It wasn't too long ago that I was excited about the beginning of winter and the snow. I still love the snow. I think it is beautiful and calm. But I found out that I wasn't nearly as fond of the cold as I thought I was. So needless to say, I was pleased to feel the warmth that we have gotten the past couple of days and see how instantaneously everything started to grow and bloom. Of course I had to go out and take a few pictures! I didn't get to take as many as I would have liked to, but I can assure you that there will be more to come in the following weeks and months. I can't resist taking pictures of such a beautiful world!

So last Friday I had the chance to go to the Maximum Adobe Photoshop Tour in Salt Lake City, Utah. It was amazing! I went to one last year in Los Angeles that was spotlighting Adobe Photoshop Lightroom and had a great time at that one as well.

For those who don’t know much about these conferences, they are day long (or sometimes weekend-long) classes where the top Photoshop professionals like Scott Kelby, Matt Kloskowski ,or in the case of last Friday, Dave Cross, come and teach us how to best utilize or expand our practice with this amazing software. Each conference includes a workbook where they describe in detail everything that they teach so those that attend can practice later, a CD with goodies and all the images they use to demonstrate,

I learned so much about how to make my work go more smoothly. I can’t wait to try out all the new things I learned!

I will start of by saying that this blog will probably have very little to do with photography, if anything at all. I would apologize for that, except that I feel that what I have to say is more important than photography.

The topic of helping others and making sure that other people are cared for has been a major talking and discussing point for myself and some of my friends the past couple of weeks. I want to bring a few different conversations together, because although they were discussed at separate times and not connected to each other at the time, they are the same thing.

Let's start with this: Dictionary.com has defined SERVICE as "an act of helpful activity; help; aid: to do someone a service." There are actually 37 different definitions listed, but this is the definition that I wish to talk about.

1) I'm sure the majority of people who read this will have heard about the tragedy of the Haiti earthquakes. It is devastating what happened there, and what is still happening there. These people need as much help, as much service, as we can give them.

2) Another point that has been brought up is the health care in the United States. People claim that they don't want or need to pay extra taxes so that others can have affordable health care. I disagree with all my heart. There are people dying, and in more pain than necessary because they can't afford to go to the doctors. I could expand more on this, but I think that is enough to say at this time.

3) My third point is probably the most general. We need to give service to others. That counts in so many ways: giving money to people who need it, such as those in Haiti; giving a little more of our paycheck so that EVERYONE can live a happier and healthier life; and giving of our time. It seems that the latter has been everywhere I go lately; from "random" thoughts coming into my head, to Disneyland's offer for a one day admission for free if you give one day of service, to the website I was looking at tonight for a location for portrait session: The Utah State Hospital, which has a beautiful garden and theater area available for photography sessions for a small permit charge. As I was searching this website for more information, there was a link for volunteer opportunities. It caught my eye. There are so many people that need our help. Disneyland has pages and pages of service opportunities listed on their website with a geographical search. There are 109 listings for places that need volunteers in the Orem/Provo area. And those are just the ones approved by Disneyland for their program.

I believe that we vastly underestimate the good that can come from the service we give, not only for those we are serving, but for ourselves. If there is anything in your life that you are having difficulties with, try to find some time to help someone else. You'd be amazed at how you can be blessed when you try to improve someone else's life instead of just thinking about your own. The opportunities are out there, and if you can't find them, let me know and I'd be happy to point some out. Give up an hour a week of TV, video games, or even *dare I say it* Facebook/Myspace. Take your family or friends with you; make it a group activity. We have to watch out for each other. Its our responsibility to stop being so selfish and care for others. Everyone has something to give. Even me. Time is not something I'm lacking in right now, and while I hope that is not always the case, I know that I can and will give some of my time to help others. And I greatly thank all those who are already living this way and giving in the ways that they can to improve the lives of others; for I have felt the love of people who have served me and I will be eternally grateful to them. The only way I can think to pay them back is to turn around and serve someone else. Its the only way I can begin to be deserving of all that I've been blessed with.

