Wednesday, June 3, 2009

I Dreamed A Dream

***sigh*** I so wish I had the gift. I have always considered myself pretty good at most things, but never great at anything. The older I've gotten, the more I've learned to appreciate this. Being a jack-of-all-trades isn't all that bad. Gone are the grandiose ideas of being a piano playing genius. I'm content with my modest skills. I no longer hope to have my sketches and paintings hanging in an art gallery. Having them tucked away in my private studio (a special little cabinet in my game room) is more than fine. I know I will never don a gourmet chef's hat, but I can certainly hang with the domestic goddesses of the world. Writing a best-selling novel will never happen. Yet I have my sweet blog friends on which I can dump my blather. And the list goes on.

Of course there are those things I had once aspired to be that I've let go of out of necessity. The dreams of being a country music recording artist, a leading lady on the big screen or a dancing diva on Broadway have been laid to rest. Mostly because I cannot carry a tune in a bucket, my memory sucks, which would hinder my ability to remember all those lines, and I have two left feet! But there is one dream, one gift, I wish like everything I possessed. I wish...want...no, I yearn to be a great photographer. Not one that peddles their photographs. Not one that is publicly recognized. I want to be a photographer that captures life for myself and for those I know and love. I want the skill required to stop time with my photos and document emotions...relationships...feelings. I desire to create photographs with meaning. Does anyone out there know what I mean? I guess it is better put by saying I want to snap photos that have people saying, "awwwww". Even if it is only those directly connected to the subject.

Last Friday, I had the opportunity to photograph a wedding. To give you a little background information, I do not possess the skills I just mentioned. I don't shoot in manual mode. And I've never even taken a photography class. I am enrolled in a class that begins this month, but that wasn't doing me much good on Friday night. To say I was nervous is a MAJOR understatement. But it was for a dear friend. Her son was getting married and they were working within a tight budget so I was asked to help out. And of course I could not dream of saying no. A nervous Nelly I was. But I was excited at the same time. I tried to anticipate every possible problem. Extra camera...check. Additional charged battery...check. Valium...check (just kidding). Back up photographer...check. I convinced my daughter to tag along and snag some shots from different angles. I figured it best to increase my odds of getting a few good shots. I knew this would be an exhausting night and I was right. I began at 4:00 photographing the wedding party as they were getting dressed. And the festivities didn't end until almost 11:00. I. Had. A. BLAST!

I want to share a small sampling of what my little camera captured. And I do mean a small sampling. I took over 1000 photos...1028 to be exact. And that was just with my camera! See, I told you I wanted to increase my odds of snagging some good shots. LOL! Ironically, I think I only deleted 10-15 on my first run through. The others will require more scrutiny to see which ones make the cut. I was pretty pleased with the results. Most importantly, my friend, Pam, had tears in her eyes when she viewed them for the first time. I guess you could say it was a success.

One point to note, the actual ceremony was a bear to photograph. It took place on a deck overlooking a splendid mountain view. But I was required to snap directly into the sun...ughhh! Of course, the lighting was also less than stellar in the rooms where everyone was getting ready, but several of these shots are my favorite for the composition alone. And I'm still researching editing techniques. So please view these with a kind and forgiving eye and try to see the joy in these lovely faces. I honestly can say I've never seen a less stressed and happier couple on their wedding day. (You can click on the photos to enlarge them.)

Pre-ceremony photos:






After the ceremony:








The reception:





So I've bared my soul and shared my dream. And I've even shown you my first attempt at realizing this dream. How about it? What is one of your dreams...one you have already lived or one yet to be realized? I really want to know.

Love, L.

43 comments:

  1. you know that you are amazing, right?

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  2. U know....U got it babe....

    I just said "awwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww"

    These

    ARE

    AMAZING

    AMEN! :):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):)

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  3. I have one thing to say!
    AWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWW.............

    OMG.....these are STUNNING! I am not just saying this because I like you....and I do like you!!!! BUT truly, Lisa, these are beautiful!
    There is such LOVE and happiness in the face of the bride and groom! You so captured that! And the innocense in the flowergirls and how you got them to look so natural and comfortable in a photo!

