Happy New Year!

The past 12 months have been full of so much learning and growth for me, both in the art of my photography and my business. 


The beginning of 2015 I made a complete change in my website with the intention of selling my art. This was a big step for me since I've only sold at a few area craft fairs. I didn't really know where to start or who to contact. So I started small.


In January I attended the Ranchers Workshop in White River, SD. This was not an art fair by any means but an informational workshop for area ranchers. The committee was excited I was there, offering something different and new. My sales were small but I met some great people and a few potential clients.


February I attended a similar show to the Ranchers Workshop, based on the recommendation of a fellow vendor I met in January. It was a similar story. Small sales, but great people who were excited to see something new. I heard about an art festival in Sioux Falls while there.


In March, I set up a small gallery space in a public market place for a three day pop-up-shop event in Pierre. Sales weren't what I'd hoped but I made some great connections for art shows within the state, as well as encouragement in the work I was doing.


I applied to three large art festivals and was accepted into all three, two of them being jury shows. For those of you that are unfamiliar with jury shows, an artists submits a paid application in which the jury evaluates their work, determining if the pieces are the kind of quality art buyers are looking for. The Sidewalk Arts Festival and the First Lady's Prairie Art Showcase were the two jury shows I attended. The Buffalo Roundup Arts Festival in Custer State Park was the third show.


When I look back over the year, I see a gradual process beginning with the Rancher's Workshop and ending at the First Lady's Prairie Art Showcase put on by the South Dakota Arts Council.

I started small and grew!
I learned, changed, tweaked and advanced in my work and my business.


I'm excited to see what 2016 has in store!
I've been accepted to participate in the Western Art Show that is part of the Black Hills Stock Show in January/February. I have plans to submit applications to a few art festivals I didn't try last year (as well as the ones I did), and I'm offering a Basic Photography Workshop in March/April!


So here's to 2016!

Wind Sculpting in the Snow

Last week I posted some images of the Wind Sculptures along the tops of the snow drifts. 
Today, I am sharing with you what the wind created on the ground, as it whipped and swirled the delicate snowflakes.

I'm also including this close up of a wind carved snow drift, as seen in the previous post. I converted this image to B&W and am really enjoying how quiet the absence of color makes the final photograph.

Merry Christmas!

May you find peace in the true meaning of Christmas.

From my family to you,

 Marty, Cristen, Jacob & Shiloh Roghair

Wind Sculptures

South Dakota has wind, and a lot of it.

Many times the wind causes a lot of damage.

It also creates beauty in the snow and carves sculptures on the south side of the hills.

 

 

The Horses

There's just something about horses and snow in Black & White. 

These are two of my mares, Shadow and Eowyn. 

Shadow is the black mare. Though a little reserved, she's so sweet and smooth to ride.

Eowyn, the bay, takes after her namesake and is determined to have her own way. She's small but quick. 

 

Announcing: Basic Photography Workshop 101!

Cyber Monday I officially announced the opening of registration for my first ever workshop!
I'd put out some feelers mid-fall to see if anyone was interested and received a wonderful response. I live in the smallest county in South Dakota and opportunities for continuing education aren't not always available here, outside of the internet. I thought this would be a great way for me to give back to my community.

Photography Workshop ~ Basic Photography 101            $80     

  

• 6 Week Workshop on Tuesday nights
• Beginner Level
• Starts March 15

• Location: Senior Citizens Center, Murdo, SD 
• Time: 7:30 - 8:30 PM
• Dates: March 15th, 22nd, 29th, April 5th, 12th and 19th.

This workshop is designed to help you become familiar with your camera. We will learn the basics of photography-how the camera works; what is composition and how to use it to create better photos; and how to use lighting.

Weekly assignments will be given to allow for growth and skill, though not required.
A camera is also not required to attend this workshop. Information about different types of cameras will be discussed to help the participants understand the variety as well as prepare for buying decisions. 

Each participant will receive a workshop booklet at the first session. If they choose to participate in the assignments, each individual will also receive an enlarged print of their choice from their favorite photographs taken during the course of the workshop. The last workshop session will run from 7:30 - 9:00 PM to allow time for a gallery viewing with each participants best print. 

This is not a pass or fail workshop.

If a participant is not able to attend every session that is OK! Please come when you are able.

Minimum 8 participants.

Registration Deadline is March 13th.

Register Here!  

Please contact me if you have any questions: cristen@cristenjoyphotography.com

Sunsets {The South Dakota Way}

This.
This is the #1 reason why I love South Dakota.
No buildings to distract, no trees in the way (although I deeply love the forest). 

Just the quiet. 
The open.
The sky.

Here's another photograph I took using the panning method. You can see some similar work from the summer, here.
 

"The heavens are telling of the glory of God; 

and their expanse is declaring the work of His hands." 

~ Psalm 19:1

Black Friday Sale!

