"slow and steady wins the race"

Well, you know what they say..."slow and steady wins the race." My "photography business" is coming along well, nicely and slowly. I put "photography business" in quotations because it still sounds weird to say that. Technically it's not enough to claim on taxes or anything but it's enough to make payments on my new Canon! :) But it does sound strange to say that I have any sort of business at all...even though that has been my life dream! (well, besides being a mother) I am working with this new company that a friend recommended. I placed my first order today so I'm excited to see how they turn out. Before I had just been using kodak but this place is more personable...like when I call I talk to an actual person! Anyway, here are a few of the pictures the family ordered.

Enjoy! And if I can take your picture, please let me know: cbwalker23@yahoo.com

mills family 016

mills family 016
Originally uploaded by cbwalker23

This is the beautiful family I took pictures of on Sunday afternoon. Three sisters and a brother, his wife, and the kids. All so beautiful!

Life is what you make it

I used to get sad...like really sad...when I watched movies where real life is portrayed in an unrealistic way. Oh wait! That's like EVERY movie! More specifically it's the little moments in movies that would make me stop and think, "That would never happen in real life!"

Lately, (I know it sounds vain) but lately I have been wondering if my life would be worth watching if it were a movie....and I think YES, yes it would. I may have a simple life, predictable in some cases, but I love my life. From the time my feet dive into my "old man slippers" (as I call them) until my last sip of tea signifying the days end...I love my life. I was walking my dog, Conner, yesterday, breathing in the (somewhat humid) November air, and I thought, "This is my favorite part of the day." What's funny is that I had thought that about an hour earlier when I gave my love, Brent, a huge bear hug after I got home from work. Later on that day, the same though flashed through my mind as a stroked my cat, Hazel's, back and she purred.

If I were a cat, I would have purred, too.

a few black and white pics

more more more

I've been taking more pictures lately and I can't seem to get enough. Photography fills this hole in my self like nothing else can. I can't explain it if you don't already understand. I know many of you do. You take pictures because you have to. I don't take pictures because I'm good at it or because someone pays me. Although one day, I hope for photography to be my main source of income... I take picture because I have to.

So if you're wondering where I've been...I'm probably out taking pictures somewhere.

It's fall....my favorite time of year...I just can't seem to get enough. To see more of these beautiful girls, click here.

Eureka Springs pics

I never posted any favs from E. S. so ....as requested...and as promised. Go to my facebook to see all of them.

Eureka Springs

Buie and I had a blast in Eureka. We had a full day of ghosts tours, walking up and down all of those hills, visiting rescued kitties from abused homes, and tripping down really steep stairs in really wet caves.

It was a great to get away by ourselves and really spend some quality time together. I also was able to take lots of great shots. I took about 450-500 photos in one day which isn't hard to believe considering all the places we went. Over the next few days I'll post a few of my favorites.

One thing Buie and I talked about was the fact that Eureka Springs is such a great place to get married in or take a honeymoon or BOTH...although Scotland sounds a little more enticing. :)

it's a framer!

a little weekend endeavor...

I recently purchased a Canon EOS 30D. I'm pretty excited about it. You know how when you purchase a boat or a car and you take it out on its first stroll? Well, this is that weekend. Buie and I are going to Eureka Springs and the 30D is going with me (I really need to name it-any suggestions?) So I'm pretty pumped about trying out the new bells and whistles because it has plenty!

I'm also pretty pumped about Buie and I going somewhere together. Until last weekend, we hadn't really ever taken a road trip besides just to Minden (my hometown) or Rison (his hometown). Well, I guess one time we did drive home together from a wedding in Seaside. Anyway, I'm still excited! It should be fun. It was originally supposed to be a surprise but Buie let it slip where we were going. ha. He was so mad at himself. He won't tell me anything that we are doing on Saturday which presents a problem which trying to decide what to wear. (Girls, understand me).

Well, me, Buie and the Canon (needs a nickname) are going to Eureka Springs. Can't wait!

METROcommunity

Last night Buie and I went to METROcommunity group at METRO BCM. It is located on UALR's campus...first time I had actually been there. We enjoyed it a lot. Grant Harrison led the worship time which was really good. It was just what I needed.

Ben Maddox, the METRO campus minister, brought a powerful message as well. I encourage you to attend METROcommunity. I'll be there as often as I can. Thursday at 7 pm.

http://www.metrobcm.org/

Mike Huckabee responds to evolution question

Amen!

Lessons Learned This Weekend.

