One Snap for Thirty

Well, hello my friends! I hope that this finds you all doing well and enjoying the last few weeks of summer. We have been fairly active this summer and I have been glad for it as a few weeks ago, we lost my Dad. His death, while I am glad he is not suffering anymore, has affected me deeply. My Dad was a happy, funny, wise and loving individual who always had some wisdom to share. He did amazing things in his lifetime, like working for NASA...No, really...he did! He raised a son and then took on the task of being a wonderful father to me and my brothers. He made my Mother happy. He enjoyed camping, poker and he disliked anything that could not be explained rationally, lol. We once had an argument over the movie The Ring, because of that very thing, lol. Can you imagine? He was never far away and even though we had not talked over the phone much this past year, I loved him. I know he loved me.

I have been very blessed with a very strong support system and while I am not over this hurt by a long shot, they have kept me in the life of the living. Kept me busy. They have not allowed me to lay down and give in to my sorrow. Today, as I write this, I am very thankful for that. I am loved just as my Father was loved...he saved me more times than I can count and that's what it is all bout in this life. Forming lasting relationships in this big and scary world. Giving and being loved...well, I had that and will continue to have it. I was a very lucky girl to have him be a part of my life and I will miss him for as long as I am here on this plane. So, I have had good days and bad. I am sure that will stay with me for a while, but I still have to move forward. Even if there are days that I don't want to. I know that we as humans almost always say this when tragedy touches us, but it rings true. Tell those that you love, that you love them. Not just now and then, but EVERY single day! You just never know... 

In that spirit of things, a challenge has been lay down. Something to keep me from wallowing. Yes, I have decided to take on a little creative challenge. I am going to pursue some inspiration and shoot something every day for the month of September. That will mean that I will never be away from my camera. I will be looking for inspiration in everything I do. Even the boring stuff. I am pledging to post a snap for every day and I am kind of excited to see where I end up then. Just picture it...a snap shot of something every day. What will my life look like in photos? The possibilities are endless!

So, here it is. I am not only challenging myself to do this, but I am challenging you too! Imagine the things we can create or see or do in 1 month? What will all this creativity look like? How and where do we find inspiration? I don't know the answers, but I am excited to find them out! Are you with me?

Let's fill our news feeds and walls with something beautiful every day, just by living our lives!

Anna
Artfully Odd

Dreaming of Gloss

Hmmm Butter Gloss! NYX Blackberry Pie. Getting my Morticia on this afternoon. Ok...Love the texture and it has a cake batter taste to it...but it is a tad messy to get on. It's a true gloss, so it will smudge on contact. Don't give up on the first try of application. The color is extremely dark, as the name suggests...but I kind of like it. Makes me feel mysterious, lol. Perfect for that inner bad-ass I know I have! Wearing it all day though? Or on a night out on the town? I am not so sure that would work without some sort of sealer being applied to it. As I stated above, this gloss will smudge on contact. Having said all of this though, I would most certainly recommend! Go on! Give it a try and have some fun with it! After all...We need more fun in this crazy world we live in!

Dreaming of Gloss!

Thoughts on a Monday Night

Beauty is where you find it! Those words became really real this past week. So glad I kept my eyes open and my wits about me. When you open your eyes...really look at the world...What do you see? Just look through the lens...

Artfully Odd
Anna

Recent Shots

Hello there :) I hope that this finds you all doing quite well and enjoy this lovely spring weather. Everything has started to turn green here and not too soon in my opinion. Even though this past winter was not bad by any stretch of the imagination, I find that I have been antsy for the warmer temps to get here. How I long to wear a tank top and sit outside with my tea. It's the little things, lol. What's the down side to all these nice temps and prettier colors in nature? My allergies, of course! They have been at def-con 11 for days now, but I will take it in exchange for some sunshine. 

A friend of mine said, not to long ago, that she thought it was odd that I had not written anything or, for that matter, picked up my camera in months. Until she said this, I hadn't even noticed to be honest. As I said, this winter was not bad at all, but it had an effect on my. Sort of put me in a malaise state. (No, there were not meat helmets involved or anything shorn, lol) I had been sleepwalking through my life! So, a couple weeks in a row, I made sure that my camera was with me when I went out. I have been snapping whatever catches my interest and I think I have gotten some great shots. I have also noticed my art evolving a bit. Taking on new shape and form. So, in a round about way, I suppose stepping away from it for a bit was not such a bad thing after all.

