Resolutions or Goals

 

 Resolutions or Goals

 

When I began my business almost 14 years ago it started out with a mission to help families stay connected, through pictures. 

 

Every year we all begin the “New Year “with Resolutions and most of us will flop on those lofty resolutions within 32 days.  So, are we setting ourselves up for failure on purpose? 

 

Over the years my photography has grown and adapted to what life at the time threw at me, at least that sounds great anyway.  The truth is that it Grew at its own pace and became something on its own and has taught me fantastic lessons.  Be patient.

 

Nothing is Forever except the Love we leave behind.  That is what stays with us and the places we call special with the people we share that with. 

 

These past two years have enabled me to appreciate the moments I have with the people and places that mean the very most to me.  I actually took the time when COVID first became an object of concern, to take that time to reflect on myself and grow as a person.  I put myself through school to become a certified Master Life Coach.  Did it become something, no, but what it did do was give me an opportunity to evaluate who I am as a person and what matters?  That was so worth the investment.  It opened me back up to grab a hold of what my purpose was and is, to be the best human I can, be the best photographer I can, and share my passion for nature with the world. 

 

I have goals, not resolutions and I will never take the moments I am gifted with any amount of assumption that it will always be here waiting for me because they won’t.  Take a hold of your life and cherish it.  We only get now.  If you see a sunset, take a moment to appreciate it and if you are lucky, share it with someone important to you.  

 

Set Goals this year – It’s not really about the Goal, it’s about growing and becoming someone, you were met to be. Push past your comfort zone and reach higher. Be concreate in your vision and don’t let anyone stand in your way.  You are Worth the Investment. 

 

My challenge to you for this year is to grab your phone or your camera and take photos.  Print them and put them in an album. (I can help you with that) When 2023 comes rolling in, take that album you made and look back at your life and see what you actually did with it for one year.  

The past is the past and you can’t do anything to change it.  Today is NOW and a gift, that is why it is called the present.  Open it slowly and take time with it, I promise you, if you do, life will be better than it was yesterday.  Nothing can be worse than your last worst day. 

 

Have a Happy New Year 2022.  Make this one the BEST Ever.  You are the one in the driver’s seat. 

 

 

 

Well, we made it through 2021.  Some of us with a few more scars and others with Huge milestones achieved.  I don’t know about you, but I am very excited to see what this New Year's Eve will ring in.

 

A few weeks back I hinted at a Virtual Gallery Showing to Kick Start this New Year, it is going to be New and Excellent! 

 

Due to all of the health issues and circumstances that our society has in the past few years, it has gotten harder and harder to open a brick-and-mortar store for anything “normal” So I have found a workaround.

 

I found a way to allow you (my customers & collectors) to walk through my truly virtual gallery showroom.  I am so bloomin Excited about this!   As this blog is being written, I am also working on loading my images of art to the Gallery.  Each image will have a link to my web store, where you can select your photo art print, media, and styles and then order.  If you prefer to go through me and customize the art, then I recommend delaying ordering and write me personally to begin the customization process to go with your personal style and color preference. 

 

With the possibility of a – God Forbid – shutdown - again if that happens my lab may shut down.  However, I do work with three labs I work with, so I will do my very best to accommodate your orders.  Please keep in mind that shipment me be delayed for longer than normal.  I trust these labs that I use to print my images because my name is on the print.  You will always be in communication with me should anything come up regarding your order.

 

I am absolutely excited to bring you this Amazing technology and showcase my art.  Also, we use AR Augmented Reality Technology on our website store.  You can virtually see our fine art images on your walls – Live View. 

 

If you prefer a one-on-one meeting, feel free to schedule an appointment by writing me at Laura@photoartbylaura.com and we can create something truly customized for your space.

 

I will announce when the Gallery will be live on my social media and this Blog.  So don’t forget to follow – Like & Share.

 

Have a Very Merry Christmas.  See you next Year.

 

Love Laura

Who's Up for An Adventure?

 So - Who's Up for An Photographic Adventure?

I am looking for some fantastic photography locations here in the Pacific Northwest - Starting off with a day trip and then working up for the long haul excursions.  If you are from the Spokane area I am reaching out to you to advise me on locations of amazing Landscapes.  To top it off, as a bonus I am open to inviting the person that makes the best suggestion to tag along with me and I will buy you lunch,  as a way to say thanks for the tip. Plus I will also gift to you one digital image of our journey. This is something I rarely do - so I wanted to make this idea very special.  You will be given a written letter of permission to post my professional image on your social media to talk about our day just as long as you give me credit in your post.  

