, as well as portrait and street life work. I'm going to open an account on flickr and hope to show more stuff that I've done.

Ah well, this is the beginning. I have a 35 mm Canon T50 camera and a Canon S2 IS digital camera. I'd love to hear from all of you. And I'm ready to go!