I hope this spring is treating you well and I hope you are enjoy all it has to offer. Looking to schedule a portrait session? Trying to find new artwork for your wall? Email me for more information on my work, if you are so inclined :) Have a wonderful Sunday my friends and keep me posted on your springtime adventures!

A
Artfully Odd Photos

 NYC 2016

 NYC Met 2016

 NYC 2016

2016-Bring it On!

I am writing this today with a whole lot of love, joy and excitement in my heart. 2016 is almost here and I just can't wait for all it has in store! Just like a kid on Christmas Even excited! I am usually a pretty positive person, no matter what...but something about this new year has me pretty excited! I think I may know why. Given everything that we have gone through in the past few years, I finally feel like this coming year is my year! The possibilities are endless. I feel like I am standing on the edge of a bridge, waiting to bungee jump off it and for the first time ever...I wont scream, jump back or startle at the sight of the edge in view. I am just going to open my arms wide and free fall and laugh when I bounce back up!

So, what has brought about this change you may ask? Well, I am not sure if most of you will remember the kind of year that we had last year or not. Let me tell you, it was scary and hard and I cried a whole lot. There were so many decisions to be made that totally stressed us all out. Things to worry about that I didn't think I would ever have to to worry about. (Like making sure my will is all in order and my daughter was safe.) And from that, something wonderful happened. I know what's important now and most of all, who is important. I learned not to sweat the small stuff and to just try and go with the flow more. I learned that living life is more important than making plans to live it. Seize the day...seems so corny to say, but it is so very true. So this year, I am doing me, and our family and our life. I am going to try new things, see new sights and meet new people. I am going to do all of those things that I want to do and not worry about whether or not its a good idea. There will be no list making. There will just be jumping off the edge to see what happens. I learned a very valuable lesson. Life is a precious gift and I am done being scared and unhappy to any extent. So, let's get it started.

I will be taking steps to open my store again. It got derailed the first time, but this is the year. I will be booking more shoots this year. I am going to start taking my prints to craft fairs and building a real business. I will be spending my time with my loved ones the way I want. (Lori, we are going to take a page out of your book!) Adventure awaits!!! It awaits us all!

So, what more can I share my friends? If I had any piece of advice, it is to live in the moment. Be present. Put your phone down and open your eyes. Have a conversation with someone. Do something that terrifies you and will exhilarate you all at the same time. Love your family and be there for the friends that are there for you. Forget all of that bullshit that is the past! It will serve you no good now. Be kind to those you meet, for you never know what their path has been like. And finally, find joy! Be joyful! I wish you a very happy and healthy 2016 my friends!

Happy-Happy
Joy-Joy
Anna
Artfully Odd

Let's Create Something Good

Hello! I hope that this finds you doing well today. So, I am getting ready. For what you ask? Well, I am getting ready to get back into it. Shoots that is :) As some of you know, circumstances beyond my control have kept me from picking up my camera more that I would like as of late. But I am ready now...Ready to get back to the drawing board and plans some amazing things! I will say though, that this time away has given me a chance to hone some of my editing skills. I think I have grown leaps and bounds in that department and I think that my vision for the fantastic has grown with it! As I have learned this past year, it doesn't matter how many times you fall down on your face. The thing that matters is how many times you pick yourself up. How much you fight against the things that try to keep you from your goal. It's not always easy...believe me, I know that. I have lived that. The trick is how you arrive at your destination and how whole you are when you get there. I am happy to say that I did not lose too many pieces of myself on this journey, which is why I am so happy to get back to doing what I love!

So, if you are looking for some portraits, prints or a fantastic fantasy shoot, please contact me! I am always looking for new models to shoot as well. The time has come! Let's create something beautiful!!!

