Vacation & Thanksgiving; Fall 2010

Waikiki
Sunset










I haven't posted in a while, though I have been busy working on vacation photographs.

Before we left on vacation to Hawai'i - yes, Hawai'i! - I was able to take quite a few shots of some butterflies, bees & hummingbirds. With our late summer & fall drought, these creatures enjoyed my flowers. I loved using my 100mm f/2.8 Macro lens

My husband & I enjoyed our trip to Hawai'i, though getting there was a long flight! Eight hours from Dallas to Honolulu wasn't easy being confined to a small space AND the six hour time difference. But we had a wonderful time! We stayed at Waikiki Aston Beach Hotel. We did a snorkel trip (my first time) & I loved it. We took the Grand Island tour & went to Pearl Harbor & visited the USS Arizona Memorial. We had a great time - five night stay.

Well, we did take A LOT of pictures! Well, I took most of the pictures. We purchased an Olympus Stylus Tough 8000 to try our hand at some underwater pictures (it can go to a depth of 33 feet & be water tight). Not many came out, but the ones that were the best, my husband took! We'll just have to go back again to practice more underwater shots!

Sailboats - Waikiki, taken in the evening,
with pincushion filter

To view all my Hawai'i galleries, go to http://drmrsy.smugmug.com. I have seven galleries of pictures under the category titled "Hawai'i." You can't miss it!

After we returned from Hawai'i, I was asked to take pictures of a friend's wedding (takes place this weekend). I had been desiring to get another lens & this wedding was a good excuse to get it earlier than I anticipated, which I didn't mind. I was able to get a nice 50mm f/1.4 fixed focal lens. I tried it out at home & at our family gathering at Thanksgiving.

My niece, Ashley
& Geoff











http://drmrsy.smugmug.com/Family/Ashley-and-Geoff/14815064_7mFBs
http://drmrsy.smugmug.com/Family/Thanksgiving-2010/14815178_WdgCW

Lil' Caden

At our Church pitch-in, I got my camera out & was able to get a few pictures of Caden, the first grandchild of our Pastor's family.
Caden entertained us all by making faces & smiling.




To view the gallery of Caden, visit my Smugmug site. Link: http://drmrsy.smugmug.com/Friends/Caden/13646239_tNJTc#996002928_bzCg2

Family Photos

My Isenberg nieces & nephews, 14 August 2010

One of my nieces leaves for China at the end of August, so my husband & I were able to go spend the day with his sister's family. We wanted to get a little more time with Catherine before she leaves for six months to teach English & study Chinese. She had just returned from being in China for ten months. Next year she will wed & live in China with her new Husband, Amos. So, these moments are precious to us.

I took my camera 'just in case' I would want it, but had no real plans to use it. It was too hot to be outside, anyway. Well, Jeni, the Mom, asked if I brought my camera & if I would take some pictures of just their kids. I spent a couple of long days hurrying to get these done, so I could send a CD copy to them before Catherine leaves for China.

Thanks to Uncle Chuckie for the duck noises - we got some good smiles & laughs from the youngest, Joel!

The Morrissey/Isenberg Family 31 July 2010

Two weeks earlier, I took my camera with the specific idea of getting some pictures of the whole family. After Steve, Chuck & Jeni's parents went 'Home to Heaven,' to be forever with our Lord Jesus, we cherish our times together even more!

I set up my tripod under the deck umbrella, since it was misting on & off, got the camera set & hooked up my remote. When it was our turn (Chuck & myself) to have our picture taken, my brother-in-law handled the remote & never gave it back! So, he 'clicked' the large group shots.

To view all of the pictures, please go to my SmugMug site.
Family Photos July 2010
http://drmrsy.smugmug.com/Family/Family-Photos-July-2010/13219666_vAe6Z#959845033_YqB7a

The Isenberg Kids (& a couple of cute kittens)
http://drmrsy.smugmug.com/Family/The-Isenberg-Kids/13370982_hBGy2#972296862_V4nqH

Have some fun at 'MY' expense!!!!

