Life

Life is full of days, hours and minutes. Sometimes in those days and hours you may have lost track of what you really want in life. And those around you that use to be so close may have also lost track of what they want in their lives. Things happen that can never be forgotten but they happened, all you can try to do is move on and tell those around you that the only thing that really matters now is today, tomorrow and the future. Take in the sunshine, be strong and know that life can be a beautiful thing. Each and every day can be the rest of your life so try to make the most of it.

The Season Is Coming...

Winter can drag on, the snow can be brown, the sun setting early. Then, in a matter of a few days it can all change. The sun is higher in the sky and awake for an hour longer, the snow melts, the temperature rises and before you know it the grass is turning green, the tulips and lillies blooming and along comes one of my favorite times as a photographer....


Wedding season... Not that there's a true "season", it's not like hunting season, fishing season, baseball season. But there is surely an influx of couples becoming one, taking the journey together for the rest of their lives, opening the new chapter that reads forever...


It's that season that I love. So much of me enjoys shooting the weddings, capturing the emotions and being part of the couples day. So it's the coming months I long for. When I'm not doing much portrait work, when I get to enjoy the other part of my studio, the part that gets to sit and work at a desk and get the shots ready for viewing. Sending the e-mail - "your pics are up" and getting that reply. The words that lift me even higher knowing that I have done what I long to do. I captured the moments and gave the couple the opportunity to relive the day. An opportunity that they can do time and time again...


Because this, this is what I love to do... So great it is!!!

Sometimes we just need to stop and think...

A friend of mine shared this with me, and you can surely look at it from a point of view that could bring sorrow, depression, worry. Or from the other direction of living life, here now and today... Either way, it's worth watching... And sharing...

Mans Best Friend

As a photographer, and I believe this goes for any of us, we have shoots that at times don't really catch our interest, while at other times we can't wait to get the camera into our hands. And then there are times when you're not quite sure what to expect. Like shooting all the employees of a company. You're in a position where you have a very limited amount of time to interact, break down a barrier and capture the moments. And to add a little more to the mix is all the employees and their pets. And that's what I recently did for a local Vet Hospital. Roaring Brook Animal Hospital in Canton, Ct. to be exact.

So as it begins - I do what I do, I capture the shots. And then I slowly began to realize how close we all are to our furry friends. How the energy between us and the four legged ones is something that can not be compared to anything in the world. The comfort, the love, the friendship and more. So I sit and think about how at certain times, and I'm sure this is true for many, we will get frustrated with these friends because all they want is love and all we want is sleep, relaxation time or the need to get something done.

Maybe they trip up your feet while you're trying to cook, maybe they try to sneak out the door because they don't want to be left alone or maybe they wine because they just want to be touched. There are so many things that they need much like ourselves.

Love, friendship and caring. Touches, smiles and kisses.

The shoot with all the employees and their pets at Roaring Brook brought so much light back into it. The certain glow that comes from holding our companions, or getting that slobbery lick across the face. I guess what I'm getting at in my own head is that they need us just as much as we need them. When we need to relax maybe they know that which is why they come over. Maybe they know better than us?

I believe I read some where that petting a furry four legged friend can even bring your blood pressure down and become a healing touch? Maybe next time you're sitting there and your companion is at your feet you'll reach down and give that belly a rub... Or pat him/her on the head and just look into their eyes. Or maybe... Just maybe, you'll reach down, scoop them up and pull them close.

Because there's one thing I know for sure.

Falling into an afternoon nap with that friend pulled close is something that is surely priceless...

Musical Energy...

There is one thing that almost everyone in the world, and yes, I said everyone in the world can relate to. And that's music. I personally don't think it matters if you speak the language or not, even if you can hear or not. Because one way or another you will feel the energy. That certain feeling that music can bring over ones soul. A true energy like no other, an energy that can take your state of mind and transfer it to a better place. An energy that can unite two strangers and bring them to common ground. It's this energy that I don't believe anyone doesn't, at one point in their life or another, feel.

MUSIC:

mu·sic Key - Show Spelled Pronunciation[myoo-zik]

–noun
1.
an art of sound in time that expresses ideas and emotions in significant forms through the elements of rhythm, melody, harmony, and color.
2.
the tones or sounds employed, occurring in single line (melody) or multiple lines (harmony), and sounded or to be sounded by one or more voices or instruments, or both.
3.
musical work or compositions for singing or playing.
4.
the written or printed score of a musical composition.
5.
such scores collectively.
6.
any sweet, pleasing, or harmonious sounds or sound: the music of the waves.
7.
appreciation of or responsiveness to musical sounds or harmonies: Music was in his very soul.

