2011 ~ thank you | Southeastern PA Photographer

I am abundantly reflecting on this past year, and all that it entailed. A need fills me to write, to express my gratitude somehow for all the growth I have experienced, both personally and professionally, this past year. I had so many wonderful opportunities!! So many, I tell you! I met some fantastic people (including reconnecting with past friends), broadened my photography horizons and business, learned more about myself, and pushed my boundaries just a bit more. 2011 was one. amazing. year.

Of course, it wasn't all peaches and cream, or clementines and strawberries, but the hard work doubled the rewards. This past year was sweet and sour. Life is like a bowl of cherries, filled with the sweetness of the fruit, the pulp, the juice, the tasty delights, but we have the pit to deal with, too (not quite as tasty, but needed for the fruit's survival). Overall, the sweet stuff, the goodness in life, the gifts of the spirit, the birdsong came singing through.  

My experience e x p a n d e d …

I not only shot my first official wedding, but I was honored to shoot two, and second shoot for another! Thank you and congratulations to Valerie and Nathan, Sandy and Sean, and Kristen and Cory. 

I shot high school seniors. Thank you Derrick and Jordan!

I shot more families, newborns, and children than ever before. Thank you, my friends!

I shot an engaged couple. Thank you Jodi and Lee!

I even shot a model this year! Thank you, Jamie! 

I shot more - period - And that, my friend, is a very good thing. Thank you.

My workflow is becoming refined. I love to experiment with post-processing, and learn new fangled tips and techniques, and I believe my style is becoming a bit more pronounced, more me. I am finding more ease with my own taste, my own style of photography. Ask any photographer and they'll tell you that this is half the battle won. To find one's own style is truly a gift. It's difficult to look around and see so many talented photographers and then look at your own and find the value in what you see. It can be intimidating at times. But we must push through, push those boundaries because all artists at one time or another have dealt with this issue. I'm glad to know that I'm not alone.

It's an acceptance with one's own work - a feeling that says "I like it. It works for me." I'm getting there. Every shoot I do pushes me a bit further. I wonder if I'll ever be exactly "comfortable." It might be that 'comfort' is not what I am after, rather a feeling that my work is worthy. That is my goal. To be happy with myself as an artist, and as a photographer. To be able to express my feelings with visual power and emotion. That is the cherry on top. ;)

I have come to the realization also that the biggest part of what I do when I am connecting my lens with my subject, and usually that subject is a human being, is to blend technology with tenderness. I always strive to keep my subject(s) 'comfortable' (there's that word again!). If I can not make a connection with my client-friends, I can not do my job well. It's the relationship between the photographer and the photographed that matters the most. Certainly, the science of photographing someone is very important too, but it won't get the best pictures possible. The science of photography is a small portion whereas the relationship, the trust, the laughter, the kindness, the respect - that's where the magic resides. ;)

Thank you to everyone, great and small who allowed me the distinct honor of photographing you in 2011. You gave me an opportunity to gaze into your soul, to capture moments shared in time and I do not take this lightly. You have left your mark on my heart. I am forever grateful to you.   

What a ride! What a year! 2011 was a very exciting year for me. I have learned a great deal, and now I am even more eager to see what 2012 has in store… Because I have great plans for it! ;)

With gratitude and friendship,

always,

Barb

P.s. I'd love it if you would follow my blog posts via email. Simply fill in your email below in the "Subscribe by Email" box. You'll then be asked to verify your email address through Feed burner. And Voila! You're all set to receive my published blog posts!! :) Thank you kindly, friends. 

Anonymous Blessing

"We believe in Christmas." 

That's how the card is signed.

We received a tremendous gift of generosity and kindness today. A gift that brought me to tears. An unexpected blessing. No return address. No signature identifying the sender. A beautiful Christmas card with a beautiful message of love, and a $50 gift card.

"My soul glorifies the Lord and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior." ~ Luke 1:46-47

To say that I am overwhelmed by this gift is an understatement. If our anonymous friend is reading this, please know that you have touched my heart deeply. I pray that you have a wondrous Christmas and receive the joy of our Lord's birth with a childish delight.

Thank you, friends.

Merry Christmas to one and all.

May God bless us all.

I believe.

Barb

P.s. Here is an update on the sacred travelers journey to Bethlehem. They are just about to reach the city and will be looking for a room at an Inn. 

Merry Christmas Greetings { video }

In lieu of holiday greeting cards this year, I thought to make a short video for everyone. :) My family and I had such a fun time doing this, we just might make it an annual tradition!! Chelsea did a great job with the editing and dubbing ~ Thanks, Chels!! :)


Please turn up your volume, and go to the YouTube link below to view the video:

Christmas Greetings Video

Happy Holidays to you and yours from the Liszcz family.

Happy Winter Solstice, Happy Kwanza, Happy Hanukkah, and Merry Christmas, too! 

Here's wishing you peace, love and light at Christmas and throughout the New Year !

With much love,

always,

Barb and family

The Long Journey

One more week!! The suspense is beginning to build in my home now. After my 2nd daughter's big 6th birthday party, it's now time to begin the preparations for another birthday celebration ~ Jesus'. I know that many of you have a difficult time keeping Christ in Christmas, just as I do. It's not hard to get caught up in all the commercialism that is prevalently associated with the traditions of gift giving at Christmas. I am proud to announce that I have not spent 1 dime on Christmas gifts at any of the massive conglomerate stores (you know the ones I speak of ;) I am doing my best to keep Christmas meaningful and avoid large credit card bills for months following the holiday. This is not easy! Everywhere you and I turn, we are being inundated with advertisements and marketing gimmicks designed to play on our guilt, make us whip out the plastic and swipe, swipe, swipe away!! No!!! I will not be wooed! If you are in agreement with me, and share my feelings, I am here to help support you, my friend. We can do this! I believe a healthy dose of denial has helped my cause, too ;) 

Back to keeping Christmas meaningful . . .