We can make a day of it.  I will be in communication with you via video or email to select the date to head out on our adventure.  If you are in need of some pointers about your camera, please bring it along with you.  I will be happy to give you any tips that may be helpful.  I shoot only in the early morning or early evening hours.  So lunch will be after or before the shoot.  Then we head home.  

Comment your ideas to me at Laura@photoartbylaura.com  Leave me your contact information and where you think would be the perfect Landscape photography location and why.  

I am excited to take this adventure. 

I actually stopped on the side of the road a few weeks to take this image.  Sometimes the best locations are the ones that just appear.  So think outside the box a bit. The location does not have to be a "Popular" spot.  The location could be just a place you have often driven by and thought to ourselves, that's really beautiful.  Just make sure it's safe to get out and photograph.  

Same with this Lake Crescent location.  I am inviting you to look at the world the way I do.  You will be surprised what you find when you take a different perspective on the world around us. 

Forks WA- Making Lemonade from La Nina

October 16th and I am here in Forks, WA with a Plan...well it appears that La Nina decided to botch my "Plans" and rain cats and dogs.  The drive up however was beautiful with stunning winding roads and beautiful Fall colors everywhere.  My only complaint is the the DOT does not accommodate individuals like myself, who are addicted to nature and beauty and want to pull off on any given, occasion to capture said beauty, so sadly, I have to just snap a photo in my head and drive on.... bummer.

I found this great location to stay for my two days here. The Olympic Suites Inn.  They converted what used to be an Apartment complex.  King size bedroom with Living space and a full kitchen.  Microwave, Dishwasher and Full size refrigerator and Stove/oven for cooking.  You could stay here for a solid month and have practically everything that you need and be comfortable.  

So I decided to take this quiet time and catch up with my Blog.  Got my coffee, apple fritter, water & laptop - obviously 😃  Journal and glasses.  Quiet space to write and creative music to think by on Spotify.  I am indoors with a picture window and a perfect size table from which to write.  Can't think of an alternative better way to spend my day.  

I am hopeful tomorrow will give me a window of opportunity to grab a few shots before I depart.  The plan was to go to Ruby beach today and hit a few other spots on my way back to the Motel.  I did see a sign as I was driving in to the Worlds Tallest Spruce Tree so maybe I will get lucky to grab a photograph of that on my way out.  La Push is breathtaking and First Beach as well.  You can view a few images that I previously shot from this area on my website. www.photoartbylaura.com  

I grew up in Grays Harbor County and hardly ever did we come up here when I was a child.  I do remember fondly traveling to the Quinault Lodge for Thanksgiving or other special holidays.  Just an hour or so more would have brought us here to Forks.  

Last night I took some laid back me time and what else do you do in Forks besides taking pictures? Well you open your laptop, log into your Prime Account and watch Twilight with a glass of Vampire Wine - of course. It was actually fun.  I got to speak with my Granddaughter on the phone and reminisce  with her.  It was a perfect moment.  

As I was driving in about 5 o'clock last night I glanced to my left and this is what I saw, yes, did I say it is raining here?

I did have a small window of opportunity to pull off and grab a few shots.

Catch up again soon.

Hugs,

Laura

 

 

Hey All.  I know that I said that I would be writing this blog almost daily, ...well I neglected to take into account the access to technology and great Wi fi, and getting to and from locations, plus sleep; haha, what is that, who said I need sleep.  so let me play catch up.  

This has been so much fun traveling the East coast.  We began this trip in Burlington VT. then we progressed to a really great ski lodge called Bolton Valley Resort, from there we stayed two nights in Stow VT which was a place I could easily call home.  Everything is so relaxed there.  So after our stay in the Green Mountain Inn we have made our way to Portsmouth NH which is the third oldest cities in the country, Buildings from the 17th and 18th century line the streets,  the North Church stands like a grand lady in the center of town.  Prescott Park boasts beautiful gardens and a great view from the docks. We found a really lovely place to stay at the Anchorage Inn soon to be taken over by Comfort INN's but the Prescott Suite was simply, lovely.  I have been very surprised how quickly in retrospect how close all the villages and towns are located to one another.  Cemeteries are practically on every corner.  USA flags are respectfully posted on the graves of Military which was so wonderful to see they were not forgotten,  History is everywhere and it's breathable.  Walking on the streets and standing in or near buildings where major decisions were discussed that changed the fabric of our future as a country was so profound and powerful to me personally. My husband made the comment that our drive is a living museum, which was so spot on.  For the next few days we are staying at a sweet motel called Acadia Pines in Bar Harbor Maine. We even have a small kitchenette that was nice to actually cook bacon and eggs plus drink a decent cup of coffee the way we like it. For the last few days the rain has been coming down in sheets, so I thought I would take a few minutes to get this blog out.  

