Michaela's Photography

Shot of Inspiration | Week 8: Reflection

I almost never share a picture of me ... it's terrible how much I don't like to be photographed.  I believe so strongly in women trusting me to photograph them and trust that I see them as beautiful ... I love when women finally relax and have fun ... that's when their inner beauty shines!  Yet, I'm not very good about trusting the camera to be turned at me.  So here I am the way I feel most comfortable ... behind the camera ... I love to observe the world, I enjoy watching others and seeing beauty in everything around me ... keeping the attention away from me ... it's the way I like it ... I'm perfectly content this way.    ~Michaela

Now go check out Nicole Gerhardt Photography!

 

Shot of Inspiration | Week 7: Wings

This week our word is "Wings" ... I decided to pull this one out of the vault ... it was a camping trip at the beach in 2009.  Eddie found a feather and decided to try flying!  I love his sun kissed little body with sand stuck all over his back from rolling around on the beach all day.  Here's a link to the entire post that year: Our Summer Camping at the Beach 2009 ... It's been a while since I've looked back on these images, I'm so glad I have them, our Sadie girl has passed away since then and my boys have grown so much!  I love that the boys have sand from head to toe in almost all of them ... they had it in their ears and eyes and could care less!

 

And here's the link to Nicole Gerhardt Photography to see her image for the word "wings"!

~Michaela

Michaela's Photography and Turning Leaf Productions ... Presents ... A Family Movie

I'm so excited to share a special collaboration with Turning Leaf Productions ... A Family Movie session!

It was a cold fall day with a dusting of snow on the ground ... We started at the Farmers market and ended with a picnic in a pretty little field.  Chuck did an amazing job of capturing Chad, Tami and especially Avery!  

I have so many fun ideas for future Family Movie Sessions ... this would make such an incredible Holiday gift for your family in 2012!

www.theturningleaf.net 

 

 

 

 

Shot of Inspiration | Week 6: Bloom

I took this photograph today and thought it would be the perfect image for the word "Bloom".  I'm so excited for this new mommy ... Spring babies are so fun, it's such a beautiful time for babies ... new life is blooming all around us right now!  ~Michaela

And now check out Nicole Gerhardt and her image for the word bloom!

 

 

Shot of Inspiration | Week 5: Perspective

I've had a busy month!  I've been working on some changes I'm planning to make in my photography business, my boys are playing spring sports and the days just seem to pass by so fast.  A friend of mine has recently been diagnosed with stage 3 cancer, it has been an eye opening experience!  I spent her first day of chemo with her, it was a long process and when that first dose of chemo was injected into her body it was a heart wrenching moment.  We did spend most of the day actually laughing and chatting with a few other girl friends ... at the end of the day my friend thanked us for spending the day with her and said it felt like a day at the spa with the girls!  She is so inspiring as are the other cancer patients I met that day.  Such warriors! ... My friend Cathy wanted me to document her day and I'm so glad I did!  When this cancer nightmare is over she will be able to look back on these images and remember all that she has over come!  I love that Cathy has her "cancer chicken" and rosary with her for comfort ... and lots of great girl friends cheering her on!   ~Michaela

Shot of inspiration | Week 4: Treasure

I can't believe it's week 4 already ... here's where we started A shot of inspiration | Week 1 !  Our word this week is "Treasure" and to be honest it was due yesterday and I still had no clue what I was going to photograph.  I've been so busy with so many things I'm passionate about ... I spent some time yesterday at our local Boys and Girls Club, I've been so excited because the club got 9 new garden beds filled with fresh soil ... I volunteered yesterday helping the kids plant some seeds for their new garden.  I wanted the kids to learn not only about growing their own food to enjoy all summer while they are at the club but also about recycling and reusing things from home to start the garden.  We used egg shells and egg cartons as mini green houses ... we also used an apple juice bottle and poked holes on the lid for our watering can!  The kids planted peas, beets and spinach seeds and then we headed out to the garden to plant an entire box full of strawberries! 

I can teach my kids at home about gardening, but I believe in community and want my boys to share in a community garden ... I want to be an example and show them that sharing and volunteering in a community is valuable and important.