PS- I am also always available for styling. Because of my love of vintage and all things shiny, I have a small, but growing room of stuff to help style a shoot.  Hit me up, you never know what I might have :)
A
Artfully Odd Photography

New Senior Portrait Session & Life

Well, a big hello there! Let me first apologize for the length of my absence here. I have not been too good about blogging as of late for many reasons, but mostly because I have been living life. Isn't it nice now that that old winter is gone! Never thought we were going to make it through this year! But, we did & I have been out enjoying the sunshine too much as well as shooting a lot of people and things, but have not had much time to blog about it. I will try to do better this summer as I will have so much that I want to share with you!  Like this for instance....

Steven Class of 2015

Steven Class of 2015

In memory of his Father

Senior photos are something that's near and dear to my heart. I get so much happiness from shooting these kids at the beginning of the rest of their life. They are so happy and so full of promise! It reminds me that life is a precious thing and should be full of those things always. No matter what age you are! So, CONGRATULATIONS Steven & the class of 2015! I wish you light and happiness as you start your life in this world!

Have a wonderful day!

Anna

Artfully Odd Photos

Art Prints

New art prints are up and ready to view on the site.

Well hello there. How is everyone doing this weekend? Enjoying the month of October so far? Crisp fall has finally arrived here in upstate. We did not get much color in the Capital District, but that snap that the air gets this time of year, arrived today in full force. The smell of wood smoke has been in the air at night too...I totally love that. I think that if I could live in a world where it was this weather all the time, I could be very happy. Sweaters, hot tea, boots...Yea, its pretty great. I hope that whatever you are up to this fall, you are having a great time :)

I have a lot going on right now. I guess when fall comes around, the busy time picks up. Gone are the quieter days of summer. I am trying to take full advantage of it all. I have been working on a line of art prints that are turning out nicely I think. I have 2 novels in consideration as well as a short story, and my poetry has been coming along too. On top of all of that, I have a new job with an ad agency that I am quite excited about. Fall has been pretty good and for once, I am allowing myself to feel pretty good about all that's to come. I am, however, looking forward to December. Things will quiet down again for us then, and I plan to take full advantage of it. This has been a tough year for both Buzz and I. It taught us a lot of things about life...what's important and what isn't...so I am extremely thankful for everything. I hope that where ever you are on your journey friends, that you are happy and healthy and thankful.

Happy Sunday my friends.

Anna

artfullyodd.com 

Spooky Time and Senior Portraits

Hello again dear readers. I hope this finds you doing well today. As I write this, we are on the verge of another weekend. This week just flew by if you ask me and I can't believe that October is just around the corner! Technically a good thing for me, as I love all things October! I actually dug my sweaters out of storage the other day in preparation!!! Buzz and I have a couple of fun trips planned, like the Pumpkin Blaze and the haunted Albany tour. I can not wait! Hot cocoa time and all things spooky...yes, that's for me! And who knows what I will photograph :) Something spooky and beautiful I hope.

What's not spooky though, is what else comes around this time of year. Senior portrait time is here again and I was lucky enough to have a shoot just for that last weekend. She wanted to do something a little different than the norm. So I chose Washington park as our background and boy, did we get lucky with the weather. We could not have asked for anything better than last Saturday. While my style tends to lean toward the more odd, I reigned it in a bit and I think we were able to get some beautiful and interesting photos that will be totally unique to her. My tip for a session like this is to listen to your subject, discover what they really want and work together with them to create that vision. Allow them some wardrobe changes and props. Let their personality shine through :) I am posting a few below and giving a shout out to Michaella for a wonderful shoot! Congratulations to you and the class of 2015!

Wishing you all a wonderful weekend! Happy Haunting :)
Anna

Super Moon

So, I waited patiently last night to snap some photos of the last Super Moon of the year...I got 1, LOL, To my detriment, I did not have my tripod with me because I was on a sloping surface. You almost always need it to shoot something like this, but I really need is a new telephoto lens. I have been looking at new camera and lens packages, and I think I may have settled on the Nikon D3200, 24mp DSLR. If any of you have used this camera before, drop me a line and let me know how you like it. I LOVE my Olympus so I know that this will be a hard switch for me, but I think I need to step it up a bit.

