MORE THAN MONEY CAN BUY

You know you've hit the big time when you walk away from work with a bag of eggs as part of your wages!

So, this sweet old farm dude in crispy overalls was quietly admiring his grandson's basketball images that were a part of my sports action sale last Saturday. You could tell how proud he was of that boy as he flipped from image to image critiquing the 7 year old's talents only in the affirmative. From Old Farm Dude's comments I'm pretty sure that the boy is on his way to the NBA.

Pausing from his admirations, he asked me, "How much do you get for these here pictures of these kids?". I told him, and he went back to flipping through the photographs. After a few more glances he surprisingly placed the pictures back on the table and went his own way.

After my other table guests made their purchases and stepped away, Old Farm Dude shuffled back toward me with another question, "Miss, do you eat eggs?". Huh? Do I eat eggs? Who doesn't eat eggs, I thought, but I politely answered him with "Yes indeed, I do eat eggs".

Turns out...he had no money. But he had a "truck full of some of the biggest and best fresh farm eggs that anyone could get their hands on, which happened to be gathered just this very morning, and that truck happened to be parked right outside!"

Needless to say, he left grinning from ear to ear with his hand full of cherished images of his grandson in which he promised to share with his daughter.

The more I think about it, the more I figure that the old farm dude probably had more money in his wallet than I have seen in a while. And with a truck full of the biggest and best fresh farm eggs anyone can get their hands on he'll probably always have that fat wallet!

Know what I say to that? Good for Old Farm Dude in the crispy overalls! I was paid with a bag full of Simple Americana, and that's more than money can buy! It was AWESOME! I wouldn't have missed that trade for a double sale of sports images for cold cash! It just felt pure and wholesome for some reason.

If you happen to be on our side of town, stop by...we'll flip you the best egg and cheese sandwich you can get your hands on!

www.mastercreationsphoto.com

BE STILL

In my travels last week I past this barn almost every day. Each time I past it, I noticed I slowed down a bit and gazed. Its view gave me a much needed sense of calmness. A split second of "everything's going to be alright" feeling. I noticed a smile eeked out and I was pleased that my heart felt lighter in the passing.

I wondered why I felt so drawn to this scene. As the week went by I began watching for it a mile or so in advance. I never missed it.

I felt a kindred spirit with someones barn whom I do not even know, and had no clue why it seemed to be calling me by name. Maybe it was the golden hay field that lead to its neatly and totally filled corridors. That seemed orderly to me and I like that. Or was it the perfectly positioned and untattered flag that marked the very center of its front. It looks unmovable and somehow safe from danger in such a dangerous world.

I wasn't sure why this beautiful scene wrapped around me so, but I was certain that I needed to find a day in my crazy schedule to check it out through my lens because the "everything's going to be alright" feeling sure felt good!

After several typical shots, I decided to get closer and go lower to the ground as something was calling me there. Halfway through the fence and what I knew was now private property I laid tummy and chin to the cold ground as I looked toward the scene to get a glance of what would be my photograph. In my prostrate state, I lowered my camera to the ground and looked toward the darkening heavens and realized that even though the storms may brew, and the future may be uncertain, there's one thing that I know. He is constant. He will never change. He is God. In that I can rest.

It took a moment on the cold ground gazing at this beautiful scene to remind me to slow down and stop shoving my uncertainties to the back of my mind in hopes of their disappearing in the heat of my busy moments. When I do that, they do disappear, but only for a moment as they return void of any solution.

This moment was so much bigger than my uncertainties. In this moment I noticed how quiet it became, how quickly the winter drab and stormy day bursted with colorful contrast, and how I felt I could lie there forever in the quiet stillness of this moment as much peace filled my soul.

Hang-it Note

You know we're a CREATIVE, ok, maybe more like "strange" family when we scribe messages on anything that happens to be laying around the house! But the more I think about it, the more I appreciate his resourcefulness and willingness to save another tree by using it's mere offspring as a simple post-it note! Or in this case, "hang-it" note.

As I stumbled toward the kitchen at 4 a.m. for my morning cup of java I noticed this apple message that was hanging on the ribbon tied to the chandelier. The front simply says "Wake me". The back of it says "up when you get up". hmmmm....ooooooooook. That's just weird. But kinda cute, so time to grab a camera.

Since I am the mom, the first one with feet on the floor, and the pusher of time around here, I assumed the apple message was left for me. But who in the world would go to the trouble to write on half of an apple, tie it to a ribbon and hang it from the chandelier when they could just post a note to my coffee pot, computer, fridge, or most any other place in this house and I would surely see it within five minutes of my awakening? And why the heck would anyone get up as early as I do, that's just nuts.

I walked straight to his room and screamed... ETHAN!!!! WAAAAKE UP!!!

Next time he'll remember that mom is a very early riser!

www.mastercreationsphoto.com

Perspective

I shot these images one Sunday morning on the way home from my parents house in a little town called Tuscumbia, Alabama.

I stopped by an old industrial type building that I have watched rust and deteriorate all of my life. I grew up in this little town and passed this old place almost every day in the 80's and never thought enough about it to even ask what it was.

