It's Time

It’s time. I’d been thinking about it since the first of the year. When I got a request, I was no longer excited; it felt like an interruption, perhaps even an irritation. How could I claim photography as a passion as well as a business, when the pull of a photo session felt more like a push?

I floated the idea of quitting the business with friends and family. When one of my acquaintances suggested selling my cameras, I blurted out immediately. “Absolutely not! I’m still going to take photos,” I reacted as a mother protecting her offspring. I mentally threw my body across my cameras to ward off any possible attack or pillage.  

The process of sharing with the universe what I’d been thinking and feeling was productive. It helped me clarify what it was about my passion that had become problematic. It was the business. I no longer liked the work involved getting ready for a shoot or the work following a shoot. I can honestly say I did enjoy photo sessions with clients. There were a few exceptions, but very few.

And I really loved the results, the photos themselves, even though I spent far too much time assuring those results were as pleasing as possible. I still find myself admiring the beautiful moments I was able to capture with my camera. I can look at a photo and feel awestruck knowing I shared in the creation of something memorable. At times, it’s wondrous to me that I was the one behind the camera.

Photography is a gift given to me quite by accident, something I fell into without a plan. Taking landscape photos turned into family photography and later, wedding photography. Pet photos became a real joy as I volunteered, and continue to volunteer, as a photographer at the local animal shelter. There were times when I would have a dozen sessions a week and feel completely overwhelmed. It was a race to get all the photos edited and forwarded to clients via my website within the promised timeframe.

But as I started contemplating letting go of the business, the calls and email requests died off, even before I made any public announcement. The universe was providing evidence - it was time.

Two other factors played part in the decision making. I finally had an MRI of my right foot, after limping around for nine months. The finding was a torn tendon, also known as flat foot dysfunction which might require surgery. I’ve begun physical therapy and am determined to avoid surgery. It would involve taking bone from my hip, other complicated procedures, and being on the mend for the better part of a year. At any rate, the idea of being on my feet now for more than a couple hours at a time ruled out continuing with wedding photography. Thankfully my good friend Shelly, with whom I’ve partnered on wedding shoots over the years, was able to step in and shoot the two weddings I had already booked for July.

The second factor was my husband Scott. His mobility is compromised a great deal more than mine. He has minimal lung capacity because of COPD/emphysema and difficulty moving anyway because of arthritic hips and a prosthetic leg. We decided it would be better for him to move downstairs into the master bedroom that served as my photography studio. It’s closer to his bathroom and “man cave” recording studio. Without my indoor studio, it was clear - my rainy season business would be as good as gone.

In late June, I noticed a new photography studio next to my nail salon, stopped in and picked up a card with the idea they might need some equipment. By the end of the week, the husband and wife team visited my studio and decided to buy everything I had to sell. They paid cash and hauled it all away.

I was able to repaint the bedroom and get it ready for Scott. By the end of the next week, Scott’s daughter, Summer, came over to help him in his studio. She told us her community was having a garage sale at the end of the week to help one of their neighbors raise money for medical bills. That’s all I needed. I filled Summer’s car to the brim with studio props. A couple days later I took another carload to the community sale. Within a ten day period in early July, my studio was dismantled, equipment sold and Scott moved downstairs.

My daughter, Kendall, lists one of my character traits as “decisive.” In other words, very little can stop me, once I make up my mind.  I just do it (sometimes not getting the best result). This time I’m convinced there were other factors at work. In giving up the photography business, I don’t believe I was decisive, but more part of a process. I shared my feelings with others and circumstances and events unfolded to show the direction in which I needed to go.

One of the last indicators I was making the right decision came a couple weeks ago. I climbed the stairs to my front porch. Just below the porch light had been my “Welcome” sign which also read, “Bonnie King Photography.” It was gone! A brief search found it nestled behind my petunia planter just below where it hung. It simply fell down. If that isn’t a “sign,” I don’t know what is.

This week I took down my street-side sign, the one just below the waterfall. It didn’t want to come out of the ground peacefully, so a sledge hammer was my convincer. By this time, my decisiveness had kicked in.

Now there’s the question of what to do with the decals on my Smart Car. She sports Abbey, the dog, on the back window and little sweetie, Allison, on both sides advertising Bonnie King Photography. Eyelashes adorn the front headlights. This is a tough decision.  I love that little girl’s laughing face. I definitely get more smiles to the mile. Eventually, when I have a couple hours to scrape, use Orange Clean or Goof Off and 90% alcohol as advised by the folks who put the decals on the car, the decals will go, but for the fun of it, the eyelashes will stay.

