Oregon Coast Exploring

It has been quite a wet spring season here in the Pacific Northwest. Though an once in a while the sun would poke out from behind the clouds and brighten up the skies.

As a family we took a trip to the Oregon Coast this past April for boy scout family camp out. The forecast was sunny and bright as we began our drive out to Beverly Beach and the view along the way was gorgeous. Green fields, vineyards, forests and mountains, who could ask for better scenery on a drive! We pulled into the camp site and the rain began to fall and the wind blew. Assuming this was to be the outlook for the weekend we were glad to have our heated yurt!

Saturday morning had a few weather breaks and so we made hike out onto the beach. Oh how I miss the beach! Growing up in southern California I was spoiled being able to enjoy the warm weather and going to the beach; definately took it for granted.

Here everyone was bundled up in their winter jackets and hats to spend an hour walking along the shoreline. There is always a calm and peacful feeling sitting watching the waves crash and wash up by your feet. The kids dug in the sand, checked out the seaweed, rocks and shells scattered about. Damon even climbed up the large sand wall and attempted to ride a piece of driftwood down; didn't quite work :) As we made our way back to camp, the rain returned so we decided it was time for lunch. Just enough time for it to pass.

Since the sun was back out and no rain clouds in site we wandered off to Yaquina Head to explore the light house and tide pools. What a great idea! The kids (and grown ups) had a blast checking out the light house and climbing the stairs to the top and looking out over the beach. We then drove over to the tide pools and were able to see the sealions sun bathing on the rocks and check out a few tidal pools.

After enjoying the experience at Yaquina we decided to drive a few miles and see Devil's Punch Bowl. We found a chained off trail and ducked under the trail out sign to a beautiful section of beach! A small waterfall to the right and the "punch bowl" to the left. The tide was on it's way out and the access to the punch bowl meant sliding off the shoes and rolling up the jeans. And yes the water is very cold but the loor of taking some fun pictures was more than enough to justify the cold! And of course Damon decided to just jump the water and head off in front of me. He was just as excite to explore inside the huge rock bowl as I was :)

As energy levels were running low and the kids had their fill of fresh air, it was time to head back to camp and join the company of friends. The scout trips have been definately worth while to get us out of the house and offer an opportunity to spend time with other families. We have a wonderful troop and look forward to other adventures with them!

Along with the few pictures above, below is a slide show of a few of the sites we saw on trip to the coast... Enjoy!

Stay tuned...

New posts coming this weekend from our weekend trip to the coast! :)

Inspiration and Passion...

There is something inside each of us that drives us to persue our dreams, visions and desires. I suppose some have not been able to follow their passions because of work, family or a hat full of other responsiblities and duties. I reached the point that I can't push it off any more over a year ago and I'm so glad I decided to follow my dreams!
I have a ways to go but I am closer to achieving my visions than I was two years ago and will continue to move forward. There is no better feeling than being behind the camera capturing and creating memories that will last generations. The satisfaction of knowing that there is purpose and enjoyment to each print.

If you enjoy music, play as if you are pouring out your soul for all to hear!
If dance is what your heart desires, move your feet, sway your body, allow your passion to flow through you for the world see and feel!

If adrenaline pulls you to your next adventure, jump in both feet!

I will be out there with my camera looking for the next moment to capture, to share your story, to imprint in time what pulls you to your destinations! The world is full of opportunities, we have but to act and make our own adventures and persue our passions. It may take some extra effort and time but it is so worth it!

Always accept a helping hand, a step up, advice anyone is willing to share with you and when the chance comes along, share what you learn with someone else to push them along!

Busy, Busy, Busy!!

Wow, what a week!
It started off with a Sunday afternoon shoot in Portland. I met up with a couple that will be getting married later this year and needed some engagement pictures. Since we lived in opposite directions we decided to meet in Portland. The Portland train station is a lovely brick building with a garden patio out front, the bus terminal next door and the Broadway bridge is just behind it. So much character in one place! Unfortunately due to the weather, we did not have much time but we were able to get some beautiful pictures before the inevitable rain appeared.
On Monday I learned some valuable information on website layout and the ever growing world of social media. Facebook, Myspace, twitter, blogs... there is so much out there it's mind blowing. Some wonderful tips and tricks to help get my business on the right track. If you would like some help in the Tualatin area, Daniel Payne is great person to talk to. A link to his business: http://www.tualatinweb.com/
Towards the middle of the week, I starting having problems with my prints, not a fun thing to deal with! Time to break down and get that monitor calibrator. The good news it worked, the bad news I need to review some photos to make sure the color balance is right. Gotta love the wonderful world of color management!
Come Thursday and it's back to the old grind stone... with the exception of getting off early to attend this month's PMPA meeting. That right there made my whole week! The information from the meeting and watching a print competition was outstanding. I am so excited to start working towards creating some photographs to enter next quarter. I know I have some work to do but I love that kind of work!
I also signed up for their workshop on March 31st, Craig Mitchelldyer Lighting Seminar up on Mt. Hood. This will definitely be an experience! I can't wait!!
Now I just have to make it a few more hours to finish out my work week and tomorrow the fun begins! So many ideas, so many things to do, some not so fun things (but necessary) to do and three days to get them going.

Photoshop fun...

I was playing around with photoshop the last few days, trying out some new techniques and ideas I've learned. They are pretty simple and most likely basic stuff to a PS pro but it fun none the less. I like simple, creative and natural portraits though I have to admit that PS can add a little something extra to an image. Here are two of the images I worked on and am happy with the results. I hope you like them too. :)

Random shots

These are a couple shots taken of my daughter last night. My camera has been a bit lonely the last few weeks as the bustle of the holiday season has kept me quite busy. I decided to take it out last night and give it some exercise. These were two of my favorites. Nothing fancy, just set up a changing screen behind her, put her on a stool and set up my SB-900 to my right shooting thru and umbrella to soften the light a bit.

If time allows, I hope to get some more fun shots this week :)

2010 is on it's way!

Well here it is, the middle of December and life is just as busy as ever! Christmas is almost here which means Sonjia's birthday is even closer, then after that Caitlyn's big day will be here too! Wow where does the time go. One event comes to a close and another is already rolling in on it's way.
I'm afraid with all of the activities of late my personal photo endeavors have been on the back burner. Not to say that I haven't been shooting, just not random stuff :) The preschool shoot I did 2 weeks ago was a total blast!! The kids were so full of personality and capturing on print was extremely satisfying. The PDX Help Portrait event was this past weekend and it too was an amazing experience that I'm grateful to have been a part of! So many wonderful people, so many smiles, how could it be anything less than a great time?!
I have high hopes for a exciting 2010! So many ideas and goals are already turning in my head, sometimes I need to sit so I don't get dizzy! I wish everyone a joyful and renewing holiday season!