I'm a morning person, so my favorite shots are before or at sunrise, when the sun paints a golden glow on everything. I like to stay active, but don't mind doing it alone because, although I can be talkative, I'm an introvert. That doesn't mean I'm shy; it just means I charge up better by myself. "Introverts aren't party poopers, we just poop out at parties." I love the stories each person has to tell; I like baking things for people I love. I'm positive, seeing my glass as half full rather than half empty. I believe in two sayings: "Where your great joy intersects with the world's great need, there is your calling" and "Yesterday is history, tomorrow is a mystery, today is a gift, that's why it's called the Present."

I've been part of flickr since August 2007, four months after I got my first digital camera. I've been taking photos since I was 10, both personally and professionally, but getting the digital, and sharing mine and others' photos here on flickr, has REALLY helped me become a better photographer. I especially credit the weekly photo assignment group I belong to, Picture This! It forces me to be creative with subjects I might not normally have considered.

Flickr has also introduced me to some of the best friends I've ever had. It amazes me how people who live so far from each other, can get to know each other so well. Flickr forms community, and my particular community is a delightful one.

I'm a former newspaper reporter/columnist/photographer. Now that I'm not officially "in print," I write a blog, commenting with words about the world around me, just as I do here with photos. If you like, visit "Monica's Pen" at
monicaspen.wordpress.com/

I also write an outdoor photography column, which is sometimes serious and sometimes silly. To see that, go to:

www.justnorth.com/

and click on the "outdoor photography" link.

View my DNA at bighugelabs.com

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Testimonials (4)

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    punwit says:

    "If you've perused Monica's gallery you likely don't need a testamonial to tell you that she embraces the natural world in a loving way or that she finds spirit and joy in the fresh awakening of each new day. Her photos speak for themselves but they also tell you how she approaches life in a generous and caring manner. Her generosity and care is quite evident in her dedication to view and comment on others contributions and you'll notice that she has loads of contacts and that they all delight in her visits. Monica is one of those rare individuals that creates an atmosphere of camraderie and comfort. She reaches out to disparate folk and brings them together in a caring cadre. If it isn't clear by now I'm a big fan and I wish for not only the gentle reader but Monica as well to know how much I value her friendship.

    Darren"

    29th June, 2008

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    pmarkham says:

    "Monica's photos do an amazing job of transporting me to the world of Two Harbors, MN. The body of her work really tells the tale of life along the North Shore of Lake Superior and makes me feel like I was right there with her. If you've never visited the North Shore, just look through her photos and you'll feel like you have.

    Keep up the good work Monica. Thanks for sharing your world with all of us!"

    12th April, 2008

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    doc030395 says:

    "Monica, you are the first person to reach out and include me in this fascinating website. I enjoy your thoughts, observations and insights on photography and life. Thanks so much..... Paul"

    1st March, 2008

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    CanfieldDave says:

    "I have always enjoyed Monica's photography work and now have the honor of calling her a great friend. The photos that she produces always tell a story or they bring some little corner of her world to the rest of us in such a way that enriches all of our lives. I always look forward to see what she does next with great anticipation and I am never let down. Her sunrise photos are among the best. When we challenge each other's creativity, I have to hang on or she will leave me in the dust and several times has done just that. You cannot help but to be drawn in by her wonderful way with words and her keen eye for a great shot. Together, those make for very interesting postings here, indeed! Keep up the wonderful work, Monica!"

    9th November, 2007

Name:
Monica
Joined:
October 2006
Hometown:
Muskegon, Mich.
Currently:
Sturgeon Bay, WI, USA
I am:
Female and Taken
Occupation:
retired newspaper reporter/photographer
Website:
Monica's Pen