Safe Passage Photo Shoots Complete

As I've mentioned I have been doing a few photo shoots for the Safe Passage organization in DeKalb. It has been rewarding.
Yesterday I turned over the photographs, all marked with Patty Pixx Photography on them, so I am thrilled with the fact that they are complete and that the work has been delivered and paid for.

I have lined up a few other photo shoots through out the next couple of months but nothing major. I must admit I like this journalistic/documentary style of photography; although I think that forever my favorite will be just wandering around with my camera enjoying the glory of nature.

I am working on a website for my photography and have had quite an interest in the cards I have made as well as requests for me to make several different pictures in to poster size for people. So, that is my current project.

A few shots from the Silent Statistics Stand-in the other day at the DeKalb County (Illinois) Courthouse. The level of discomfort among the people standing outside waiting for the courthouse to open certainly shocked me...it was interesting and yet there were so many people who gave the girls thumbs ups, and made comments about how great it is to see people standing up for victims.

Greeting Cards & Post Cards

I was asked to make some greeting cards and post cards by a friend of some of my photography work. As I was doing so I decided to make some extra sets to sell (I mean really, if no one buys them I will have really pretty greeting cards). 

Here is one of the sets. I have only done sets of these thus far but have another I intend to work on shortly. 

These are for sale if you are interested or have any questions. Just shoot me a message or find me on facebook...

www.facebook.com/PattyPixx

or 

PattyPixxPhotography@gmail.com

Safe Passage

Sexual Assault Awareness Month

TAKE BACK THE NIGHT 

Last night was the 2nd photo shoot of 3 I was hired by Safe Passage to do covering some of the events they had planned for Sexual Assault Awareness Month. I am honored to have been asked to cover these events, as my own story of sexual assault is always very much in the forefront of many things in my life. I do not mean to say that this is something that has affected every aspect of my life, but only that it has shaped me in to the woman I am today and did overwhelm my life for many years. However, at this point I see it not from the perspective of a victim but rather from the view point that I survived the sickness of a man who took advantage of me in ways that were pretty horrible, but I have risen above and become a stronger person...and through years of counseling a better person! 

This event was a march through the downtown DeKalb area. There was a reporter and a photographer from the local newspaper, I'm looking forward to seeing his shots as his camera made me drool...but I am happy with the many shots that I was able to get. 

The attention received by the people on the streets was good. Lots of people picking up the chants and shouting out in support of the march! 

As always, I am very humbled to be in the company of these survivors. 

It's early and I have not yet uploaded the pictures to my computer...I will attempt to do so later today and then put a few on my blog. 

You're never too young to dream a big dream

My son has, for about a year, been coming to me and saying things like "mom, did you see the sunset tonight? It was beautiful...it would have made a great picture." "hey, mom, today I saw _______! It was so cool! I wish I had a camera."

A few weeks ago I gave him my old camera. He has been taking good care of it and is always running around with it and telling me about the things he found or saw or tried to catch to get a picture of. I should probably at this point, between his photography and my own, invest in HP...

The other night we went for a walk, all 3 boys, my husband and myself. Brendon and I took our cameras with us.

Tonight I loaded all the pictures to the computer. I decided to print out a shot I took of him while he was trying to decide on the best angle for a shot he was trying to get...across the top, in photoshop I put a little line that seemed to fit the scene.

Below is the picture:

I've always thought it was very important to foster creativity in children...without doing so we make them believe the best they can hope for is a decent job and a little fun on the side...they should have the options to explore any form of creativity that they want, as long as it doesn't hurt them...this is what I am trying to do with Brendon...he takes some great shots, I'll post some here soon.

Snack Shack

My boys used to have a lemonade stand, they used to love doing them. This past fall we put the lemonade stand away in what we thought would be a safe spot. Unfortunately, that spot wasn't quite as safe as we had hoped and it was knocked down and the structure was no longer safe.
My husband's answer to that was to let the boys demolish the stand, which they promptly did with huge smiles and a great deal of enthusiasm.

On top of their lemonade stand was a piece of wood that said "Snack Shack"

I saved that piece of wood from the demolition and the bonfire.

I wished it off and nailed it right above the door to the kitchen. So, as you enter my back entryway (entryway/laundry room) from outside you see the sign as you are entering in to the kitchen.

Just a fun little reuse of materials and memories. Below is a picture of the new home for the signage.

Pintrest Inspirations...ORGANIZATION OF A KITCHEN OFFICE NOOK

So, I gave in and requested a pintrest account recently. I had been holding out because I thought a few things regarding the recent hype about the website...1. Do I really need something else eating up my time? 2. I'm going to look at all kinds of stuff that I wished I had only to pin it on my board and then be depressed about not having it...why bother?

I sent a request and within 24 hours had an invitation...I began looking around after creating my account and was pleasantly surprised with how many DIY projects there were...and the addiction has begun!

I have found several photography related craft things that I'd like to try, several crochet patters, a couple of sewing projects that I will embark upon AND A TON OF ORGANIZATIONAL IDEAS!

I'm the kind of person who tries very hard to stay organized...but with 4 kids, a grandson, a husband, our daughters best friend and 3 dogs at the house it's ALWAYS difficult to stay organized. If the house stays clean for a 24 hour period I'm usually elated...

I saw a cute idea for using an old large picture frame and stringing several lines of wire/yarn or some other similar item across and then using clips to hold an array of photographs on...this seemed right up my alley but I was lacking a large picture frame that would work well.

