Thursday, June 19, 2014

Gotta bring in the bacon

Sometimes, a girl has to be frank.

I need to make some money quickly. I am willing to work for it, but I need to do this now.

I am a technical writer and a photographer. I am also able to write articles and creative writing. The gist? I need to get the word out and what I have been doing is not working. I am asking my readers for help.

This weekend, from today until Sunday at 11:59pm (central) I am willing to offer a photo package at $25 for 10-15 photos on CD in a 30 minute session. You do need to purchase before June 22, 2014 at 11:59p. You do not have to have your photoshoot this weekend. Once you purchase the package I will email you and set things up. If you want the shoot this week/weekend, email me Faith(at)FaithTilleyJohnson(dot)com. I will answer you as soon as possible. Or, you can call me at (615) 852-5352 and when prompted for a name answer. If I don't answer, please leave a message. I can also receive text messages at that number.




Not interested in photographs? Is there something I can write for you? I can write proposals, resumes, and more. I can also write articles for web content and magazines. If this interests you, please email me Faith(at)FaithTilleyJohnson(dot)com.


Or, if out of the kindness of your heart you would just like to make a donation, I will graciously accept.

I am trying to get my Master's Degree while making ends meet. My youngest son has medical issues (BenjisBrokenHeart.com)  and my husband has recently been diagnosed with fibromyalgia. I would rather work for money instead of just taking it. To get a "normal" job right now it difficult since the kids are out of school. I am suppose to have something lined up once school starts. Everybody runs into hardship in their life and I am trying to make the best of it. If you have any questions, email me Faith(at)FaithTIlleyJohnson(dot)com.





Saturday, June 14, 2014

Pictures! Honey Moon and Close-ups.

Getting a new toy is always a fun thing. Getting a new lens for the camera is really a fun thing. Having a clear night on the night of the 'honey moon' is amazing! (I used my Canon EFS 55-250mm f/4-5.6 IS II Telephoto Zoom Lens.) Capturing this full moon was a trick, our tree line blocked it for some time.

On to my excitement!

I recently purchased the Canon 50mmf/1.8 lens. So far, I am quite impressed. I am hoping to use it in a session this weekend. The lens body is plastic and it takes patience to focus, but I am quite satisfied with it. I had to order a UV protection filter specially for it because it is smaller than the other lens I have.

I have taken a few pictures already with the lens and I like what I have captured. The depth of field is amazing. The lens focuses on the subject and blurs the background so the focus is where it should be.

As a photographer it is always a plus to add to my arsenal of lenses, every lens I add allows me to increase my ability for a wider range of photographs.

This first shot is of a hedge of knock out roses. I did tweak the color a little in Picasa. The photo was taken right after a rain and showed the colors very vivid. I love the focal point and the mystery that the background creates.

The next photo is moss on a willow tree. The picture has an allure to it. I am unsure if my desire to visit the mountains has overcome my senses or not, but the bark almost resembles a cliff.

After I played with capturing nature, there were these remarkable creatures in my back yard that I tested the new lens on. I think these pictures turned out well too. In my mind I am thinking, I am content with the photos taken, how much better would they have been if the subjects were prepared.


The sky was overcast and we are under the shade of the massive willow tree. This darling was playing on the swing set and I just had to capture her beauty. She is a sweetheart that keeps the boys in line. Notice how you can make out what is behind her but that it does not take over the picture? The only edit is a crop.

Next in line on the swing set is this guy. I had to make him stop for a moment because he is all over the place building and rebuilding and coming up with an obstacle course at the moment. Always busy. This picture too is taken under the willow tree with an over cast sky. The focus is on him and the trees in the background almost disappear. Just like the one prior, no edit aside from cropping.

There was one other creature outside on this day. I am not completely happy with this picture, but my happiness is because the grass is too green. It had rained and the grass was happy. I did try to calm the color down some. The picture is okay. I still like the focal point. The distortion to the background meshes too.

As I mentioned earlier, I love how the focus is on the subject and the background blurs away. The eye is drawn to where I want it to be, regardless of the junk in the background.