    BRAVO! I believe you are on your way to being a professional photographer!
    This is YOUR calling in life....if you don't persuit it now...well then darlin, you are a FOOL! BRAVO!

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  4. I Love the first shot. Its precious. And I have never seen one set up like this. I worked as a childrens photographier for a couple of years and I completely loved it.

    Why not advertise around your town for a few practice / advertising sessions and see how you like it.

    For many years, my dream was to be a mother, and finally that came true. Now I desire to be published, but I would actually need to start submitting to make that happen. That takes so much time though.

    Good Luck my friend.

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  5. Oh Lisa...they are wonderful. I would be thrilled if they were mine!! My favorite is the little flower girl by the mirror. You did an excellent job and you should be very proud of yourself!!

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  6. Lisa, you are so inspiring. I always feel so uplifted after reading your blog, and I really look forward to it!
    Your pictures are.....AMAZING! I love them, if I ever got married...ok, well, got a boyfriend and then got married...I'd be honored to have you photograph it :)

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  7. I was actually taken back for a minute there when I read your story, especially those first words, because I've used that line soooo many times: pretty good at most things, but never great... This bothered me when I was younger, because it does mean I had to put some of my dreams away. I'll give you some examples.
    When I was younger, I wanted to be a singer ... I can hold my tune pretty well, and even at a very young age I knew all the English songs by heart. My fellow students were certain I'd make it big one day... However, I'm quite good in a karaoke bar, but that's where it ends.
    I can draw pretty good, I can pretty much draw (read: copy) everything that's in front of me, even 3D images but especially 2D images. Remember my "I love you as far as the moon and back LO", I drew that in a few minutes, without having to erase one single line. However, if you ask me to draw a bunny without an example, it might just have the looks of an elephant ... I just can't do it. It doesn't help that I don't have any imagination whatsoever!
    These are just a few examples, but really it's the story of my life. And even when I'm really good at something, there's always, and I mean always someone better than me, I'm the eternal second, you know ...
    This has had several consequences in my life which are still pretty obvious ... I have started with many things, hobbies, but never completed them, what's the point if you can't excell??? It left me a bit insecure on one hand, and overconfident at the other. This sounds like a contradiction, I know, let me try to explain. When I start out on something, I do this with a fair amount of self-confidence, because I have never really tried anything I really suck at. However, because I'm never the best, or because I never have been that good that I can make a living out of it, there's always that little voice inside of me that insists on telling me I'll never stand out and never accomplish something truly amazing. Does this make sense?? I know, I'm complicated, always have been LOL.
    Anyway, photography has always been one of those dreams of mine I have never persued, because unlike yours, my photos are quite ordinary. But really Lisa, your photos are awesome!!! I would love to have had pics like that of my wedding! Not only are they pretty to look at, you've captured some pretty amazing and adorable moments. My favorite one is of the groom and the bride dancing and laughing together, that one definitely, for me, has the wow-factor. But they are all wonderful, and I think if you really set your mind to it and learn about different techniques like lighting and such, you might have a future in it! I really believe you can do anything!
    Sorry, didn't mean to write a book ... you hit a nerve with this post I guess.
    Love xxx Peggy

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  8. I know I know, I wrote too much already, but still ... I forgot to say Christina asked me to thank you for your awesome comment on her LO. She's so proud and excited to have received so many wonderful comments! Thanks from me too, this meant a lot to me!
    Love ya xxx Peggy

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  9. Oh Lisa....the photos turned out wonderful!!!! You did a FABULOUS Job!!!!! I so admire you and you need to give yourself more credit sweet friend....seems to me that you excel in more than you give yourself credit for!!!!! Dreams.....Of course I always wanted to be published in a magazine with a scrapbook page....that has not happened....but you never know.....my biggest dream....to be the best person that I can.....to be giving, open minded, open heart, and most of all that the Dear Lord would be proud of me!!!!! I just love you and I am so glad that we have one another in our lives. Joe and I got such a tickle of all the pics that Callista posted and see we were able to share in that!!!!!! I am so proud to have you in my life!

