Camera 101 continues!

People are welcome to join our Camera 101 class!

This ongoing series explores both technical and creative aspects of photography, and is appropriate for both beginners and more advanced amateurs.

Learn how to 'see' the light; how to take the camera off of 'auto'; what on earth is MASP, ISO, and all those other technical terms - and why should I care? :)

We spend about an hour in the studio learning a new concept every month, and an hour-and-a-half in the field, practicing. You can join at any time. Pop in for a class!

Cost: 39. Limit 10 students. Call ahead to ensure there is room in the current month's class. 503.508.5157

Extreme Business Marketing Makeover contest winner!

Matt's Entertainment won the Salem Extreme Business Marketing Makeover contest. Tim Fahndrich of The Third River was the mastermind for this contest, which offered over $10,000 in marketing services to the lucky winner. I was pleased to be part of this campaign, along with Tim and Signworks of Oregon.

Matt came into my studio on Monday for his new biz pic. What a great guy! He is personable and reliable, and I am thrilled to find a DJ/Master of Ceremonies that I can recommend whole-heartedly. The link to his website is: Matt's Entertainment.

As part of the marketing makeover, a NEW website will debut tomorrow. I can't wait to see it!

A Question of Balance

I had someone ask me today how I balance the math & science part of myself with my artistic, creative side. I responded:

"Life is all about balance, isn't it? It's about standing under the sky at night and dancing with the stars. It's about love poems to the setting sun and sharing grief with the predawn moon. It's about walking the wilderness and knowing that even if I die, some part of me will walk out whole, ready to enter the land of milk and honey.

"It's about looking at those around me and caring more about what they need than what I want. It's about laughter and joy and being gentle with myself when I get knocked awry. It's about believing in good, in love, in those around me. And I do believe."

Vision Carrier

A friend recently told me I was her vision carrier - that I believed in her dream, and it gave her the courage to believe and work toward it, too.

I think we are all called to be vision carriers for one another.

A vision carrier does more than just believe in others' dreams, though.

A true vision carrier holds up a God-mirror, revealing each person as God sees them. For it is only when we can look upon ourselves as God looks upon us that we will have the courage to step out, to believe, and to live fully and joyfully in our dreams.

I realized that's really why I'm passionate about creating portrait art - I strive to be a vision carrier for everyone who is led to my studio door. Who are your vision carriers, and whose visions do you carry?

One more Moon shot

The moon is still lovely tonight. What a terrific combination - February clear sky & a full moon. Perfect!

PS: The camera was set on Manual - 1/15 sec. at f6.3. You can't get images like this with an Automatic or Programme mode setting. Yes, it's a shameless plug for my next Camera 101 class, to be held on Saturday, Mar. 20 from 1 - 3:30 pm. Or you can join MyPhotoMentor, and for $9.95 a month, learn how to do it ALL! :)

Reflections of the Moon

It was a glorious full moon last night, and it rose large through the trees. I grabbed my camera to capture the orb's ascendant moments.

I posted the images on Facebook (of course), and was soon echatting about the beautiful view with a friend who is going through a painful time. I shared these thoughts with him:

The beauty of the full moon on a clear night ENCOMPASSES the world. There is joy everywhere and in everything. We have to look harder to see it in some places, but it’s those troubled spaces that give us a chance to grow our souls, so we can appreciate the moon moments even more.

And don't fear for your young, who have yet to experience their own dark nights, for they will grow into their souls in their own ways.

Dare to Be RED 2010

The second annual Dare to be RED event kicked off today with a visit to my studio by Vandy Bennett. Vandy is an artist in several mediums - check out Vandy's work here.

I'll be using the images from this event in my marketing for the upcoming year. Look for more images on my Facebook page: Cherie Renae Photography.

We have two weeks of great photography coming up!