October

Hello! It’s been awhile, but it’s been quite the busy month for me, with club activities, volunteering, learning French, yoga, and just trying to keep clean clothes in the closets.

The Tri-Mission Photography club had its first outing in Watermael-Boitsfort early in October. It was a rainy day, but following the advice of my more experienced peers in the Viewfinders Club (Brussels’ English speaking Photography Club) I decided not to cancel. And what a great day it turned out to be. Not only does the area offer a lot of variety in subject matter, with its architecture, historical sites, nature, and the Sunday farmers’ market, it was on the route for the Brussels Marathon that day!  Sadly for me, I was unable to really capture any great shots of the runners and the African drummers cheering them on, but it was a great lesson for me that I need to work with my shutter speed a little more, as well as relaxing and focusing on what I want to convey a little better (which is easier said than done with moving targets and oncoming buses…). On a coffee break (because the rain was just too much at one point), we talked a bit about our camera functions, locating the f-stop and shutter speed controls, and a little about white balance.

 

All in all it was a great day and a lot of fun. I’m hoping that even more club members will be able to join us for the next outing!

This month’s meeting of the Viewfinders was very inspiring for me.  Several of the club’s members presented their work and it was great to see so many different approaches to photography.  One of these days I’ll be confident enough to get up there and present my own work! Check out the Viewfinders here.

Another exciting development is the opportunity in early November to sell my work to our friends and colleagues at the Embassy.  I am so excited to be offered this opportunity and I’ve spent quite a number of days battling that demon of doubt and uncertainty.  But the more I stop, breathe, and open myself up to the opportunities coming my way and allow myself to appreciate my work while still being able to see the areas in which I can improve, the more the opportunities keep coming and the more I love what I am doing.  Here’s to chasing our dreams and not giving up the ghost!

Have a Happy Halloween and keep on clicking!

 

PS: I’ve added more pictures to the Belgium album, and I promise to work more on my New Zealand portfolio soon!

 

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!