This week, Magda got to meet the real winter of Minnesota. There were a few days that never reached zero, and a few more with windchills around 30 below. This poor thing was hopping around the back yard like a bunny trying to keep her feet out of the cold, cold snow.The worst part is that we can't really walk her in weather like this (or rather, we don't want to). So she's had a few more days at doggie daycare (HUGE SUCCESS) and some playing in the backyard with her brother during the warmest parts of the afternoon. Right now she is pretty much the definition of cabin fever.The big news for today was that I finished all of my grading for the semester! Teaching makes me ponder so many topics that I would love to discuss on this here blog, but in the interest of keeping my students' lives private, I will not do that. Maybe a few years down the line I'd ponder a more general post about my observations. All I will say for now is that talent is very important in this world, but being able to read and follow instructions completely might take you further than you imagine. Do what you say you are going to do when you say you are going to do it and you are already winning the game.And on that note, today's internet share is of some funny test answers that I found on Facebook. So many brilliant answers here -- I promise they will make you laugh. Guaranteed.

Have I mentioned how much I love photographing boxers? They are so expressive! This guy was posing for a big shoot I had today, and the final image is way better than this one because there isn't, um, crew in the background (way to clear the scene, Leslie). But I still wanted you to see Diggs here, so I am choosing to show you this outtake. The drool is BUBBLING. I love it.I got to photograph 10 more dogs today for this big project I'm working on, and it was so much fun. This guy above was the first shoot of the day, and he might have been my favorite...For your internet share of the day... oh guys, are you ready for this? Who knew there was PANCAKE ART?? I certainly didn't. Go check out these reindeer pancakes. I suddenly feel so inadequate.

So last night was the Doomtree Blowout. Yeah, yeah, yeah, I realize it was yesterday. But it lasted well after midnight, so I'm counting it for today's photo. Plus? Today mostly consisted of ordering holiday gifts on the internet (not very photo worthy) and a WONDERFUL holiday party. And sometimes? Sometimes I don't want to carry my camera out with me. Especially to this party which required a fancy dress, heels and fishnets. That camera bag would have totally ruined my outfit.For more photos of this awesome show, you should visit my gallery.For your internet share of the day, I'm sending you to this blog post full of awkward name combos after a couple was married. You know, like Anna Wang and John Holder. HAHAHAHA. Yes, I apparently have the maturity of a 9-year-old boy.

Look at those adorable kids up there. That's my niece and nephew! Eloise is now in her second year of college (and a total music and food snob... obviously we are related) and Henry there is in high school, and I'm thinking that expression on his face sums up his current feelings on homework. Just guessing.Anyway! The reason I'm posting these old photos is because I want to give a few small tips on how to make your family photos better. I'm guessing a lot of your family photos look similar to those above. How about making them look more like this?How cute are those two? Adorable. So here are a few tricks to turn your own photos around:Step one: TURN OFF YOUR FLASH. Sorry, I don't mean to yell at you. But the flash on point-and-shoot cameras is 95% evil. It creates red eye and weird shadows and makes everyone's skin tone look off. It's like that guy at the bar in the over-accessorized jeans -- it should not be trusted.Second step: Clear the clutter. Make sure you are shooting in a clean area where the focus will be your kids' faces and not the stuff all over the table.Third step: Stop asking your kids to pose for the camera. My own mother used to do this (still does it) and man do I hate it (sorry mom). Instead take photos when your family is naturally having fun! You'll capture much more relaxed expressions and better memories that way anyway.Fourth step: Oh come on! I can't give you all of my secrets for free on the blog! But come to my workshop on January 4 and I'll teach you a TON more (composition! the power of light! how to better use your camera and what all those settings mean!) and on top of all that, I'll ply you with delicious snacks. I promise it will be a good time.I would also like to note that I am not sure who took the photos at the top of this post -- it could have been me or someone else -- I just grabbed a few from my film files. Also, if it was a dear family member of mine who reads this blog post, please do not take offense. You should see the dog photos I found that I shot in high school! Those will make an excellent post someday soon :)And for your internet share of the day, speaking of reminiscing on high school, a friend shared these photos of the now overgrown and abandoned Joyland. This was the amusement park that I frequented growing up, and it makes me so sad that it's now closed. I was terrified by many a clown here, not to mention that wooden roller coaster. 

Sometimes I just have to pinch myself. It was about five years ago that I started Shuttersmack because I was given a digital camera for Christmas, and I wanted to force myself to learn everything about it. I had been shooting film like crazy since 2003 when we got Memphis and Merlin as puppies, and we were fortunate enough to have a rental house with amazing light which made me fall in love with the hobby all over again (I first fell in love with photography in high school).As you can tell from this blog, photographing dogs is about my favorite thing in the world, and today was one of those magical days where I got paid to take images for a major pet food company over at the humane society. I just... I am so fortunate that this risk of going out on my own has worked out so far (knock on wood).This is one of the many outtakes I have of the lovely Miss Meredith working super hard at a) getting the shelter dogs to trust her and b) getting them into position for me. This little guy is named Sparkles, and he's up for adoption RIGHT NOW, so if you are interested you should head over there stat.For my internet share of the day... how about seeing one of my photos in the NEW YORK TIMES?!?! No? Not as excited as I was? Hmmm... ok. How about some awesome photos of giraffes in Africa? Done.

She's kinda pretty, right? This is Karen, and she is a fabulous singer/performer/comedian/woman/friend that I used to work with a the Star Tribune many moons ago. She came over to the house for some portraits tonight, and I was thrilled to get the chance to photograph such a beaut.In other news today... after the shoot with Karen, I learned that my boys (and girls!) over at Zeus Jones were just featured in the New York Times for opening a San Francisco office! And one of my photos of them ran with the piece! So, you know, no big deal. Just getting a byline in the New York Times. Happens every day (!!!).For your internet share of the day, I'm sending you over to a sweet story about a baby squirrel who was raised in a home with dogs and they are FRIENDS. Magda is dying for me to bring home a dinner friend like that.

Today I got to photograph this lovely fellow over at the MacPhail school. He works with their school of music, which was my key into this gorgeous building for some photos. Oh yeah, and the light was pretty great as well (obviously).The rest of the day consisted of about a bazillion emails and the last day of class for the semester. I have to admit, it will be nice to be down to one full-time job for a bit now (after I finish grading the final projects, that is). Remember back when I had three jobs? Whew! Am I glad that nonsense is finished with!And on that note, my internet share of the day is a story written by a nurse about what people's biggest regrets are before they die. I know it's morbid, but it's also important reading so that you, yourself, don't have such regrets. A few weeks back I had an extremely vivid dream that I found out I only had a few days left in my life, and the sorrow I felt over wasting so much time on work was really devastating to me. You can only imagine the relief I felt upon awakening. And you can only imagine how much less time I'm on the computer since I had that dream. So go read that story -- it's important.