I have a little corner in my kitchen that is where my little table/desk sits...it's very small, just a little nook kind of area and I always have trouble keeping my printer, laptop, photography supplies, and other items organized...This weekend I decided to get to work on it.

SUPPLY HOLDERS

I used 2 small metal flower pots that I had stuck under the sink after whatever had been in them was either transplanted or died (Not really a green thumb...) and an empty espresso can that I hot glued some pretty ribbon on and then tied a bow around.

Then I placed a hole on one side near the top, through this I pulled some crafting wire, and then hung them from the wall, where now my scissors and rulers are in one, my accessory cords and flash drives are in one, and my pens, pencils and highlighters are in another container.

Above that and on the door (no longer used door because on the other side is a bedroom that had 2 doors to it, there is a bed against the door that leads in to my kitchen) I strung craft wire which was then wrapped around a nail before it was nailed in to the wall.

To hold my pictures I have used clothes pins. I am quite happy with my reorganized little nook, especially since I can look up or to the side of where I sit and look at some of my favorite pictures.

Below is a picture of my little Pintrest inspired office nook project.

Photo featured on Marsy's Law for Illinois

I'm thrilled to say that my picture of State Representative Bob Pritchard and Marsy's Law for Illionis Lobbyist Jennifer Bishop-Jenkins has been featured on the facebook page for Marsy's Law for Illinois, with full credits to me.

Hurray!

2 more events lined up in the next 2 weeks.

Feeling blessed!

MARSY'S LAW

Yesterday evening I had the opportunity to attend and photograph an event held by Safe Passage of DeKalb. The evening included speaker Jennifer Bishop-Jenkins discussing Marsy's Law, which recently passed the Illinois House of Representatives with only 2 votes in opposition.

If you do not know what this law is, please visit www.MarsysLawForIllinois.org  and take some time to look at what it does.
As a survivor of domestic abuse and sexual abuse I can attest to how little the victim's rights come in to play when a court case is occurring. Often we are left in the dark and walk in to the courtroom with even less knowledge of what is about to happen than the offender!
This law is a good thing and if you are an Illinois voter and this gets put on the ballot in November, please vote YES!

I noticed one of our House Representatives at the event last night and managed to get a shot of him and the speaker of the evening.

Above are Bob Pritchard, State Representative with Jennifer Bishop-Jenkins, Guest Speaker last night at the DeKalb County 4th Annual Survivor Speak Out .

B & W Photography

I find myself very intrigued by black and white photography. I heard another photographer recently who said "If you can't take a black and white photograph you should simply put down your camera."

I find myself fascinated by the work of Ansel Adams. To be able to capture such stories and details with just black and white...I hope to someday be even remotely in that league. I think this weekend or next I am going to be going to Starved Rock  (This park reminds me a bit of Turkey Run Park where I spent many days when I was a kid).

Happy Easter

I hope everyone is going to have an enjoyable day with their family and friends. I am currently making biscuits and gravy, boiling eggs for this afternoons deviled eggs, after breakfast I will go ahead and make dessert and then start on the ham.

Did a new workout 2 days ago and my butt and hamstrings are still killing me...as in it hurts to walk! Holy cow!

Tomorrow our corporate head of finance will be in to go over my aging with me. I like him very much, pretty good guy.


Tuesday evening I have a photo shoot, I'm very excited...even if all I have is one or two shoots a month: that still supplements the income very nicely.

Next Saturday a friend is having a pampered chef party.

Next Sunday I am having a Thirty-One party...there is a bag I want to be able to use for carrying my camera and equipment in, this month hostesses can get any bag for 1/2 price...thus I am having a party.

Okay, that's about it for now. I hope everyone has a wonderful day with their families.

I love Wilmington

A couple more pictures from Wilmington. I hate leaving this place. I feel like a huge part of myself has been left on the beach when I fly back to Chicago...and each flight makes it harder to leave. I get back to Chicago and a part of me mourns. It's time to get myself out there! 

This is the pier at Wrightville Beach. 

This is along the River walk....

This is in the park across from a civil war cemetery.

This is Ron...he started out as Bob's best friend in high school. Now he is also one of my best friends. I can talk to him about any subject at any time...and he always is a willing participant in any topic I come to the table with. He also makes me laugh until my stomach hurts and he has been my friend and confidant for many years. I really love this guy. 

Safe Passage/Sexual Assault Awareness Month

April is Sexual Assault Awareness Month. This is a subject that I hold close to my heart due to my childhood.

I am extremely thankful to have been given the opportunity to cover  some of the events that Safe Passage will be hosting to broaden awareness!
I will be doing 3 photo shoots through out the month for them.

Very excited to be able to be a part of this in some small way.

Below is a listing of all the events that are taking place...the events I will be covering are indicated in Italics. 


April 10th Silent Stats will take place from 11 am to 2 pm in the Martin Luther King Commons on the NIU Campus.

April 10th - Sexual Assault Survivor Speak - Out : 6 pm to 8 pm held at the 1st United Congregational Church of Christ in DeKalb. 

April 15th - Self Defense Classes at the YMCA in Sycamore from 2 p.m. - 4:30 p.m.

April 20th - Take Back the Night March will take place from 7 pm to 9 pm. The march will begin at the DeKalb Police Station. 


April 25th Divas and Desserts from 7 pm to 9 pm at the Fireplace Lounge of Neptune Central on the NIU campus.

April 26th from 8:15 am to 10 am Silent Statistics in front of the DeKalb County Courthouse.