May the Lord richly bless you & your family, as He has my family. Dawna

Senior Pictures of Amanda

I wanted to try an overexposed black & white & then added a "depth of field" filter. This was taken at the Village of West Clay.

My final senior picture shoot of the summer. If I can say this was my hardest one to sort through & edit, it's only because Amanda is so photogenic! Amanda & her family also go to our Church, so we had very a nice time.

Once I got used to the lighting (it was cloudy with an occasional peak of sun, which we never knew when that would happen), it was a lot of fun for this photographer. I had major dust problems in my camera, so I had to be aware of that constantly & "blow" it off when necessary. I need to get a better blower!

Well, we had such a nice, relaxed time; so relaxed that I didn't realize we had been out for three hours!

I love this picture of Amanda - taken at the Coxhall Gardens

We went to two nice places in Carmel - Coxhall Gardens & the Village at West Clay. I would have loved to roam both places & get some scenery shots, but I was "focused" on Amanda. Coxhill Gardens is pretty "new" & when all the trees become mature, it will be a more beautiful place. The "Commons" at the Village of West Clay is beautiful with a huge fountain, gardens, etc. The area made me think of a New England village. It reminded me of Rye & Portsmouth, NH (where my Mom grew up) the way the homes are very close to the streets. If these places in Carmel weren't so far away from where I live, I would be at those places with my camera on a regular basis!

To view Amanda's senior pictures go to my SmugMug site: http://drmrsy.smugmug.com/Portraits/Amandas-Senior-PIctures/13293994_yLsau#966029327_TaigR

Blessings to you this day! ~ Dawna

Summer Time 2010

Dion Skipper in my Lily Garden

I forgot to share a sample or two of the pictures I took in June. I love to see what shots I can get in my own yard. It does get challenging to get something new, but after a rain shower & the sun coming out, I did get some pictures of my flowers with big water drops. I even saw a Dion Skipper - didn't know it was a butterfly! Oh, and I also have a picture of my Mom in this gallery, along with the bugs & flowers!

Raindrops on Lily

To view the gallery, use this link: http://drmrsy.smugmug.com/Flowers/Summer-Time/13061843_k8VSz#946201256_TPcXD

My your day be blessed! ~ Dawna

Both pictures were taken in the month of June in my yard, in Central Indiana

Florida Vacation

Finally! With the two Senior Picture shoots, spring coming on fast, church fellowship, friends & family gatherings, my vacation pictures took a back seat. I still have all the pictures I took in June to edit yet (well, I am half way thru the editing process with them, but still, July is moving on!).

Having been to Panama City Beach, FL so many times, it gets challenging to find some "fresh" ideas, but a little help by some little birds one morning, & then using my 100mm f/2.8 Macro lens for the first time there helped. I could spend hours taking 'billions' of pictures of little shells on the beach to get those few that are awesome!

SmugMug gallery link: http://drmrsy.smugmug.com/Vacation/Florida-Panhandle/13002834_kXyXL#941167356_J9MeN

Have a blessed day!

Tyson Senior Pictures

On Monday, June 7, I had another senior picture session with Tyson Glick, a young man from our church (that I have known since he was born!).

We had a fun time at the Fort Benjamin Harrison State Park. I had never been in the park. It's a very pretty park. My husband carried all my equipment & held up the shade umbrella or the reflector for me. Considering he came right from work, after working overtime, was very sweet. Leah,Tyson's sister, came & carried all Tyson's things.

I got a few photos completed as a teaser. I am about half way through my editing process on all the rest. I do believe the Lord blessed & gave me some good photos that Tyson & his family will be pleased.

It's fun to see the personality differences between my nephew & Tyson. I see that one's "people skills" are as important as taking good photos. Ah, I still have more to learn. Also, I think I spent just as much time laughing as I did shooting. We had a lot of fun.

I'll post the SmugMug link later this week. Blessings to you all!

Here is the link: http://drmrsy.smugmug.com/Portraits/Tyson-Glick-Senior-Pictures/12511100_KkDzE#897225897_8RqEP

Senior Picture Session

Last Friday, my nephew let me "practice" taking pictures of him. He wasn't interested in having his picture taken, but his parents wanted pictures. Well, after we returned from vacation, I told his mother that I was coming to take his pictures. So, he decided to go ahead & let me.