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  10. All I can say is AWWWWWWW.....Lisa, these photos are beautiful and you really captured the emotion and love with your lens. Keep up this dream - you are seriously talented!

    Your post reminded me so much of myself, lol, jack of all trades, master to none - how I have always seen myself. But now at this point in my life they don't seem as important as my new dream, being a good mom. :)Thanks for sharing your dream with us today! :)

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  11. Seeing these.....I can say one thing for certain - you do not have a dream of being a photographer - YOU ARE A PHOTOGRAPHER. These are just beautiful, there is so much much joy and happiness in every one of them and it does take a 'great' eye to capture that. Brilliant...you should be so proud of these and yourself!!!!

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  12. Lisa...you rocked that camera Girl!! I LOVE that pic of the flower girl looking at her dress in the mirror. Totally made me say awwww.
    I would love to become super at photography too but my real lifelong dream is to write and illustrate a book for kids. Shhhh!

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  13. well, i think you did a great job. the candids are my fave and the different perspectives...to me that is what makes a great photographer...their perspective not just how the photo turned out, kwim? {i.e. a bit to light...a bit to dark} that one of them laughing and her nuzzling in his ear is awesome and the flower girl in the mirror! CUTE.

    i am stoked for you that you took a step towards your dream a lot of ppl are too chicken. and having a friend that has faith in you is pretty darn amazing if you ask me.

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  14. You did such a great job! I'm sure you will become the photographer you want to be, you're already so talented!

    I know how you feel, I'm good at a lot of things and a master of none. (and I use the term "good" loosely) lol That can be very aggravating when you're wanting to excel at something and it just doesn't happen. Oh well, you're right, being a jack of all trades is great!

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  15. Those are WONDERFUL!!! And I wouldn't stress about the lighting, photoshop can now do wonders... But the ones you posted as straight out of the camera look just wonderful!

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  16. My dream is to write a book on my life and have it publish and sell lots and lots of it.
    Your pictures are great, natural, spontanious. The couple are beautiful, so is the rest of the party. Thank you for sharing your talents.

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  17. Wow Lisa, you did a PHENOMENAL job!
    What kind of camera do you have? I am may-jah impressed!
    As far as dreams go I have many. I have always dreamt of being a singer but my nerves get the best of me. All of my friends/family urge me to try out for American Idol but I haven't. Maybe next year? ;) I also love to write and would love to write children's books. Perhaps Melonie can illustrate for me? ;)

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  18. Lisa, those are awesome! They are the happiest couple I have ever seen! You should be very proud of yourself, one MAJOR step in the dream department. My wedding photography was in the biz for 35 years and messed up every shot in the church, needless to say I was heart broken over it. Still bitter about it to be honest.

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  19. Great photos!! Im sure the couple will be thrilled with them, and the joy in each of them is evident with your great shots!

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  20. WOW!!! Lisa, you rocked taking those photos. I too love the first photo you shared. It is priceless... I know the couple will love them, and all those Candid shots... thats what its all about, real people, real time, having fun!! It's funny how we all think we are good at somethings but not Great... why is it we need to be Great... I've learned if I can do something well it most likely is better than someone else can do so that makes me Great... You get it? Lisa you are Great!!
    xoxox

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  21. Aren't you signed up for KR's class that starts in 2 1/2 weeks? I have high hopes that it will make me into a stellar photographer. LOL
    And I love the picture of the flower girl looking in the mirror. You got some great pictures.

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  22. My word...Lisa, those are beautiful! They are absolutely as good as the professional photographer we had at our wedding! Seriously...fantastic photos!

    PS--I finally figured out how to make my real name show up on my comments!

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  23. Wow... the photos are stunning! You are truly amazingly gifted girl!

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  24. You are amazing and modest... your photos turned out awwww worthy !!! I have the same dream you do, with the photography. One day we will meet that dream. You are very close already! You have talent at writing, You blog today was brilliant!! Thank You for sharing...<3 Jamie

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  25. Hey Lisa, I just saw you've joined the Forward Progress team ... CONGRATULATIONS!!! Can't wait to see your contributions there. They are obviously thrilled to have you ... who wouldn't!
    Love xxx Peggy

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  26. Aww Lisa it's a wedding and you captured it beautifully. The bride has a beautiful smile and you can see the love and joy the bride and groom share in the pictures YOU took...Congrats! My dreams were to become a writer and to have a beautiful family of my own one day...and both those dreams have come true! :) Lucky me I am!

