When God talks, listen.

I am the first to tell you that I do not hear God's voice talking to me. I do, however, know when he is talking to me. I have so many stories I can tell, today, I want to focus on one that has led both me and my husband, Craig, to write and publish a magazine.

While in the mountains of North Carolina, I mentioned that it might be interesting to write a book about the people we have met in our journies. Craig said that he often thought about writing one about the people he met in coffee shops. All of the sudden, I had the thought that we should write about the people of faith that we have met. For the rest of the trip, God showered us with ideas.

As a creative person, I get ideas constantly. The reason we know that God was planting these ideas was the rate the ideas were coming to us. They didn't stop the entire time we were driving.  Craig said what about Faith Across America as a name? I loved the name and we started writing down the ideas so we could research when we got home.

During the conversation, it became clear that God was preparing us to use the gifts he has given us to create this project.  At first, we thought about a book, but we were moved quickly to the thought of creating an online magazine.

Are you aware of your God-given gifts? I urge you to sit down one day, pray first and ask God to reveal your gifts. After you know what gifts you have been given, you can better serve him with them.

God-given Gifts

Craig
Writing
Editing
Business Mind
Creative Mind
People Person
Research

Karen
Writing
Photography
Design
Editing
Interview Skills
Loves and is energized by people
Social Media Skills

These are a few of the gifts that God has given us and continues to work with us on improving. Once we sat down to do the research, it was confirmed that we were to produce an online magazine. After researching the title, we were gifted "Faith On Every Corner," as the name.

We had our first issue up and running within a month of this trip. 30 days!  We prayed and listened, we had ideas for stories and were connected immediately with people. Here is an example.

-While driving to visit a friend in VA, Craig needed a break. He pulled into a rest stop that happened to have a photo of the Blue Ridge Mountains. I got out to take photos and a lady walked up to me. There were only two women at the stop. She said, "God sure knew what he was doing, didn't he? You can almost envision him with sand in his hand sculpting the mountains." I smiled and said may I use that for our magazine? We sat in the shade and started talking about the magazine. I told her our story and what we were looking to do. She mentioned a nephew that she had that delivers food to the homeless. She said she thought he might live near where we lived. I asked if she would contact him, she said yes.  We parted ways with a hug and a prayer.

When we got back home, I did an internet search for the name of her nephew. I found him, he was less than two blocks from where we lived. I contacted him and he was one of our first stories. He had not talked to his Aunt in quite some time. His son was now in charge of the food, his son is a minister.  Any question that this was a God story?

We are now on our 9th Issue of Faith On Every Corner. The people we have met have become a permanent part of our lives. The magazine has allowed us to ask other Christians to write for us, it has been a blessing for us and others.

Find a quiet place, ask God to talk to you. When He talks, listen.

May God bless you and your family.

Love,
Karen Ruhl
www.faithoneverycorner.com

Passion!

Have you ever been asked this question, 

"What would you do for the rest of your life if money were no object?" 

I have not only been asked the question, but use it frequently when I talk to business owners, family and friends about what they want to be "when they grow up."  Speaking entirely from my heart, I believe we get a glimpse of who we are going to be early in life.  

When I was growing up, I loved to take photographs and loved to draw pictures.  I would sit for hours looking through photographs with my mother. Oh how I wish I had written names on the back of the photographs.  I had a scrapbook with photographs of things I loved, including colorful pictures of landscapes, animals and touching pictures of people. 

Color was always important to me and the brighter color the better. To this day, photography, color, and people are passions of mine. I continue to pray for guidance on how I can put them all together to be able to make a difference. 

And then one day, it came to me. If I could take pictures and let others know why I love Christ Jesus, I would do it all day long to Glorify Him. And so, I do. When I am shooting photos, a scripture will often be placed on my heart. That is when I hope that the picture I capture shows His love for us and what He put on this earth for us to enjoy. He teaches us to keep our eyes not on what is earthly, but what is to come. Can you imagine?

Love & Blessings,

Karen

Photographer, Family Video Biographer, Designer

Karen Ruhl

1-174-731-0564

 Copyright Karen Ruhl, all rights reserved.

Action!

Lights....Camera....Action!

Last week, I had the opportunity to be the Set Photographer for the movie Ex-Free. The opportunity came through a friend of mine that I worked with back in 19--, wait, cut, a friend of mine, Karon Aghotte, that I worked with back in Cincinnati (Whew)! 

