The sail just needs to open

and the world is full of beauty.

Today is such a day.  ~Rumi

Be sure to check out Texas Fine Art Photographer Sharon Gartrell on this wonderful Friday!

“Everybody needs beauty as well as bread, places to play in and pray in, where nature may heal and give strength to body and soul.”

-John Muir

The Eastern Sierra region of California is one of my favorite places in the entire world.  Mono Lake is in the backyard of John Muir’s stomping old grounds, Yosemite.  Her ancient tufas rise out of the water, reflecting on the surface like an electrocardiogram, seemingly measuring the electrical activity of the very heart of the Sierras.  It’s a beautiful, serene, magical place that truly does give strength to the soul.

Fine Art Friday is a continuing project with a collective of amazing photographers.  The last Friday of each month, we post a fine art image and link to one from our group.  Click over to see  Albuquerque Professional Photographer Laura Meek’s image for January.

“I’m in love with Montana. For other states I have admiration, respect, recognition, even some affection. But with Montana it is love. And it’s difficult to analyze love when you’re in it.”

― John Steinbeck

After soaking in the glory that is Montana in Autumn, head over to see the bit of Texas that Texas Fine Art Photographer Sharon Gartrell is sharing this month!

Hope that starts your weekend on the right note!  Now, please go check out Texas Fine Art Photographer Sharon Gartrell’s fine art inspiration for September.

Be sure to visit Albuquerque Family Photographer – Laura Meeks Fine Art Friday installment for this month.

The Bird of Paradise really is paradise for a photographer, a perfect subject for my Fine Art Friday project this month.  The bright colors, glowing in the midday sun, and the beautiful lines just pull me in…

For more beauty and inspiration, please visit Laura Meeks, Albuquerque NM Photographer, who surely has a treat in store for this month!

For this month’s Fine Art Friday installment, I’m paying homage to my Montana days, with a snowy scene!  At the beginning of April, my family ventured to the Sierra’s and did some skiing in Mammoth Lakes.  Early April proved perfect for skiing (thankfully!) and my family headed up a cross country ski trail to Minaret Vista.  We enjoyed sweeping views, feeling on top of the world!

Now, go check out Albuquerque Photographer Laura Meeks amazing image from White Sands.  Because of her, I have added this spot to my list of “must visit” places!

This night, instead of turning my lens to the busy runways, I turned it to the west and got the warm glow of the sun just before it slipped beneath the horizon.  I find this image simply mesmerizing. . .

Please check out Cheree Federico, Bowling Green KY Photographer for her beautiful fine art image this month!

For January, I thought I’d post an image from my recent trip to Yosemite National Park.  I went with my family, seeking an escape from Los Angeles, a little time in the snow, and a lot of soul-filling scenery.  Thankfully, we found all of that!

This image was taken at Valley View in Yosemite Valley.  It’s probably one of the most stopped-at vantage points in the park that is visited by millions each year.  But what I love about art, is that even with millions of people aiming a camera from the same pull-out, you never get exactly the same image.  Here’s my version:

Now, head on over to see what Cheree Federico | Fine Art Photography has to inspire you with this morning!

The sunset was impressive, but I was even more drawn in by the night scene. . . cars racing by on the 405, airplane lights streaking through the sky as they head in for landing at LAX, twinkling lights of downtown sky scrapers.

With 2 kids under the age of 5, I’ll admit, I don’t get out much at night.  Perhaps that’s why this scene is so mesmerizing to me!  The best part is, since the time change to Daylight Savings, this was taken at 6:00 p.m., a perfectly decent and normal hour to be out!  No matter the hour, I hope you’ll enjoy it!

Now, head on over to Albuquerque New Mexico Family Photographer Laura Meeks page to see her Fine Art piece for this month!

Now, head on over to Durham NC Fine Art Photographer Leigh Ann Hines site to see her fine art piece this month!

For more inspiring art, be sure to check out Durham, NC Fine Art Photographer, Leigh Ann Hines, then follow the links for a circle of images sure to brighten your Friday!

This fine art project has been one of my favorite projects of the year.  I love creating fine art images, but even more, I love that it connects me to a fab group of other professional women photographers.  So take a few minutes for a little blog hop for some Friday morning inspiration… you won’t want to miss what the Durham NC Lifestyle Photographer Leigh Ann Hines has for this month!

I may live in Los Angeles, but I recently traveled across the country to see our other ocean, the Atlantic.  Isle of Palms, South Carolina is a beautiful beach, most notably for the tide pools that dot the wide swath of sand.  They are perfect for 3-year-old splashing and 30-something-year-old lounging.  And best of all for the phenomenal reflections.

After soaking in this beach scene, be sure to head over to see what Pensacola Florida Photographer, Tracy Tisdale has for this month.  I have a good hunch you’ll see more fabulous beach scenery, this time of the Gulf of Mexico, but she just may have something different up her sleeve this month. . . you’ll have to click over to find out!

This month, I bring you a fascinating under water animal, the sea anemone.  I didn’t even have to get wet, either!  This lovely creature was at the Cabrillo Marine Aquarium in San Pedro, California.  Now that school is out for the summer, I’ve been exploring some of the numerous SoCal attractions with my boys.   This one was a hit, with them and me, so if you’re ever in the area it’s definitely worth a stop.

Now, head over to see what Beth Philcrantz, New Hampshire Photographer has in store for today!

Happy Friday everyone!  Enjoy the holiday weekend, but before you head out, hop on over to see the beautiful image Kay Pickens, Fine Art Photography, Columbia MO is sharing this month!

This is part of an installation called Penetrable by Jesus Rafael Soto.  It’s in a courtyard outside and just begs you to walk right in and feel the lines like rays of sunshine or sheeting rain.  There is movement and joy and you hear children laughing as they dart through and twist themselves in the cables.

This monthly project is part of a circle of talented women photographers, so be sure to follow the links around, with your next visit to Jenny Froh, Dallas Pet Photographer!