Filling colored plastic eggs with candy, hiding eggs outside in the yard against a backdrop of yellow Forsythia bushes and new green grass, still the only colors against a still gray landscape. Hiding some eggs in easy, visible places and hiding some intentionally obscured with last falls unraked leaves.

Remembering when I was the one doing the finding instead of the hiding. Decades ago, when I was shorter in stature, closer to the ground and able to easily detect an egg hidden just inside a rain gutter. And, since memories are well preserved in my mind, it's easy to stand back and be the hider and not the finder. Watching children and their friends making their own Easter memories makes simple traditions so worthwhile..

When you're a photographer, and that is what you do everyday, you're bound to meet people who, while you capture their lives, completely capture your heart. Albert is a perfect example. In the few times we have met and recently worked together on this shoot, I always come away enlightened. His humor, his attitude, his optimism is all infectious. We also have a few things in common. As people who have taught and worked with children, we both know their infinite value. We love the crazy cats and dogs we each own.  We have a dear mutual friend whom we both adore and we also both love 1980's Bruce Weber photography. The difference is, I have had my sight all my life. Just years ago, Albert lost his. I should also add that he "sees" far more than most people I know who are not blind. Helen Keller, who knows more on this subject than any of us, once wrote, "The only thing worse than being blind is having sight but no vision."

A lot happening right now! First, here are two featured sessions, recently shot in the studio. While studio lighting has a distinct warmth and creates beautiful attention to detail, this warm weather makes me realize how much I have missed working outside. We had one outside session this week which I am just finishing up. Next week, another "Daydream" Session is being booked. (Like the one featured in the site gallery of the same name) These Daydream sessions are the ultimate creative challenge for me. The name "Daydream" session was inspired by the romantic, old movie look we really strive to re-create. I have to tap into my "inner visionary" for these sessions knowing that what I envision emotionally first is what almost always produces the best results. Most artistic endeavors are that way aren't they?  Going by that intuitive sense of what strikes an emotional chord within us, not necessarily trying to appeal to an audience but to what you see in your mind's eye. These Daydream sessions are also a lot of fun with amazing wardrobe and style.  We are really looking forward to that!
    
For now, here are some favorites picks from two studio sessions featuring two truly fun and beautiful girls. Antithetical to the Daydream sessions, these prove that less can surely be more. Beauty, thankfully, is so varied and these girls, if you'll excuse the cliche'- are truly beautiful, inside and out.

"To be nobody but yourself in a world which is doing its best, night and day, to make you everybody else means to fight the hardest battle which any human being can fight; and never stop fighting. "
e. e. cummings   

This quote is one of my favorites and we can all identify with this truth. It seems that too often in life, there are people who will not accept us for who we really are. Rarely however, are we accused of pretending to be another person entirely, or told that we are impersonating someone else, that's a new one for me.
This leads me to a special message to all of my great friends and "fans" who had been following me on my facebook Photography page. I have so appreciated all of your ongoing support. Unfortunately, for some reason unbeknownst to me, my page, "Susan Elise Shiebler Photography" was suddenly disabled. When I contacted facebook respectfully and inquired as to why this would happen, I received an email stating that my account has been permanently disabled and the reason? According to the email,

"Fake accounts are a violation of our Statement of Rights and Responsibilities. Facebook requires users to provide their real first and last names. Impersonating anyone or anything is prohibited."

Oh-kaaay and this is applicable to me how? I know in order for them to check millions of accounts, it is done by computer, auto responses etc. They somehow do not believe that I am "me."  Apparently, as I researched this, this has happened to others as well. At first, it was absurdly comical until I saw that they offered no explanation or opportunity for me to prove my identity. Then, suddenly the reality was clear that they make these decisions based on mere conjecture, either by human or computer determination. More likely, the latter.  There was no use fighting it, as it is difficult to impossible to reach them and their email stated their decision was final. 
    On principle alone, I considered not starting a new facebook account. I have however resigned myself to the fact that social networking is an unavoidable reality. I also realized that everyone who had become a "fan" of the page had no explanation as to what happened when my page suddenly disappeared. I concluded that the friends who support my work are more important than huge companies who care very little about individual people. 
    I therefore simplified the name to "Shiebler Photography" and created a new account under that name. For anyone who would like to continue following my page, thanks again for joining. 

And regarding my last entry... for those who still find the snow no longer tolerable (even in photos)... Here's a preview of two recent studio sessions!