Inspiration cames in all forms!!!!

How can this be? I was inspired while having a pedicure today!  I don't usually take the time to pamper myself.  I had just left Fitness Revolution after a rigorous spin class.  Whipped my butt!!! AND decided since I was going to a wedding tomorrow as a guest, not a photographer, that I needed to have my first pedicure of the spring season. ( Now many of you know me well enough, if it is the perfect infrared day I will have to whip out my infrared camera and take some photos!!! )

Back to my pedicure. Of course I brought work to do. How can I sit still in the middle of a work day and do nothing except relax and enjoy the experience?  Then I thought about what was going through my mind. When women come to me for a Celebrate the Feminine photographic session I create an experience. One filled with relaxation, ease and grace.  Many of these women are mothers, have successful careers and are very busy ladies. I want them to let go of everything, totally be present and enjoy the moment. As I am thinking these things I realize how having a pedicure is the same, a time for me to Celebrate the Feminine, relax and enjoy the moment. So I let go, did nothing but enjoyed the warm water on my feet, the heated stones massaging my legs and the lovely deep redding nail polish being applied to my toes.

What also occurred after I let go was watching a 75+ year old woman get up from her seat. She had a smile on her face and was joyous saying goodbye to everyone in the nail salon. As she stooped over to gather her walker I saw that she had had a mani and a pedi with bright purple nail polish that not only matched her sandals, but also her pants, her walker and her bag. This woman rocked and IS a Celebration of the Feminine.

Mother's Day 2012

My brother and his family sent my mom flowers for mothers day. At 80 she is so thrilled by the small things, beautiful flowers and calls from her children or grandchildren. I watched her arthritic hands open up the box the flowers, she took her time and was very deliberate with her movements. Almost as though each motion was savored, experiencing the opening of a present with joy and anticipation. I feel so blessed to be sharing mothers day with not only my sons but also with my mom.

My youngest and his girlfriend left on a cruise today, I was so thrilled to take them to the boat in NYC. They were like children so excited and kiddy with joy.

MY gifts on mother's day was to witness the excitement of 24 year old's going on their first vacation together. My mom being excited by a floral arrangement as though it was the first time she received flowers. AND driving through the streets of NYC on my way to The Cloisters to photograph, watching so many men and young children carrying flowers and plants as gifts to honor the mothers in their lives. What a special day.

Woman's Retreat in Otis Mass. Even though it has rained all week it has been amazing. Something incredible happens when women get together in a nurturing creative environment.
One more day, hope the rain will stop and the sun will come out.
But then again when I pulled my inspiration card today it reminded me that everything is exactly as it is suppose to be and everything happens for a reason..

9/11 and PPA

"The Mentor's Way." Please join us for the opening reception April 14th

The Sally D. Francisco Gallery at Peters Valley Craft Center is pleased to announce a new exhibition titled “The Mentor’s Way: the expressive give and take of inspired exploration” on view April 14 through May 20, 2012 with an opening reception on Saturday, April 14th from 4-7pm and presentation at 5:30pm.  

The Mentor’s Way will feature work by renowned photographer Laurie Klein and seven photographers she has mentored over the years.  These artists: Mitzi Brettler, Nicole Cudzilo, Kate Lipsky, Kyle Perler, Kelly Winn, Dennis Yates, and Paige Zeitler, are from diverse backgrounds and professional stages.  The exhibition will have on display a variety of photographic medium and interactive installation that exemplifies the successful mentoring process that has encouraged and enabled each artist to articulate their unique style.   Klein’s non-imposing approach to mentoring, by facilitating and pushing her students’ abilities rather than assigning, has consistently proven effective, as is evident with the distinct voice so clearly expressed in each photographer’s work.  The objectives of this exhibition can be best articulated in a personal statement by Laurie:  “For many years I have said ’I don't know who gets more out of mentoring, the students or the mentor.’  I was mentored by Ansel Adams back in the 70's. He changed my life in the way I view the world, my photography and the passion I have for teaching.  I feel blessed to be able to pay it forward, to encourage creativity and help students understand the creative process. My goal is to help them find their visual voice. Peters Valley has been an integral support for cultivating and harnessing ones creative spirit.”

