this crazy weather

What more would you expect on a warm January day like today? 

How about feeling a little spring fever, a little teaser of what's to come.

and,

I had to capture our sun setting over yonder Pennsylvania hills as well as my favorite subjects, my girls.

Is it really the end of January already? It's hard to believe that today's high was 63 (!!) It was a welcomed change. Now, I'm off to do some laundry ;) 

I hope your day brought you welcomed change and fun!

Barb

the quiet darkness seeks wisdom

All that is gold does not glitter, not all those who wander are lost; 

the old that is strong does not wither, 

deep roots are not reached by the frost. 

 From the ashes a fire shall be woken, a light from the shadows shall spring; 

renenwed shall be blade that was broken, the crownless again shall be king.

There is nothing like looking, if you want to find something. 

You certainly usually find something, if you look, 

but it is not always quite the something you were after.

Remember what Bilbo used to say: It's a dangerous business, Frodo, going out your door. 

You step onto the road, and if you don't keep your feet, 

there's no knowing where you might be swept off to.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

All quotes are courtesy of the ever profound author, J.R.R. Tolkien 

And images are of my oldest daughter, Chelsea. (Thanks, Chels!)

Thank you for viewing my *dark* submission for a fun photography group I am honored to be a part of on Facebook.  Each and every week our fearless leader gives us a new theme to creatively shoot and then share.  I'd also like to share these inspirations with you, too! 

Have a great week, friends! 

Barb 

Focus on Local | Berks County PA Photographer

I've been contemplating for a while now on how to give something back to my community. If you know me, than you know I'm usually a little cheerleader in support of local economies. I get frustrated with myself because so many times I want to reach out and purchase something from my neighbors, my local small businesses, and reinvest in whatever way I am capable. But, … there's that "but" that I wish I didn't have to use at all, but … finances being what they are, well, I'm not always able to meet my lofty goals. I realize how important goals are though. Let's just put it this way, I feel sorry for my husband because he has to live with me and all my visions of grandeur. ;) (poor guy). 

I believe I found a very interesting photography project for myself, and any other photographer that needs a little inspiration as well. Okay, so here's my intention. As my way of giving myself some creative stimulation as well as highlighting local *mom & pop* businesses, I plan to visit, observe, and photograph local establishments. After my visit, I will eagerly upload my work and publish a handful of photos along with a few highlights, offerings, and a general idea regarding my experience (with permission, of course!). 

After my browsing fun at the Mill Property in Morgantown, PA this past Sunday, an establishment that I was once affiliated with, I began to think that this could be a great project for myself and it might prove worthy to local businesses. I'm going to give it a go, at least. I don't have anything to lose, only to gain in perspective, creative energy and the possibility of reinvigorating my neighbors' and friends' businesses. 

I am really looking forward to Focus on Local projects. 

Won't you join me? I'd love to follow your reflections and artwork, as well.

Of course, I will continue to pursue other areas of photography, namely children & families, as well. I am looking forward to seeing your shining faces, too!! :) 

Your comments are always appreciated. I'd love to hear your reactions regarding Focus on Local from y'all!

If you have a local business in mind, and live in the Berks County area, please pass your suggestion onto me! Thanks kindly, friends.  

Here's to new endeavors! Happy projecting. 

and thank you for stopping by :)

Best wishes,
Barb

snowy Sunday afternoon

Ever get the urge to go antiquing, browsing, reminiscing over past treasures at the local antique shops? I had a free hour today and that's exactly what I did. 

Thanks to The Mill Property in Morgantown, PA for letting me poke around while also snapping pixels. All the photos you viewed were created completely with natural, available light, my Sony a35 dSLT with a 50mm lens. What fun!! I'm thinking of doing more photo shoots like this. Project ideas are piling up in my mind. It's time to put them to work. :)

Good day to you, friends.

