Sometimes timing is everything

Kabula, originally uploaded by Tipping Point Photo.

I pride myself on my timing. As a photographer who started in sports and has moved on to much more slow-moving endeavors (with the exception of the occasional rambunctious 3-year old), timing was my specialty. Sometimes, though, good timing has nothing to do with my quick trigger finger and everything to do with karma.

Last week we said goodbye to a dear friend whose time with us was wonderful and filled with walks, belly rubs, pigs' ears, squirrels, and lots of fun adventures. She was our surrogate dog-child when we didn't have one of our own, and was still one of our favorites even after we adopted ours. We did a shoot with half of her extended family in mid-August, and just three short weeks later, a tumor was discovered. It grew aggressively, and treatment options were limited.

So we said goodbye, tearful for the friend we were losing, but comforted in knowing that she would no longer be in pain, and that doggy heaven is the most wonderful place you could imagine. And we were especially thankful to have captured some wonderful images of her--looking majestic, as usual--that will keep her memories close to our hearts from frames hanging in hallowed spots on our walls.

What I'm working towards

Filled with overabundant glee, adorable innocence and reckless joy., originally uploaded by Tipping Point Photo.

Had a family session a few weeks ago, and the darling of the hour was this little guy. He moved quick, requiring me to recall some of my sports photography skills. It was only after I sat down to edit this session that I noticed a series of shots like this one: eyes turned skyward, gleaming, head tilted, mouth WIDE open. What on earth could have caught his attention and have made him this excited?
It was nothing more than a tennis ball, tossed high in the air by his dad.
Oh, to be young! When life was simple. When the graceful flight to the top was just as enjoyable as the quick and vigorous descent to the bottom. It's this simplicity--this willingness to let happiness be the default setting on my life scale--that I'm working towards.