1. Always pack for an over night stay in your carry on.
2. Always check the dates BEFORE purchasing your airline ticket online.
3. Meeting new people on your flight pays off in the end.
4. When stranded, pray for free Wi-Fi.
5. Check your bag for liquids BEFORE going through security. (note: Energy drinks DO count as liquid in case you were wondering.)
6. Take advantage of every opportunity! Make the most of the time you have with friends and family!

water's edge

water's edge
Originally uploaded by cbwalker23

I'm not sure why I like this one so much.

but be assured...it is now framed in my house.

That's how much I like it.

It's very calm to me. A place where I can go sit and slip my feet in the water and let the day melt away...

Jolly Marina

here is a little bit of my weekend in pics. more to come.

in good company.....my new place

pond
Originally uploaded by cbwalker23

i miss the pond behind my old house. On Polk Street we had a goldfish pond with like 10 goldfish that had babies. They were great company on fall afternoons. I wish I had taken more pictures. But the few I have I cherish.

I'm still looking for that place at my new condo I can go and unwind after a long day. Lately it's been my couch after I crank up the AC and swallow too Tylenol (extra strength) after a long day at work. But that's not good enough. I need a place ouside. I think this weekend, I'll go in search of my new place...my refuge.

Evolution of Dance

this video makes me happy!

in the eye of the beholder

Lately, I have had several people ask me questions about the camera. How do you change the exposure? How does the camera know how much light to let in or to not let in? How do you make the picture darker or lighter? These are all questions dealing with the exposure, specifically the aperture of the camera.



I remember when I first started learning about the camera, I was so confused by the concepts that one must learn about if wanted to take great shots. I even dropped the photography class at Ouachita because I was so overwhelmed on the first day. One concept that is particularly hard to grasp is apertures and f-stops. While I will be the first to admit I have a LOT of learning to do, I thought I would provide some information that I wish someone would have provided me with years ago.

On aperture.


According to Wikipedia.


another tidbit. (I'm a visual learner, so it really helped me understand when I compared an aperture to a pupil.)

The aperture controls the amount of light that reaches a digital cameras sensor. An aperture acts much like the pupil of an eye that opens wider as light decreases to let in more available light. The pupil gets smaller when light increases to reduce the amount of light entering the eye.

Anyway, this is just a little bit of information to help you get started. I hope this helps even a little bit.

she's got six strings...

LR.AR.

down by the river....in a van

I love where I live. I especially love the River Market district. Buie and I went downtown on Saturday night for a bit and I got a few shots. It was really hot out, so we didn't stay long.

how bout the weather...

Yes, it's hot today.
why do you ask.
Because you are soaking wet.
oh, that...


Geez, someone turn off the sun. please. it's so hot. Well, I'm off to swim...somewhere cold.

to the Glory and praise of God...

just a little something I designed for work. I'm quite fond of it. it's very peaceful and worshipful.

another one...

the best laid plans... (life's lyrics)

With all the intentions of going to bed early, a wandering mind keeps me from sleep tonight.

With "Holiday in Spain" pouring out of my iPod Shuffle headphones, I can't help but think about life and age old question - what are we doing here? or perhaps this one is more familiar to you - what am I doing with my life? Ever want to just catch the next plane to wherever and as the song says, "leave my wings behind me...."

Here's one:

is everybody happy now. is everybody clear. we could drive out to the dunes tonight. summer's almost here.

I've been up all night. I might sleep all night. get your dreams just right...let em slip away. I might sleep all day.

When the road's are clear...head on out of here. And if you're coming back, see you in the morning. I'm just staring at the ceiling staring back at me just waiting for the daylight to come crawling in on me.

I guess I understand these lyrics all too well. I couldn't have written anything more appropriate to the way I feel sometimes than if I had written them myself.

There are so many things still left to do. How do you cram them all into the few years we have here on earth? Sometimes I just wanna go somewhere. Let's fly to Ireland or Scotland or Mexico. Anyway, these are my thoughts tonight..random as they may be. While I'm busy doing the things I must do...making money, paying bills, etc...my mind is busying making other plans. So you may see me sitting at a desk behind a computer but secretly I'm really lying on a beach soaking up the sun. See you in Mexico or who knows...maybe I'll take my holiday in Spain.

Until then...I'll spend my free time marking off my "things to do before I die" list. You know you have one. Everybody does. I actually wrote mine out one time. I've still got a ways to go...but I'm slowly marking them off.

A few I've already done:

parasailing

jet skied on the ocean

toured europe

own my own home

go to NYC

go to Africa

still to come:

see DMB in concert (yes, this is seriously on my list)

learn how to play the guitar

adopt a child

run in a marathon (maybe just a half...) :)

I'm only 24. This list is sure to get longer.

enough late night pondering and playing on the black keys with andy. I've got to go to bed. Let's see if I can find some pictures to make this looong post a little more interesting.

My lil cousin, Andrew James. I love him!

My girl, Hazel.

My boy, George.