We went over to the former Fort Benjamin Harrison area, near the park entrance. There is a gazebo & a creek by it, plus all the old buildings. Well, there was a wedding party using the gazebo, so we took some shots by an old building & when we were done there, the wedding party was finished.

I was pleased to get some nice photos of John Casey (he wants to go by his first name now instead of his middle name). I do hope he & his family are pleased, too.

I have another senior photo session to schedule this next week of one of the young men at church. Then later this summer another senior photo session of a young lady at our church, too. I learned a lot doing my nephew's photo session. I am looking forward to these other two sessions.

These Photos: Who: John C Weeks. Date: 28 May 2010. Place: Ft Harrison area, Indianapolis.

Spring Photos Finally Done

I finally finished editing & posting the pictures that made the "cut" to be online before I went on vacation, but I wasn't able to write about it before I left. I have included the links at the end of this post.

I was most pleased with my new macro lens. I did take a lot of pictures; & I could see the improvement the more I used the macro lens. I used the macro lens on most of the lilac photos in the "Lilacs Galore!" SmugMug gallery. I can't wait to try this lens with people as the subject!

Enjoy viewing any or all of these SmugMug galleries when you have opportunity. I'd love to hear any comments you wish to share.


Schramm Woods, Farm & Nature Preserve
http://drmrsy.smugmug.com/Country-Scenes/Schramm-Woods-Farm/12154689_q6GME#864624179_CPMmh


Spring 2010 Flowers (116 photos)
http://drmrsy.smugmug.com/Flowers/Spring-2010-Flowers/12155684_jCQas#864672559_vpGum


Lilacs Galore!
http://drmrsy.smugmug.com/Flowers/Lilacs-Galore/12153707_TUvYG#864475444_Droky


Digital Fun
http://drmrsy.smugmug.com/Photography/Digital-Fun/12155490_eRPQ2#864632871_kuS7o


Friends & Family Photos
http://drmrsy.smugmug.com/Portraits/CadenElisa/12152280_PV9cT#864339239_XWYyV


Two, Four or More Legged Creatures
http://drmrsy.smugmug.com/Nature/Insects/12152557_AUF9y#864372197_kUYsd


Junior, My Cat (new pics added to this gallery)
http://drmrsy.smugmug.com/Animals/Junior-My-Cat/10992770_hYUjs#768556804_UjppU


New Macro Lens (a few new pics added to this gallery)
http://drmrsy.smugmug.com/Other/New-Macro-Lens/11640138_DG4cX#820697590_6dhkM

This Photography: Place: My yard. Date: April 2010. Camera & lens: Sony 350 with 100mm f/2.8 macro lens. Photo of the Lilac flowers is in the Lilacs Galore! SmugMug gallery.

Busy Spring Shooting

I love to take pictures of nature. With ten acres of woods next to our house & then the Jacob Schramm Nature Preserve's 30 acres next to that, I have a lot of area to view & photograph wildflowers.

Spring arrived early & I have been out in our woods quite a bit. Also, spring has been drier than usual, which makes it much easier to traipse in "our" woods, too. This area was very marshy when it was first settled in the 1830's by Jacob Schramm. A letter he wrote to his family in Germany chronicle the year he left Germany & settled in central Indiana. The letter was translated to English & now is a historical document. Our landlords let me read a copy of the letter & I was very sad when I got to the end of that letter.

I was blessed with a new lens & have enjoyed learning this new lens. The new lens is a Sony 100mm F2.8 Macro. It is fast becoming a favorite lens. Paired with my other favorite lens, Sony DT 18-250mm F3.5-6.3 zoom, I may never need another lens - well, for a while, anyway.

So, I have been sorting through & editing the over 1,000 pictures I have taken this past month, plus some from two visits to the Indianapolis Zoo last summer that I never edited. I do hope to get all of this done within the next two weeks, before I take MORE pictures!