This is the very first year I have ever had a Black Friday sale! 

Everything listed in my shop on Etsy is 15% Off now until Saturday.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Willow Creek Trail

I spent a few days in the Black Hills area this week taking a class. It was later in the day so I had a morning to go hiking. I love exploring new trails and I only had time for a few hours. I settled on the Willow Creek Trail loop. It's only 1.5 miles and fairly easy. There were a few fallen trees blocking the trail that I had to scramble over. The trail up to Mushroom Rock wasn't even noticeable due to trees all over but I managed to find my way up there. The view is just amazing! 

This is Harney Peak from the north side. I shot this from the top of Mushroom Rock.

This is a part of Mushroom Rock. 

\

 

I found this little gem of a waterfall about 10 minutes into the trail, hiking counterclockwise. In order to get this shot I did a bit of bouldering and scrambling, being careful to avoid ice on the rocks surrounding the waterfall.

Murdo Christmas Fair {Tomorrow!!}

One of my first memories of South Dakota is the annual Christmas Fair in Murdo.
My family arrived in town Friday, November 10, 1995 for the weekend and the next day was the fair. We came for my dad to candidate as Pastor at one of the churches. We stayed on a ranch. I'd never been on a ranch before, nor experienced the rolling hills of the prairie. I was in awe!

Now, 20 years later I live on my own ranch and am still awed by the rolling prairie.

The very first time I sold any of my photography was at this very same Christmas Fair in Murdo. I always look forward to it and enjoy spending the day with our community.

I hope to see you there! 

Horses at Sunset {And a Thank You to my Mother-in-Law}

I love my horses. I did not grow up a horse crazy girl. They just weren't something I was around very much, until I married a cowboy. Now I can't imagine a life without them. 

I have my mother-in-law to thank for this. She grew up with horses and then married a farmer/rancher who's family only used team horses for pulling equipment. My mother-in-law soon changed that and raised five cowboys and two cowgirls. 

So, thank you, Mom! You've made an impressionable mark on your family in more than one way.

 

This girl, she always does this! She looks at me in this lovely way and I just can't get enough of her! The questions is: is she really looking at me or off into the distance? 

 

Twilight at twilight. She's the one on the left. A wonderful old gal with only one speed-fast. Sadly, her fast isn't what is used to be now that she's around 22. She's the one who taught me to ride, how to rope, and I trust her without a doubt.

Roughlock Falls {Spearfish Canyon}

I am constantly amazed at the beauty of Western South Dakota. 
The last time I was out in the Black Hills I went down Spearfish Canyon to shoot the falls. The only time I could be out there was from 2-3 pm, which generally isn't an ideal time for shooting due to harsh white light. I knew both Spearfish and Roughlock Falls would be in shadow so I wasn't too worried about the lighting, but I still used my neutral density filter to shoot a long exposure of the flowing water.

Spearfish Falls

One of my favorite places to visit during the fall-Spearfish Falls. 

Located in the heart of Spearfish Canyon by Savoy. 

Some slight purplish tones came out in this water with this exposure. I couldn't pick a favorite between this one and the following, so I included them both.  
 

First Lady's Prairie Art Showcase {This Weekend!}

 

I'm so thrilled to be a part of the First Lady's Prairie Art Showcase this coming weekend! 

Friday, the Art Showcase will be open to the Governor's Hunts guests. Saturday, the Showcase will be open to the public from 10 AM - 4 PM. 

  

My booth will be located in front of the Amphitheater, across from the Lake Francis Case Conference Room.   

Come join myself and 31 other selected artist from South Dakota as we showcase the culture, art and beauty of South Dakota! 

 

The Grand Tetons

Last week my husband and I celebrated our 10th Anniversary with a trip through Wyoming to visit the Grand Tetons. 
I've desired to see these rough and jagged mountains for a very long time.
The trip was so very refreshing for us and full of inspiration for my work as a photographer. 

These are a few of my favorites.

I had two locations in mind that I really wanted to find. This barn along Morman Row and the location in which Ansel Adams shot his famous photograph of the Tetons and the Snake River.

Almost every shot I've seen of this barn has the mountains clearly visible on a blue sky day. The clouds did not cooperate for me but I'm loving the moodiness they bring.

This is the Ansel Adams location and not as hard to find as I thought it might be. We found this location when we first pulled into the area and then came back before sunrise on our anniversary morning. 

One never knows for sure what kind of lighting awaits and I was not disappointed.

We then headed north towards Mt. Moran and came across a herd of buffalo and a bugling elk.

My husband was very excited about this guy. 

Mt. Moran in early morning light reflected off Jackson Lake.

Jackson Lake was so quiet and peaceful. 

It was sad leaving these beautiful mountains. I hope to return again! 

Headed home on the way back through the Wind River Mountains we finally saw a moose!