Tell us a little about yourself and where you live.
I live in the Hudson Valley of Upstate NY. It is about three hours north of NYC and south of Montreal. It is a beautiful place to live with lots of lakes, farms and the cities close enough to visit. My husband Tom and I will be married 44 years this August. We have three grown and married children along with two granddaughters. I retired in January 2020 right before the pandemic after 40 years in human services specifically working with drug and alcohol addiction. The last three years I managed a substance abuse agency. I really feel I dodged a bullet retiring before everything changed. I am also an avid reader, traveler and am learning how to to knit.
How and when did you get interested in photography?
I can’t remember a time I didn’t own a camera and always enjoyed snapping a photo here and there. It wasn’t until about ten years ago when I took two series of photography classes that my interested increased. Photography for me changed again when I retired and could devote more time.
What equipment do you use to take your photos?
My current camera is a Canon 90D about 95% of the time and my Iphone 13Pro the remainder of the time. My typical lens is 24-103 as it covers a broad range of needs especially when I am on the go.
When did you start taking a photo a day?
In January 2020 I began to be interested in starting a POD project and my new friend Sue Gowie suggested I check this group out. I haven’t missed a day since.
What do you find hard with taking a photo a day?
The actual posting on a daily basis is not difficult for me. I am challenged by reading the prompt thoroughly and following the suggestions. I tend to do a little variation of the prompt almost every day. I would like to try the “challenges” more often as I think it would build my skill set as well as creativity.
What or who inspires you?
When I need inspiration I get in my car and take a drive. I like to wander the country roads or walk through cities and simply photograph what strikes me as interesting. Since retiring and being confined due to the pandemic I have discovered so many places near me that I never visited. I am also inspired by the creativity in this group as well as various photographers that I follow.
What are your favourite subjects to photograph?
I don’t have a specific subject or style in my photography. I love street photography, landscapes, macros and architecture. I do have to say my least favorite is still life (all that gathering, assembling and cleaning up!) I would love to practice some more with portraits in the future.
What advice would you give to people setting out on a 365 challenge?
My advice is be true to yourself and capture what makes you happy. Don’t worry about meeting the prompt exactly or getting the “perfect” photo. Do not compare yourself to others! Finally make something with the photos to commemorate the year. I compile a book at the end of the year and enjoy seeing how far I have come and setting new goals. If you can’t commit to 365 then try a weekly, monthly or quarterly photo.
