Walking On Air Ya'll...!!!

Wow, this is an exciting post and one with big news! Those who have been reading my blog will remember a recent post showing some images and the video of our church's Feeding Bodies, Feeding Souls outreach ministry. I wanted the message that those images convey to reach an even broader audience, so when I saw a national photography contest featuring books on Faces, I jumped at the chance to enter it. I had 5 days of create and enter a book on faces - any faces. The book had to be built using Shutterfly's website and entered through a sharing site run by Ree Drummond from The Pioneer Woman...okay, no problem. One day later, and 3 days before the deadline I entered my book entitled Portraits of Hope, Hunger, and Homelessness.

There were over 1000 entries and all featured the charming faces of babies, children, dogs, cats, and even birds. Would my book of faces have a chance? Faces that showed pain, despair, hunger, and yes - even a bit of hope and joy? YES, I had a chance!! My book was listed on the top of the list of 2nd place finishers!

I am humbled and thrilled that that message of hope and giving to the less fortunate was recognized, acknowledged and commented on by a growing number of visitors to Shutterfly's website.

Thank you Ree Drummond! I am honored.

Please visit these websites to see my book and the other entries that were also selected.

http://pioneerwomanfaces.shutterfly.com/3637 Here's the preview of my book on Sutterfly.

http://thepioneerwoman.com/photography/ Here's the contest website with all the winners.

Enjoy...and spread the spirit of giving...
Robin

{Solo Deo Gloria}

One Last Look

Here's one last look at Joey and Julia as they both share their good natured selves to the camera. You guys rocked the shoot!

And now my garden is calling me to come and shoot the last of its blooms; the roses, the cheerful yellow daisies, and the token red leaves of the crepe myrtle. I hear you garden and I'm on my way out now. Your last few precious bursts of color will be in my next post.

Enjoy...Robin

Signs of Fall - The Subtle and Simple Things

Here in north Florida the signs of fall are so subtle and simple. No wildly colored crimson and gold leaves for us! No, we measure seasons more accurately by whats comes into bloom and what quietly slips away for a time.

Yes, our air gets a little cooler, but this fall the humidity and the sun's warmth is still seeping in the house. I'm more than ready to shake out a few sweaters and find the socks that have slipped to the very back of the undies drawer.

Taking a break from photographing children and families, I slip now and then into the garden with my camera. At present, the roses are blooming one last time before Christmas, and the few leaves left on the Crepe Myrtle are a gorgeous funny shade of brick red. Flowers that I've long since forgotten the names of struggle to produce a few flowers here and there. But, even if their colors have faded and their leaves are less than a spring-time shade of green, I still love my plants and the seasons they reflect.

Check out the Pampas grass photo as it bends to the breezes left behind by Tropical Storm Ida. It's tall and stately, soft and hardy. And, it only blooms as fall approaches - not a peep in the summer. It's one of the beauties of autumn here in northern Florida.

So here are few of my garden's last flowers. Until spring arrives, these cute little blooms will be all that remains.

Enjoy...Robin

Charming Joey

When I photographed Joey's sweet little sister, Julia, I wondered if Joey would be as easy going when it was his turn in front of the camera. It turned out I had nothing to worry about. These siblings were two peas in a pod - well behaved and so pleasant to work with.

Charming Joey owns a future lady killer smile and he turned it on when ever I pointed my camera in his direction...nothing bashful about this confident young man!

Thanks Joey - you were great and I enjoyed every moment of our shoot out at Alpine Grove Park.

Next post - Joey and Julia together.

Enjoy...Robin

Walking Softly With Julia

I've been so fortunate this year to have photographed some wonderful children and fun families. Each week I'm going to post a few of those images in order for my blog to catch up to my recent shoots - giving me and you an online portfolio of images. Some readers may have seen them posted on my Facebook fan page, others will be seeing them for the first time.

I'm starting with Julia - a sweet and soft spoken young lady who was so eager to please. As we walked around Alpine Grove Park and selected places to stand or sit, she instinctively gazed into my lens and just lit up. Her beautiful soul was truly shining in her eyes in every shot. Thanks Julia - you were a pleasure to spend time with!

I'll feature her equally fabulous brother, Joey, in my next post.

Enjoy.....Robin

Yesterday's post included a YouTube link to the video of still images that I shot to bring attention to the feeding of the homeless in St. Augustine, FL. That video lost its audio track so I'm re-posting again with the audio in place. You will have to cut and paste (sorry).

Enjoy...

http://www.tangle.com/view_video?viewkey=fda104d395d5cc2d7acb

Feeding Bodies, Feeding Souls -- A Personal Project and a Brand New Journey

For a month this fall I photographed an outreach ministry within our church called Feeding Bodies, Feeding Souls 

A small but dedicated group from Resurrection Protestant Episcopal Church cooked, transported, and served food to the homeless and working poor in St. Augustine, FL. We have met many, learned much, and prayed a lot; all because our Lord asked us to.

My husband, Ian - the Bishop of the Diocese - edited my images together, along with a powerful soundtrack. This was truly a labor of the heart and soul. Please be uplifted as you see the work of a small but detirmined group of people making a big difference in the lives of the poor in St. Johns County, FL.

Blessings...     
The Video:http://www.youtube.com/watch_popup?v=jVNAaqxHg9U

A Few Sample Images Below: