Welcome to Fire Girl Photography! This is a static post to welcome you to the site; all content below is current and updating.
I’m a young mountain girl starting my journey in the photography and photojournalism worlds. The outdoors and travel is my passion; in my free time I write and take pictures. The concept of combining the two had been nagging me for some time, bothering me in the quiet moments. Finally one day it literally hit me – bam! – and I decided to take a chance.
That chance has paid off and odds are it will in the future as well. The drive to explore and learn is strong, and what better way to experience life than by ‘doing’ and then helping others to see and learn? Photography captures a moment in time, an expression, a thought, a movement… and freezes it forever.
My goal as a photographer and writer is to help others experience and understand what they might otherwise not. I look forward to the journey… welcome aboard!
by Editor on February 8, 2010
in Rivers
Sometimes it all comes together – usually when you are not expecting it. This flock of ducks was enjoying a chilly, cool fall day alongside the Madison River in Yellowstone. I crawled down along the water and just sat, watching for good moments. I had them in sight when the trout in the foreground rolled. Click. Picture captured.
Often pictures that are divided in “half” are not the most aesthetically pleasing. It works in this image because the fallen trees in the background add depth past the grass. The ducks are a mid-focal point, and the rolling trout draws the eye forward. Makes me yearn to get back in the Park!
We’re a week (well, almost) into February and it seems like a bad case of cabin fever is affecting many residents of the Gallatin Valley. Never fear, folks, summer will make its way back!
Here’s to a coming summer of long days on the river and gargantuan fish!
by Editor on February 3, 2010
in People
Sometimes we all need a little time to ourselves. Time to mull things over, plan for the future, and just think away from the distractions of others. This man, walking alongside some “hot pots” in Yellowstone National Park, struck me as being deep in thought. He strode along the boardwalk, hands fisted in his pockets, eyes forward. He was physically there, but it seemed is mind was elsewhere.
I love the image of him striding uphill, into the fog, resolutely continuing despite the frigid temperatures. One gets the feeling maybe he just needed some time alone to think about some big decision; time for a little solitude. A slight blurring has given the picture of bit of a “thoughtful” feel and the simple tones draw the viewer’s eye to the texture and depth of the image.
Equestrians – After looking into showing, you may be wondering, So why go to all the trouble? Maybe the work of getting ready, entering, traveling to, and riding in a show just isn’t worth the rewards. It’s easier to just stay at home and school. There are many good reasons why you and your horse should try your hand at showing; here are a few.
- 1) Competing in a show is a wonderful way to see how far your progress in your schooling has come. It’s an opportunity to be measure against a standard, to see how far you have come! Who hasn’t looked forward to having it all come together? A show can be the perfect place to see what you’re doing well and see what still needs work.
- 2) Shows are a wonderful way to boost both you and your horse’s confidence. Sure, for many of us competing is a new and sometimes scary experience, but we will never grow unless we stretch ourselves! By testing your skills, you gain confidence in your ability in a rider and learn to trust your horse. In turn, your horse has a fun time and a nice break from the daily routine!
Whether it’s a schooling show or a regional championship, competition helps both riders and horses in more ways than we can imagine – give it a try!
by Editor on January 29, 2010
in Scenes
“All I ask is this: Do something. Try something. Speaking out, showing up, writing a letter, a check, a strongly worded email. Pick a cause – there are few unworthy ones. And nudge yourself past the brink of tacit support to action. Once a month, once a year, or just once.”
-Joss Whelden
I love photography in that it captures people during a moment of their day. Sometimes the best pictures are of mundane little moments that otherwise might be passed over and mechanically performed. Photography really makes you think about every moment – could that composition work for an image? – and brings you into the moment.
It doesn’t take that much to make a difference in someone’s life. A small smile to that guy looking rather grim at the grocery store may just make his week. Saying a simple, heartfelt “thank you” to the teller at the bank might make her smile. You don’t have to go save the world – there’s plenty good to be done in your everyday life.
Working this past week on a commercial project for Brazos Contractors out of Houston and Starbucks Cafes, I did not have too much time for creative shooting. After uploading some of the images into my database, however, it has been fun to get a little creative with a few of the images.
What can I say – sometimes you just need a big tall glass of milk!
After a respite from the mountain winter weather these past few weeks, we are back to icy roads, powdery snow, and chilly temperatures. The system hit the day I had a cross-state road trip planned out (commercial project for Brazos Contractors in Houston and Starbucks). Boy do I have great timing or what?
While winter storms often bring flat light and monotone colors, decent photography can be practiced in almost any setting. This particular sunset was after our first real snow of this year. I camped out in a ditch alongside a country road, waiting for the light to filter through the clouds at just the right angles. Temperatures dropped well below zero and I got some mighty weird looks from passers-by. I love to vastness of the image; somehow snowy fields always seem to go on forever. The sky looks to have so many layers of color and texture, and the fence line in the foreground helps to anchor what otherwise would be too “vast” of an image.
So no matter how cold or nasty it is out there, grab the snow boots and the jacket. Some of the best images you may ever take can be found when everyone else is snug by the fireplace!
by Editor on January 22, 2010
in Scenes
Sometimes you just end up at the right place at the right time. This picture is one of the oldest ones in my portfolio, but it is also one of my favorites. Taken on a long summer’s evening (about 10:30 PM) several years ago, the farmer was trying to get in the last few minutes of work as the sun set behind the mountains.
It had been a summer of fire, hot and dry and smoky. Forest fires burned across the state and across the West. Somehow it only seemed fitting that the sky filled with fire-like colors as the sun dipped away for a few hours.
Fire Girl Photography has added more links onto the ‘Resources’ page… take a trip over and see what you think! In my mind, part of running a business these days is being part of the global business effort – and that includes helping out other businesses and causes whenever I can.
The ‘Inspiration’ section is new – and is my favorite so far! Seth Godin, one of the best marketing minds of our time was certain to make the list. Joining him is Gaping Void, home of Hugh Macleod, artist and creative mind extraordinaire. Also, be sure to check out David Allen, author of ‘Getting Things Done’. This book changed my entire thought process about workflow when I was in my late teens and is a must-read.
The ‘Resources’ page will continue to be updated… keep checking back for updates!