Hello 2012 - New Year, New Name

Is it too late to wish everyone a Happy New Year? I'm going out on a limb here to say I'm in the clear. So Happy New Year everyone!! We're 4 days in, how is 2012 treating you thus far? I can't complain. I haven't worked since Saturday so 2012 is going swell for me. :)

You may have noticed the blog name change. If not, surprise! I had a tremendous amount of people ask me to keep my blog going this year - which meant a name change. Thanks to my wonderfully/witty and always on her toes friend Tamara the blog is now Shutter Blossoms. There is no need to panic, I will continue to share photos and random thoughts. I set out to blog about photography last year and I did just that. This year (and possibly from now on) the blog will focus on all aspects of art in my life. All ranging from photography (duh), art journaling, mixed media projects, poetry, short stories and other literary pieces. I also want to share random sites/ideas that I can't live without. I'm excited to get this year started and I hope you will continue to follow my journey as I blossom into my own.

I did a photo shoot Sunday 1-1-12 with my friend Danielle. I put her through a lot of torture (rain, sunlight in her eyes, muddy high heels..you know normal model mishaps) but she was a good sport and I got the shots I wanted.

I'm only sharing my favorites here. The rest can be found on my Facebook fan page.

Happy New Year! Let's make 2012 the best year of our lives (yet).

And last...my favorite shot of the entire day. :)

It's Official

I'm almost a week late on blog posts. To help keep my thoughts in some sort of order (ha) I guess I need to post the next day. I can honestly say last Tuesday was one of the best days of my life-thus far. As fate so willingly intervened in an otherwise grey life...I was able to officially announce something simply amazing.

Here is the announcement straight from my fan page: "Beginning June 21, 2011 I will be instructing a Beginner's Photography Class at "The Wilder Side of Art" in Middlesboro! Classes are 2-4 every Tuesday" I am so thrilled to be doing more and more with my photography. Becky Wilder is simply amazing and I can never thank her enough for giving me the opportunity.

After I left The Wilder Side of Art I drove to the Veteran's park in town with my camera. Below are the photos from my happy happy day. :)

More info about the classes will be posted to my fan page soon!

<3

Mika.

Mixed Media Number Two

Sunday May 15, 2011.  This is a very exciting post for me. Why? you ask. I am finally sharing a piece of mixed media I am proud of. It took about 3 hours from start to finish, thus I didn't post it last night. 

I have to thank Kelley at http://artjournaling.blogspot.com/ for giving me the inspiration and the drive to finally branch out into mixed media and art journaling for myself. She is simply amazing. If you haven't already, head over to her blog and get lost in the pages. I visit nearly daily and always find something different, something inspiring. Thanks again Kelley. :)

Without further adieu,

 

 

I think this is the start of something beautiful. :)

<3

Mika.

Mixed Media Numba One

Day 104 and I must admit, I'm a lot more comfortable with my new routine of photographing when possible. It takes a lot of the pressure off, and gives me more time to fine tune my work.

I'm doing some shameless promotion today. If you haven't already, go to my Facebook page and "Like" it to keep up to date. Garnet Photography.

You can follow me on Twitter here.

My deviantART page is here.

You can find my little corner on GetGlue here.

I have also hopped on the bandwagon and joined fiverr.

I've found it's easier to run my jewelry and photography on the same account. I mean, it's not as though I have split personalities (or do I?) where one part of me photographs and one makes snazzy necklaces. Me thinks that would be much easier though!

Anyway...

I finished a request for a felt flower barrette today. I'm trying to incorporate some mixed media in my photographs, I love the organized chaos of it.

I'm still on my Paris kick (if you couldn't tell) maybe it's the Spring doing it to me. We may never know.

<3

Mika.

Daisy Dead Petals

The title for Wednesday 4-13-11's post is a Tori Amos song. It came to me after plucking the petals from the daisy. This should be the last post with them...though they still have not died! Not that I'm wanting them to, just a weird observation.

This session was the first time I used my tripod and timer setting on the camera. My only light source was the camera flash...I kinda like it. The first photo...thoughts of my brother. Gone too soon.

"She said these dead petals, honey brought me here"

Step On It

Wednesday April 6th, 2011 I want to use the daisies in photographs as much as possible, since they will eventually die. Of course dead daisies make good props too. :)

I was in a "step on it" mood this night, but please know that only one stem of daisies were harmed in the making of these photos. How crafty was it of me to use my wedding shoes? They came in handy 7 years later. lol

Enjoy!!!

Mika.

Day 90

Day 90 of this crazy blog! Good grief...it's been a bumpy ride. I look forward to looking back at the previous months once it's finally over.

Since Thomas bought me flowers yesterday I wanted to see just what my new baby could do in terms of macro photos. I was disappointed in some aspects and impressed in others. Again, this is all going to be a work in progress. That's why I'm here, doing this day after blessed day.

Off the record, the bubbles are my favorite! lol.

Good fight and good night!

<3

Mika.

I Dream Of Paris

Monday April 4, 2011. I dream of Paris...I dream of the beauty and the romance. I'll be the first to admit, life has far too few instances of beauty and romance. Sometimes you have to create your own beauty.

I was inspired by romance yesterday. My Husband bought me beautiful pink flowers (I'm terrible with the names so if someone knows, I'd be happy to know lol)

So today I dream of Paris...and beauty...and romance.

<3

Garnet Photography Resurrected

Day 88 Sunday April 3, 2011. 

I spent the day with Thomas. We had an amazing dinner and then he chauffeured me around so I could spy some great places to take photos. For those of you (most of you) that didn't know this about me...I hate horses. They scare the crap out of me! Always have. I am proud to say I was not completely terrified of the horses in these pics. I even pet one of them on my own free will.

I took a total of 140 photos in several different areas around Tennessee. After making the final cut I slimmed it down to 40. I'm only adding a handful here because..well..I don't want to overload.

I hope you enjoy the photos as much as I do. :)

I'm sure you've noticed the "Garnet Photography" watermarked on the photos, this is because a few years ago I started a page for my photography of the time...I used the name "Garnet Photography" so I figured I would keep it going now.

<3

Mika.