Farewell to Summer {Ohio Nature Photographer} [Michigan Beach Photographer]

This year has just sped by. It seems the tulips were just blooming and here we are saying goodbye to summer. Schools are starting a new year, pools are closing, college students are looking for awesome dorm room decor and it is the start of apple season harvest. Autumn and colorful leaves are just around the corner. So this is a good time to look back on summer beach days and wandering in nature.

SEA OF HAPPINESS

MAKE YOUR OWN PATH

NOT ALL WHO WANDER ARE LOST

WE SHOULD MEET IN ANOTHER LIFE

LILY PAD POND

STILLNESS

THE SEA, THE SEA

SOMEWHERE ONLY WE KNOW

I have lovely summer memories.... And now I'm looking forward to my favorite season of autumn and mums, college football games, fall leaves, pumpkins, cool evening walks and fall fashions!

Leaves {Columbus Ohio Photographer}

I love this time of ending summer & beginning autumn...

 

SWEET AUTUMN

Day 14 Gratitude Project - Friends

I am ever thankful for my friends with such beautiful souls, for the delicious healing chicken soup that one of my friends brought & for the roof over my head (and the fact that it is nestled in gorgeous green space).

Day 12 Gratitude Project

Today I feel very blessed to have health insurance & prescription coverage. It is definitely something I don't take for granted in this day & age. I am thankful my doctor has Saturday hours, for my friend who drove me there & for antibiotics. I hope they start kicking in soon.

Day 10 Gratitude Project {Columbus Ohio Photographer}

I feel blessed to have friends check on me when I'm under the weather & to take me out for a big healing bowl of Pho Ga at the North Market.... for my Maggie May to keep me company .. for my fuzzy microfiber comforter.... & for my remote!

Day 8 Gratitude Project - Squirrel Baffle

Today I am so thankful to have found a squirrel baffle that finally works... so the birds can eat their seed, & the squirrels can get back to the business of collecting nuts! And I am every so grateful for what might be the last 70 degree day of the year. Glorious!

Day 7 Gratitude Project - To Everything There is a Season {Ohio Nature Photographer}

Each day I spend time in nature - often with Maggie. There is a comfort to seeing the patterns of nature & seasonal changes. My heart & soul welcome the sounds and sights of each season - the changing calls of the birds, migrations, leaves emerging and then falling, days growing long then short. It all helps me to stay grounded and connected to a higher power. And I feel blessed to be such a small part of this large and amazing creation.

Day 4 Gratitude Project - Creative Spirit {Central Ohio Photographer}

Today I am thankful for creation, creativity & the creative spirit in all of us. I have an art show today & tomorrow. It still seems a bit surreal that now I’m sitting behind the booth as a vendor - & I feel very blessed to have had this creative spirit. Each time I lift my camera, I ask that what I produce will be like a prayer to God and a giving thanks. The other day there was a heavy frost - & even though it spelled the end for my zinnias, I thought what a beautiful way to go – coated with a sugary frost. The awesomeness of creation amazes me - & I feel like such a small speck – thankful to just be a part of it all. (Kind of rambling, but I’m tired! Lol!)

Day Three Gratitude Project - Good Friends {Columbus Ohio Photographer}

In life, I have found that if you have a friend for each part of your life that is important to you, then you are so very blessed. I do feel so blessed to have amazing friends - both online and in my personal life. Friends add depth and breadth to life and living. My friends are there for laughs, support, adventures, thrift store foraging and hugs when needed. On this day, I visited Amish country in Ohio with a friend & her foster child. I feel like I am Auntie Joy to him & that is a blessing, too! it is so great to see things through a child's eye & on their level - literally!

I find that part of what I enjoy about this gratitude project, is taking the time - really taking the time - to sit and write about what I'm thankful for on a given day. The writing, & then sharing just really let it all sink in and absorb into my soul!

Indian Summer { Central Ohio Photographer }

Day 2

It is one of those beautiful sunny Indian Summer days here in Central Ohio. There are still some colorful leaves clinging to the trees. The birds and squirrels are busy at the feeders and gathering goodies in anticipation of the coming winter. My wind chimes are gently singing in the light breeze. It is a day that just fills the soul with happiness. I am thankful for these days and being in the moment, thankful for the seasons & unique beauty of each one, & glad I can take a moment to appreciate it all & bask in the beauty. It is such a fleeting season, & that makes me take note & delight in each moment!

25.30 ~ Thankful Heart

25.30 ~ Thankful Heart, originally uploaded by *ojoyous1*.

Happy Thanksgiving everyone!!

I know some people who have so much, but don't see it. They are fixated on what they don't have. They don't have a thankful heart. On this day especially I am thankful for being able to appreciate the small things - because in the long run, they are what matters - they are everyday. I'm thankful for all those things in my life, beautiful sunsets, everyday walks with my dog, watching a leaf fall to the ground, having food on my plate, my friends, a roof over my head. I hope you have many blessing to count today & everyday!

30 Days of Gratitude Project

Processed in Lightroom using Joyful Presets.

30.16~ Trees

30.16~ Trees, originally uploaded by *ojoyous1*.

Trees…
They give so much & take so little…
Shade, home for critters & birds, nutrients from leaves, oh & the scrunching thorugh the leaves in the fall, fruits, beauty, a nice place to walk…

Thank you lesbrumes & ag artstudio for your beautiful textures.

14.30~ A Day Off

14.30~ A Day Off, originally uploaded by *ojoyous1*.