I challenge you all to serve someone else this week in whichever capacity you can. Remember, Service is "an act of helpful activity." Not one of us is incapable of doing just that.

I wish you all the best!

I suppose I've always been someone "creative." Just like it's said in the following video, I like to create something that wasn't there before. Many types of creating appeal to me. Probably the most prominent, as many of you know, would be photography. But what you do to create something of your own is personal to you. Everyone has the ability "to create things of substance and beauty."

So I pose this challenge to all who read this: Create something. Something that has value to you. Something you are excited to call your own. It can be a photograph, a painting, something you've made, or a story you've written, or many, many other possibilities. What ever it is, I'd like you to share it with me. Comment on this blog or send me a message through my contact page. And remember to watch the video. It inspired me to get out and create something new, I hope it will inspire you too.

What will you create?

One of the major differences between California and Utah is the weather. I love California, and miss it dearly, but Utah has what some people like to call.... are you ready for this?... Seasons! I checked the weather forecast this morning, and was surprised to find that the previous forecast for rain next Tuesday has turned into a snow prediction. Now I'm sure that all those who have lived here for at least one winter may not find this bit of information as interesting and news worthy as I seem to be turning it into, but as a photographer I look at everything in terms of "Will this make an amazing photo?" And snow definitely has the potential to turn out many great photos. Yes, there are the cynics who say that snow isn't pretty...because within a couple hours of fresh fallen snow, it is bound to be walked and driven in and turn not so white and fresh. And of course there is the cold that goes along with it. But being naive and unknowledgeable in the behavior of snow, I'm excited to see it, and of course take many, many pictures of it. So who's in? I'm starting to schedule snow photo shoots! These are perfect for holiday greeting cards that tend to make there way through the mail to family and friends within the next couple of months. I already have a few choice locations in mind, or let me know about your ideas! Hey, I'll even give you 30% off the cost of the photo session fee and 20% off prints if you schedule before November 21, 2009 just for mentioning this blog! Now how can you resist such an offer? And please check me out on Facebook! Become a fan, and you can get my newest images in your news feed before they appear on my website!



I wish you all happy snow memories!

Hey Everyone! I just thought I'd give you an update on what's been going on with me. I'm still in Orem, Utah and loving the scenery. There are the most beautiful sunsets here almost every night! At least a couple times a week I find myself running outside with my camera to capture all the colors before they disappear into the night. I'm also working on updating my store. Soon there will be two new categories of photos to purchase: Digital Art & Effects and Stock Photography. I'm really excited to start adding more products for everyone to view and purchase. There is also a newsletter that is currently in progress. Soon you will be able to subscribe to it and receive news, updates, tips, and coupons for Lauren Silcock Photography all through E-mail. Thank you for all your support! Keep checking back for all these new updates!

I often post on a photography forum (http://www.photoartsforum.com -Its full of great information!) that I was referred to, and looking around one day I found a link that some one had posted and I wanted to share it with you. These are some amazing examples of Macro Photography, or close-up pictures of objects that would normally be really small. Its one of my goals to be able to take images like this. Although it requires a very expensive lens so I think it will just have to wait a while longer. I love this site and I hope you do too!

20 Breathtaking Macro Photography Shots

Here are a few of the images I've taken recently.

The wedding was amazing. It was a beautiful day and everything went well, without any major incidents. Here are some of the photos from that day!

This weekend a really good friend of mine is getting married in Southern California. She has hired a photographer for the wedding, but has asked me to also take some pictures during the reception. I'm really excited to get a bit more experience in wedding photography. I love the magic; all the details that go into making it a perfect day. Those are the things that can be so easily overlooked, but the bride spends hours working on! How beautiful it is, to be able to capture Love in an image. The looks they give each other, and those moments when they don't realize that someone else is watching them in their own private moments. Those are the images that I love: the ones that just take your breath away and draw you into the Love they are sharing.