I’ve put notices on my Facebook page and website that I’m out of business, while reassuring those clients I still have booked that I won’t leave them stranded. My website will continue to be available for some time and I’m referring all photo requests to Shelly Luthi Photography.

So what's calling my name now, beckoning instead of irritating? Friends At Your Metro Animal Shelter (FAYMAS), the non-profit officially launched a year ago with Chris Lynch, continuing as the animal shelter photographer, and shooting fun photos of family, friends and some artsy subjects. Our home remodel is ongoing, Scott needs attention (which he denies) and I am intending to get back to work on my dad’s story as well as my own.

Funny - how life unfolded for me since retiring in 2008. The planning that was so important most of my life has become more process than plan. And now I’m blessed with time to trust the process, reflect on what’s happening (particularly when I’m writing), and see where it leads me. Wherever that is, it’s where I’m supposed to be – it’s time.

Where have all the Blog Posts Gone?

My book of blog posts for this year will be a bit thin. With only ten posts this entire year, you would think I have nothing to write about. Not true. My life has been so full, something had to be placed on the back burner and unfortunately, it's been my blog.

The memoir writing classes I taught between January and May were exceptional. I've been privileged to meet interesting women with histories rich and varied. Although not just a class for women, it seems women are more interested in preserving their lives in memoir than men are - or at least that's been my experience in the last three years of teaching at the Puyallup Senior Center. One woman in particular is certainly worth mentioning. She turns on her writing instrument like a faucet and out flows remarkable stories of her past accompanied by words of wisdom and descriptions so sumptuous you can taste them. Jacquie is also an animal lover and because of that - we have a lot in common. We've also become friends.

Although my blog suffered this year, I did begin writing my own memoir in earnest, From Australia with Love. It didn't occur to me this might be seen as a take-off on the movie, From Russia with Love. It's not. Instead it's a story about young love, all facets of it, fraught with poor judgment and failed attempts to get it right. I made great progress between January and April and even joined a writers' group, the Wordsmiths. They've helped me revise and refocus, but even with their help, once photography season opened, progress ceased.

 I was off with camera in hand to shoot weddings, families, high school seniors and a few boudoir sessions. It is a passion that enables me to be in the moment, concentrating on each person, looking for a nuance that speaks to their personality and hopefully recording something memorable in the process. I must admit, I enjoy looking back at the photos I've taken because I can relive the memories we created together and I often marvel at what I was able to capture.

Photography also introduced me to the Metro Animal Shelter where I've taken photos almost weekly for two and a half years of pets that are up for adoption. Of course that's resulted in adoptions of my own. Dog Charlie and cat Tot now lead the life - not of Riley, but with Riley, a cat we already adopted from my daughter, Courtney and family. And becoming involved with the shelter led to the creation of a non-profit, FAYMAS - Friends At Your Metro Animal Shelter. Chris Lynch and I started the paperwork in the fall of 2013 and this summer were granted the non-profit status by the IRS. Now we're scrambling to set up the organization. We have a board of five - all incredible women: Roxanne Pollard is our secretary, Jennifer Waalkes our treasurer, and Trudi Bocott our public relations director.

My family does get some of my time, probably not as much as they should. Scott's health remains an issue, but his recording studio is making progress and should be back in operation soon thanks to his son, Steve, and his engineer, Jimmy. Courtney and Ron have experienced ups and downs with Ron's health again this year, but they always have time for Ben, who turned four years old in September. How did that happen! Kendall and her family are off on a new adventure, selling their home and moving to a new community, Tehaleh. Micah will be four years old soon and Gracie, sweet Gracie is a rambunctious 18 month old.

And so it goes... If my blog suffers, my life certainly hasn't. I continue to be blessed beyond words. www.BonnieKingPhotography.com

Father's Day 2014

In honor of Father's Day, here are some of my favorite photos taken in the past couple years. It's such a privilege to be able to share these family moments.

wwwBonnieKingPhotography.com

Lightening McQueen!

Lightening McQueen! Lightening McQueen! This will only mean something to you if you have children or grandchildren who love the animated movie, Cars.

I recently agreed to babysit my grandchildren Micah and Gracie, so their mom and dad could enjoy a date night. When I arrived, Jon informed me about how excited Micah was all day knowing he would be watching one of his favorite movies with Nana B.

Mom and dad left a little after 5 pm and everything went smoothly. Micah and I put puzzles together while Gracie kibitzed from her high chair. A dinner of gluten-free pizza for Micah and me with home made enfant food for Gracie was a winner. Hot air popcorn is always a hit, so Micah and I made sure we would have plenty for the 7 pm movie.