This Photograph Place: Brown County State Park, Brown County IN. Date: October 2009. Camera: Sony Alpha 350 with DT 18-250 zoom lens.

Statement of Policy

D M Photography
Statement of Policy

This is a statement of my policies concerning all photography that I, Dawna Morrissey, perform as an individual & as D M Photography, from photo-shoot sessions, editing to finished product.

This document is subject to change, without notice; but effort will be made to give notice to all who have scheduled sessions with D M Photography.

At photo-shoot sessions:

- All posing of subjects will be modest, according to my high standards of modesty as a Christian.
- I will not suggest immodest, sexually suggestive, seductive or sensual (worldly) poses. I will take no shots of that nature, even at the subject’s request
- I will not take photographs of subjects in revealing clothing.
- If I deem one of my shots to have (accidentally) come out that way, I will delete the original photograph. It will not be available, even if requested by the subject or subject’s parent &/or guardian.
- Because of today’s sensitivity to child pornography & abuse, I will take no pictures of naked babies or toddlers, even in innocent poses or in bath tubs.

Editing & Finished Product:

- At this time, due to the software I have, I cannot (& will not in the future) change the overall appearance of the subjects I photograph; such as changing the shape of the body or parts of the body. I will erase or fix (if possible) small blemishes, etc.
- All photographs taken are the property of D M Photography & Dawna Morrissey, to be used (including being posted on my website & blog) & to sell at my discretion. But the wishes of the subject will be taken into consideration.
- All finished product will have D M Photography, copyright date & my name on it. This is called a “Watermark.” Legally, this cannot be removed or cropped out. On the finished product, it will be put in a spot that will not interfere with the photograph of the subject.
- If a CD or DVD of the finished product (& any other product included) that is “sold” to the subject is to be used only for personal use: such as prints, enlargements, photo-books or other such product, & limited internet usage (as in a profile picture on a personal website or Face book), as long as the watermark is not removed, cropped out or covered up.
- The Watermark is not to be removed under any circumstance. A release will accompany the CD or DVD, so that the subject may take it to a photo-finishing store, if desired, for the making of photo prints &/or gifts for personal use only. NO PRINTS OR GIFTS MAY BE REPRODUCED FOR RESALE – NO WATERMARKS MAY BE REMOVED OR CROPPED OUT OF THE FINISHED PRODUCT.

In conclusion:

- I will be open to any special requests or situations on an individual basis. Please allow me plenty of time to consider your request.
- Questions of modesty & other stated convictions under the Photo-Sessions section, I am firm in my standing. If you are not sure about certain shots you would like, please talk to me about them. If we cannot come to an agreement, before I do a photo-shoot session (not during a photo-shoot session), then you will be free of your contract with me & I will be free of my agreement with you – amicably.
o I believe that you should be free to have the type of photographs you wish.
o I believe that I am free to take the type of photographs that will be in agreement with my Christian convictions. As a Christian, I wish to glorify Jesus in everything I do, including my photography.
o I also believe in doing the best job I can with the skill I have at that time, to give you a product that will satisfy & bless you.

It is my hope that you will be blessed with my work & be comfortable with me photographing your special event or portraits. It is my desire that this document is a step toward you being comfortable with our future photo-shoot session & being blessed with the finished product.

This Photograph: Place: Commisky, IN. Date: September 2008. Camera: Sony DSC H9.

Welcome to my photoblog!

I want to welcome you to my "photo" blog.

I want to share about me, my photography, & experiences in photography with this blog. I want any prospective customer to be able to use this blog to get to know me & my work. I desire that by reading this, it helps you decide if I am what you are looking for to capture your special moment.

Family portraits, senior/school pictures, children & weddings. I wish to do these types of special events on a limited basis, so please contact me well in advance for scheduling.

A statement of policy will be listed in the near future for viewing. I am a Christian & that does effect my work. I do want you to have the photos you want & that I will be comfortable in taking.

Welcome to my site & I look forward to sharing with you & having you get to know me! Dawna Morrissey

This Photograph: Who: my nephew, Joel, age 1. Place: Frankfort, IN. Date: October 2009. Camera: Sony Alpha 350