Archive for 'The Latest'
A cup of violets
Posted on 30. Mar, 2010 by maryanne.
Another busy week in my world. Most of it spent at the computer, quoting jobs and processing photos. Then, out of nowhere, comes today. Sunshine and flowers everywhere. It was like a dear friend coming up from behind and putting their hands over my eyes, saying “guess who?”. Spring, that’s who. The cherry trees are in full bloom, the sky is a bit more blue, and the sheep have little lambs in the pasture next door. Then, there are the violets. I love violets, even though they tend to grow where I don’t want them. They remind me of my childhood and every Spring from then on. When Johnny and I came home from lunch, I saw them. The ground was covered in them. I had several things to do, but knew instinctively they would all have to wait. So, I played all afternoon. In the violets.
It was like playing hooky on a school day. I picked them, arranged them in beautiful china cups and gazed at them through my different lenses. Guess who? Spring, that’s who. Welcome home sweet friend. Here are some images from the day. I found some other sweet visitors as well.
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Youth Evangelism Conference Nashville
Posted on 24. Mar, 2010 by maryanne.
It is true that I still don’t know what I want to be when I grow up, if I ever do. I feel pulled in so many directions in photography. I love so many things, but am finding the importance of narrowing my focus a bit in order to stay sane. I also desire very much to find my place. I believe we all have one, and mine will not be in the same spot as so many wonderful photographers I follow. That is good. There is a famous quote by Oscar Wilde on Jeremy Cowart’s blog that I adore. He said ” Be yourself. Everyone else is already taken.” I like that so much. So, I am working on being myself in this crazy world of photography and life.
That being said, there is one job I absolutely love that I have had the honor of doing for three years now. It is the Youth Evangelism Conference in Nashville, TN. It is put on by the Tennessee Baptist Convention and draws nearly 9,000 teens every year to hear teaching from God’s Word, spend time in worship, and laugh and cry with the incredible artists and groups that are brought in. Every year I am moved to tears while shooting the event, whether it be in worship or listening to the speakers that come in and share their hearts with the kids. This year, Unhindered lead us in worship, The Skit Guys kept us laughing, Joe Castillo blew us away with his incredible sand art, and Ed Newton brought it all together with some serious truth. As always, it was a great weekend. Here are a few shots of the wonderful time we had.
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Creating a Place of Rest
Posted on 17. Mar, 2010 by maryanne.
My own words rang in my ears after I answered the somewhat obtuse saleswoman in Macy’s this evening. She had asked if she could help me with anything. I had been standing hypnotically in the bedding section comparing the colors in the image on my iphone with the colors on the various quilts and comforters. I awoke out of my trance and quickly answered, ” I am just looking for a comforter”, and reached again for my iphone to show her the image. She, however, had ignored me and moved on to other things. I really was seeking help, but she was apparently just reciting the line she must say hundreds of times a day, not really expecting to have someone need her. The space in time and the silence that followed allowed me to ponder my answer. ” I am just looking for a comforter”. I laughed out loud. Not “ha ha” funny. Ironic funny. I was looking for a comforter. I was looking for comfort. She had been no comfort at all.
This has been a very hard week for me for various reasons, and I found myself wandering around looking for the perfect bed covering for my bedroom. I have been doing this for months. Piece by piece, (remember the jewelry endeavor?) I am trying to create a place of order and solace in my bedroom, and eventually, my home. I want it to be a sanctuary where I can rest, journal, seek God, read, and just be with my husband.(oh, and dance!) A place of peace and safety.
I actually started the process several months ago by taking everything down from the walls. The only thing I have up is a canvas above my bed of the image above. It looks like a window above our bed with an eternal scene from autumn outside. I love the colors in that canvas. I call the image “Fall Kaleidoscope”. It is my work and it brings me joy and peace to have it there. Now, for the rest of the room. I don’t know where to start, whether it be a beautiful comforter or the wall color. (I would love suggestions!) SO many colors!
Still seeking comfort in my surroundings, in my soul, and in my spirit. I am reminded of a Scripture from Psalm 62 while I pursue this journey:
“Find rest, O my soul, in God alone; my hope comes from Him”. May it be so.
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We did it :)
Posted on 08. Mar, 2010 by maryanne.
There has been so much going on in my world just in the past week, but I would be negligent if I did not blog the result of ”Operation Jewelry Organization”. My fabulous mom came out last week and we spent four hours taking a mass of necklaces, earrings, rings, pins, bracelets and anklets and putting them all in their proper place. The results are fabulous! I not only thoroughly enjoyed spending quality time with my mom, but I got the benefit of having a clean and clear dresser top. I can now freely pass by it without hearing mean comments about myself, and I even hear an audible sigh of relief every now and then. I promised myself when she came out that I would ONLY focus on the jewelry that day. I am glad I did. One step at a time. (I am pretty sure my closet is next).
