Ok. . .in case you’re wondering why this hasn’t been updated in like um…..FOREVER, it’s because I have new blog addresses and need to get rid of this one. So here’s some new addresses for you to make note of (If you’re “following” this one, please change it for me. Thanks)

Merrill Design & Photography blog: www.merrilldpblog.blogspot.com

Patti’s Personal Blog: www.pattiko.blogspot.com

Merrill Design & Photography Website: www.merrilldp.com

Thanks!

Yesterday marked one year since my Dad passed away. To commemorate the day, I decided to go to the mountains to take pictures of the Aspens. Dad loved to do this and one of his favorite spots was Golden Gate State Park west of Golden, Colorado. A few of my good friends came along and helped to make the day a positive one. Here are some of my favorite pictures that I took.

In memory of my Dad, Wallace Everett Grant, Jr. . . .

I enjoyed some time with my friends driving up to Idaho Springs. We had hoped to find a lot of Fall color, but the trees haven’t changed quite yet (at least not where we went). I did get some nice pictures though and thought I’d share some of what I took. While I took close to 200 images, I will only share a few along with my thoughts.

This is the water wheel that is in Idaho Springs. It’s picturesque, but not working. I think it would make a nice painting. Might have to spend some time doing that someday!

I really like the contrast of the tiny little Aspen with it’s bright yellow leaves against the taller Evergreen. It makes me think of friendship, family, relationships that build and edify each other. The Evergreen protects the Aspen. The Aspen brings beauty to the relationship. Together they grow in a precarious place on the side of a mountain. Reaching up to the sky while sending their roots down deep to drink from the river below.

I really like this tree. It is so amazing to me how it survives–even thrives–in this spot. What a strange place to grow. What a difficult place to grow. It made me think of how sometimes our lives are not ideal. We are asked to grow and thrive in the most unusual and even difficult circumstances. Yet we are not asked to do that which is not possible. We can grow and be beautiful where ever we are, under whatever circumstances we are in. And as we do so we can find joy! Joy in helping others see joy. I so appreciate that this tree is where it is and that I was able to see it and enjoy it’s beauty!

These two pictures go together. Sometimes we have obstacles in front of us and it becomes difficult to see with clarity the beauty of the situation, or the beauty of life. We become focused on the trial/the obstacle/the barrier. These two pictures were taken from the same place. For the second one, I got very close to the barrier and looked through to see the view below. Sometimes in life, we have to get right up close to our trials and face them. On the other side there is beauty to be found!

This little leaf held my attention for like 15 minutes! I was so intrigued by it. I sat by the river, watching leaves fall into the river and get swept away. Other leaves would fall on a rock and stay there for a bit. But when the water splashed on it too much, it too would be swept away into the moving water and be gone. But this little leaf was stuck to the rock. It didn’t budge. I don’t know if you can tell, but the water is actually flowing OVER the leaf, not around it. It was constantly under the water and yet it did not move. And in my mind I thought, “Therefore, I would that ye should be steadfast and immovable, always abounding in good works that Christ, the Lord God Omnipotent, may seal you his, that you may be brought to heaven, that ye may have everlasting salvation and eternal life, through the wisdom, and power, and justice, and mercy of him who created all things, in heaven and in earth, who is God above all. Amen.” (that’s from Mosiah 5:15)

Trials come. And sometimes I feel like I am surrounded by the raging waters and even being covered over. But this little leaf helped me to remember that if we will cling to our Rock of Salvation then we will not be overcome by the “water”!

I am so grateful for nature and for lessons that can be learned by observing the world around us!

This is just an image that I like a lot! Contrast. Refreshing. Makes me want to jump in and splash around!!! Yet at the same time, it makes me feel uneasy. I truly have a love/hate relationship with water! It draws me in and at the same time repels me away.

Thanks for looking! Please share any insights you may have!

I’m so excited to announce that I now have a “real” website! Not just this blog. Although I think this blog has been great, and I will try to keep it updated with my life-happenings, I feel like I’m actually a real “professional” now! Thanks to my great friend, Becca, for being the pushing force to make this happen. I truly, truly could not have done it without her! The pictures that follow this were taken by Becca so that I would have something of myself to put on my new website. I absolutely do NOT like having my own pictures taken. But I have to say that she made it fun and I like the results!!

