Butterfly Paradise

The dregs of the workplace can certainly quickly clog our brains and frustration brings us near the breaking point of insanity. My job in the retail business has brought me there more times than I'd like to admit, but here is a place that gives me instant relief, where I feel content with my surroundings. The Butterfly (Spa) Pavilion is my escape from reality! As soon as I set foot inside the doors and the hot moist

air hits my face I feel as though I am in my own

private paradise, just me and the butterflies.

Everyone should go at least once. There are butterflies and moths from all over the world and if you are lucky one will land on you. I love to watch the children's faces light up with curiosity, When they see a butterfly come close they freeze motionless with their hand reaching up... "Please, please land on me!"

For me the excitement comes from getting that perfect capture with my camera. I have hundreds of photos and still I want more. I have a membership that only cost me $45 a year which is a lot cheaper than going to the spa! That is where I got the nick name from. It's just like having a spa day. My skin loves the humid environment and I always leave smiling, refreshed and stress free.

Portrait Photography

Recently I have found myself more and more attracted to portrait photography. Terri and I went for a walk and one of the neighbors was walking with her little girl, who is too adorable for words. Naturally I had my camera with me and I asked if I could take some pictures of her. She was full of energy and joy and had the cutest expressions. She hopped up and down and ran around the yard non-stop! I must have taken about 40 shots and couldn't wait to get home and download them to my computer. I was very happy with the results and burned a CD for the little girls mother, hoping she would feel the same.

I started thinking about how much I love photographing people and kids and decided that I want to start my own business. I almost feel funny calling it a business, after all, the photo shoots I have done were for free! I just haven't been able to bring myself to charge people for doing something that I totally enjoy. Oh and to see their faces when they look the photos, well I will admit it makes me feel pretty darn good.

I will be working all winter researching what I will need to put together a studio in my home, my small home. I am very excited. I know I can do this, that's what I keep telling myself.

My Ego is Elevated

My camera and I have become inseparable, and with the encouragement of my friends I have managed to do some self promoting and have been invited to feature my work in a few local establishments. This is a huge accomplishment for someone is so critical of herself and who's confidence level on a scale of 1-10 averages about 5. With each invitation my ego is elevated and my confidence increases.

Most recently I was invited to display my work at the Erie Library for the whole month of October. My dear friend Terri, who is also my personal cheerleader, helped me arrange my pictures on the wall. The experience was euphoric and by the time I left the library I was pretty numb. I admit I am becoming quite fond of this feeling. Oh my gosh! Am I getting a FAT HEAD? Well, maybe, but my critical inner self will have no problem in deflating my temporarily oversized ego.

Where I will get my next confidence boost from. I have the rest of the month to find another fix.