Don't let this detract from the beauty of the Super Moon though! It was an amazing site and I am glad I got to witness it. How about you? Did you get any photos of the moon last night?

Hope you are having a great week out there :) Keep snapping my friends!
Anna

Happy Friday My Friends!

Well hello and happy Friday to all my friends out there. This week went by fast, didn't it? Happy that the weekend has arrived though. Not much to report, as this month has been somewhat quieter than the last. That's good in a way, gives me more time to accomplish what I want. How has summer been for you?

I have a couple of shoots coming up and I was able to get out and take a few of myself the other day.  I have a few art donations going out too. The one below is headed to the Mohawk Hudson Humane Society for their annual Art Saves Animals benefit. We found our Lola there so I am more than happy to help with this wonderful cause. I shot this in March and you can find this mural in downtown Albany off of Broadway.

I think that about wraps it up in my neck of the woods today. I hope that you are enjoying these last days of summer and are making great memories with loved ones! Stay safe and have fun my friends :)
Anna

Self Portrait Project 2014

Ok, while on the surface this post will seem extremely vain. Self centered even, but let me explain. Like most of my gal pals out there, I tend to pick myself apart any chance I can. Who's with me? As women I think that we are just conditioned to do that for whatever reason and I think I have just had enough of it. Enough of looking at magazines and the internet and seeing perfect bodies and faces everywhere. Enough self hating on myself or other women. Enough wishing that I could change something on my face or for lord sake, my thighs! I don't have a flat tummy and I suffer from boob butt syndrome, lol! I have them in spades and I tend to look down on them instead of embracing my curves.Well, enough! Enough of the male dominated, social media, fashion magazine culture that tells us that we have to be on and perfect all the time. Haven't you had enough? There is way too much fat shaming out there...skinny shaming too. Did you know that now the debate is about thigh gaps or lack of thigh gaps? It's just crazy!

When my daughter was born, I swore I would never let her pick herself apart. I told her every day that she is a beautiful and wonderful person, both inside and out. After all, our children are gifts and should be cherished. However, some of my self loathing leaked out of me and onto her, for lack of a better analogy. For she too has developed the same syndrome as her Mother and my Mother and all of the other ladies out there. It is sad really...sort of breaks my heart. My syndrome got worse after I suffered a bells palsy a few years ago from untreated lyme disease. Because I did not know I had been bit, and it was untreated, lyme is with me for life now and I deal with its effects every day. So, after I healed and my face got back to normal, well the new normal really, I tend to struggle to find myself in the mirror every time I look. It has been hard and damaging and a whole bunch of other emotions. I tend to beat myself up for it a lot.

So, I thought that I would start a sort of project to see if I could find something beautiful about myself. I do not usually like photos of myself, I picked that trait up from someone who I love, but will remain nameless. So, today I shot some selfies. Something I am not super good at, but I try. Don't worry, there are no duck lips to be seen, lol. I picked 4 that had something I liked about myself in them. These are not photo-shopped at all. (but I do have makeup on.) I just brightened them a bit. My faults are there, I have crows feet, a somewhat droopy eye and some weight to me. But it's ok. My eyes have seen beautiful things through the lens of my camera and my smile has greeted many friends warmly. My body brought a wonderful girl into this world and helped my husband through some tough times.

Today, I choose to stand up for myself and say enough is enough Anna. I hope that maybe it may inspire all the ladies out there too. You are beautiful! You are good and kind and enough just the way you are. Go ahead, hug yourself. Like your shoulders and your toes. It's ok. And maybe if we all start to love ourselves, we can change the world? Well at least our world, lol! After all, life is far too short to be anything but happy with yourself.

Have a blessed day my Mothers, my Sisters, my Daughters!

Photo Copyright Anna Patten 2014

Store is Coming Along Nicely

Well hello there :) I hope this finds you all doing well today. Are you surviving the heat? I wont complain about it because we did survive winter apocalypse. It would just be wrong, lol and I do love summer time so, but this humidity has to go!!!! I want to open my windows again and be able to dry off when I get out of the shower. Had  a great week so far. My Aunt and Uncle were up from Florida for a visit and we had such a good time! Even though we got caught in the middle of a downpour on a metal boat while out on Lake George! It was sort of Titanic-esq, lol! It was so nice to get spend one on one time with them and it was also nice to show them around Upstate. They are our first visitors here, so it was special.

