photography

Dog Lovers – You Will Love this Book Giveaway – “Biscuit for Your Thoughts?”

Posted by Barbara Techel

BiscuitBook3Dm1

Update:  Congratulations!!… to Cindy Lee, winner of Biscuit for your Thoughts? and Through Frankie’s Eyes.  Cindy, I sent you an email for your mailing address.

One of the perks I love about having my journal online, talking about dogs, among many other things, is that I get the opportunity now and then to review books.

When this one popped up in my inbox, I was excited to see it. This little book of adorable, funny, and wonderful photos will no doubt put a smile on your face. You will giggle, you will say awe, and your heart will grow a little bigger after perusing the pages of this well done book.

Here is the review I wrote for Amazon where you can also purchase the book (also on B & N).  Truly makes a fun and wonderful gift for a dog lover on your Christmas list!

I laughed one moment, then felt my eyes fill with tears in the next, and overall, I felt my whole insides ooze with happiness for the love of dog.

The captions all fit so perfectly with each amazing, sweet, silly, or endearing photo so brilliantly and beautifully captured by photographer Andrew Darlow.

Truly, a touching and fun gift to give any dog lover!

AndrewDarlowTeekeeBy_WhiteyWarnerAndrew Darlow is a photographer, author and digital imaging consultant. He is the former Editorial Director of Digital Imaging Techniques Magazine, and the current editor of The Imaging Buffet (ImagingBuffet.com), an online website that covers news and reviews from the photography and video industry.

10% of all royalties from the sale of this book will go to pet-related causes.

So how can you win a copy of this adorable book?  It’s easy!  Just leave a comment below by Friday, Dec. 19th midnight cst. And a bonus I have for you? I will throw in a copy of my memoir, Through Frankie’s Eyes: One woman’s journey to her authentic self, and the dog on wheels who led the way. Open to US residents only.

When you leave a comment, please be sure I have an email in which I can contact you if you are the winner. I will choose a winner using random.org

Good luck… and now go hug your dog! They are such great friends we are so lucky to have in our lives.

***Special & Important Note: Beginning in 2015 all book giveaways I have will be done via my newsletter. So if you want to stay in the loop of future book giveaways, please be sure to sign up for my newsletter today. You will see the sign up box in the upper right hand corner of my website.***

A Few of My Favorite Things Incorporated into Photography

Posted by Barbara Techel

bike

I just started a photography e-course being taught my Tammy Stroebel of Rowdy Kittens blog (don’t you just love the name of her blog)?  We are only on day three of the lessons, which last for the next three weeks. But I am really enjoying the course so far.

For the first time I’m actually reading the manual to my powershot Canon digital camera. Not my favorite reading, but I am learning the different settings, which is refreshing to know. The one thing that attracted me to this course, besides Tammy being so down to earth (and living in a tiny house– and I mean tiny!  120 sq. ft.), as well as I love the photos she takes, is that we didn’t have to run out and buy an expensive camera. Tammy says we can get great photographs with a simple digital camera.  I’m all for simple and I’m all for not having to spend hundreds of dollars on an new camera.  Well, at least for now! Who knows, I may like this so much I might have to advance– but whoa, one step at a time!

The photo above of the bike, I got yesterday while out on a quick jaunt with my dogs. I love bikes– especially old ones or old looking ones! And every time I drive by this house in our neighborhood with this bike out front it makes me smile. Now, I must say it was quite challenging to snap photos with one dog rolling on wheels and one 90 lb. dog tugging the other way.  But somehow, I managed.

So today’s lesson has us taking out our photography journal and making a list of words that inspire us to spark our creativity for taking pictures.  Sort of a list of our favorite things.  I’ll bet you’ll never guess what is on the top of my list?  Really?  How did you guess?!!?  I’ll be adding to the list as I give it more thought throughout the day, but here’s a start to my list of favorite things:

1.  Dog

2. Dachshund

3. Tea

4. Bike

5. Donkey

6. Tree

7. Leaves

8. Flowers

9. Cottage

10.  anything periwinkle

11.  Books

As I look at the list these are things that bring me my joyful paws moments… some are paws but some are pause–moments that make me pause and enjoy all the things that define a simple, joyful life for me.  And this last photograph depicts cottage, anything periwinkle, and tea.  Oh, how I’d love to sit at this window and sip a cup of tea!  Would you like to join me?

tea time

Photo Shoot. On My Own.

Posted by Barbara Techel

The adorable Ms. Katy, photographer, Lisa’s 12-year old poodle.  It was pure joy meeting her during my photo shoot today and a welcome bonus.  This photo of Katy was taken by Lisa.

 This morning I made my way to Lehmann Photography Art & Design to have owner and photographer, Lisa take photos of me for new author head shots in anticipation of my new book, Through Frankie’s Eyes.

Being the sentimental gal that I am , I knew this would likely stir feelings of missing Frankie, which it did as I got in the car to head over to Lisa’s studio.  I had originally scheduled the shoot for June 19, but had to cancel when Frankie became so ill.  It was to have been a new shoot of her and me for my book cover, as well as a photo of Frankie for the 2013 local therapy dog calendar, and then some new head shots for me to use.

As we all know, life does not always go as planned.  It took me some time getting over the fact I would now not have a new photo of me and Frankie.  And quite frankly, I loved having my photo taken with Frankie, so to not have that option felt odd.

My eyes misted over with tears thinking about all this as I drove down the highway, but I quickly turned my attention to the fact that this is what is meant to be.  I have to focus on what I’ve all gained from my time with Frankie- rejoice in all the good. I smiled and knew all would be well.  I had a new idea for a book cover shot that I truly thought we would do today… but overnight I awoke at 2:00am and something told me I shouldn’t do it.  Then this morning driving to the studio it continued to nag at me.

In my mind I said, “Okay, Barb, what is your heart and gut telling you?  Follow that.  It’s right.”  When I arrived at Lisa’s studio and discussed my concern she said the same thing, “What is your gut telling you?”

“Not to do it, “I said.

So we decided to do the head shots first and if I changed my mind she would do the other idea I had in mind.  But I never did change my mind.  I’m glad I didn’t.  I think I’m on the right path with a new idea for the book cover, which friend and marketing consultant, Mary came up with for me.  But guess what?  I can’t tell you what it is yet!  But I think you’ll be happily surprised when I finally do reveal the cover… so stay tuned!!

But here’s the bottom line.  We can get so caught up in what is the absolute “right thing” to do that all the experts will tell you… and they will all have one opinion or another.  But when it comes down to it, this book is my blood, sweat and tears and the idea Mary came up with for the book cover feels right to me.  I also think my readers of this blog and those that have followed me on my journey will also be happy with it, too.  Maybe it won’t be what an “expert” would say is the right thing to do… but I can tell you this… it is my heart.  I can also tell you that on the deepest level of my whole thought process for it feels good… and I want to follow that.  And I can’t wait to share the cover and the whole thought process with you in the future.

As all of this went through my mind today, I found myself smiling once again at all that Frankie gave me while she was here for such a short time.  Though she couldn’t talk, I could hear her cheering me on saying, “Mama, you can do it.  You are doing it!  You are standing on your own.” And so I am.