So are you ready. . .here’s the link! www.merrilldp.com Tell me what you think PLEASE! Any feedback–even negative–is so welcomed. I know that the only way I’m getting better at what I do is because of the feedback I receive!

Thank you all for your support and love. Whenever I can take some pictures for you, let me know! I’m having so much fun and feel so incredibly blessed!

Thanks for looking!

Since we just had Father’s Day, I have been thinking a bit about my dad. As I sat in Church, I remembered how he loved to come to Church for those last months before his passing. How he loved to sing the hymns. Dad had a deep, resonating bass voice which, ever since I was a young child, I loved to listen to. Our Sunday School lesson had somewhat of a political tone to it and Dad was always very involved in the politics of our community and nation.

And this image is one that I think my dad would’ve loved. He always enjoyed the Aspens. I never see Aspens without thinking of my dad. One of my absolute favorite images that he took is of Aspens. So I always try to capture these trees in a way that my dad would appreciate. I hope there’s Aspens where he is!!

Well, I guess I was tagged by my good friend Teresa and I am suppose to write a memoir in six words or less.

I know this isn’t original, but here it is:

“Fake it ’til you make it!”

It all has to do with believing that you can make it though. If I didn’t do something because I thought I didn’t really know what I was doing, I would probably not be able to do anything! I have been involved with photography professionally since 1988. I was just home from spending nearly 2 years as a misssionary and had started back to school as a music major. I needed money and heard that JCPenney’s was hiring in their portrait studio. Knowing very little about photography, I jumped in for something like $5.00 an hour! It didn’t take long for me to fall in love with the art and actually become passionate about it. Now, 20 years later, I feel like I am finally no longer “faking” it! I have become a “real” photographer! It is such an incredible feeling to be able to envision what you want the final image to look like, set your camera up, push the shutter and have a hard copy of what exsisted first only in your mind! Truly satisfying!

I also find myself using this idea when it comes to my graphic designing. I am not an experienced graphic designer. But I know that I can get onto the computer what I see in my mind’s eye (or what my client sees in his/her mind’s eye). Once I’ve done that, it’s not hard to get it printed and out there!

I know that believing that I can do it is what is going to make me successful. There’s nothing stopping me! And one thing that I have come to recognize that when I believe in myself and go forward with confidence then other’s believe in me too. With so many cheering me on, how can I fail?!

Here’s a picture to enjoy (since I am suppose to post my images) : )

This is at The Garden of the Gods, in Colorado Springs. I love the contrast of the tree against rock behind it.

I know I haven’t blogged for a long time, but I am still determined to make this business work. In the last year since I decided to take the leap and go out on my own, I have learned so very much. If my bank account reflected the wealth of knowledge that I’ve gained, I’d be out of debt!!!! I know that will come.

I read a great quote today in a book that I’m reading. It is by a man named Hugh B. Brown. He said this:

“Every man is a diary in which he writes one story while intending to write another. His humblest moment is when he compares the two.”

I have been humbled many times over the past year. One thing I have come to know for certain is that I have it within me to succeed at anything I set my mind to!

Check out some new images under my wedding page. I had a wonderful time photographing a wedding a few weeks ago. The couple were so much fun and I had such a great time as I captured a lot of great moments on (digital) film!

So I have started photographing the Class of 2009 and am already having so much fun. Our first “model” is Erica (not to be confused with my daughter, Erika, who is a 2008 graduate). This Erica is a friend of the family and was absolutely a joy to work with. She has the best smiles, relaxed personality and was willing to do whatever I asked her! Here are some of our favorites (when I say “our” I mean mine and Carlie’s!)

 

“I have been impressed with the urgency of doing. Knowing is not
enough; we must apply. Being willing is not enough; we must do.”

-Leonardo Da Vinci

Sometimes I find myself needing a good motivational thought to keep me focused on my goals. I have always found a certain sense of fulfillment when I can find a good quote that just seems to be just “right”. As I am working on making my business a successful venture, I have come to recognize that applying and doing are necessary actions to become successful. I am doing a lot of research and studying and I find myself thinking a lot, “I can do that!” However, it isn’t until I actully start applying the things that I’m learning and doing the things that I know I can (and sometimes even doing things that I didn’t know I could and being so very pleasantly surprised) that I then find myself enjoying a measure of success!

Whatever it is that you want to accomplish. . .remember you must “do”, not just “know” to find success.

 There is a wonderful little song that says, “Teach me all that I must do. . .” It’s true!!!