Sweet Maggie - Columbus Ohio Dog Photographer {Central Ohio Pet Photographer}

LOVE - This one  word conjures up so many meanings in all of us. I believe that love it the ultimate blending of all the purest & best emotions humans can feel - happiness, grace, gratitude, appreciation, respect. But in our relationships with our pets - I believe that one more aspect is added to that love - complete vulnerability -  and the responsibility of their kind care. Dogs have helped heal people in hospitals and aided in helping children read or opening them up in therapy. Our bond is so deep and unique. And these are some of the reasons I love photographing people with their pets.

Two and a half years ago, I photographed Maggie - a spaniel mix and her comrade Zoe, a setter mix for their owners. A couple months ago, I learned that Maggie has lymphoma. So I decided to do a "secret stealth session" with Maggie as a surprise for her owner who had mentioned maybe getting more portraits done. This session was truly a labor of love and a celebration of her sweet little spirit! I'm so glad I had this one on one time with her and I'm glad her owner will have these portraits to look at now & in the future.

And so..... time is so fleeting....... Love with all your soul. And make that love known in all ways. ♥

MAGGIE'S SESSION NOVEMBER 2009

MAGGIE'S MAY 2012 SESSION

Wild Abandon {Columbus Ohio Photographer}

I kind of have this pet peeve..... I don't like shrubs (unless in a formal garden) tightly pruned into squares & orbs. This is especially true of forsythia. It is so sad that most forsythia we see are cut into little boxes & their bloom isn't quite so spectacular this way. There is nothing more beautiful in spring than seeing an untamed forsythia shrub blooming for all it's worth - with wild abandon. They seem to be so exuberantly heralding spring. And so... I got to thinking about people - how so many try to be cookie cutters of someone else or who they thing they should be. And it reminds me of the saying - better to be a first rate version of yourself than a second rate copy of someone else! Happy Spring!

WILD ABANDON

Time to Bloom - Central Ohio Photographer

Happy Easter weekend! The flowers are blooming to their most heavenly beauty. Birds are happily calling to one another. The sun is shining more! And the air is warming.

And still, this weekend is so poignant for me. It was at Easter time on April 8th seventeen years ago that I lost my Mom and best friend after a brief fight with cancer. And now, only 6 years younger than she was when she passed, I find myself very focused on living life so very fully - very richly. I remember one of the walks I took with mom after she was diagnosed - I can still see her beautiful face full of wonder. I asked her what she was looking at. She said - "Everything. It is like I am seeing everything for the first time." To see the same with new eyes - I never forgot that & try to keep that thought & view each day. I realize that the seeds of my dreams long ago planted need now to be nurtured to fully flourish.... I am fortunate to be living my dream. But - there have been other seeds and dreams planted as well. And so this spring as I plant my seeds and flowers, I will be thinking of mom... of her dreams and of my dreams. And I will be busy nurturing them to full bloom!

Happy Easter Mom..... I love you.

BLOOM

Maidenhair Fern

I was at Kingwood Center in Mansfield, Ohio last week. Everything was bursting forth and blooming - and the greenhouse is getting filled! I spotted this lovely strolling through the greenhouse. Fern love!

Maidenhair Fern

Fleeting Spring

Well we hardly had a winter to speak of & now we had a brief spring and went straight to summer in Central Ohio! I am appreciating the ephemeral beauty of spring even more this year!

Moments of Supreme Happiness

Rachael Ray gift!

I am over the moon about my opportunity to send one of my fine art pieces to Rachael Ray! Since Rachael is all about food, I decided to select Pair of Pears for her. The 5x7 photograph was mounted on 3/4 inch bamboo (sustainable) and is ready to hang on her wall! I wanted to keep the packaging simple yet still show off the art inside. A friend who is very handy with a sewing machine crafted a lovely plum organza bag with matching ribbon! Perfect! I also wrote a personal note on one of my Party Girl cards featuring my dog Maggie May, and included special wishes from Maggie for Rachael's dog Isaboo! The package was sent this weekend!! I'm happy dancing! 

 

 

 

 

Cottage Chic Spring - Beautiful handmade art and home accessories

Etsy......
I love it! In addition to being a great place to showcase my fine art photography, it is also a wonderful tool to find great handmade & home decor! In etsy, "collections" or "lists" are curated by Etsy members based on themes or just personal preferences. This is my newly curated collection of spring beauties! Enjoy!

Apparition - Columbus Ohio Photographer

The grass is always greener where you water.

~unknown

APPARITION

This print may be purchased HERE.

FLOW WITH LIFE

This print may be purchased HERE.

Every Day a Beginning

 The Day Flew Away

Well, I had all sorts of intentions to do a blog post the first of January. You know - a new year sort of thing. Somehow 31 days flew quickly by! But the great thing about beginnings is you can have them anytime! And so today I'm doing what I had planned to do a month ago... talk about beginnings!

This year - no resolutions. Instead I'm focusing on what I want to bring into my life this year & how I want to live this year. And... also I'm thinking of what I want to let go of. The past year saw lots of changes - very good changes and I'd like that to continue. So, I want to live this year healthier - mentally, nutritionally & spiritually. I was already soy free due to an allergy to soy. This year I am gluten free. Already I have fewer headaches & feel better. I am giving myself time for me, to reduce stress. I started doing yoga (why did I wait so long?). I'm including prayer as part of my everyday routine. I have personalized The Prayer of Jabez for my life - and I love that daily focus on God, living well and with intention. And I'm going to do my best to post on my blog 5 times a week!

And - what am I letting go of?

Worry! A friend today said: Worry is a prayer for things I don't want. 

So.... I'm going to banish worry.

What do you want to bring into your life..... & what do you want to let go of?

Celebrities were SMITTEN with Oh Joy! Photography at the Golden Globes Gift Lounge!

 Oh Joy! Photography is delighted to have had our 2012 Poetry of Fog desk calendar featured in the celebrity swag bags at the Golden Globes Gift Lounge held at L'Ermitage Beverly Hills. And our framed Gather Up Your Dreams print won raves! There were so many talented artists who participated through The Artisan Group in conjunction with GBK and all celebrities left with a swag bag packed with beautiful handmade art.

2012 POETRY OF FOG DESK CALENDAR (5x7)

GATHER UP YOUR DREAMS

Several celebrities were so taken with our print, they had their photograph taken with our Gather Up Your Dreams fine art framed print!

Joe Mantegna is an actor, writer and producer. Joe is best known for his role as Joey Zasa starring alongside Al Pacino in The Godfather: Part III . He currently plays the role of David Rossi on Criminal Minds and was the voice of Fat Tony on The Simpsons.

Tony Denison has appeared on The Wise Guy series and in numerous shows and movies. Currently he plays the role of Lt. Flynn in The Closer TV series.

Beau Willimon is executive producer and writer for House of Cards TV series.


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Oh Joy! Photography specializes in beautiful atmospheric nature scenes as well as fine art portraits of children, pets and newborns. Joy's work can be seen and purchased HERE and HERE. To contact us send an email to: joy@ohjoyphotography.com
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