When Will it be Spring?

I love taking pictures.  I love nature.  I carry my camera everywhere I go, but the challenge is the weather!  It's been raining non-stop - hard - for the last few days.  And today, it's a bit chilly, but that strange yellow ball was in the sky spreading a warmth that radiated through my whole body when I stood in it.  So what to do?  Hmmm.... what to do?

Chickadee

dee....deee

The first violets of the year

budding clematis

Take pictures!  

Wordless Wednesday

New Etsy Listings

I am now offering.... drum roll please ....... Prints for sale.  

My ego is a little bit nervous - but my heart is hopeful.  Please check them out and offer any feedback you think would be helpful - pricing, shipping, etc.

Thanks!

HFO Prints and Mounted Prints for Sale here!

Untouched

I was at a friend's house in Tigard last night and the sunset was amazing.  These photos are not enhanced in anyway - this is just how the sky looked.  

For the Birds

I've been trying all day to get a picture of the nuthatch feeding on my front porch.  

I got a picture of a scrub jay

A Goldfinch

A whole bunch of bushtits

.

.

But not one of a nuthatch.

It's a Brand New Year!

I'm excited for what the future has in store.  I've spent a lot of time thinking about what I want to accomplish with my photos this year and I've come up with seven goals for 2012 - 

1. Write a real business plan
2. Approach at least 4 retail outlets with my cards
3. Create some wedding invitations and do some marketing
4. Complete at least 80% of the 52 week project 
5. Find one establishment to hang my photos for sale in
6. Sell at three shows - or more
7. Prepare two actual portfolios of my work

Dodge City Sunset

And with these goals, each week I'll plan mini goals to map my way in completing each one.  This week the plan is:

• Clean and organize my work space - set up an area for planning and paperwork
• Begin printing photos for framing and mounting (professional printing)
• Create a brochure with wholesale price list for cards 
• Complete the first Project 52 photo - post
• Take photos for the requested wedding invitations - email for approval

I'm excited about the year to come and confident it will be a year of successes!

What is your plan?

Cats and Water - Experiments in Close up

Water droplet - appears to be frozen in the center

Bucky's smile

Boudicca's Sneer

The Bob

I was looking through my pictures and found this one of my cat Bismark.  He was half bobcat and had the best face - So here is my photographic tribute to my old friend.  I miss him.

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this is the photo that prompted this tribute.  Isn't he gorgeous?

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2012 Calendar of Original Photography

Well - I went and did it.  I put together twelve photographs with quotes and made a calendar out of them - and it's for sale on my Etsy website!

Click here to check it out!

Free Card!

Every month there is a drawing from my facebook page for a free card of the winner's choice. All you have to do is like my page to qualify!


Just click here to go there!


And watch for new cards coming in January as well as mounted photos and magnets!

Photographic Opportunities

Living in the Pacific Northwest does not always provide the perfect weather to get out and take photographs.  This time of year is usually dark and dreary, and most often, wet.  So what is a creative photographer to do?

Carry the camera at all times! You never know when an opportunity will present itself - geese on a pond, an interesting pattern in the ice on the ground - 

Or a great, sparkling Christmas tree when you're out shopping!  I went to the Woodburn Outlet stores and the huge tree just caught my eye.  Out comes the camera - and.........

Merry Christmas!

Win a Set of Notecards!

Help us hit 100 followers!  When we hit 100 there will be a drawing for a free set of four notecards - winner's choice from my website!

Helen Fern Original Photography

I am a wife, mother and grandmother. I live with my amazing husband and two very spoiled cats in the Willamette Valley of Oregon. I love to take pictures of anything and everything. Each photograph is a place I have been or an object that has moved me in some way.

The ocean is my muse. It is the place I go for rest and rejuvenation. The sound of water fills my soul and quenches my spirit.

I also sculpt art dolls and love to cook. My husband and I hunt for mushrooms in the Spring and the Fall for culinary use. Someday I'd like to write a cookbook that uses the amazing fresh foods available in the Pacific Northwest.

My life is no different than anyone else's. We have our worries, but I am content to experience the beauty of the world around me and share it with you in a small way. I hope you enjoy your visit.

Visit my website to see the blank cards made from my photos - and feel free to contact me regarding wholesale or prints.

HelenFern@msn.com