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I have been feeling so blessed to be able to share the gift God gave me of capturing images of His wondrous beauty through my photography and also for His recent provisions to help me improve my technique in camera and my skills in post processing. I have been praying for God to increase my resources for education and learning, and He has; I have faith and trust in Him and am excited for bigger things to come!
Lately, I've been pondering all the complaining about Facebook going on (I do at times, I will admit!) but overall am very thankful for it, being able to keep in touch with the people I love and also for being able to meet new people; a place where I can share about Jesus, photography, etc with others; and a place where I can learn and even teach (what little I do know) about photography.
I am thankful for my smartphone where I can just jump online and look something up or read a tutorial on photoshop or a devotional about God. I always pray that I won't allow technology get in the way of my time with Jesus, but I think it actually helps me stay connected with Him through phone apps such as "You Version" which is an awesome bible app that lets me highlight and bookmark verses, make notes and share. I can also read many kinds of devotionals in it. This is all free!
So my point is, I guess, even though Facebook or smartphones aren't perfect, I am thankful that they are available as a way to share and stay connected with the people I care about, especially those who are far away.
Let's try not to get caught up in the negative things about Facebook or technology, but instead be thankful that it's a way to keep in touch with loved ones. Let us use it to bring blessing and inspiration to others through the gifts that God has given us. :)

While getting ready for a day trip to Montrose a couple of months ago, I looked out my window and saw that there was going to be awesome sunrise light that morning. Hurriedly, I finished getting ready, grabbed my camera pack and rushed out the door to my car on a mission to capture that great sunrise image of Paradise Divide, one of Crested Butte's most signature views.
Anticipation was building as I headed down the mountain. Would I make it in time to capture those picturesque mountains in that glorious first morning light? As I parked and unloaded my camera and tripod, my excitement overrode the bitter cold that nipped at my ungloved fingers. "Time to test out my new fingerless gloves," I thought. So after donning them, I mounted the camera on the tripod, turned it on, adjusted my settings and began to quickly snap images, knowing that this kind of light was not going to last long.
The sky literally turned pink, then a pinkish purple with a hint of blue. The soft sunrise light illuminated the mountains gently and beautifully, enhancing the already velvet-like appearance these peaks are known for when they are covered in snow. I marveled at this stunning scene and was amazed how God can compliment His creation with such gorgeous light and color.
As the color in the sky began to fade, I rejoiced at the thought of possessing an image of that wonderful brief moment and I stood there praising God for helping me to capture it and share His glory with others!

"Happy are those who see the beauty of God's creations; and blessed are those who photograph them to glorify His Name."

So, for a while, I was out of commission with my photography. About 3 weeks ago, I was out on a sunrise wildflower shoot with a friend in Crested Butte at this gorgeous spot where wildflowers literally carpeted a mountainside. We were both excited to get images of that awesome scene. We arose early that morning and set out for Crested Butte. I found a spot at the bottom of the hill and had my tripod set up with my camera all ready to get that "money" shot, when I took a few steps a little ways up the hill to scope out a composition.....and on my way back down, I slipped on the dew-covered grasses and almost fell. In the process, I knocked over my tripod and my camera took a digger! When I picked it up and brushed off the dirt, I noticed that the lens hood was broken, and discovered that the camera wouldn't focus! Well, so much for my money shot LOL!
This was my only camera. I did not yet have a back-up. And I had two portrait shoots scheduled that week, so I had to postpone them. My friend was bummed, and so was I, but what can you do lol. She kept asking me if I was ok. I said yes, at least I'm not injured. We enjoyed the morning, anyway, feeling blessed to witness such an awesome show of wildflowers, then went to have some coffee.
When I came home, I searched for repair companies and found one and sent it off. They said 3 weeks. I was like, "THREE weeks!!! In the middle of wildflower season??" Ok. I'm ok....I'm ok...breathe LOL. At that time, I figured it was time for an upgrade anyway. It had been about 6 years since I had bought my Sony DSLR A-100, and while I was happy with it, I have long outgrown its capabilities and needed a more professional model. Over the past couple of years, I have grown frustrated with its noise issues at ISO's (digital light sensitivity) above 200. I decided that high ISO performance is now important to me, and is a feature I now look for. So I did my research and considered switching brands altogether. Finally, I decided on a Nikon D7000. I liked the consistently great reviews, especially with high ISO performance. Something was telling me that this is the camera for me.
Well, I knew that I couldn't yet afford this camera, so as I sent off my old one for repair, I figured that if it's God's will for me right now, He will make a way. Somehow, I wasn't too bummed about my Sony breaking, because deep down I trusted that God would work something out. I think my friend was more bummed than I was lol.
I do admit, though, that without a camera, I felt sort of lost....like, without my means and outlet of expressing my love for God and His beauty around us. But, I just kept on trusting, and God amazed me yet again! He put it on someone's heart to loan me the money, enough to buy the camera body, and I already had enough to buy one lens for it, a standard zoom lens. And, I didn't ask for anything! People knew that my camera broke, because I told them when they would ask, "So how is your wildflower shooting going?" I was like, "Well....uhhhh..." LOL! But then I said just what was in my heart, and that was, "God has something even better for me, and wants me to have a backup." This person told me she couldn't see me without a camera ever, so she just handed me a check! I felt like pinching myself! LOL!
So, knowing already where I was going to order the camera, I made a call to reserve it and gleefully went to Denver and picked it up (I couldn't wait for shipping).
On my way home from Denver, which is a 4 hour drive one way, I stopped a few times to practice shooting with my new toy. Wow! What a step up from the Sony A-100! I didn't know what to do lol. But I am quickly getting to know the features and settings and reading the user's manual front to back. I was surprised to find that it also has video function!
I thought...dang, now I'm going to have to buy a new portrait lens, new telephoto lens, a new polarizing filter, new flash, new shutter remote release, etc, because I switched brands. But I reminded myself that I crossed over to the bright side of the fence into the world of Nikon LOL, so it will be worth it!
God works in ways we do not expect, and I certainly wasn't expecting that! The person who kindheartedly gave me the loan said that my God given gift of photography has blessed many people, so this is a blessing returned. I am grateful beyond words to her and God. :)
So my prayer is, that God would continue to guide me in capturing images that will touch and bless people in ways that words can't express, and testify of His awesome beauty and grace! :)

Psalm 37:4
Delight yourself also in the Lord, and He will give you the desires and secret petitions of your heart.

Blessings,
Kelly