Hi there.

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Jill Brown has over 15 years of experience in the field of photography. She has studied photography at Missouri State University and Maryville University, St. Louis. She spent time working on her personal fine art work for many years and in 2003 started her first wedding and portrait photography business in St. Louis, MO. Jill moved to Des Moines, IA in 2005 and has continued her wedding and portrait business along with her fine art photography. Jill currently has work displayed in and around the Des Moines area as well as work in personal collections around the world. Jill uses both medium format film cameras and digital formats to create her images. This is how the artist describes her work: “My work is a reflection of everyday life and places. I chose the medium of photography as a tool to capture the essence of the person or place. I create images to depict the subject as they are remembered in the mind. Not posed or unnatural, but as a window into the intimate world of the subject.” Jill Brown is a member of Professional Photographers of America.

Thursday, April 29, 2010

Truckin'

Date:  April 22, 2010 (Earth Day!)
Location:  All over central Iowa!


So my friend Becky is a potter AND a trucker.  Yep...she's a trucker too!  Anyway, a while back when we were having hot pot together with friends, I asked if I could ride along with her.  So, last Thursday I went and it was FUN!


I wanted to insert a video of "Truckin'" from a 1972 Grateful Dead concert here, but I couldn't figure out how to put it in the blog, so you'll just have to go visit it here.


Anyway... it was a very fun and educational day.  I am a city-girl and don't know a whole lot about trucking much less farming.  You see, Becky drives a truck for her family's farm.  


I learned where she grew up - her house that she lives in now used to be located where an elementary school is now.  She showed me the tree still on the school grounds where her treehouse and tire swing used to be and I found out that some of the subdivisions near the school were named after her family since all that land used to be her family's farm. 


I learned why they put liquid nitrogen on the ground.  (Side note:  apparently this is not the same liquid nitrogen that will instantly freeze something.  This stuff is thick and sticky).  The nitrogen is sprayed into the dirt when they plow so that they can put nitrogen back into the soil - the corn just loves it and it makes it grow big and strong.  :)


I learned that Becky can drive a truck... and I mean a big ol' 80,000 lbs truck.  And she can back the sucker up, around a curve.  I have to say I was a bit nervous and tried not to close my eyes.  I for sure trust that girl driving.  She is careful as can be.  


I learned all kinds of stuff... some of it didn't stick.  LOL.  So, if you are reading this and a question strikes you... ask it in the comments!  I am sure Becky will answer you!




Becky on top of the truck filling it with nitrogen
Truckin01

Truckin02

Truckin03

I don't remember this person's name, but he is very nice.  He works at the place we loaded the nitrogen.
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And yeah... Becky's truck weighed 79,280 lbs after it was loaded - whoa.
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This is out a the fields.  Becky's cousin is on top of the tank loading the nitrogen so it can be sprayed on the fields.  (He's actually on his cell phone - heehee)
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The fields.
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These break up the dirt.
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Becky on her truck - again.
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Hi Becky!
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BIG tractor.
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Ok, so now they are planting the corn.  
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Here's what the corn and fertilizer look like.
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These put the corn in the dirt.
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The put talc on the corn so it doesn't get clogged.
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I had a FUN time hanging out with Becky.  I plan on doing it again in the fall for harvest!  THANKS BECKY!!  :)

Monday, April 19, 2010

First Family Camping Trip of the Season!

Date:  April 16-18, 2010
Location:  Timberline Campground


A little while ago, a good friend of mine - Becky of Willow Avenue Pottery - told me that I need to write more about me and not just about the photography I do professionally.  She was right... how boring is it that all you folks get to read is me talking about the work I do but hardly ever letting you know who I am.  :)


So here goes... a blog post about me and what I've been up to lately.  


My family and I *LOVE* to go camping.  This past weekend was one of the few empty weekends I have of the Spring through Fall seasons, so we did some camping at Timberline Campground this weekend with friends!  It was a PeRfEcT weekend for camping.  The nights were cool and crisp.  The days were sunny and lukewarm.  Spring flowers were everywhere!


We ate Dave's famous chili, friends came just for a visit (and brought some very needed firewood - thank you!)  We stayed up until 2:30 AM by the fire with our friends, the Seidl family.  


We had such a good time!  


Here are some photos from the weekend:




Puppies sleeping in the camper Saturday morning...
Camping:  April 16-18, 2010

Otis...
Camping:  April 16-18, 2010


Camping:  April 16-18, 2010

Gracie... she was my "fire starter" on Saturday morning...
Camping:  April 16-18, 2010

Dave on his laptop (there was wireless internet at the campsite).  He's looking up cool stuff for the camper.  
Camping:  April 16-18, 2010

The dogs hanging with Hannah...
Camping:  April 16-18, 2010

Camping:  April 16-18, 2010

Mary and I took Otis on a nature walk...
Camping:  April 16-18, 2010

Camping:  April 16-18, 2010

Camping:  April 16-18, 2010

We heard something moving under this fallen tree...
Camping:  April 16-18, 2010

Can you see what was staring at us from under the log?
Camping:  April 16-18, 2010

Spring flowers were everywhere!
Camping:  April 16-18, 2010

Camping:  April 16-18, 2010

Camping:  April 16-18, 2010

Even the bees were out!
Camping:  April 16-18, 2010

We did a lot of hanging by the fire...
Camping:  April 16-18, 2010

Camping:  April 16-18, 2010

Camping:  April 16-18, 2010

Camping:  April 16-18, 2010

Camping:  April 16-18, 2010

Camping:  April 16-18, 2010

Camping:  April 16-18, 2010

Camping:  April 16-18, 2010


This coming weekend I have a wedding and two portrait sessions in St. Louis.  Next week - if the weather hold out - I am going "trucking" for a day with Becky.  :)  That will be blogged as well.  YEAH!  I can't wait for that adventure!


Thanks all!  I hope you enjoyed your weekend as much as I enjoyed mine!


Be back soon!

Sunday, April 4, 2010

Erin & Tom!!

Date:  March 21, 2010
Location:  Ft. Zumwalt Park, O'Fallon, MO


I have known Erin for a few years now.  She used to live in Des Moines and recently moved back to St. Louis, MO.  Late last Fall she asked me if I would come to St. Louis to do portrait session her her and her honey.  :)  Yep... I sure would, BUT... we'd have to wait for the Spring.  She was a-okay with that and waited patiently ALL WINTER! 


~*~ Thanks for waiting Erin!!  ~*~


The day we picked happened to be rainy, cloudy and cold.  Yuck!  These two were determined to get their session done, so we met a the park and spent an hour under drizzling skies.  It was so much FUN!  


It was so great to see you Erin and to meet Tom!


Here are a few of my favs... 
...all in B&W because I'm a B&W junkie.  :)




Portrait Session:  March 21, 2010

Portrait Session:  March 21, 2010

Portrait Session:  March 21, 2010

Portrait Session:  March 21, 2010

Portrait Session:  March 21, 2010

Portrait Session:  March 21, 2010