Luxembourg and The Netherlands

Hello!

I made an initial pass through my archives and finally created a page for photographs from Luxembourg and The Netherlands.  I have also made the discovery that my dearth of website worthy photos from Amsterdam makes a return trip an absolute necessity!  With any luck, as the weather warms up and the sun shines a bit more, I’ll make the pilgrimage back to these places with my lovely family so that they, too, can enjoy the sights (and I can get some shots of these cities that aren’t quite so grey!).  Enjoy, and let me know what you think!

Cheers!

Happy New Year from Arklahoma Muse!

Hello!  After such a fabulous autumn in 2014 and the outpouring of encouragement and support from my friends and community, I am ready to get down to business in 2015.  A new year has begun and the possibilities for growth and creation are just endless. New photos of my travels in Belgium and further abroad in Europe are forthcoming and I am researching other ways of using my photos to create new products for my customers.  Stay tuned for updates!  In the meantime, be sure to visit the TMA store at the Embassy (if you have access of course) to check out my work for sale hanging above the coffee machine. The works on offer are just a small fraction of what I have, so if you don’t see your favorite, send me a message and I can hook you up!

After two successful portrait sessions for families out and about in Brussels, I am finally ready to offer my services to the USG community and already have a session lined up for later in this quarter. I look forward to the opportunity to increase my portraiture skills this year!

I have also had the opportunity to work with the housing section in photographing some of our lodging for the housing catalog.  It’s an incredible opportunity to work on real estate/architecture photography and a real exercise in problem solving and conveying the space to the customer.

Stay with me on this incredible journey of creation and let’s work together to make 2015 the best year yet!

With Gratitude,

Brandy Herren

Are you pulling your own strings or is someone else pulling them for you?

Are you pulling your own strings or is someone else pulling them for you?

New Additions!

Waiting on the Paddy Wagon

Waiting on the Paddy Wagon

Hello Everyone! I have finally added to my online collection of photos here. In addition to new Belgium pics, I added pages for Ireland and the UK, France and Spain, and New Zealand. It has been quite a journey trying to decide what is actually worth putting up, causing me lots of self-doubt and soul-searching. Some photos will speak mostly just to me, while others may resonate with you in some way. I have so many more to share, especially from New Zealand and Zambia. But as my previous laptop was stolen, it will take me some time to reload my pictures from the cards and reorganize 7 years worth of work. Stay tuned and I will let you know when I get these uploaded. In the meantime, I hope you enjoy clicking through the site!

Cheers, Brandy

PS: Keep liking and sharing my page! If you like my work, please consider following me!

What a week!

Last week was chock full and by the end of it, I was tired, but happy!

Wednesday night, a friend and I attended the first meeting of the season for Viewfinders  – Brussels’ club for English-speaking photographers.  It was great to be around so many others in the community that love doing what we do, and in so many different ways.  The first presentation by Trevor Waldron went over a few basic pointers about composition, light and technique – good reminders for those of us who haven’t been to a photo class in a while and have forgotten more than we learned in the first place.  The guest speaker was Bart Ramakers, a local photographer who specializes in telling stories with his photographs.  He shared with us his techniques, his vision, and his thought processes in coming up with his concepts.  Overall it was a very interesting evening and I can’t wait for the next meeting.  I also need to figure out what I am going to do for the December challenge – Music!  What would you photograph?

The highlight of the week was the Brussels American Community Info Fair and Bazaar.  I was invited by our Community Liaison Officers to take part, manning a table to show off some of my work.  I decided to take the opportunity to also promote a mission community photography club.

My Table at the 2014 Info Fair and Bazaar

My Table at the 2014 Info Fair and Bazaar

18 people signed up for the club!  Now I just need to develop a program for us. I am really looking forward to trading tips and exploring the area with my fellow photographers.

And many showed interest in my prints and asked about my willingness to do family portraits.  Time to improve upon those portraiture skills.  My daughter has graciously agreed to be my test model as I play with lighting and try out possible locations.

It’s an exciting new time for me.  It’s scary, but I feel that things are finally starting to move in a more positive direction and at a much great speed – no time for fear to put on the brakes!  Thanks to all for your support and encouragement!

Photography Clubs and Community Info Fair

This is a very exciting week for me!  Not only have I finally launched my website and blog to showcase the fruits of my favorite hobby, but I will also have the chance to meet up with others in the Brussels region who are as into photography as I am (if not more so).

First is a meeting of the Viewfinders Club, an English-speaking photography club that meets near Merode.  I only learned of this club as their season was ending (and my house was full of guests) so I am very much looking forward to meeting with the other members, learning new skills and tricks of the trade, as well as new places to photograph.

On Thursday, I will be at the Tri-Mission Info Fair where I will be manning a booth for the Tri-Mission Photography Club (perhaps the first order of business should be to adopt a new name!).  Why two clubs?  Well, some in our community may not be ready for a full on commitment to the already established, local club.  There are some who are shy about their photography skills and a post community specific club may be just what they need to jumpstart their hobby and get them out and about.  If nothing else, it’s a great way to see this fabulous place we are posted to while meeting others who are in the same boat career-wise.

Of course I will also be displaying some of my prints at the Info Fair as well!  I won’t be able to sell there, but at least I’ll get some exposure for my work.

For those of you in the Tri-Mission and US mil community, I hope to see you all there.  Don’t forget to stop by and sign up for the club!

Coming Soon!

Introducing Arklahoma Muse Photography and Design!

A website and blog showcasing some of my favorite photographs from around the world.

Windows at the ruins at Abbaye de Villers