Finding Clarity......

Hello friends,

How are you this beautiful day? I hope well.

Oh my gosh.... guess what! Spring is really here. Shorts & T-Shirt weather has arrived! Woo hoo!

I thought I'd share a few photos from this past weekend..... looks pretty peaceful, doesn't it? Trust me, this was only a small part of the weekend... there was plenty of crazy mixed in.

Anyhow, I took some time this weekend to just BE .... and wow.... I'm so excited.... The class I've been dreaming up became really clear.

It's different than my other courses.... It's exciting and scary all at the same time.

I imagine....

…..a class that let's me share my art (completely)…..from conception to the finished piece...with all the details in between.... a class that allows me to connect with the students in a virtual meeting space....a feed the creative soul kind of class.

This class is called Start to Finish.

The Breakdown

from Conception (about the idea/inspiration for the shoot)... to my creative thought process... to shoot setup and composition... to all the camera setting details... to culling the shoot (why i pick the photos I pick)... and finally a complete step by step edit inside Lightroom (shared from a no-rules, non-scripted, inside my head point of view.)

Can you tell I'm bursting.....??

About Start to Finish...

First, the pace will be a little slower… more detailed… a marathon, not a sprint…..

The content will be spread out over 8 weeks.

Start to Finish lessons will post twice a week, every other week….over the course of 8 weeks, leaving a lighter;not empty ..... week in between.

The editing will take place in Lightroom.

There will be to 2 Start to Finish Lessons Every Other week. I'm talking TOTAL start to finish.....

Each lesson will include a FULL breakdown of the concept, shoot details, composition and editing pro-cess. Lessons will be posted in a private classroom on Tuesday and Friday every other week.

The in between week will include a thorough Lightroom develop module lesson..... a real roll up your sleeve breakdown. I will also critique 2 student photos via screencast each week. (no submissions=no critique)

These in between weeks will allow time to work through the material, soak up the inspiration and take the content presented for a little ride with your own ideas.

Summary.....

I will....

• Share my thought process, concept/inspiration for the image/shoot in written or podcast format. 
• Show several wide angle photos and/or video of the space…drops, props, linens, reflectors used....all the details.
• Show how I set up the shoot… direction of light, camera settings, time of day etc.
• I will open the shoot in Lightroom…giving you a chance to see them all; the good, the bad, the so so's….. all of them. :)
• I will talk through the culling process. I will choose a few favs and explain my choices.
• I will walk you through a complete edit of one of the shoot photos in Lightroom, sharing lots of detailed information.....tips and tricks etc.
• Bonus: if I decide to go into Photoshop with the image to add text or texture I will include that info in a separate video for Photoshop users.
• The in between week will include an opportunity to submit your photos for critique. Note: When I say critique (which reminds me way too much of the word critic) trust I will be kind and gentle….. I'm all about encouragement. But I will share my honest thoughts.
• I will set up a virtual meeting space.... (through adobe connect) allowing you to chat with me and your fellow classmates, ask questions etc…in a chat format. This will be offered a few times throughout the course. You can also send in questions and I will answer as many as possible during the meeting time.
• Summer is busy and beautiful…. we must enjoy the sunshine and warm air. However, I find summer to be a highly energized and creative season... which is why I think it's the perfect time for this class. I decided to spread the content out over 8 weeks. The material will be accessible for an additional 4 months after the 8 weeks is over. Yep, that's 6 months access.

I think that's covers most of it. Registration will open on Monday (unless otherwise posted)... if anything changes I will let you know.

Class will begin mid-June.....  I will have a registration cap on this class....I want to really connect with the students.

Okay, that's a lot......I'm so excited.... 

Oh I am going to be in touch with some of the lovely readers that expressed interest in connecting.... :) Watch your email for more soon.....

Before I sign off.....a little inspiration....

xo, 

A Sweet New Texture to Try

on the front porch ~ textured with elevate....at soft light.

Dear friends,

Happiest Friday. How are you? Oh my, what a few weeks...maybe months... it has been. So much goodness...so full..... so much to tell you.

Where do I begin? 

Behind the Scenes is coming to an end. It's been such an awesome experience. Such a fab class to create... Collaborating with Xanthe has been so much fun!! If you are interested in joining us for the next round... registration for late August will be open soon. Stay tuned.

A few months ago I went to California to visit Myriam.... We also spent a fabulous evening with Tracey while I was there... It was awesome... Such an gift. I went to Myriams to help her a bit with photo editing....but it turned out to be so much bigger than that. (more on that soon hopefully) Anyhow, 3 days was not enough time....so Myriam popped on a plane and came to Canada..... She was here for almost a week. Wow...it was such a fabulous time. She is working on a lovely site.....  to open soon. I can't wait. You can check out her lovely welcome page HERE. So good.

Myriam's visit helped me to look around.....really stop, see and appreciate our beautiful open spaces... amazing light and long days. Since she left I've been out shooting more.... I realize that I need to take the time to really appreciate my life...... I've been so busy with 'this' I was beginning to forget all about 'that'. Thank you Myriam.

I know it's been a few weeks since I shared a texture with you all. I will make it up to you. I promise.... 

I do have a soft little number you can try today. I call it elevate.

Texture Lovin' Listers the link is coming your way in just a bit.

