The start of a year always leaves me with excitement and longing.  I am always excited for my February promotion.  I meet so many new critters as well as see many loyal critters that have passed in front of my lens many times before.  I love the simplicity of the studio.  It is clean and classic and satisfies need to create what I love, simple black & white images.  The studio also doesn't rely on the outdoor light or weather. The studio is both reliable and comfortable yet I still find it creative and exciting. But at the same time I have a longing to create outside as the studio season can be long.  We creatives to tend to like variety. 

Winter is a volatile season for outdoor portraits.  The snow starts off beautiful and pristine.  Then we have some wild swings in weather.  Suddenly it is so cold you can't be outside.  And then the warmth returns and the snow turns brown and packed turning gross. These last couple of winters have certainly brought some hostile days and some dreary days. This goes on from November right through to March.  But it has also brought us some gorgeous landscapes that are gone almost as soon as they happen. Those days of hoar frost are stunning.  I don't think you can find a more beautiful winter gift from Mother Nature.