On other news fronts, the store is coming along nicely. I got some of my greeting cards done today as well as some more prints framed. Placed a new post card order this morning, fingers crossed that they arrive in time for opening on the 15th. All that's left is painting the wall, building a half wall, ordering a ton of prints and getting set up! It's going to be great, and as my Mother pointed  out the other night, the first thing I have done for myself in some time. I am super excited, so be sure to check back with me for updates. Posting some photos below of the work in progress. Should have some of the space soon too.

Have a great day and happy 4th!
Anna
Artfully Odd Photos

 Greeting Cards

 Post Cards

Prints framed

View from the Bridge

View from the bridge over the Hudson-

Peebles Island State Park

Sometimes a diary of a photographer is just that, the diary of my day. I was out for a walk early last evening because the weather was just so beautiful. I have been stuck in doors too much as of late and last night, I just wanted to break free. So, I headed out to my usual walking spot and this is what I saw. Pretty view if I do say so myself. I love being out this time of the day because the light is just amazing. The sky is just so blue and the sun sets on the water...It's a pretty great sight! I am so blessed and I never feel it more, than when I am out in this light and nature. It's just a wonderful thing!

On another note, the store is starting to take shape now. Getting a lot of my inventory ordered and painting will start next week. I will keep you all up to date on the happenings. Also, I had my first official hanging this week! That was pretty exciting. A big shout out to Robin and Sue and Robins Shining Shears for having me!

Wishing you all a lovely weekend and a happy holiday week.
Anna
Artfully Odd Photos

Viva Summer!

Well, June is almost over and it's been a busy one for us! I know that when we were in the midst of this horrible winter, I was begging summer to arrive...now that it has, I want it to slow down. I want to enjoy it. I want to have fun afternoons that I can dream of fondly when there is 3 feet of snow outside! So if the summer ferries are listening, please hear my plea. Let these days stretch into sun filled days packed with fun as we endeavor to get back to nature. It's funny that we forget during the dark months, that nature sustains us. It breaths new life back into us and grounds us with an energy that is all around. If you close your eyes and clear your mind right now, you can feel it. Go ahead...try it. Just close your eyes and let your mind go. There...feel that? That gentle hum? That's it! That one feeling, is for me, the reassurance that we are all connected and tied to the earth. So remember to get out and enjoy these days. Walk barefoot through the grass. Play in the sand at the beach. Lay down and cloud watch...Enjoy! Let Mother Nature know how much she means to you! VIVA Summer!

Big News Coming!

Thats right...Big, I mean really big news is coming in the next few weeks! So excited! Cant wait to share!!!!!

Remember the old saying...When 1 closes, another opens!

Saratoga Geyser Trail 2014

Hear that? That's right my friends, that is the sound of Summer approaching! Could anything else be more perfect? Buzz and I have been trying to get out and about more often. You know, like normal people do, lol. We were able to do that this past Tuesday when we ventured to the Saratoga Geyser trail. A lovely 5 mile hike that winds you through some of the most wonderful wilderness.

Traditionally, the geysers were used as a health retreat. You would go there and take the cure for about 3 weeks back in the day. The geysers are both carbonated and fresh spring water. It sounds like heaven to me really. What has happened to our country? 3 weeks to rest, recuperate and rejuvenate and you still had your house when you got back. All though this is what we would consider quack medicine today, the rest alone had health benefits I am sure. You can read more about the park here and if you are ever in the area, I highly recommend you them in.

On the downside, it is tick season here in upstate and it is in full force, let me tell you! Poor Buzz got stuck with 5 of them and we had to rush him to the doctors the next day for a big does of antibiotics and a tetanus shot. Happy to report that he is on the mend now and rearing to go hiking again! I look forward to our next adventure myself!

