Do Dogs Rule?

I was never really a "cat person" growing up. I always liked cats but I was a little more fearful of being bitten by a cat than a dog for some reason. I guess because we always had dogs and I was just more comfortable with them. Then a couple of years ago my hubby looked outside the window and told me we were in trouble. I looked out to see our son coming across the street with a little kitten on his heals.

We ended up taking that kitten in, of course, and we named her Biscuit. She has grown into a beautiful cat. She is not a lap cat, or super lovey kind of cat that wants constant petting, but she is sweet and fun to have around. She got along well with our dog, Dottie and cats are really less maintenance in a lot of ways, whether they are indoor cats or go outside.

We lost Dottie back in May, (which was heartbreaking), and now we face the "Do we get another dog?" issue. In many ways I have enjoyed not having to worry about getting home to let a dog out, and it is easier to make travel plans because Biscuit requires less care. But there is just something about a dog and their devotion that is different than a cat. I think we will give it more time and then perhaps get another dog. Biscuit won't be too thrilled, but I know a certain little boy that will be.

Capturing a Crowd

My friend Jill paid me a very nice compliment recently. She told me that the photos I had taken of crowds at the beach reminded her of another photographer named Massimo Vitali. It was so funny that she had said that, because just a few days before I had been admiring Vitali's photographs. He has a series of panoramic Italian beach photos, packed with sunbathers. Of course, my photography skills and knowledge come nowhere close to Vitali's. But I think his photographs are really cool and interesting, so I was very flattered that they reminded my friend of my pictures when she saw them.

As much as I love taking portraits, I also enjoy capturing a crowd. There is so much I can't take in as I take the picture. So, when I open the image up on my computer and look at it, there are all sorts of details to observe. It is fun to be able to look over the crowd and all the interaction that is going on. There is no posing involved... everyone is just doing their own thing!

It's My Thing

We were walking down the boardwalk at the beach one evening and I lagged behind to take a shot of father and son walking together. They had to wait on me to catch up and I told them I was getting a picture of them. My husband said "That is your thing, isn't it?" And I said that yes, it was my thing. When ever we are on vacation and we are walking together as a family I always hang back and try to catch the two of them walking. They are such buds and usually they are talking about something, not paying me any mind. With every year my little boy is growing and changing, and I love to look back at those past images of them together and see how he has grown.