About a year ago, I received this poem:
And Ode to Karen Russell
9 weeks ago we embarked on a journey
Not quite sure what we'd find.
The world of photography is so vast and scary...
Can ANYONE ease our mind?
All of these buttons, dials and settings:
Aperture, f-stops - lessons to play!
Low and behold, our teacher arrives
She's come to save the day!
Assignments to complete, photos to upload
Will there be enough time?
So much to learn - so little time!
Life gets in the way and now I'm behind!
But they say time flies when you're having fun
This part we know is true!
Just one question remains in our hearts...
Karen Russell, WHAT will we do without you?!?
We weren't quite sure how to thank you...
What is the perfect way?
Something very special will soon arrive...
When can you get away?
What arrived was something wonderful.
A bunch of gals from one of my past classes pooled together and sent me a gift certificate to stay at The Mercantile in McCloud, California. Apparently, they remembered it's our anniversary destination.
And last weekend, Josh Downs and I finally got away...
We got to McCloud around 7:30 p.m., just in time to watch a movie in bed and fall asleep.
And then we got up the next morning and headed down to the cafe for breakfast.
Free breakfast=Happy husband.
Right after I took this shot, the waitress walked over and said, " Are you two newlyweds because you just scream newlyweds?" (We hear that frequently.) Turns out she and a couple of the other patrons were placing bets on it.
I quit shooting after that though because people typically think one of two things about newlyweds:
1. They're really cute.
2. They're really annoying.
And then I went back upstairs for some quiet time.
And then we headed up to the mountain to go cross-country skiing. (Something we had never done before.)
It's really fun (but really tiring) so we needed a break.
Cold beer=Happy husband.
A fellow cross-country skier passed by as I was taking this shot, standing over the top of Josh Downs in what may have looked like a precarious position. (I bet she thought we were newlyweds too.)
I was attempting to look tough in that shot. (Failed miserably at that attempt though.)
We went to dinner after that but I was too cold & tired (and hungry) to take any pictures.
And then we fell asleep again.
Spent the next morning relaxing in the room.
And then we headed back to the same cafe for breakfast.
Free breakfast two days in a row=A really happy husband.
And then we packed up and left The Mercantile once again. We'll be back next year though. (Here's photos from the last couple of years, here and here.)
I wasn't joking when I said my students are the best in the world.
Thanks all you lovely ladies.
I am a longtime reader, but hardly ever comment - but these are some of my favorite pictures that you've taken. The bathtub shot needs a frame - so cool!!
Posted by: Meredith | February 23, 2011 at 12:22 PM
Can I ask what lens you are using in the reflection shot? Is it your 50 mm with a lens hood? is that even possible? is that a stupid question? I guess the real question is, what lens are you using these days? And why should a person use a lens hood?
Posted by: kristen | February 23, 2011 at 01:04 PM
I read somewhere that couples who engaged in extreme activities together (cross-country skiing) are not only together longer, but are happier later in life! Sounds like you are on that path...congrats!
Posted by: cinback | February 23, 2011 at 01:57 PM
What a wonderful getaway! Love your pictures. I too wonder how you take the pictures so perfectly of you and JD.
I would also like to hear some tips if possible on taking pictures in the snow. In Miami, FL there is no way to practice
taking pictures in snow. I wish I had signed up as an auditor for your current class so I could ask that question. When
I took the class last summer I had no idea I would be going skiing in March. Very excited but nervous about getting
amazing pictures like yours!
And I too wish that people always mistake you for newlyweds!
Posted by: Arlene Assalone | February 23, 2011 at 03:35 PM
I just found your blog and I think this post is absolutely adorable! What a sweet time with your husband and you documented it so genuinely!
PS~ I'm guessing you're in Oregon? Some of your photo backgrounds look familiar... :o)
Posted by: Jess | February 23, 2011 at 03:47 PM
I think you should do a Making the Shot on self portraits! These are amazing!! ;)
Posted by: Lacey | February 23, 2011 at 03:52 PM
These are wonderful shots!!! Do tell how you are able to get yourself in so many of them - self timer or remote trigger? Happy Anniversary!
Posted by: Jennifer - CT | February 23, 2011 at 06:12 PM
I *love* your photos... they tell such a story... LOVE THEM! Thank you so much for sharing!
Posted by: danielle | February 23, 2011 at 06:27 PM
Fab photos as usual...did you take any of Mt. Shasta? I am a 3rd generation Northern Californian transplanted to central (flat) Ohio 20 years ago...so I crave pictures of my home states mountains. I loved the heavy snow on the pines. When we were kids and would drive up to central Oregon to visit our cousins my dad would always pull our old Jeep over and snap some shots of Mt. Shasta (for posterity's sake he would say).
