I may be a wanna-be hippie, but I cannot give up my old fashioned Christmas Cards. Electronic greetings are just not the same. Since 2006 I have used Shutterfly for my cards and this year was no exception! I fell in love with the story type card designs I found last year and am delighted there are so many styles this year! I get to include a few things that happened to me this year, a few photos and have a merry sentiment to boot!
Here is a sneak peek! For those of you who read this and also get a Christmas Card from me, the surprise is not ruined! There is a back side to the card! And it’s super cute… You’ll see it soon!
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…and calm returns
There are things that always work for me when I start spinning as fast as I was a couple of days ago.
- Go for a long walk with good conversation.
- Write it out so I can put it behind me.
- Take pictures of food.
Risotto-like Orzo
I make this orzo all the time. It’s really versatile and flavorful and is a quick and tasty substitution for time consuming risottos. I start by sauteing a shallot in a tablespoon of olive oil. Once the shallot has softened I add 2 cups of vegetable broth. You can supplement some of the stock with water or white wine if you’d like. Add salt and pepper to taste. Today I added some grape tomatoes I had in the fridge. I wanted them to burst while everything cooked. Here’s the super easy part- bring to a boil, put the lid on it, turn to a simmer and let cook about 10 – 12 minutes until all the liquid is absorbed. No need to drain anything and all the flavor of the stock or wine is in the pasta. I like to add fresh spinach in the last couple of minutes of cooking and put the lid back on. The spinach wilts really nicely into the dish. After it’s done you can add some grated parmesan to increase the creaminess of the dish.
I splurged by starting with butter.
My salmon is super easy too. Pat dry the fish filet and sprinkle with salt, pepper and dill. I add two very thin lemon slices to the non skin side of the fish also.
Fresh lemon is so good with salmon.
After the flip.
I put my salmon into the melted butter with the skin side down first. After about 6 minutes I flipped the fish with the lemon slices still in place over. The lemon cooks and lemon juice steams it’s way into the fish filet. I just love salmon like this!
After the cooking.
Lunch is served!
There you have it. How I come back down after a minor meltdown. Walk it out. Write it out. Take pictures of food. A fairly fool-proof 3 part plan. Add my favorite work out night to the mix and today is going to be okay.
This is why I photograph food.
People are hard.
I’ll let my work speak for itself. I offered up my photography services to a great non profit group called Earth Dance. They hosted their annual gala Saturday night, the Farmer Formal, and I was there to capture the event. As food is a large part of the organization (they work with local farms on education and apprenticeships and so, so, so much more) I was excited to take pictures of that part. Photographing the party? That’s another story. And I was nervous. And with good reason. I think they have some fine shots of the event and I think all parts were covered, but it’s clear where my comfort zone is.
The walkway leading to the event.
One of the appetizers being prepped
Beet shooters - which were so pretty!
Whiskey cocktails from a local distillery
Pie!
You’d want to eat all of that food, right?! Now here’s some photos of people…
Clearly I'm not a musician photographer.
What story am I telling here?
What? Why was this photo even taken?
Please note this is not a commentary on the people in the photos. Only on me. I have a lot to learn if I ever want to be an event photographer. In the meantime, I’ll stick with food and product photography.
The event was really lovely and I was so proud of these local farmers and what they produce and who they teach. I’m very honored to have been a part of the evening. I promise there are better photos of people throughout the event. Anytime you take 650 photos, many of them are bound to turn out. I’m uploading them to the organization’s website now. Here’s hoping they’re happy with the pictures!
Evolution of a Trifle
The Real Victim
The real victim of my new shutterbug habit is Quinn, my cat. This poor cat is suffering through the camera in her face 5 times a day. She’s taken it like a champ for the most part, but I fear being hissed at is in my near future. The thing is, every time I want to play with a new feature I’ve just learned about I turn to Quinn… I know my goal is better food photography. I need to get used to the camera first. So here are some of my favorites – of my furry little subject.
Instant Art
I did it. I bought the fancy camera I’ve been wanting for quite some time. It was a New Years Resolution to have the tool to take better food photos.
I bought the camera body and it’s basic lens the 18-55. Then I bought a special macro 50mm lens for close ups of food. That’s the lens that makes everything kind of soft and fuzzy behind the piece in focus. Then I bought a book to learn what to do with all of this.
I have MUCH to learn about this camera. I have two manuals to read on top of basic concepts of photography to master. That has not prevented me from taking pictures of totally random things around my apartment. And I can’t help it, with this camera, everything looks like art. Is it the sharp focus? Is it the feel of the heavy camera? I don’t know – but it’s all art. Here are some pictures I’ve taken – enjoy the art!
The goal of the camera – great pictures of food! Here is my basil plant growing on the balcony. Homemade pesto – coming soon!
Farmer’s market strawberries. They are sweet and really juicy. And some still have those stems on them. A real difference from store bought. Love my market.
But as I said…as I was playing with the camera everything seemed beautiful through the lens. So I kept snapping…
One of the entertainment/party book sections of my cookbook collection alongside a teacup and saucer that was one of the most sentimental gifts I’ve ever received. (Love you Cyndi!!)
And the mantle shelf that Alex and Sandy helped me hang in my living room…
…even my dining room table seems extra special when I took pictures of it. I like to leave my table set all the time – I think it makes it look nicer.
And my feet. Works of art.
So there you have it. There’s what I did with my fancy new camera on it’s first day in my possession. I made art.
