Flash Mama Photography

I made a promise to myself that I would get out and watch more local sunrises and sunsets this year. There’s something about watching the colors unfold and cast their glow on everything around them that helps me reset and let go of anything weighing me down.

I made good on that promise last night with this sunset session at Jordan Lake.

“Wild, wild horses, we’ll ride them someday.”

Until then, we can watch them roam on Shackleford Banks.

I had the chance to play in the rain early this morning at the Raleigh Rose Garden. How did you spend your Sunday morning?

Flowering dogwoods are one of the surest signs of spring in North Carolina. The red blooms, which symbolize love and passion, are my favorites.

Tulips on Easter Sunday in Duke Gardens.

On the outside of the windows, looking inward. That’s what photography is for me — a chance to get outdoors and discover more about myself and my surroundings in the process.

One of my intentions for 2024 is to spend more time investing in growing as a photographer. This month, this investment came in the form of a private photography adventure with professional landscape photographer Mark VanDyke Photography in the Outer Banks. I learned more about scouting, reading conditions, and editing, and practiced a few behind the camera techniques as well. This winter sunset scene taken in Corolla Park is one of my favorite shots from the weekend.

How do you plan to grow this year?

“Isn’t it fantastic that you can change your mind and create all these happy things?” - Bob Ross

This wasn’t the sunset shot I planned to get tonight. Not even close. The big puffy clouds I’d spotted in the sky before leaving work vanished while I was in transit to the lake. Like the wind and those sneaky clouds, I changed direction, turning my attention toward the colors and textures of the trees reflecting in the water. I’m digging the Bob Ross vibes of the end result. 🎨😀

I almost majored in history so I’m drawn to historic sites like this one, especially on a beautiful fall day. According to the Wake County website, Yates Mill has operated for more than 200 years, and it is the only of the county’s 70 millponds that is still operational. Once an economic hub, today it is a popular county park. In the few minutes I was there this afternoon, I saw a bridal portrait shoot, family picnics, a site tour, and several kids playing in the water.

As a lifelong learner, the best, most fulfilling days are the ones when I learn something new. There’s nothing as thrilling as the feeling you get from making a discovery or having an “Aha!” moment.

I recently had the chance to be part of a magical learning experience as a participant in an Our State Magazine photography workshop in the Outer Banks, where I tried astrophotography for the first time. Astrophotography, which involves photographing the stars and other areas of the night sky, requires a lot of fumbling around in complete darkness with a tripod and your camera's settings.

Our group of 16 participants and two highly talented instructors Tommy White Photography and Mark VanDyke Photography made the midnight trek to Bodie Island Lighthouse, where we stood amidst mosquitoes to try the long-exposure techniques involved in astrophotography. Our guides had prepped us with the best settings to use, and we partnered up in the dark to see what we could capture.

One of my partners was Emma, a young woman in her early twenties who was new to photography. Even though Emma had minimal experience behind the camera, she had an enthusiasm and a willingness to jump in and experiment that helped me get over being intimidated. It was Emma who encouraged me to plant my tripod finally, take a couple of test shots, and who ended up helping me figure out what I was missing in those first few attempts.

The setting, the experience of the instructors, Emma’s eager approach, and my willingness to set aside my fears all combined to help me create one of the best images I’ll probably ever take in my career.

What have been some of your most magical learning experiences? Who and what conditions contributed to your learning breakthrough?

While it is not officially over for another three weeks, Labor Day Weekend has always felt like the end of summer. It especially feels that way this year – probably because temperatures have dropped slightly, classes started a week and a half ago, and my co-workers have been walking around with Pumpkin Spice lattes. Everyone around me seems in a hurry for fall and sweater season, and normally, I’d be right there with them. With its colorful scenery, cooler air, fun holidays, and my birthday month, I have always loved fall. But this year, I’m not quite ready to leave the long, relaxing days of summer behind!!!

All Mondays should start like this one!

Don't forget to stop and smell the roses!

Happy Saturday! I hope you are able to get outside and enjoy some beautiful views today.

This new print is now available in my Etsy shop! Link in comments.

I had fun experimenting with a macro lens attachment to my cell phone yesterday.

The windows of Rocky Mount Mills.

Spring is coming…

The Hermitage of Montecasale was one of the highlights of my recent trip to Italy. Read more about it in today’s Sunday Scene blog post.

https://bookpicksandpics.com/2023/02/12/the-hermitage-of-montecasale/

This morning’s pastel-hued sunrise.

Check out my newest listing - link in comments!

I am excited to share the latest addition to my shop!

Get a printable download of this charming farm scene for less than $6 on my new Etsy site. Link in comments.

I’ve added a few images from my recent trip to Italy to my site. Which image is your favorite?

Italy - Flash Mama Photography Breathtaking views from the Tuscany region of Italy

Flash Mama Photography is now on YouTube. Visit our channel via the link below. Be sure to subscribe so you don't miss any videos.

Flash Mama Photography - YouTube No matter where we live, we are all surrounded by the beauty of nature in our everyday lives, if we just take a second to notice. Through Flash Mama Photogra...

The view through a window in the Santa Vittoria.

I hope your day bursts with color!

Happy Sunday friends! I hope it is a relaxing and peaceful day.

Happy Thanksgiving! I’m grateful for each of you. Thanks for your ongoing support of my passion for photography.

Have a wonderful day friends!