Posting a few photos below. They are available for prints if you find one you really like :) Happy Summer my friends!
Anna
ArtfullyOddPhotos

A Photographer tries to go the Natural Route

Hello world. I hope that this finds you all doing well out there. Now that Spring is officially here and on its way to being glorious Summer, I find that I am wanting to make some changes in my life. There is something about the changing of seasons that makes one think, ponder and sometimes even, dwell on certain things. One of the things I have been pondering is all the chemicals that we put into our bodies every day. This thought actually came to me in February, as I sat around the table at a beautiful Mexican restaurant with my family. We were talking about the pressures on women these days to look nothing but perfect and how, even if you try not to buy into all of that, it still effects us all. One of the point that I brought up was all the chemicals that we put into our bodies and how I think they make us fat. I mean, our food is pumped full of them, our shampoo is positively dripping with them, our lotions, creams and what not, (You know, the ones that are suppose to make us look better and feel better about ourselves because that's  what the media tells us we need to do...Yea, those) are brimming over with things I can't even pronounce. And on top of all of that, we are constantly bombarded with prescription drugs every time we see the doctor. There is a pill for everything my friends and our physicians are more than happy to prescribe it to us any time we have an ache, pain or just don't feel right. Yes, this is the world we live in. And while I can agree that some of the crop and preservative advancements that we have witnessed in the past 20 years, benefit us...the others simply do not.

So, what does this mean my friends? Well, it means that this gal has had enough. It's time for a change in the Patten household. I recently piled all of my old shampoos, creams, lotions, cleaning products and what not into a box and went on the hunt for natural alternatives. I was pleasantly surprised at what I found. I was prepared for sticker shock, but was met with reasonable prices. I found a wonderful line of hair care products called RenPure, new lotion and some new body wash from Delon Labs. I have been using them for almost 2 weeks now and while the shampoo doesn't suds up, I am liking the results. I found that Walmart has its own series of natural household cleaners and they actually work! I switched our laundry detergent to an all natural one and Buzz just said to me this morning, that he loves it and the way it smells and he's a guy! Today I decided to switch out one of the most important products we use...deodorant. I found the Toms brand and I am going to give it a try. It smells good and does not have any of the icky stuff that you find in name brands. One draw back though, its a little pricey. If it works though, I am all for it. We are also buying more veggies and fruit from the farmers market instead of the store. I am still currently looking for an all natural skin care regime, but I am happy with the little steps we are taking now. 

What have I noticed so far? Well, believe it or not, we are not as bloated as we were 2 weeks ago. Water weight has been lost I think. My allergies are also not nearly as bad as they were before. My hair feels better to the touch, our skin is not so dry and I am not nearly as tired as I have been in the past. Is this proof of chemical poisoning? Well, I can't say really. All I know is that the Patten's are feeling better and we actually might survive the zombie apocalypse when it comes! Whether it be mind over mater or getting the chemicals out of our systems, we are feeling better. I hope to be making another positive blog update on the subject after we have been at this for a month or two, so stay tuned. Given the state of the environment these days, I feel better just trying to lessen my carbon footprint. Other good habits will surly follow.

I would love to hear from some of you out there though. Have you tried the natural route? How did it go? Did you stop cold turkey or take baby steps? I can't wait to hear your comments. 

Have a wonderful day my friends!

Anna

Artfully Odd Photos

Victorian Post Cards

Hello and happy Spring my friends!!! It looks like the summer weather is on its way up north and I have to say, thank goodness!!! You all know what this winter has been like! As I write this, I am actually in a tank top! A tank top my friends!!! My shoulders have not seen day light in so long that they were shy today, lol!

Anyway, on to artist things. I have been working on a series of post cards for a bit and the first set is done. I am so loving the Victorian feel to them. Super cute and whimsical and I will be placing an order for them this coming week. In this first printing, I will have 8 sets and I will be offering them for sale for 15.00 a set. That price includes shipping and handling. If you would like to place a pre-order, email me at annapattenphoto1@gmail.com to get the details or hit me up on Facebook. (You can also order individual prints of each image as well and they will be added to the website soon. Keep your eyes peeled.)

As always, I want to thank you for your support! I could not do what I do without it! Enjoy this weather my friends :) and let your bare shoulders run free! Happy Mother's day to all the wonderful Mother's out there!
Anna