In the NYC, nature follows the city ways… if you want it, you have to go get it.  This city offers almost anything you could desire, you just need to decide to take it in.  I think we often see what we want to see in life.  If you want to see grit and graffiti, you’ll see it!  If you want to see beauty and nature, just take the time to look for it.  New York has plenty of beauty to take in; you just need to be looking for beauty to see it.

These shots were taken on Cinco de Mayo, the day after we returned from our trip to Kuwait.  NYC welcomed us home with Springtime, and it was just the contrast we needed from a week in “the litter box”.  The sun was shining on Central Park West this Sunday afternoon.  We were overtaken by just how good it felt to be home.

Can you spot the little squirrel’s face in this picture?  

On a less nature-focused note, I’m really pleased with the progress of this whole photography experiment I started 5 months ago.  I knew I really wanted this camera, but I didn’t know the 1st thing about how to use it.  I didn’t have any goals in mind other than to teach myself by trial and error.  After 5 months with my camera, I can confidently say that I’m in love.  As with most of the images I post on here, these haven’t had any editing.  That’s not to say that they wouldn’t be better with some post-processing… it just makes me really giddy to see the pictures pop up on the computer screen looking like this!

I’m considering building a real portfolio, and practicing taking pictures on purpose.  In these past few months I’ve had several offers to be paid for my services as a photographer.  I turned them all down because I feel like I don’t have enough experience to take on clients yet.  I don’t know when it will ever feel comfortable to call myself a “photographer”, but I don’t think there’s anything wrong with setting goals in this area now.  I think I’ll just start with trying to under-promise and over-produce.  What do you think?

Photographers: When did you feel confident calling yourself a “photographer”? How did you know you were ready to take on clients?

Friends: Anyone willing to sit in for some practice shoots? Leave a comment!