Here's a wonderful tradition for Christian families to adopt. I pulled out the decorations yesterday, and my young girls and I adorned our tree. I then also set up our manger scene. This manger scene was handed down to me by my beloved paternal grandmother (I've spoken highly of her before). For years I had always admired it in her home, so when she asked me if I would like to have it, I was honored and extremely happy, too!! :) Thank you, MomMom.

Anyhow, it's a very simple tradition to begin. I placed Mary, Joseph and their faithful donkey at a distant place (high above little hands) within the same room as the manger scene. Each night, after the girls are in bed, I move the travellers a bit closer to the manger, signifying their long journey to Bethlehem. Each morning, the girls look to see where Mary & Joseph are and they get a little bit more excited knowing that Christmas is coming - soon! Once they reach the manger it will be Christmas eve. Baby Jesus will be placed in the manger on Christmas morning (before my girls awake). Just imagine the excitement that this produces for little ones!! :)

It helps that my 2nd daughter understands that Christmas day signifies Jesus' birth. My youngest (#3) doesn't get it quite yet, but she will. With each year, they understand a little more about the story of Christmas. It truly is a magnificent one, filled with wondrous magic. Magic in which I believe.  

    

Here are Joseph, Mary and the donkey on their journey

Their destination awaits them . . .

. . . and this little guy stays put on the tree. ;) 

Do share how you are keeping Christ in Christmas. I'd love to hear from you! 

Be well and happy this holiday season.

All my best,

Barb

P.s. I'd love it if my regular readers/viewers would follow my posts via email. Simply fill in your email below in the "Subscribe by Email" box. You'll then be asked to verify your email address and then Voila! you're all set to receive my published blog posts!! :) Thank you kindly.

~*~ 6 Birthdays! ~*~

My 2nd daughter turned 6 today!!!!!! We had a small birthday celebration last weekend for her, which included a couple of her Montessori classmates and "Busy Bee" friends, too! There was much fun to be had by all! 

Here is the birthday gang just before playing Pin the Nose on Rudolph ... 

Hey! No peeking!!

Thank goodness I had my mom-friends helping me with this part of the party!! Sometimes I get visions of grandeur, and foresee the future brightly, in perfect working order. This was one of those times! And just like a vision of grandeur is usually deceiving in some or most aspects, this time was no exception . . . Oh well, the kids didn't seem to notice one bit. Many thanks to my friends and husband for being so gracious and calm about the mess that followed :) 

This was one experience I believe we will all be laughing about for a long time! ;)  

After cleaning up the mounds of sugary confections from the floor, tables and children, it was time to sing and have cake!

Alanna sat with her big sister, Chelsea for the melodious, wish filled occasion . . .

Let's open PRESENTS!!! 

This was a special S.W.A.K card from Alanna's Grandma in Nashville, TN!!

Alanna is returning your kiss, Granma Deb! She blew one back to you! xox!

What a fun birthday for Alanna and her friends! 

Thanks to our friends for making Alanna's celebration extra great!! She will always remember these special times with you. I am grateful to you. 

Happy 6th birthday to Alanna!!!

and many, many more!!!

Love you forever,

your Mommy

Giggle

My year is complete now. Do you remember my One Word for 2011 blog post back in January? I know it's been a while. I explained how I was looking over my goals, intentions, hopes for the new year and I decided to sum it up with one word. My one word was heart. I then asked you, my readers and loving supporters to do the same. I also asked you to share your one word in the comments section of the blog to be entered into a drawing for a free session with me. The response was tremendous!! That was a definite favorite project/giveaway for the year, if I do say so myself. On Valentine's Day I had my 2nd daughter draw one of the "one word" names from a hat, and, well, she pulled "Giggle!" The winner was announced on the "Flowers for YOU" blog posted the same day. Since that day, I had been patiently waiting to have the opportunity to fulfill our session together. The time has finally come around, and here are some of my most favorite giggly images to share with you. . .  

   

Here's a refresher of your one word for 2011:

"My word is "giggle." To me, a giggle is an eruption of happiness and glee, which are things that the world definitely could use! Having 2 little girls, I get to hear giggles all the time and they never fail to make me smile. They're infectious and indications of good. How many times has somebody not felt well or been very sad and you've worked your best to make them happy, even for a moment? When they giggle, you know you've won. With all the craziness and upheaval in the world, I think that every moment of joy should be seized and held for as long as possible and the eruptions of happiness that are giggles are a great start.

FYI- as I typed this, my girls both started giggling about a puppy in a show, first one and then the other. Best sounds in the world <3"

What do you think, friends? Can you see why Stacy chose her one word?! Yes, me too! :)

Thank you again, my friends for making this happen. Your girls bring great joy and fill hearts with giggles and happiness. They have such trusting, loving spirits. I loved receiving hugs from them! I will treasure these memories of our time together with warm affection. I can't help but smile every time I view these!! I hope you will smile every time you see them too!  

With gratitude and giggles, 

Barb

;) 

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