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  27. great job!
    i intend to try hybrid scrapbooking, and make my living writing full time one day :)

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  28. Great job!!!!

    Blessings,
    Christine

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  29. Lisa!!! AWESOME JOB!!! Im sure they will be very happy with them!!! I want to take a photography class......but I never seem to have the time!!!

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  30. Lisa, those pictures are amazing. You did such an amazing job catching the emotion of the day! I love the poses too!

    P.S. Thanks for missing me! :)

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  31. oh my gosh! You did AMAZING!!!!! Photography is my weak link in this hobby- in fact, I need to upgrade my camera and take some classes myself SOON. I am so impressed - these are awesome!!!!!! If I were the bride, I'd be thrilled! And thank you for your sweet blog comment btw! 44 is right around the corner so I take all the compliments I can get girl! lol xOxO

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  32. Lisa I've come to the conclusion that we have alot in common. Ir's scary! Great photos.

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  33. Lisa, Your dreams may come true as your photos are absolutely gorgeous!

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  34. Beautiful photos! Follow your dream!

    CONGRATS on Forward Progress... you go girl! :-)

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  35. These photo's are just perfect, nothing staged or posed just, as you said, time frozen for posterity! Such gorgeous subjects & such obvious joy really brought a broad smile to my face. Whatever course you're taking this month, don't get too caught up with the techie stuff, seems to me you have the knack right there! Just go for it in the confidence that you ARE good!!

    My own dream for some time now is to be published! I even enrolled on a correspondence writing course years ago & never completed it, life got in the way! Maybe one day!!!

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  36. Girl, I love your photos!!! Awesome job and so much better than the regular posed ones you get at weddings. You really captured the hearts and feelings! Wonderful job Lisa.

    Hey, I always wanted to be a comedian on Johnny Carson and a race car driver and drive with A.J. Foyt! Go figure. But alas, I am so much like you, a jack-of-all-trades, ace of none! Not a dang thing wrong with that girlfriend! We are women, hear us roar. Oh geez, showing my age.

    Have a marvelous weekend and snap up some photos!! xoxoxox

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  37. These photos are gorgeous - you definitely have "the eye" ;)

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  38. You have the gift....The god given gift to catch real life captured in a second of time. Beautiful pictures. I do not edit my photos thought there are many that could be enhanced. I love the rough edges, the blur and the true life just as it the could see. I totally get what you are going for. Jump in don't just get your feet wet....Just do it. My dream....Long story short....I was 11 at a craft fair with my G-Ma and I see the little old country house....Go inside....Crafters dream. Handmade beauties all over then a split level that was a workshop...supplies and classroom. I will one day own my own shop just like that one. I love to teach arts, crafts and scrapbooking....Creativity period. It is the desire of my heart to bring out what has been laid dormant. Everyone has creativity inside them....Most will pursue it and some are scared....It is so refreshing when you finally do something you have been wanting to do for a long time. Kind of like being set free. Love the pics....Sorry for taking up all your comment space!!!! Hugs.

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  39. OMG! The wedding photos are AWE-SOME!!! There...you got an AWWWW! he, he, he!!! & the couple is so cute...you captured some amazing moments for them...in just these few photos that you shared! WOW!!!

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  40. Girl! I can't even begin to think of my dream after seeing how totally awesome your photos are! SHEESH Girl these so ROCK!!!! You captured such feeling and love! Just stunning in everyway!

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  41. wow, for not being a 'photographer', you got some amazing shots!!! Love them all!!

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  42. oh lisa, i got tears in my eyes looking at those (seriously!). You DID capture the emotion and took shots that made me say awww. No wonder your friend was happy with them, and you should be too! I'm sure the remaining 1000 photos lol are great too! Keep realizing that dream, my friend!

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