I have been so blessed on this trip to capture some amazing beauty.  I set out to capture a few covered bridges and find some light houses and a few quaint farms.  I wanted to find images that have been on my professional bucket list for years.  I got that and more!  So with the weather not exactly on my side, I took the time to get some post processing productive time in,  I am so darn excited to share with you my journey in photographic art.  I should be uploading to my gallery in just a few days.  Hear is a teaser. 

As for the food, Let's just say, we have not suffered.  Yes, we had Lobster here in Bar Harbor... so much FUN.  As for the time difference, I think I will try and keep this biological eastern time zone clock going, I get a ton done before anyone is even awake on the west coast.  Well, that's the theory and I'm sticking to it, for now any way.  Time to get back to taking more photos, time is slipping away before we jet back home.  Talk again soon.  

Hugs, 

Laura
Photo Art by Laura Photography

 

🎉 LIVE ART SHOW ANNOUNCEMENT 🎉

Join me on either Facebook Live Event or Instagram TODAY September 10th at 7 PM Pacific, for a very special art show LIVE from my beautiful Photo Art.

I’ll be presenting exclusive, very limited items at INCREDIBLE prices just for the show below wholesale prices for this show ONLY.

If you’ve been looking for the right opportunity to acquire my work for the first time or to add another piece to your collection, this is it!

TWO DRAWINGS!  Yep you heard correctly.  One is for signing up for my newsletter you get entered into a drawing that will be pulled tonight. To win a Canvas Print value over $280 for FREE Nothin but Fishin.  

The second is for Bald Eagle in the Mist. Anyone who orders from the Gallery Show will be placed into a drawing automatically to win the signed print below.  

Good Luck

See you there!

12 Day Countdown.

 Well, 12 Day Countdown.  I am starting to get very excited!  

Reservations have been locked in and Pre-Flight Clearance applied for. and cleared.   We decided to have a service pick us up at 4 am and drive us to the airport and drop us off at the gate.  So I suppose we are going in style, well no limo but that comes later... haha. maybe.  

As for what I am taking to do this particular long-distance photoshoot, that was a big decision. It's not like I can just run home and get what I forgot. So my bag will include a Nikon D7000 camera, Two battery backups, Rokinon Series II Full Frame Ultra Wide Lens. Specs 14 mm F.2.8 Sigma Telephoto Lens and a Tamron 300 mm lens.  One Sunpak Ultra Pro 423 tripod.  FlashCards which holds 64 gigs each.  In addition, I am taking the laptop to do post-production work per day. If you are wondering if I will be loading images up for sale, the answer is yes.  Keep watching my Facebook and Instagram pages for updates on my progress.

Black Lake in the Fall - Olympia

Vermont and Maine they say have the best Fall Colors and it's been on my Photo Bucket List for years. I have been pinning ideas for weeks on Pinterest where to go, what to eat and what to wear,?  I purchased a few LL Bean pants and so they will coordinate nicely with a few cute tops that I already have in my wardrobe.  Fall is my favorite time of year for the season and for the clothing. Plus pumpkin everything is back, what could be better.  

So stay tuned for my updates as our trip progresses. And watch our Social Media feeds for news as well. I am always posting new information... we, at least I am trying to. Speaking of posting new information.  We are working on a LIVE Gallary Virtual showing this September 10th Friday evening at 7:00 Pacific.  So tuck in the kids or give them something to entertain themselves for about an hour so you can watch us Live on Facebook; we are trying to also do a LIVE for Instagram followers as well, if we have glitches, please be patient with any technical difficulties. Sign up early on my website so you can grab an image while they are available. www.photoartbylaura.com  All Credit Cards are Accepted and all sales are final. In addition to this, we are also having a Flash Sale for Labor Day weekend.  10% off at check out. With a code, come over to Facebook to get the code, and don't forget to like and follow our page. 

Sunflower in blazing color

Have a fantastic and blessed day.  

Laura ~ Photo Art by Laura Fine Art Photography