So glad you old newlyweds had a wonderful weekend...that you so deserve.
Posted by: Brandi | February 24, 2011 at 06:11 AM
One more thing... how many shots do you think it took you to get all of these good ones? I sent my husband this post and he asked me that. Did you have to try 10 times to get a good meal shot?
Posted by: Elizabeth C. | February 24, 2011 at 07:27 AM
I had just been thinking about that gift certificate and wondering if you had used it. LOVE your photos, as always! May you and hunky Josh Downs always feel like newlyweds!
Posted by: Marilyn T | February 24, 2011 at 07:36 AM
What a great idea! What a sweet bunch of girls - wish we thought of it! And great photos as always!
Posted by: Stephanie C. | February 24, 2011 at 08:14 AM
Amazing pictures!! Looks like the perfect weekend!!
Posted by: annie | February 24, 2011 at 10:05 AM
yay! Happy Anniversary!! beautiful pics always inspiring. now I feel like a heel our class didn't contribute to get you anything!! lol ok with everyone else - how/what are you doing with your camera to get the shots of you & Josh? self timer on the table? tripod? dish girl!! ;)
Posted by: Lara | February 24, 2011 at 02:10 PM
The pics of you & your hubby are some of my faves of you two. I wish I had a hubby who was willing to be in pics like that. Looks like you both had a great time. What an awesome idea those students had!Thanks for sharing. :)
Posted by: Kristal Jones | February 24, 2011 at 06:33 PM
what an awesome gift and giveaway. my stepdad has a house in mcleod...your post makes me want to visit!
Posted by: Krista Lund | February 24, 2011 at 09:14 PM
Oh Karen this is wonderful!!! Happy Anniversary is right!! I love the pics...oh my just gorgeous!! The snow wow!! We live in NC and snow is like a miracle...although this year we have been "blessed! What a wonderful weekend for you two and well deserved!! I am so loving the camera class....and I have had friends already get on your waiting list from me telling them all the info about it!! They are so ready! I am behind right now and I too love the poem how very creative and oh so true!! Life has certainly got in the way at the moment. I have nine children and you know how it is...I am working on catching up right now so all is good!! Just wanted to stop and thank you so much (weepy eyed) for all that you have taught me so far....you are an AMAZING women and I want to THANK YOU!!! Have a wonderful weekend!! Hugs, Dawn Gallop
Posted by: Dawn Gallop | February 25, 2011 at 06:29 AM
Glad that you has such fun! You have a way of telling stories not only with pictures that are stunning but with words!! TFS :)
Posted by: Pam Ramesh | February 25, 2011 at 06:40 AM
I love photos of you and Josh together! The spark that ignited on the plane years ago still seems to burn for both of you!
BTW...the snow photos are some of my faves taken by you!
Posted by: Angela | February 25, 2011 at 07:42 AM
aww.....yay! i'm glad you finally went! dang, girl, your pics are amazing!! i have two friends taking your class now. can i just say how much i miss hearing you everyday???? big heart puffy love you and your generosity.
Posted by: Kristin Young | February 25, 2011 at 10:34 AM
So glad to see/hear that you finally used the certificate! Absolutely LOVE the images and Happy Anniversary!
Posted by: Diane | February 25, 2011 at 06:37 PM
I am so envious of your ability to capture genuine emotion and great depth of field in self-time shots. Every single one I take looks stale, unnatural or is a just plain bad shot. I’d love to be in more pictures, but I just stink with the self timer.
Posted by: Yolanda | February 25, 2011 at 07:40 PM
Love the picture of you two in the snow.
Posted by: Domenico | February 26, 2011 at 02:38 PM
The photos are gorgeous! I love the one of the two of you in the snow. It's my favorite along with the one of you in the tub:)
Posted by: Melanie | February 26, 2011 at 05:21 PM
First off HAPPY ANNIVERSARY! Yes, your students love you (including me!)
I have GOT to ask: HOW DO YOU GET YOUR PHOTOS TO FOCUS WHERE YOU WANT THEM TO WHEN YOU USE THE SELF TIMER?! Help with this! I have tried mimiking some of these romantic scenes that you capture, but something wrong is always in focus...I just can't get it like you can, Karen! What's your tip!??!
Posted by: Erika Melnychuk | February 27, 2011 at 10:25 AM