And The Guest Author Is . . .

LISA JARVIS
(l-r Cole, Trent, Kari, Lisa, & Jake)

This Friday From The Collectors, Shades welcomes Lisa Jarvis and her story of a special family tradition with photographs. Lisa has long been interested in documenting her family life with photographs; she describes her interest and herself this way.

I am first a mother, second a teacher. I stayed at home with my kids for 10 years before heading back into the classroom. I wanted to be there for all of the 'firsts'; steps, haircut, tantrum(s), school days, etc.

I knew my memory was not a great record keeper, so my camera became a constant companion. I adore photography! Especially family photos - more the snapshot, unplanned type rather than the studio pictures. Which then leads to scrapbooking but I will confess that I don't do it as much as I should. My pictures have pictures! I pour over photography magazines so that I might get a new tip try that will yield photographic excellence.

I went back to work as a teacher when my youngest entered Kindergarten. I am lucky enough to work at the same school as my children. I am a 6th grade teacher in a K-8 school in the Sierra Nevada foothills.

I have always loved working with children and teaching is just a natural extension of that love. My photography obsession does not end with my own children. My computer is loaded with more pictures of my students than my own children! I can't help it. I want to get that one "perfect" picture of a child doing something wonderful. Sometimes it is rock-climbing or maybe it will be a student working diligently on a project on the computer. You never know where photo-inspiration will strike!

This will be a Friday not to miss
as this is "our California daughter!"

See you September 4th For
Friday From The Collectors
With Lisa Jarvis