I had a much needed day off today - finally! I ended the day at my favorite haunt of late - the Bio Reserve in Granville. A regal 6 point buck kept crossing paths with Mags & me - he just strolled by! There were all sorts of fabulous birds foraging & calling. The day was a balm to my soul!

30 Days of Gratitude 2010/ gratitude 6/ Nature

Every day I walk in nature/creation I marvel at the beauty, simplicity, complexity and interconnectedness of life... & I feel grounded & connected to my Creator.

30 Days of Gratitude 2010/ Perspective

I have learned that sometimes you need to lie on your stomach & change your perspective to get a beautiful shot - one you couldn't have even envisioned while on a different plane or line of sight. And I have discovered it is true in life as well - sometimes you need to slow down & consciously be "in the moment" to see things in a more beautiful way. Sometimes you need to stop, listen or consider a different angle to gain clarity.

30 Days of Gratitude 2010/ Maggie May

Maggie May came into my life 8 1/2 years ago and I thank God for her every day. We rescued each other, & together learned to trust, love & have confidence. She is my family - it's just Maggie & me, and I couldn't have asked for a better companion! This past year, Maggie became acutely ill with pancreatitis. It was a slow road to recovery, but she made it. I look upon each of these extra days we have as a gift! Trail buddy, travel companion & confidante - she is the best!

30 Days of Gratitude 2010/ Open Doors

I am developing the patience to wait for a door to open instead of trying to force my way through! And I am thankful for doors that open where I did not expect them to... and for being open to where life might lead me.

Strangers 27-31 {31 Strangers in 31 Days}

This is the final post for the 31 Strangers in 31 Days Project. During this project, I met such a wonderful variety of people, & each one left their mark on me. This project helped open my eyes to new things around me, and it helped me get out of my comfort zone. I found myself opening up more & more as the project went on. Columbus is a large city & it seems everyone goes about their day quickly & often without connecting with others. And I must say, I was starting to be guilty of that myself. By doing this project, I made eye contact and connections with people again. And it leaves a really great feeling. I found myself smiling inside & out after each Stranger connection. I felt open to the world, others & possibilities. I think I will do this project again! It is fitting that my final stranger shots were at Hoover Reservoir on a beautiful autumn evening. I walk Maggie there most days & it is a place I love so much. So, now on to the final Strangers.

Meet Leo, Stranger 27.
He has always been single and lost his German Shepard in the past year. He walks at Hoover every day and enjoys seeing & meeting people while he walks.

Stranger 28 ~ Chris.

Chris was taking a bike ride and stopped to snap some quick shots of the dam and reservoir. He said the water level is the lowest level he has ever seen, but hadn't been there in a couple years.

Stranger 29 ~ Morris

Morris was taking advantage of the "golden hour" of light while photographing the scenery. He stopped for a moment for me to photograph him, but then went back to his shooting.

And Strangers 30 & 31 ~ Donna and Steve

Donna and Steve let me get a quick shot, and then we talked about the Strangers Project. The were the perfect strangers to finish the project with! We talked about the differences between men & women in being photographed. Me were always game, while women always seemed to be concerned with their appearance! We talked about how some people were so open to making new connections & friendships and how others were so closed. And we thought of ways to keep the strangers project going - Seasons of Strangers, etc!

So for now, good bye to the Strangers project. I am getting ready for the 30 Days of Gratitude Project to start November 1st. Stay tuned for more on that!

And so Maggie & I finished our walk at the dam on this beautiful autumn day.....

2010 HOLIDAY Mini Sessions!! {Columbus, Ohio Child & Family Photographer}

Where has this year gone! Here we are in late August! School is starting and OSU Buckeye football season is upon us! And... it is again time for the Holiday Mini Sessions. These are a great way to get portraits for your holiday cards and holiday gift giving, at a great price!


Dates:
Sunday October 3,2010 4PM-6PM @ Blendon Woods Metropark (Pet Day!)
Saturday October 9, 2010 4PM-6PM @ Inniswood Metropark

HOLIDAY MINI-SESSIONS!

WHAT THEY ARE: A 20 minute portrait session for up to 4 family members in a fabulous location! A perfect option for sharing and sending holiday wishes!

WHAT TO EXPECT:

A professional 20 minute portrait session with photographer O. Joy St.Claire, and a personal online gallery with at least 5-8 artistically edited images.

WHEN THEY TAKE PLACE:

October 3, 2010 Blendon Woods Metro Park, 4:00PM-6:00PM.

October 9, 2010 Inniswood Metro Park in Westerville, 4:00PM-6:00PM.

SESSION COST: $115

This session includes 3 digital negatives to print your own holiday cards, post to a blog/web page or email to friends/family, an 8x10 print, an online gallery of 5-8 professionally images. Up to four family members are included in this price. Extra person(s)/pet(s), please add $15. These digital negatives are high resolution and printable to 4x6.

PETS:

If you have pets, please select the Blendon Woods session, as pets are not permitted at Inniswood.

RAIN DATE: October 17, 2010 (Sunday)

BONUS PROMO: Refer/schedule with a friend & you each receive a bonus 5x7 - FREE - perfect for gift giving!

SESSION APPOINTMENTS: Please email: joy@ohjoyphotography.com or call: 614.446.6569 to book your session today!! All appointments are prepaid, and not refundable. Credit cards are now accepted!

Inniswood Maternity Session {Columbus Ohio Maternity Photographer} Central Ohio Maternity Photographer

We had the most beautiful day for a late fall portrait session at Inniswood Metropark. The sun was shining. There were still some colorful leaves clinging to the trees. It was Indian Summer... a great day!