Portrait of bluberries

Portrait of bluberries, originally uploaded by m2bright.

I snapped this with an iPhone. I loved light on the berries. When I think of berries, I like to think of fresh berries in water and delicious to taste. When I saw these in this light I had to snap this and savor the flavor forever! Yum!

Sisters

Sisters, originally uploaded by m2bright.

My wife and her sister. They are the closest of friends. In this image, the closeness of the two of them can be seen. When you look at them, they exude love. They are quite the pair. They play together and laugh together.

While we were at the cabin over the weekend, I asked them to pose for me. I wanted to experiment with the light. What sports! They posed and did a wonderful job. This shot was after a candid moment of them goofing around. They speak wonders in their eyes.

What Drives Me?

So today I am at a cabin in the Uintah Mountains. Of late I have been focusing a lot on my photography. Working on trying to get more and more business. Trying to find models and people who would be willing to have me take their picture. I think a lot of people view pictures and such differently than I do.

Growing up, my family did not have a lot of pictures taken. I can remember a handful of photos that were taken of me, these generally being school pictures or weddings. As I have thought about this, I have come to the conclusion that this is really what people think about photography, an event or something to remember.

Several years ago, my father gave me my first experience with Digital SLR. We went on a “photo safari” across the state of Washington. We went to the backside of Mount Ranier, and there in the rainforest, yes there is a natural rainforest on the backside of the mountain, I fell in love with photography. He gave me his old Canon Rebel, under the pretense that he wanted a new one, which he got the 5D Mark II, and since then, I have fallen more and more each day in love with the art.

As I ponder more and more on my story, I am trying to look inward on why I love it so much. Over the last few days, I have been pondering this, and now, as I sit the table in the cabin, eating Cinnamon Toast crunch, I have a moment to reflect on this. I seek to answer the proverbial question: Why do I do this? What motivates me?

Why do I do this?
When I first started, I was taking pictures of just about anything I could. Nature was the big theme: Trees, branches, fields, flowers, bees, bugs and insects. I remember, however, that I was focusing more on the composition than on the subject. I was just basically, pointing and shooting. Gradually over time, I came to realize that people were the most intriguing subjects for me. I wanted to shoot people because I love the emotion, feeling and expression that people share. I remember that I went to a parade in North Dakota, and while sitting on the side of the road, taking pictures of the people and cars and things. The people were great. While the parade was going, a 3 person party walked down the street with the nations flag. The men were solemn and gracious. I snapped a shot of a man in a Yellow shirt, a solemn expression on his face, told the story in nothing but his demeanor

20070614-solemnplayer-flickr, originally uploaded by m2bright.

. I still love that shot. It is one of my favorites.

While I was still there snapping pictures, just shortly after that man walked passed, a little kid came through in the Wellsfargo Wagon, with his father. He was in the wagon. I snapped a shot and that picture became a favorite of mine as well

20070614-throughthewindow-flickr, originally uploaded by m2bright.

.

I have slowly come to realize that I love photography people and events. I feel however, that a lot of times what we are missing are sweet and tender moments that pass us by because we are too busy focusing on what is coming next. I think that is what I love most about photography. It gives me a moment to capture those tender moments and hold on to them. Sure, you have to make a living and sustain yourself with photography or some other means, but I think I will focus more on gaining a special moment and capturing it. When I work with models, I want them to feel that this moment is a fun and special moment, not just a moment where they have to work and once it’s over they will get paid. I hope that when I work with someone they will see that I am excited to be taking their picture and that they can share in the excitement as well.

Now, I am definitely not an experienced photographer, but I will get there. I hope that I can share my feelings and excitement with all.

The beginning

sunrise, originally uploaded by m2bright.

When I started this blog, I started by thinking about what I wanted to accomplish and what I wanted to share. I have since watched many podcasts and other videos and people who have told me that the important part of a blog is to present yourself and or photos.

In this feeling, I am posting this shot of r a sunrise. This was shot in Colorado from the National Monument. I wanted to get something beautiful. I wanted to get the "bug" the photography bug. After this shot, it bit me hard! I love photography. And I hope to share a little more of me in the future.