Barb 

P.s. to view the entire set, please visit my Flickr account:  http://www.flickr.com/photos/42952831@N05/sets/72157628986909611/

Play is Child's Work … { giveaway announcement }

"Within the child lies the fate of the future. Whoever wishes to confer some benefit on society must preserve him from deviations and observe his natural ways of acting. A child is mysterious and powerful and contains within himself the secret of human nature." (Dr. Maria Montessori)

How would you like the chance to win a full photo session with me? Or, an 11" x 14" fine art ready-to-hang mounted print of your choice from my Open Art Gallery on SmugMug? Or, $1000. cash? Or, a 42" LG LED TV? Or, an iPad2? Yea, me too! :)

In an effort to assist my daughter's school, Montessori Country Day School, in their annual fundraiser, I came up with a plan!

So, here's how to play along:

What I am asking of you, if you want to be entered into a drawing for either a full photo session or the 11" x 14" ready to hang mounted print of your choice is kindly (1) leave me a comment below - just telling me that "YES" you will play along and possibly which of the two you are interested in AND (2) send me an email with an address to mail you your RAFFLE TICKET. 
The raffle tickets cost $10 each, and I ask that you would send the ticket with your name and contact info on it and seller (My 3 Girls Photography) directly to the Montessori Country Day School, along with your contribution. Basically, when you purchase at least 1 raffle ticket, you are automatically entered into My 3 Girls Photography's drawing opportunity. 

The raffle tickets are sponsored/offered by the school itself. They are having a fundraiser Gala event on Saturday, February 18, when the winners will be drawn and announced for the different prizes (money, iPAD2, TV) they are offering. 


My drawing for the photo session / mounted print will be held separately, on Valentine's Day, Tuesday, February 14, 2012. The deadline to enter My 3 Girls' drawing is Friday, February 10 by midnight. That should give me enough time to send the raffle ticket to you and then for you to take care of sending in the stub, all filled out (name, contact info, and seller's name - My 3 Girls Photography) and the $10 payment directly to the Montessori Country Day School.


To increase your odds, you are permitted and encouraged to purchase more than 1 raffle ticket. For each ticket you purchase will not only increase your chances of winning the school's prizes, but you will also be given more chances to win from my own prize offerings. For example, if you purchase 3 tickets, you will then have 3 opportunities to win my prizes; 2 tickets = 2 chances; 1 ticket = 1 chance. Make sense? So, please don't be bashful. Order as many tickets as you would like!!! ;)

These are Montessori kids, and they love their school. They hope you'll play along! :)

I will film the giveaway opportunity on Valentine's Day, Tuesday, Feb 14 with my Montessori daughter choosing the winner!! I will publish the video, announcing the winner on my blog on February 14. :)  

To send me an email, please use this address:  my3girlsphotography@gmail.com
and don't forget to leave me a comment below. Thank you!
To view my photography in the Open Art Gallery, you can either click here or enter the web address: http://my3girls.smugmug.com/Art/Open-Art-Gallery/18975059_W9XbQT
Thank you kindly! 

I'd be grateful to you if you would share this giveaway chance with your friends and family. The more the merrier! And, remember you can't win if you don't play! :) Thank you for supporting quality education, teachers, and values. You make the difference. 

Best wishes, 

and Best luck be with you,

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 Feedburner in your inbox. And Voila! You're all set to receive my published blog posts!! :) Thank you kindly, friends.

today?

this is my favorite image from today's walk in the woods . . .

So, what did you do today?!

I will catch up with you soon. I won't be as accessible over the next few days, so, if you should need to chat with me, please send me an email! 

And if not, I hope you have a great week of new beginnings, and life-affirming adventures!! :)

Love to all,

Barb 

 my email:  my3girlsphotography@gmail.com

the beauty of the moon

When I admire the wonder of a sunset or the beauty of the moon, my soul expands in worship of the Creator.

~ Mahatma Gandhi ~

go to the woods

I think that I shall never see

A poem lovely as a tree;

A tree whose hungry mouth is prest

Against the earth's sweet flowing breast;

A tree that looks at God all day,

And lifts her leafy arms to pray;

 A tree that may in Summer wear

A nest of robins in her hair;

Upon whose bosom snow has lain ~~

Who intimately lives with rain.

Poems are made by fools like me,

But only God can make a tree.

"Trees" by Joyce Kilmer

Feed your soul, go to the woods. :)

Happy hiking,

Barb

P.s. "With the right pair of hiking boots, anything is possible." ~ me ~