30th Annual Villa Louis Carriage Classic,
Prairie du Chien, WI, Sept. 2010

Best of 2010: Photo Highlights
For your enjoyment, Reader, here are my best shots from last year:


Pansy at Nursery, March 2010


Michael Scott, 30th Annual Villa Louis Carriage Classic,
Prairie du Chien, WI, Sept. 2010


V., Charming Charlie Shoot, Summer 2010

Rose at Nursery, Summer 2010

Grace & Sarah, Mississippi River, Prairie du Chien, WI, Sept. 2010

Thoroughbred Mare, October 2010

Uncle & Team Raking the Hayfield, Nov. 2010

Circus Wagon, FVSA Show Costume Class, August 2010

Rose, Heinz Bros. Nursery, Summer, 2010

Aunt & Poodle, 4th of July Trail Drive, 2010

Mocha, Caribou Coffee, Spring 2010

Chunk In Stone, Planter's Palette, Summer 2010

Ornamental Onion, Summer 2010

4th of July Trail Drive, Hampshire Forest Preserve, 2010

Dressage Demonstration, St. James Farm Homecoming, May 2010

Poppy, K&J Landscaping, Spring 2010

Around The Barrel, Big Hat Rodeo, Kane County Fair, July 2010

Acting Up, Big Hat Rodeo, Kane County Fair, July 2010

Red Velvet Rose, Heinz Bros. Nursery, Summer 2010

Aunt Chef & Bibiena, St. James Homecoming, May 2010

Kelly & Rosie, ADS Show, August 2010

Passion Flower, Summer 2010

Uncle & Fred, ADS Show, August 2010

Bearded Iris, May 2010

'John Said', Thoroughbred Gelding, 2007-2010

Delphinium, Spring 2010

Cousin & Little Man, Memorial Day Weekend, May 2010

Assorted Ducklings, Spring 2010

Aunt & Poodle, ADS Show, August 2010

Flower, Kane County Flea Market, Spring 2010

Hershey, Fjord Stallion, FVSA Show, August 2010

Paphiopedilum, Batavia Orchid Show, Feb. 2010

Andalusian Stallion & Handler,

St. James Farm Forest Preserve Homecoming, May 2010

Flower Opening at Nursery, Summer 2010

A few of my original Orchid Notecard designs.

Today's Joy: My First Custom Order.

Finished my first custom card order for a customer today, Reader. Thank you cards for her friend's wedding. I'm very pleased with the way they came out. I hope the bride likes them as much as I do. With other photo orders coming in this week, I feel great. What a joy to be able to share this gift I have and make other people's lives better! How humbling that in these days of a tight economy, people are choosing to spend some of their hard-earned money on my work.

Gotta give the glory to God, for providing the talent and resources that got me to where I am now. If you'd told me 10 years ago, or even 5 years ago, that I would be a photographer in my spare time, I wouldn't have believed it. You never know what comes next in this amazing plan of God's. I feel more fulfilled than at any other time in my life. That is an incredible gift in itself! I can't wait to see what He has planned next!

What we are is God's gift to us. What we become is our gift to God. ~Eleanor Powell

Quote courtesy of The Quote Garden.

Aunt & Poodle, Driving Portrait

Today's Joy: Photo Editing.

Whew! Went thru all the photos I took using both cameras yesterday, Reader. There are approximately 1,000 images in all. Of course, most are bunk. But around 230 are worth editing and about 15-20 of those I'm actually quite pleased with. Lately, have been trying to upload my photos on an almost daily basis to reduce the amount of large-scale uploads that I normally post to my flickr site. It works wonders, except when I cover fun family adventures like yesterday's driving show.

I really enjoy snapping shots of my family as they whoop it up in all their technicolor fabulousness. They are such original characters, I couldn't have made them up! Much better to just follow along and catch their antics on film. So, once in a while, several hours of sitting in a chair, squinting at the computer screen to make sure each shot is cropped right and the colors reflect things just as I remember them is worth the stiff back and flat bottom I inevitably get.

Few things are better than hitting play on a photo slideshow and watching everyone smile & laugh as they see themselves the way I see them. They are so colorful and vital. I suspect it will be my life's work to capture that essence in photos. Good thing I have a good camera and they always have a new adventure on the horizon. Wonder what they'll come up with next...

Today's Joy: Getting My Ducks In A Row. Well, Reader, tomorrow is the big face-to-face interview for my dream decorating job. Say a prayer and keep your fingers crossed. I have been preparing dutifully all evening.
Have also made my final submissions for the Batavia Orchid Society Photo Competition. Whew! It was a tough choice. But I sent my little darlings out into the world. Let's see if they can get themselves into Orchid Digest.
Also heard from a favorite former professor this afternoon. She is seeking updated info on wayward alums of the University of Maine at Farmington Creative Writing Program. Alas, I have indeed been wayward. But no more! With the click of a mouse, my email will see that I am once again found! FYI to other possibly wayward alums who might be reading this post: get found too! I want to read about you in the next BFA Alum Newsletter.

Doesn't it feel good to be done with the electronic housekeeping, Reader? If only the actual housework were so easily dispatched! Note to self: look into getting a Roomba. And that one that mops the floor. What do they call it? Oh yes, a Scooba. Good night, dear Reader. Sleep tight & don't let the spam email bite!

Best Of 2009

Dearest Forlorn Reader:

You are not forgotten! December kicked my butt and I do apologize for disappearing just when you needed some holiday reinforcement. Never fear! I am back. Have reviewed all of my photos from the last year and compiled this batch of my favorite memories of 2009. A year of gigantic personal growth! Also my first year with my darling new Olympus E-420.

Oh, how I "heart" photography!

Enjoy, dear Reader. When next we visit, it will be to kick off 2010! A new year of incredible possibilities....what do you want from life this year? I have a challenge in mind--something daily, something joyful. Will explain on January One. XOXO

*Background info on all photos available on my flickr site: www.flickr.com/photos/talekinker