I will "treasure" the time I spent with the kids ... seeing the excitement and enjoyment they got out of our experience ... especially this little "treasure" the kids found in the fresh soil in our new garden beds! 

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I then spent yesterday evening attending a parenting workshop with Candyce Bollinger (Another passion of mine ... getting parent support and education in our schools. For the past year I have been working with my school district to begin offering parent education.) Last night I attended a workshop geared towards teens on "Resiliency and Learning Optimism". I learn so much at every workshop but this one was one of my favorite. It was so hopeful, especially in a time of economic and political uncertainty ... war ... and negative media ... it was nice talking about how to help our kids be optitmistic about their future.   A few parents shared some publications about positive news, about the people and ideas that are changing our world for the better. I thought these would be great to share especially for teens.  Ode Magazine  and  Good News Network. 

And now check out Nicole Gerhardt for her take on the word "treasure"!

Shot of Inspiration | Week 3: Sweet

The word this week is "Sweet" and my inspiration is sweet simplicity ... I like to keep things simple ... keeping the focus on the subject ... not a lot of fuss or props.  The weeks are flying by so fast! ... And now follow along to the next photographer and see her image for the word sweet:  Nicole Gerhardt

 

Shot of Inspiration | Week 2: Pattern

I can't believe it's already been 2 weeks since my last post here's  Week 1: Inspiration .  The word this week is "pattern" ... I've been knitting lately, I don't know how to read a pattern and the only pattern I know is the knit/pearl.  I would love to take a class and learn more but for now I just make square blankets ... I thought these would be beautiful to use for my baby photography.  I love beautiful bright colors and knitting these blankets has been a nice way to relax in the evening ... I love that one strand of string looped together can make this beautiful simple pattern.  And now follow along to the next photographer and see what inspires her when she thinks of the word "pattern" ... the lovely Nicole Gerhardt !

 

Shot of Inspiration | week 1: Inspiration

This year I have joined a group of photographers from around the world, including Australia, Canada, and all over the US.  We are working on a project called "Shot of inspiration" it is a bi-weekly project focused on embracing our creative heart, a fabulous term from the amazing Barb Uil of JinkyArt. As professional photographers we often get caught up in the business of photography and stop shooting for ourselves. Focusing on our creative heart is a reminder to look inside, explore the possibilities, think outside the box, and create art for art’s sake. This is a challenge to push our creative self and stay inspired.

Our theme for week 1 is inspiration ... My favorite subjects are photographing babies ... and what inspired my love of babies since I was a little girl ... is looking at my own baby pictures!  I loved looking at all the little details of what my life looked like back then ... how my mom was always so perfectly dressed  ... me in the most beautiful baby clothes ... I still have most of those clothes today ... I love them and treasure them!  I especially loved that my early childhood was spent in Germany and the beauty and simplicity of the european baby clothes and bedding.  I loved looking at these pictures when I was a little girl, feeling so adored and special.  When I photograph families, I always think about how much my images will mean to my clients many years from now ... but I especially think about the little ones who will not have memories but only beautiful photographs to see how much their parents loved and adored them!  ~Michaela

 

Now meet the next photographer in our group and see what she has come up with for her image on the word "inspiration" ... Nicole Gerhardt .

"Bill & Alice" ... Michaela's Lifestyle Photography

For as long I can remember I have loved going into a complete strangers home, looking at their photo albums and hearing their stories.  We all have a story and that is what draws me to photography more than anything ... I want to tell your story.

I've been with my husband Ed for over 22 years and have heard many stories about Uncle Bill & Aunt Alice ... They are 93 & 94 years old and have been married 69 years!  They remind me so much of the movie "Up".  They never had children but had many years of "Adventures" on their 48' Chris Craft Boat and building a successful business together.   I asked Ed's parents if we could take a trip to visit with them so I could take their pictures and document their incredible story.  Ed and I drove down with his parents and spent some time visiting with Bill & Alice.  They are sharp as a tack and had so many memories to share!  A few days later I found out about StoryCorps and now hope to record a bit of their story and wisdom for living such a long life and marriage.  At the bottom of this post is a link to one of the sweetest stories from StoryCorp ... the story of "Danny & Annie" ... grab some tissue before you start to watch!  Enjoy!  ~Michaela

 

 

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