And it's music that has carried on in this head of mine through each and every day. Maybe not the same music as everyone else, but music none the less.

And it's the energy that comes along with the music in my head that can carry me to happy places at a time when maybe things aren't so happy. Or bring me back to points in my where there is a memory that should never be erased, good or bad. It's this energy that so many more people should reach out and pull in. Take hold and let the beats carry each footstep through out the day..... To let the music, as they say, soothe the soul. To hold the words close, take the beats in and just let it be. Let it carry your worries, stresses and fears away.

Play it loud, play it happy and most of all sing along. And when someone looks at you, sing louder! You never know, maybe your own energy will carry that person on through their day. Just let it take you to better places.

~ SHINE ON ~

February and the Ground Hog and Hearts

February seems to be one of those months of mixed emotions, weather and light. I mean come on, it's a month where the weather is mostly dictated by a ground hog! I know right, a ground hog... Comes out of his hole, looks at us all like we've gone mad and goes right back down into his hole...

From Wikipedia:

"Groundhog Day or Groundhog's Day is a holiday celebrated United States and Canada on February 2nd. In weather lore, if a ground hog, also known as a woodchuck, marmot or ground squirrel, emerges from its burrow on this day and fails to see its shadow because the weather is cloudy, winter will soon end. If the groundhog sees its shadow, it will return into its burrow, and the winter will continue for 6 more weeks."

Along with that groundhog, shadow or not, it is still winter. February can bring to us here in the northeast, beautiful 50 degree sunny days, then 48 hours later, 15 inches of snow and 20 degree bone chilling days. Full of extremes, full of drama. LOL... Along with the drama of the month comes Valentines Day. I personally have mixed feelings here. When I think back, the happy Valentines memories come from grammer school. Being in 3rd grade and making all the valentines for friends and a special one for that girl you would pick on at recess. You know, your first girlfriend... ;o)

Again from wikipedia:

"Valentine's Day is holiday celebrated on February 14th. It is the traditional day on which lovers express their love for each other; sending Valentines Day, or gifting candy. It is very common to present flowers on Valentine's Day. The holiday is named after two among the numerous Early Christian martyrs named Valentine. The day became associated with romantic love in the circle of Geoffrey Chausser in High Middle Ages, when the tradition of courtly love flourished.

The day is most closely associated with the mutual exchange of love notes in the form of "valentines." Modern Valentine symbols include the heart-shaped outline and the figure of the winged cupid. Since the 19th century, handwritten notes have largely given way to mass-produced greeting cards. The mid-nineteenth century Valentine's Day trade was a harbinger of further commercialized holidays in the United States to follow. The U.S. Greeting Card Assoc. estimates that approximately one billion valentines are sent each year worldwide, making the day the second largest card-sending holiday of the year behind Christmas. The association estimates that women purchase approximately 85 percent of all valentines."

So I guess it's all good right??? Share the love, the enjoyment and the feelings that are all around. Or not...

Anyway, to celebrate February, and the rebuild of http://www.tabphotographic.com/ which will be live with in the next 24-48 hours, as well as Valentines day I will be offering special discounts on photo sessions booked for February and March. Maybe you want to get your sweet someone a photo shoot of you both together, or a most sultry shoot alone as a surprise gift for your sweet heart. Or maybe it's time to get some new shots of the kids. What ever your needs are, all photo sessions for February and March will be greatly discounted to welcome in the spring, the new website rebuild and February as a whole!!!

Most of all, shine on!

Relax, take your shoes off, stay a while...

I won't go on about how I love what I do, I think I've made that clear enough times... I just needed to get some thoughts out of this head of mine. Because I remember one thing my father said before he passed away, that no matter how great business is, and how busy you can make yourself, remember to stop and enjoy it all. Enjoy the people around you, enjoy the smiles and moments, enjoy what your life has become. And at times, stop and enjoy the work you have created.

I find that last one to be the toughest. Sitting back and looking at what I have created, and enjoying it. I tend to pick it apart. Is that what makes me push myself further? I can't say as if I know. What I do know is that I think it's time, it's time that I put some time aside to just stop and look at everything around me. Take it in, enjoy it and pull it all close. I actually believe that it may just be what I need to do so that I can continue to grow as a photographer an artist and a person....

Time to relax, take my shoes off and stay a while...