So Delighted to be Featured on ARTNOIS! { nature photography } [ fog photographs ] { Ohio fine art photographer }

I was so over the moon to be contacted by ARTNOIS last month about about having my fine art photography featured! They are awesome & I love seeing the artists and musicians they feature and promote. Thank you ARTNOIS for the wonderful spot! Much appreciated~!  See the whole article HERE.

Phone Case Giveaway with Caseable! [ Recycled ] { Spring Flower Photography } Spring Freebie

We are all so looking forward to Spring! It is time for Winter to close and Spring to make its appearance with a profusion of flowers and warming breezes. And in anticipation of Spring, Caseable is giving away one of my Phone cases for free! FREE! All you do is stop by their Facebook Page and leave a comment about what you like best about spring for a chance to win my popular Dialogue With the Sky design in a phone case! But hurry, a winner will be selected in a couple days! Of course my favorite thing to do is to get out and hike and shoot the beautiful flowers! Spring Fever!!

A Dream Comes True - My Photography in Urban Outfitters stores { Ohio Photographer } [ Michigan Nature Photographer ]

I was an artist before I knew I was an artist. It is just how I experience and walk through life and the world - seeing beauty everywhere.... fascinated with light .... interested in lines ... a love affair with nature and the world. There were days when I got frustrated with my work not being seen or appreciated. And like everyone, I thought about quitting. But I realized I must photograph. It is not just what I do - it is who I am. I can't "not" photograph. And so, continuing to do what I love and creating from my heart has finally paid off. I'm delighted to announce that my fine art nature photography will appear in the Urban Outfitters stores in the future - a dream come true. So while browsing, keep a lookout for my art prints featuring places in Ohio and Michigan! And until then, you can find these and more of my work in my ETSY SHOP and SOCIETY6 SHOP! Keep track of my daily wanderings on INSTAGRAM!

DAISY LOVE

CRASH

THE COLORS OF MY SOUL

SEA OF HAPPINESS

THE WAY THAT LIGHT ATTACHES TO A DREAM

You Make Me Happy When Skies Are Gray [ Typography Print ] { Modern Nature Photography } [ Home Decor ]

Who doesn't love this quote! Who doesn't want to just sing out loud and smile when you see it?!
You are my sunshine, my only sunshine...
You make me happy when skies are grey...

This song is just so timeless and infused with good memories and energy! It was the perfect quote to pair with my fine art forsythia photograph on gray background. I've been thinking of this creation for a while and finally just sat down to put it together. I hope it makes you smile and feel loved! The pillows, mugs and tote bags would make great Valentine gifts, Mother's Day gifts or birthday gifts. And of course the print would looks fabulous in a cottage bedroom or as nursery decor!

You Make Me Happy When Skies Are Gray

MUG

CASE

PILLOW

TOTE BAG

IPAD CASE

Introducing Coffee Mugs and FREE SHIPPING

 I must confess. I'm a coffee cup collector. I don't like to use the same coffee mug everyday, but like to mix it up depending upon the season and my mood! So when Society6 introduced their mugs recently I couldn't wait to add to my collection. But there are so many to choose from! Perfect for Christmas holiday gift giving and stocking stuffers, they come in 2 sizes - 11 ounce and 15 ounce and both are under $20. And... now through midnight PST Sunday November 17 there is FREE SHIPPING WORLDWIDE in my Society6 shop by clicking this activation link. Offer excludes:  Framed Art Prints, Stretched Canvases and Throw Pillows with insert. Happy shopping!

Get some AWESOME ART! And get me to the FRANKFORT ART FAIR! {Michigan Photographer} {Ohio Photographer}

Several months ago, I applied for my first juried outdoor art show, full of hope, but not really expecting to get in. Well, the notice came and it was an acceptance! WOOHOO! So I launched a KICKSTARTER PROJECT to help me get all the things I need (equipment, product) to get to the show. Kickstarter is a way for artists to get a project funded and in exchange the people who back the project get some amazing rewards/art. It is a win/win type of endeavor. But it is also all or nothing, so if the project is not completely funded, the artist gets nothing and their project is bust. I have 11 days left on my project and am 30% funded. I REALLY want to get to this show and make this dream a reality. I would love if you could find it in your heart to share or back my project!! xoxox Thanks so much! Watch my video and read all about it HERE .

FREE WORLDWIDE SHIPPING & iPad Cases!

Mother's Day is coming up quickly and I have lots of pretty feminine iPhone cases, laptop covers, wall art, pillows, tote bags and now iPad & iPad mini cases in my Society 6 shop! And I'm offering FREE SHIPPING through Midnight PST Sunday April 14, 2013. Use this link to activate your FREE SHIPPING:
http://society6.com/joystclaire?promo=b281a2

iPhone 5 Cases Now available in my shop!

