Cows and Cars - An Eventful Day in the Texas Countryside

A couple of weeks ago my husband and I celebrated our 17th wedding anniversary.  My husband, knowing that I love to take my Jeep out into the country and photograph whatever I see, suggested that he take me driving that morning.  I jumped at the chance - excited to capture some fun new images I can turn into fine art.  Well...after I took a couple of images, I asked him to stop on the side of the road so I could take a picture of a group of cows under a tree.  I didn't realize the gravel road sloped on the edge.  I jumped out, my feet hit the gravel, the gravel went tumbling down the small hill, and my feet went tumbling with it.  I slammed my back ribs into the side rail of the Jeep.  Hmmm....let's just say I couldn't breathe....I couldn't talk...I couldn't think...  My sweet husband suggested that we go on home since I was in so much pain.  But...let it never be said that I am not stubborn.  There were some shots I wanted and there was no way I was going home until I got them.  I think being in shock contributed to my crazy decision...but I pressed forward.  A mile or so away, we found this awesome body shop with the coolest rusty cars out front.  I limped along but got the images I wanted.  Let's just say that by the time the shock wore off, I was home.  My ribs were bruised, and I couldn't hold a camera or lift anything for 2 weeks.  Well...I still think it was worth it...

So....without further adieu - here are some of the images I captured that day. 

These were the images BEFORE the crash of August 8, 2015:  A couple of cows and a really cool tractor next to a silo.
 
 

 

 

This was the image that I jumped out of the car to get and ended up falling down.  Sadly...I don't even like it that much....

 I am so glad that we pressed on in spite of the pain.  I found an old body shop and was able to capture these images!  It was totally worth it to me!!!

 

 

 

I love the image of the car above...but it just reminded me of a cartoon.  So I played a little bit and turned him into a caricature.  Just a little fun...

 So there you have it...I spent my anniversary on pain meds and ice for the rest of the day.  I definitely need to make it up to my husband, but I totally love the images I got that day.

Until next time,
Aimee

International Photographic Competition

This year on August 1,  I went outside my comfort zone entered the International Photographic Competition (IPC) sponsored by the Professional Photographers of America (PPA).  This was my 2^nd year to enter the competition. Truthfully, I have been intimated for years to enter this competition as the best of the best enter and are honored for their photography.  Each photographer is allowed to submit 4 images to the competition. I am inspired every year by the images that are chosen for PPA's General Merit Collection and the Prestigious Loan Book.  The photographers who enter this competition are simply amazing.

Wow...just wow!  I was so blessed that 3 out of 4 or my images were honored by peers and jurors for high-quality photography.  One of my images was accepted into the General Collection; and 2 of my images were accepted into the prestigious Loan Collection My work will be on display Georgia World Congress Center in Atlanta, Georgia, Jan. 10-12, 2016.

 A panel of 45 eminent jurors from across the United States selected the top photographs from 5,190 total submitted entries at Gwinnett Technical College in Georgia. Judged against a standard of excellence, less than 40% of the  images were selected for the General Collection and less than 20% were selected for the esteemed Loan Collection—the best of the best. The Loan Collection images will all be published in the much-anticipated "Loan Collection" book which will be published at the end of 2015.

 The following images were my merited (honored) images:

I am so humbled and honored to have my images hang alongside photographers whose work I have admired for year.  I am so thankful to my family who has supported me more than I deserved.  I am truly blessed!

Aimee

About PPA:
Professional Photographers of America (PPA) is the largest international non-profit association created by professional photographers, for professional photographers. Almost as long-lived as photography itself, PPA has roots that date back to 1869. It assists more than 27,000 members through protection, education and resources for their continued success. See how PPA helps photographers be more at ppa.com.