You'd think my blog had turned into Animal Kingdom or "When Cats Attack!" week here over at Deannster & Co. But no, it's just me, snapping away at anyone or anything that will pose... whether they are willing or not.

I've found that I learn a lot about portraiture when working with animals. I learn how to handle someone or something that is not going to just sit there and smile on command. They don't want to sit still, they don't want to do what you tell them to do. So I employ tricks and wiles and whatever it takes to get the job done. Same goes for little kids and some adults.

Although I bill myself as a "natural light photographer," sometimes, you just can't get the shot you want with available light. So you gotta improvise. Or in my case, learn about actual lighting. I've got a flash... now I'm starting to learn how to use it.

In other good news, I found this amazing place by my work that would make a great backdrop for a portrait session. It reminds me a lot of the creek behind my grandmother's house where I used to spend a lot of time as a kid. Not only does it make me a little nostalgic, but I am now able to appreciate the different elements that give it such good lighting. I already have a couple subjects in mind... stay tuned for some new stuff.