This last picture I am sharing was taken in the house without lights on but right by the glass french doors. There was plenty of natural light coming in. There is no editing on this picture other than a crop.

The key to the lens is lighting. And the potential for black and white photos are amazing. Needless to say I anticipate using this lens in sessions. I am in love with it.

Do you want to set up a photo shoot? Contact me Faith(at)FaithTilleyJohnson.com I am located in Dickson County, Tennessee. Depending where you are and where you would like to set up the shoot, it would not be a problem.

Like my landscapes? Would like a print? Contact me and we will see what we can work out.



Oh... The above links associated with the camera lenses are associate links to Amazon. Your cost does not change going through the links. I bought the lens on my own accord and the opinions stated above are mine and mine alone.

Friday, June 6, 2014

Every writer needs an editor and a photographer a filter... hitting home for a minute

I am an individual with a creative streak that is a mile wide. I love to write, I love to photograph, I love to draw, I love to sing, and I love to decorate.

Sounds great, right? 

It is, except for with so many variations of creativity it can be quite distracting. The different pulls on my creativity can be so distracting that I may not put forth my best on any one area. That is when there is a problem.

I have become tied up in the berating myself here lately. See, I know I can do better when the conditions are right. The problem being that the conditions are not perfect and my full expectations are not met. I am distracted.

I have learned over the years how to control my quirks so that hardly anybody will notice them. Unfortunately, here lately I have been overwhelmed. The manifestation on my mind causes me to not be able to focus.

This lack of focus can be rather interesting. For the typical person, if they are unable to focus, they may forget their keys or a grocery list. For me, it is much different. When I lose my focus, I start with forgetting where I have placed things but then it gets worse. I get grouchy and moody, depending on what the causes of my lack of focus are. Then, when I know I have to step back and take some time off, I lose my filter. Not everybody understands that term. What is a filter?

In this instance, a filter is a gatekeeper or a channel that keeps the thinking before speaking in check. When the filter shuts down, I speak before I think but I also lose the ability to see where what I say can be received harshly. The basic social aspect of communication goes out the window.

Another side effect of my lack of focus is I become oddly sensitive. Say I was to say something that was harsh and the person I said it to complained about it to somebody else. This situation would wound me. The reason? Because when I am overwhelmed, I only allow certain people around me for more than pleasantries. This is because I expect those I allow in to understand me.

Man, I realize this looks like a rather selfish post. Sorry about that. I just feel the need to explain things. In order to do so, I have to talk about me. Anyhow, about writing and photography.

With my writing... my inner editor continually second-guesses what I write and I have been unable to complete a manuscript in two years. That takes a toll. Sure, I was making excuses, like having academic papers and research papers to write while working on various projects with church and school. (I am not saying these projects were not worth doing, they just took away from my desires.) I need to be able to focus. There is a story that has been evolving in my head for years and I need to get it written.

With my photography... I am eagerly waiting for the person that I can collaborate with and we can have an amazing photo shoot. Although I look forward to working with everybody. I feel the work I have done is lacking mostly because I am facing challenges that I knew would be there if I were to pursue photography as a career. I have been burned in a couple instances and regret the way things turned out. I am still taking pictures and want to enjoy working with individuals that want their portraits taken. I know I have the skill and ability; I need to work on my marketing.

Life in general. I have forgotten that I do not have to do it all. I also forgot whom I need to please and what it is that I am suppose to be doing. 

I am primarily a writer. I need a part time job with deadlines. I am pursuing my Masters and will be working (still waiting on confirmation) at the school this fall. I would love to have photo-sessions once or twice a month to boost an income. 

Have you ever gotten lost in the chaos around you? That is where I have been. We have had crazy personal stuff go on and instead of looking to the almighty Father; I have tried to fix it myself. This of course leads to being overwhelmed and stressed. (Which I am prone to anyway.) This however is not what God wants for us. 

God wants us to be happy. He wants us to have His strength. All we have to do is call out to Him.

Blessed be the Lord, Because He has heard the voice of my supplications!
The Lord is my strength and my shield; My heart trusted in Him, and I am helped; Therefore my heart greatly rejoices, And with my song I will praise Him. - Psalm 28:6-7 (NKJV)