Mom and I spent time reminiscing about old pieces and laughing about pieces I have kept just for sentimental reasons, all the while both agreeing that they were, mmm, how should I say? Unsightly. “Um,” she would say every now and then,” I think I would throw that away”. And we both would laugh out loud. So cleansing to have your mom’s approval to throw something away! It was good on so many levels. We ended up with a pretty good size bag of things to take to the jewelry swap at her church as well.
I am truly beginning to see that organizing your world around you is a way to love yourself. I cannot explain that fully, and those that are already organized are probably nodding their heads in agreement. Those of us that struggle in this area often feel defeated. I am so thankful for my mom who was willing to the time to help me, while putting aside all judgement or critical statements. I feel loved every time I walk past my dresser now. I can now display the things that matter to me most, like the anniversary heart Chris gave me. Thanks mom. 
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Valentine Cookie Therapy
Posted on 12. Feb, 2010 by maryanne.
Today was a hard day. With Valentine’s Day only a couple days away, I am feeling even more deeply the absence of my older two children. With one daughter studying abroad in Spain and another away at a school in Atlanta, I have only my almost seventeen year old son at home. I know Valentine’s Day is supposed to be a sweetheart day, and if my husband were away, I most assuredly would be complaining about his being gone as well. For now, it is my girls. We girls just love Valentine’s Day. Let’s face it. It is our day. I have received more Valentine’s gifts from my friends, sisters, and mom in my lifetime than I ever have from a sweetheart. We just seem to know that our hearts need it. We love surprises, and being thought of in general, and Valentine’s Day seems to bring that home. But, my girls are in faraway places, so I decided to try some Valentine cookie therapy on my own. I posted that idea on facebook, and almost immediately got a couple great recipes to try from friends. So I did. I think it was helpful, playing the John Mayer genre on Pandora, and dancing in my kitchen.
Making a big mess in the kitchen, even when you are alone, is still very therapeutic, especially when it involves lots of powdered sugar and pink icing. I decided to post a few pics from my therapy session. I still miss my girls, and I realize that eventually I am going to have to come to terms with this new phase of my life. Yes, in time, I guess I will. Hopefully, it won’t be one cookie at a time. That might bring on a whole new set of problems.:)
I am including a few other heart images I have captured this week as I am learning to play more and more.
Happy Valentines Day everyone.
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Jasmine and Jeremy’s Fall Wedding
Posted on 24. Nov, 2009 by maryanne.
Jasmine and Jeremy were married on a beautiful Fall day this November. I think it was God’s way of blowing them a kiss, giving them a kaleidoscope of colors in the trees and sweet sunshine. They agreed to see one another before the ceremony and were able to share some sweet moments before all the busy plans of the day began. They truly are made for one another and it was such a blessing to photograph them in their joy as they made their vows and gave sweet kisses to one another.
Blessings, Mr. and Mrs. Curtis. May your life together be full of laughter, love and hope for the days ahead.
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The Riley Family
Posted on 13. Nov, 2009 by maryanne.
We had so much fun shooting the Riley Family last week when the Sugar Maples were at their glorious peak in the season. Looks like fairy princesses were at their peak as well, as we stumbled upon a beautiful one with a lolliop as twilight began to settle in. What a beautiful day for a family shoot. I think they will have some wonderful memories from this season in their lives together as a family when they look at these photos.
Thanks for trusting me with your magical memories, Riley Family. Much Love!
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Those Crazy Kids
Posted on 27. Sep, 2009 by maryanne.
This year, Johnny had his first homecoming dance and date. It was a big deal to us both. He asked if I would be the photographer for the group, as I have photographed his sisters’ groups in the years past. ( I miss those days!) Of course, I jumped at the chance! They had 12 in their group and they were so excited about their pictures. Unfortunately, it rained. I mean it RAINED. There were even flash flood warnings and severe weather alerts. So, our lovely outdoor location was a no-go. Thus, my trusty ( but small), studio came in very handy. I ran to the local Kroger and picked up 12 red helium balloons and dozens more to toss on the floor. This is what we came up with. They had so much fun, and of course I did too! We played music and danced and snapped some great shots. I am going to miss these days.
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rain rain go away
Posted on 22. Sep, 2009 by maryanne.
It has been raining here in Atlanta for weeks now. We are breaking all kinds of records and several lives have been lost. It is very hard on everyone, the constant day in and day out of rain, rain, rain. We have also had all kinds of sickness going on in my house, including a stay in the hospital with my youngest last week.
So, I am continuing to stroke the chords of hope and creativity by looking through some of my favorite photos, and happier times. Here are a few more of my favorites. I am hoping to hang some of them as canvasses someday soon. Praying for sunshine…
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some favorites
Posted on 20. Sep, 2009 by maryanne.
I have been thinking a lot lately about my nature photography and how I miss it. I want to get back to it. Don’t get me wrong, I LOVE shooting people. People’s spirits mingled with beautiful light is a magical mixture I hope to always capture. However, I do miss this, and need more time for it. I find God in the dew drops, the evening and morning light, and in yellow flowered pastures. He tells me He loves me in these things, and my life and soul are enriched in finding and capturing them. Enjoy some of my faves I recently put together as possible wall canvas ideas.