Well it just came out and I'm prepared! You can order a new phone case for your new iPhone 5! And there is FREE WORLDWIDE shipping through Sunday on phone covers, phone skins and fine art prints!

Promotion expires September 16, 2012 at Midnight Pacific Time. *Offer excludes Framed Art Prints and Stretched Canvases.

Use THIS PROMO CODE to get your FREE shipping! 

Use this PROMO CODE for your FREE SHIPPING!
http://society6.com/joystclaire?promo=3404bb

Time to Bloom - Central Ohio Photographer

Happy Easter weekend! The flowers are blooming to their most heavenly beauty. Birds are happily calling to one another. The sun is shining more! And the air is warming.

And still, this weekend is so poignant for me. It was at Easter time on April 8th seventeen years ago that I lost my Mom and best friend after a brief fight with cancer. And now, only 6 years younger than she was when she passed, I find myself very focused on living life so very fully - very richly. I remember one of the walks I took with mom after she was diagnosed - I can still see her beautiful face full of wonder. I asked her what she was looking at. She said - "Everything. It is like I am seeing everything for the first time." To see the same with new eyes - I never forgot that & try to keep that thought & view each day. I realize that the seeds of my dreams long ago planted need now to be nurtured to fully flourish.... I am fortunate to be living my dream. But - there have been other seeds and dreams planted as well. And so this spring as I plant my seeds and flowers, I will be thinking of mom... of her dreams and of my dreams. And I will be busy nurturing them to full bloom!

Happy Easter Mom..... I love you.

BLOOM

Fleeting Spring

Well we hardly had a winter to speak of & now we had a brief spring and went straight to summer in Central Ohio! I am appreciating the ephemeral beauty of spring even more this year!

Moments of Supreme Happiness

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 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!)

Life is a Verb {Columbus Ohio Photographer}

Are you comfortable in your own skin?

Are you where you dreamed you would be, when all those years ago you said... "When I grow up, I..."?

My life has taken many twists and turns. Happily, I am now following my bliss by creating a business from my passion of photography. I got derailed along the way for various reasons, but I have now arrived at this wonderful place! Currently, I'm slowly reading "Life is a Verb" by Patti Digh. Wow. I feel like I'm sitting down with a friend I have know my whole life and we're chatting over coffee, solving world problems and our own! If you feel like you are moving too fast, like you are feeling unsettled or stuck... I highly recommend this book! Only halfway through, numerous pages are dog-eared, words are scribbled in the margins, quotes are circled and starred - really good read! Reading this book has made me realize that finally, I AM comfortable in my own skin. And all those years ago, when I very confidently told everyone and the world that "When I grown up I want to be a photographer (insert your own here)".... I know that I have indeed arrived there.

Be who you are and say what you feel

because those who mind don't matter

and those who matter don't mind. ~ Dr. Seuss

Today, tell yourself these things... and believe them!

15.30~ Stars

15.30~ Stars, originally uploaded by *ojoyous1*.

OK - these aren't stars! But they're pretty!

This morning I got up extra early (for me -5AM) to assist a photographer friend with an architectural shoot. I walked Mags in the brisk morning air & tilted my head back to see the stars. The Big Dipper, Orion... It reminded me of all those nights with my grandfather - our heads tipped back while he told me about the constellations & the universe. It was magic! And the stars remind me of my mom... & one winter night with our heads tipped back looking at them together. I always think of her when I look up at a starry sky...

2011 Calendars & Note Cards {Central Ohio Fine Art Photographer}

Summer is a busy time... vacations, staycations, projects galore. Who has time to relax?! Calls have been coming in for summer portraits and I'm now booking into September and October! I love doing portrait sessions in beautiful Autumn! But... in between all the portrait sessions, I've been busy in my ETSY SHOP. I'm pleased to announce some NEW goodies in my shop - just in time for gift giving ideas! I have recently introduced my Fine Art Note Cards, which have been quite popular. And have now released 2 new 2011 Calendars in a great 5x7 size! These are perfect for the desk, and when you are done with the month, simply cut out the art portion which is ready to pop into a 5x5 mat or frame.

2011 Fine Art Calendar - Flowers and Trees

Find it HERE!

A set of 12 5x7 unbound pages

perfect for the garden and flower lover.

Great for gift giving and desk tops!

2011 Fine Art Calendar - Still Life

Find it HERE!

A set of 12 5x7 unbound pages

perfect for gift giving and desks!

Fine art note cards include envelopes and come in sets of four (4)

and are 5x7 in size. The image size is 4x4.

BEACH DREAMS

FOG

FLOWERS and SKY

MAGGIE