A few visits back as Jay and I were driving past we mentioned that there were a lot of cool photographic ideas there. It's interesting to think about how things that have been around you all your life are just etchings of nothing in your memory, but nonetheless, there. They have no real meaning other than a remembrance of home. But if you stop long enough to visually break the subject down into smaller parts, you will begin to see it differently. The lines and the curves start reaching toward you. The intricate details begin to look you in the face as to say, "it's about time you notice me!". Then comes the warm fuzzy feeling and recognition of days gone by.

I didn't shoot here long. It was very cold and my jacket was thin. Besides, there was an old man that came out of his little run down house across the street and began staring as if he would call 911 if I ventured out of his sight. So I got what I could, threw up my wave to let him know that the only thing I was taking with me were my images, and went on my way.

Wow! I love these shots! And to think, I always thought this old place was an eye sore!

So, if you have an opportunity this week to look at something familiar with a different perspective I suggest trying it. It will remind you to not hurry past the details of life. Embrace the images that have always been there but have no meaning. When you do, you will find that in all things there is something to appreciate. Always.

--pjO

TREE PEOPLE!

Let me tell ya... it's a pretty rare friend that will show up on your doorstep with a 15ft tree in one hand and a shovel in the other! But then there's only one Rob & Ann Hartle, so guess that's why this type of occasion only happens when they are in the neighborhood!

Ok, here's how it happened. Last Sunday afternoon the two of them decided to take a brisk winter walk. While walking they stumbled upon this 15ft Yoshino Cherry tree that someone just haphazardly yanked up out of the ground and tossed to the street! As they were passing the poor orphaned foliage they stopped and thought... "Wait a minute...didn't Jay and Pj say they wanted to plant a cherry tree?". I can imagine Rob standing on the side of the street staring at this sick and dieing jumble of tree mess as a little thought bubble with a light bulb suddenly popped up over his head! "Wife!- Let's go get the truck!"

And that, my friend, is what they did!

So an hour later, The Oleham's had their very first tree planting ceremony!

Today, Rob & Ann are happy that they muscled up and proved how much they love their freinds and the offspring of our Mother Earth! Jay & Pj are still laughing that a 15ft Yoshino Cherry tree rang their door bell! (But very happy that it did!) And Harty (named after her rescuers The Hartles) is just estatic to be with us, and doing very well in her new earthen den!

THANK YOU ROB & ANN! oh.... and have we mentioned that we would love to have a vegetable garden this spring?

CHRISTMAS CHAOS '08

THIS BLOG is an addition to our site for this year. Jason actually added it back in October but since I will be the main contributor, I thought starting January ’09 sounded like a good plan. So…Here we are!

The Holidays were crazy as usual, running to and fro with gift bags, cheese balls, and cider in hand. During the holidays if you miss seeing just ONE of your entourage of family members you will be on the naughty list for the whole next year! Believe me folks… it’s just not worth it!

“So, Jay, I’ve got the pounds and pounds of chocolates and cookies in tow. Pick up thy camera gear and let’s TRAVEL, Baby!” And, once again, that is what we did.

I am very thankful we got to see everyone. Just as it does every year, it reminded us of how important and essential family is. ALL family. Each and every person. Young to old. The ones you see and talk to from day to day to the ones you barely see at all. Each person has been placed in our lives for a reason, even if we don’t understand what it is yet. Those born into the family, those married into the family, and those who are neither, but feel like family! We are all here as family to love and to respect and to help one another along. OH, WHAT A GIFT!

We are looking forward to gaining a new family member in 2009! Sarah, our daughter will be wed this spring. Her fiancé, Josh, has already been a blessing in our lives and we are looking forward to many episodes of future “Family Christmas Chaos” with him as her husband. I prayed for many years that God would one day send that little girl a good man that would be strong enough to lead their family, but joyfully grant her liberty of her own views and interest. I believe my prayer is being answered. I’m excited to see what the years ahead hold for our family!

AS CRAZY AS WE ARE…WE DO LOVE!

So, HAPPY 2009 everyone!

Back from Jamaica!

It was absolutely awesome in romantic Negril, Jamaica! We landed on Tuesday evening after an eventful adventure of delayed flights, lost luggage, and resort cancellations, but nonetheless...we arrived! After a decent nights rest, we awoke Wednesday morning to scout photo op locations. As you can imagine, they were abundant!

Wednesday evening we met Taylor and Michael for a short shoot of "Trash the Dress" on the beach. It was so much FUN! Taylor purchased a special dress just to trash in the ocean. It was awesome! We found an old perfectly worn out fisherman's boat that we paid a local Jamaican to borrow. Taylor was game to jump in, I threw up some pole lighting (at Jay's direction) and Jay rocked the hammer for about an hour of shot after awesomely cool tropical shot of our beautiful bride and groom soaked in setting sun and salt water!

The actual wedding was Thursday the 11th at 4:00 p.m., but our shoot started at 10:00 a.m.! Yes! We are proud to say, we ushered in "The Alexander's" with quite a FLASH!!

Thank you Taylor and Michael! It was a great time with you! We wish you many years of happiness together! (Plus a whole house full of children!) :)

Blessings,
J & Pj