The movie began and I was in the process of feeding Gracie her bottle when - the lights went out. This was something that happens every once in awhile in their neighborhood, but not something we had planned for. I put Gracie on the floor while a very confused Micah started asking, "Where's Lightening McQueen?" While he was wondering about the whereabouts of an animated car, I was wondering about the whereabouts of a match.

All my family members have a junk drawer and sure enough, that's where I found the matches. I lit candles and it was very cozy, but that's not what Micah was looking for. He started flipping light switches in hopes that would bring back Lightening McQueen. He also helped me check out the junk drawer for batteries, since I did locate one flashlight that didn't flash. But alas, we only found some door hinges that Micah mistook for batteries. He was trying though!

About that time, Kendall called - as she always does - to check on the home front. I told her everything would be great if we could find a flashlight that worked. She directed me to their emergency bin in the pantry which did have two flashlights, one of which didn't work. I told her not to worry, that everything would be fine - with the exception of Micah's disappointment about the movie and that they didn't need to come home, since they had been heading to a movie of their own.

I got the kids ready for bed by flashlight and put Gracie in her crib with Micah still flipping light switches. I did my best to explain the situation and he settled for me reading him a book by flashlight. I also told him I was pretty sure he would get to watch Cars the next day.

It was no surprise to me when Jon and Kendall came home about 8:30, bringing with them flashlights, batteries and letting me know how much money they'd saved by not going to the movie. We visited for awhile and I headed home.

Kendall told me the next day that the lights had come on about 3:00 am and because of Micah's efforts to make that happen by flipping light switches, a number of rooms lit up at that hour, including Gracie's room. She woke up and let her presence be known, so Jon and Kendall were up again also.

Micah's room was still dark, but if he had awakened you can bet his first words would have been, "Lightening McQueen!"

Keeping It Real: Photographying Kids

I recently read an article about photographing children in one of my favorite photo magazines. The bottom line is - keep it real. With children, it's all about capturing that special moment when they strike a pose, squiggle a nose, or wiggle their toes the way you want to remember them in that moment.

 

It's about capturing the innocence, warmth, sweetness, and silliness of childhood. In my studio, I call it "fly by shooting." Trying to pose toddlers once they're mobile is challenging. I try to have a number of props that will keep their attention for at least a few seconds, maybe minutes, if I'm lucky.

 

The new environment, lights flashing, and the stranger with a camera can be intimidating, so my goal is to get acquainted with the child/children and their parents before we begin. Parents help get their child's attention by talking, laughing, making funny faces or serving as the prop!

 

Sometimes it's just a matter of letting them do their own thing - and hopefully it's within range of the lights and camera, but I'm not above taking shots regardless of where they are in the studio. It's about keeping it real and recording what the experience was like for everyone. 

Outside photos are great - when the weather cooperates. I refer to outside sessions as "The Chase." I do get a number of shots from the rear with the little one heading for the hills. Again, this is keeping it real and as long as I can catch up and get face shots too, everyone is happy. I usually end up with dirty knees because it's important to me to see the child and his/her world from their perspective.

 

Children grow fast, which makes capturing precious moments in their lives so important. It's been my privilege to do that for lots of families in the past few years - doing my best to keep it real. www.BonnieKingPhotography.com

 

Driveway Friendship

Janine (J9)  and I share a driveway. I'm on the street side and she's on the back side. Until four years ago, we might as well have lived miles apart. I was working crazy long hours and our only contact was a once in awhile wave.

When I retired in 2008, we actually started chatting on the way to get our mail and since we both have dogs, our chats turned into morning walks with my dog, Bella, and her dogs, Hank and Paco. Not only did we walk, we provided one another with encouragement and support to try some new ventures. 

I started a photography business, www.BonnieKingPhotography.com and twisted J9's arm to let me take her photos to help build my portfolio. She said "yes" and we created beautiful results. She also allowed me to twist her arm again to take the Master Gardener 10 week horticulture course. We both made it through - somehow - with J9 asking repeatedly what I'd gotten her into! It was an intensive 10 weeks of study, online homework and testing. Felt like we were back in collage again. We then had to put in another 60 hours of volunteer work - which we did to finish out 2010. Even more importantly, we became best friends.

2011 was transition time for both of us. I was blessed to have two new grandsons in my life and my photography business started to take off. J9 was able to unwind from one business and begin a business of passion, www.J9Bing.com - floral services. Best of all, we had the opportunity to work together on weddings. As a certified designer, her work is truly remarkable.

2012 has seen both our businesses get very busy. We joke about having been "discovered." We're happy about that, but as close as we live to each other, our check-ins have been reduced to email and driveway encounters once again. We're planning another photo session of J9, once the dust clears, but there's no sign of clearing any time soon!

We may have returned to the days of hurried greetings, but with a difference. We're now connected by more than our driveway.