2010 February | SECRET AGENT MAMA

Archive for Month: February, 2010

Weekly Winners {The 365 Round Up}

February 14, 2010 - 15 Comments by Mishelle - Mishi's Art Hub, Secret Agent Mama

{iamlot.us = way more winners!}

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100 Blissful Memories {Part II}

February 13, 2010 - 13 Comments by Mishelle - Uncategorized

11) Tough Question: A while back, my friend, Shelly Kramer, asked me a question on the phone. She asked me what I wanted to do with my photography. She asked me what I had to offer that was different, and she got my gears cranking. My answers were easy answers. The answers that made me comfortable. And there is definitely no comfort in growing. I finally got to meet Shelly, and after the big, humongous, love hug I gave her my answer.

12) Don’t Take My Picture Now: That’s what Michelle Lamar said to me. She said she wasn’t ready for a picture, but I quite love this shot. It’s even more meaningful since I never found her again during the whole conference. You’d think that it’d be easy to see people over-and-over again, but it’s not. My Blissdom photos are complete with the one-and-only White Trash Mom in the mix.

13) The Velveteen Baby: She was so tiny when we were in New Orleans for Loads of Hope. So tiny. So newborn. This time she had a different baby face, and she was fuller and longer and so smiley. I held her once and she cried, but she was definitely feeling over-stimulated. I should’ve known that. But, YAY! I held her one more time. My favorite memory of her, at Blissdom, is the picture behind her mama, Megan, in the BlissTV opening day video. A picture I took of her as we–she and I–waited outside of a shop for her mama and grandmama. Not only was my photography in that awesome opening video, but my Velveteen Baby photo was, too.

14) Just Malia: Blissdom has given me many things. One of those things is a friendship with Malia. Beautiful, gentle, kind, and peaceful; she’s the perfect kind of friend to have. In a sea full of faces that are often unrecognizable, spotting her bright eyes and warm smile, I was comforted.

15) What’s your red rubber ball?: You know, first impressions matter–they do! And Kevin Carroll was the one who gave Blissdom its first impression. That opening keynote was so moving, so inspiring, and so eye-opening. He moved us to believe that we are not victims of circumstance, he inspired us to play more, and he opened our eyes by asking one simple question: What’s your red rubber ball? I think everyone needs to hear the words that Kevin spoke to us. A “Katalyst” indeed!

16) Need I Say More? I think this says it all.

17) Water fountains are meant for going into (you know, like the one in the opening of Married With Children or this one at the Gaylord Opryland Hotel): I hoped that Rachel would get in when I expressed that the fountain begged for someone to get in, so that I could merely take a picture. Have fun. Take the opportunity and just do it. Get your feet wet. Jump in the water. Play.

18) Lisa Loves: When I saw Lisa snuggling Jill’s newest little guy, my heart swelled. I don’t even know if Lisa saw me take this picture, but the love I felt between Auntie Lisa and Baby “Silas” was so pure and sweet.

19) I think I have a foot fetish: Or a shoe fetish. Or both.

20) Yes, the shoe fetish would be apparent: This year, I will say, that I was not a shoe-parazi; I showed some control, but next year it’s on. I think we always need a “Shoes of Blissdom” set on Flickr.

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100 Blissful Memories {Part I}

February 11, 2010 - 28 Comments by Mishelle - Blogging and Social Media

1) Back Seat Driver: I never know how I am going to feel being a passenger in a car. I mean, after all, I do usually prefer to do the driving. This time was different, though. The car trip with these women was just perfect. Dawn did the driving, while Sara sat in the front (wrestling with a wonky seat-belt), and I sat in the back. I was free to daydream, free to talk as much as I wanted, free to close my eyes and get myself ready for the upcoming BlissDom experience.

2) All Things Happen for a Reason: A phone call came. A mistake was made. A promise was made to rub my feet. None of it mattered, though, because the time that I spent as a result of “the mistake” was probably one of my best memories of the trip. I got to sit and laugh and talk and listen to a woman that has been through so much lately. A woman that I feel I know–deep down–and who knows me just as thoroughly.

3) Gathering of Butterflies: Everything ready to go, Alli had a bunch of us all come to her room. There we talked about anything and everything, and I’m sure everyone had some level of butterflies in their bellies. Some more than others, I would say. We listened. We laughed. We loved.

4) High Five: Some friends couldn’t physically be there. But that didn’t mean they weren’t there with us. Amber had a moment with Lisa on one of the beds in our hotel room. Some other “flat friends” even got kisses from the likes of crooner Harry Connick Jr. and Food TV star George Duran.

5) You Are Here: The Gaylord Opryland Hotel is nothing if it isn’t vast. In spaciousness. In beauty. In grandeur. At first I cussed my head off about the amount of walking we’d have to do on a daily basis, but in the end I was thankful for it. I actually think they made it gorgeous on purpose, as to detract from the walking factor.

6) 8:15: The day started early, and I knew it would be filled with busy-busy-go-go-go. A meeting in one of the smaller conference rooms, after some good coffee and breakfast, and we were off.

7) My Friends Have Style: Coming to BlissDom I knew so many of my friends would be there. I also knew that new friends were waiting to be made. Angie was one of them. We’d Skyped and emailed, as we were doing the Photography Workshop together, but other than that I didn’t know her. We hit it off, for sure, and once I saw her shoes, I knew that I’d love her forever.

8) My Friends Have Smile: This is the part of BlissDom that you can not ever put a price on. It’s the love of friends who love you unconditionally and fully. It’s the love that is exuded through their brilliant smiles. And it’s the knowing that you belong and have a tribe.

9) Your Attention, Please: There is nothing–I mean NOTHING–like people coming to a workshop that you are a part of, and paying attention intently to all that is being said. It’s a shared passion; one that feeds the creative soul. Looking out into the see of Photography Workshop attendees, my heart filled.

10) We of the Writer’s Craft: Four women I respect wholeheartedly. One topic that is dear to my heart. Over an hour of Bliss. This workshop will go down–in my books– as the best ever. Megan, Arianne, Deb, and Amber. Four women whose voices are rich, and lovely, and everything profound. I thank them for their words. My sisters…

[This will be a ten part series that I will string through my blog for a while; I just want to keep reliving the bliss. My entire collection of photos from the conference can be seen on Flickr, but you should definitely come back to relive the bliss with me.]

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About Project 365

February 8, 2010 - No Comments (be the first!) by Mishelle - Mishelle Lane Photography

You could pay hundreds of dollars to attend professional workshops.

You could buy cameras, lenses, and filters, oh my!

You could go to the library and check out books gallore that will get you in the know as far as certain settings and techniques are concerned.

You could read and watch tutorials, up the wazoo, on Youtube.

But, you will never take better pictures without practice.

That being said, there’s a super simple way that you can help develop your eye. It’s gonna take a little work and dedication, but –believe me– if I can do it, anyone can!

Here’s what you do:

Get a camera (it doesn’t have to be anything fancy; a simple point-and-shoot will do.)
Take pictures with said camera every day for a whole year.
Share your “Project 365″ with friends and family (Flickr, Facebook, blog, what-have-you.)
Develop your own eye and enjoy the growth you will experience through this simple project.