I wanted something subtle to go with this floral photo....and Elevate seemed to work beautifully at soft light blend mode. Just enough..... I also used it over the 4-square image above.... 

so soft & subtle - mouse over to see the before

Not on the list, click HERE to sign up and start receiving freebie textures today.

Okie doke.... I have some eCourse updates to come....I've been keeping a secret (sort of).... bursting to tell you more.... 'sigh' ....soon...very soon.....

I will also have the TT guest host submission guidelines ready this weekend... I will pop you an email when they are up. 

I best sign off... Ben awaits.... It's super hot here... really should have gone to the trail this morning.....I'm hoping we don't come face to face with the pond beaver today.... Yikes.... that was scary.... Thankfully Ben didn't get his nose bit off.... But it was close. 

'sigh'

So that's it for me.... Tell me, what's new with you? Any big weekend plans? I'd love to hear....

Have a beautiful weekend... back soon....

p.s. I'm hanging out at Shutter Sisters today. This month we are celebrating moments. Come share with us. 

Monday - I Just Gotta Tell Ya

mouse over to see the original - textured with enlightened.

Hello Lovelies,

How are you? You may have noticed I didn't land in your inbox this weekend......

I'm shaking things up a little around here..... One of my must-dos.... reduce my work load on the weekends. I'm not sure how it happened, but I have progressively filled my weekends with way too much work and very little down time. As much as I LOVE my work... I need a little more time to live and do and BE in my life.

So I'm changing things up. I'm still working on the ins and outs of a few new ideas.... but I'm super excited to tell you about it all. Stay tuned for more info very soon.

....

In the meantime, we must have a texture to try... right?

I do believe this is a lovely little one..... I call her enlightened..... I was struggling for a name, so I called John and said...  give me an inspirational word.... please.... and the first word he came up with.... enlightened. (he's used to random calls and questions like that... he doesn't even ask why anymore.... 'smile')

Click HERE to download enlightened.

.....

Miscellaneous Updates

Test Kitchen

Test Kitchen Members, watch for a video later today.... I'm going to walk you through the processing of my up-top image. Lotsa great ideas to share. 

Texture Tuesday Update

I have some new ideas for Texture Tuesday. I think you will like them. But I'm not quite ready to spill the beans. So let's take a week off and meet back here on June 19th. I will have more details before then. Watch for a little letter in your inbox later this week.

Behind the Scenes

Behind the Scenes starts in 15 days. There's a few spots still open....We are seriously bursting with anticipation to share this new class.

Okie doke... that's it for today. 

Until next time... loads of love....

xo,

Art of Texture eCourse, Fabulous Give Away News and More.....

a little art inspiration - texture making video

Hello my friends!

Happiest Friday....

I'm popping in with a few updates....  and some good news.

So, I am going to get right to it!

Texture Tuesday

First of all, thank you so much for joining the 1st weekly Texture Tuesday Link up!  Wow, what a fabulous response.  Yay!!  Just a reminder, next week, we have a little challenge.  Your photo must contain this past week's freebie texture, WarmSun. I think it'll be super cool to see all the different images.  If you do not have the WarmSun texture, be sure to sign up for my texture lovin' list and you will receive the link in your inbox. 

The Essentials eCourse

By request, I have extended the discounted rate for the Essentials class until Monday.  So if you are interested in this class, now's the time.  Click HERE for all the info.  

Art of Texture - The Secrets Revealed eCourse

Okie doke... I put a call out last weekend for those interested in the Art of Texture eCourse.  The response was fabulous.  So I'm hoping you are still IN.  I've decided to open registration again. Class will begin on April 18th. Please tell your friends.  :)  

Rock the Shot Give Away

Okay, so wow... have you popped over to the fabulous site, Rock the Shot?  You must!  it's good stuff!  And they are running a crazy, awesome April Fool's Give away.  You gotta check it out!  I'm giving away my Studio Collection Texture pack...and there's all kinds of other great prizes too!. Click HERE for the details.

Freebie Texture

I haven't forgotten your freebie texture.  But you will have to hang on for a day. :)  Sorry guys... it's been a crazy week!  But I will be back tomorrow with it!

Shutter Sisters

I'm over at Shutter Sisters, with my 'friend' Irene today.  Come say hi, and share your muse. :)

.....

I think that covers it.... although, I really feel like I'm forgetting something?  Hmmmm..... 

Here's to a fabulous Friday... See you tomorrow....

xxo, Kim

a little of this... and a little of that.

good morning,

happiest friday.

wow, another week... just like that...  so quickly slips away.

gosh i am happy to see the sun.  and i'm hoping the wind stays away today as well. 

i wanted to pop in and let you know i am over at the lovely "something monumental" blog today.

sweet mandy is sharing an interview with me. 

soo kind.. such an honor to share.

i am truly blessed...  "sigh" of gratitude.

please pop over and say hi, if you wish.
oh and check out mandy's flickr stream.  it's amazing.

i am in love with her hot air balloon image. 

i have some other exciting news to share as well.  but i will pop back a little later... i promise.

oh and the "skinny" has officiallly started... yay... 

but, you are more than welcome to join if you like.  click HERE for more info.

hope you are enjoying a most wonderful day. 

best to you...

♥ kim