Laurie Klein is an award-winning fine art, commercial wedding and portrait photographer as well as educator. She is the author of Hand Coloring Black and White Photography, a contributing writer for PPA magazine, Rangefinder and Photocraft Source Book. Her work has been published in The New York Times, New York Magazine, Interior Design Magazine, House Beautiful, Ladies Home Journal, Brides Magazine, Modern Bride, and others.  Laurie has appeared on the Sally Jessy Raphael Show, Discovery and Lifetime Television.  Laurie has a MFA in photography from Ohio U and BFA from RIT.  She studied with Ansel Adams.  Kodak, Fuji, Prismacolor, and Curtis Paper have been her sponsors.  A gifted photo educator for over 25 years, Laurie teaches classes and workshops both nationally and internationally.  Laurie is a member of Cameracraftsmen. She also mentors high school students who are interested in photography.  Laurie Klein is recognized worldwide for her photography shooting almost exclusively in the arresting infrared spectrum. Her work embodies a soft passionate style that most often depicts the feminine experience, relationships and landscapes.

For more information about the exhibition and biographies on each of the seven photographers, please visit www.petersvalley.org.

Join us for an Opening Reception on Saturday, April 14th from 4-7pm, with an Artists’ Talk at 5:30pm.  The Sally D. Francisco Gallery is located on the second floor of our Craft Store, Peters Valley Craft Center, 19 Kuhn Rd., Layton, NJ 07851. 

Hours through April are Thursday – Sunday, 10am-5pm, and beginning in May, Thursday – Tuesday 10am-6pm. 

Peters Valley Craft Center is a non-profit educational center for the exploration, promotion and practice of the craft arts, located in the Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area. Funding for Peters Valley is provided by the New Jersey State Council of the Arts/Department of State, a partner agency of the NEA, the Geraldine R. Dodge Foundation, Hudson Farm Foundation and by the generosity of its members and individual donors. 

Two great classes, one fantastic weekend!

Two great classes, one fantastic weekend! We are very happy to share with you our newly released class schedule for the spring. The classes are $95 a piece and $175 for the weekend. The second day you will have the option of working with the images from the first class. We recommend taking both classes to get the most out of this weekend but it is not required. There will be a discount for current students. Photo Playdate; Bring your model to class Saturday April 28th 10-4 Instructors: Laurie Klein and Kyle Perler This is a hands on model study workshop. Bring along someone you want to photograph, whether it is a grandchild, friend, spouse, acquaintance, or someone you found on Craigslist (kidding...kind of). We will spend the day learning the technique of posing, lighting, composition, and other elements in making a great portrait. Please share with us your ideas for clothing and props. We will also be reviewing and discussing the images we shot during the class. Class requirements: Model and camera gear. Flash optional but encouraged. We'd love to see your past work so if you have a laptop please bring it! Photoshop and Workflow for Photographers Sunday April 29th 10-4    Instructor Kyle Perler  This is not a class about taking pictures it is about everything after. How do you organize your image so everything is easy to find? How do you properly backup your precious files to prevent loss in case of a hardware failure?  Photoshop and postproduction software can be confusing and often frustrating, but it doesn't have to be. This class is geared to amateurs and professionals alike who are ready to take their business and personal work to the next level.     Class requirements: Laptop computer, Adobe Bridge or Lightroom, Photoshop CS. 15 day trials are available online if you don't have these.   Private Instruction $45 per hour minimum 2 hours per session   Kyle is available from April 25th to May 2nd for private and personalized instruction. We'll have a phone consultation to design a session just for you. Limited spaces available. Call 203-740-1110 or email Laurie atinfo@laurieklein.com for registration. Workshops will be held in the greater Danbury Connecticut area.

Laurie Klein has built an international reputation as a photographer and educator. A student of Ansel Adams, Laurie has evolved a unique style that combines her love of photographing nature with her exceptional skills for capturing relationships. www.laurieklein.com   Kyle Perler is an associate photographer and production manager for a high end commercial and portrait studio in Boston that handles more then 1,000 active clients a year. Kyle is a graduate of the School of the Museum of Fine Arts and Tufts University.   www.KylePerler.com