Karon and I have been back in touch through Facebook for years.  Karon is a Writer, Producer and extremely creative in all she does.  I was very excited to be on set with her and watch her in action. And, I was not disappointed!

The Director of this movie is Troy Byer Bailey, a Director, Screenwriter and Actress.

Being around production since my days in television, I had an idea of what to expect on the movie set. Tons of equipment, a big crew, actors, hair and make-up artists. I also expected to feel the tension on the set, especially since this set was someone's house that was being used for the day. That means time is of the essence in getting everything shot and letting the homeowners have their home back by evening.

What I didn't expect was the calm throughout the entire day. Even when a piece of equipment didn't work and we had to move from one location in the house and shoot a different scene.  This type of calm comes from the top down. Troy and Karon were incredible, not one person raised their voice, egos were not apparent, even with the actors. It was a great day to see "Hollywood" at work.

I was like a kid at Christmas on this set. Watching the Director, the Production Coordinator and the Script Supervisor setting up the scenes and walking through the lines with the actors was great.  There is a bit of hurry up and wait with any production, however, this was a very efficient crew. 

I was fascinated watching the coordinated efforts of everyone involved in the production of this movie with each scene that was set.  Because this was the last pick-up day of shooting, it was important to be sure the shots matched what had already been shot on previous production days.  There is a certain thrill in watching a movie and seeing a small change from one scene to the next, something out of place, a purse on one side but on the other when the scene changes.  The Script Supervisor was very busy taking and referring to her notes to keep the continuity of the scenes so that does not happen on this movie.

Troy is involved in every aspect of the movie, seen here looking at the next scene set-up. Notice the box of donuts, hmmm, I don't remember them in the shot, maybe a snack for the incredibly hard working Production Crew.

In case you think everything about making a movie is glamorous, think again.  Holding a production meeting while the actors are having their make-up and hair done sometimes takes place around a very crowded table or in an even smaller area.  

Now I must admit that shooting out by the pool was a delight and much cooler than the bedroom shots where production lights kept the room very warm. 

Back inside for the last scene of the day.  

I have been so blessed to have many opportunities in my life. I try as a professional to stretch and learn something new every day.  I was stretched as a Set Photographer, an experience I hope I get to do again. I learned by watching two great people and consummate professionals, Karon and Troy as they Produced and Directed the action. I enjoyed the conversation with the production crew, each of them friendly and willing to talk about the profession they love. Oh, and I learned that when the Director says "Picture Up," to stop talking! 

I hope you enjoyed this blog. Craig and I are producing video biographies this week and are looking forward to capturing family histories for many more families.  Call us at 714-731-0564 to schedule your session.  They make great Christmas gifts and will be treasured for generations to come.

Links for Ex-Free and Karon's work - please take a minute to visit these links and support Karon as she produces more great works. 

That's A Wrap!

Karen

Watch for Ex-Free coming to movie theaters early next year.

Three women kidnap their exes and hold them hostage until they get the

answers they think they need in order for their hearts to be free.

Immaculate Perception: 

Sincerely Young, a social worker who's own life has been touched by violence, wakes one winter day to find God in her bed. She demands to know why He allows so much violence against women and children. Together, they travel through the layers of the universe exploring the laws of humans vs the laws of God. In the end, Sincerely's own extraordinary destiny is realized.

Amazonia: A Perilous Journey

Two American explorers face life-threatening consequences as they retrace the footsteps of renowned British Explorer Percy H. Fawcett's 1910 expedition through the deepest, darkest, unknown territory of the Amazon jungle.

End of Summer...or is it!

Summer...it's not over in Sunny California!

Photography by Karen Ruhl

This past week has been very hot in Southern California with triple digits across the board.  One thing to keep in mind when being outside and at the beach (and anywhere on a sunny day) is to not only keep sun screen handy, but to not let the cool breeze fool you.  The heat snuck up on me twice this week while I was shooting at the beach, so I highly recommend keeping a bottle of water with you for hydration and to be sure you have cell coverage if you are alone so you can call for help if needed.

I love people and I love talking - just ask my husband Craig! (Who, by the way, is wonderfully suited to me because he too loves people and talking).  I get a kick out of watching people on the beach meeting strangers and carrying on conversations. It makes me smile to know that there are places where people put away their prejudices and just enjoy being out enjoying the beauty God created.

Craig and I use to have "corporate meetings" on these very benches when our son went to Laguna Beach High School.  The early morning breezes were great and we really were able to talk and plan our day.

*Note: Copyright Karen Ruhl, all rights reserved.

These two beauties were enjoying the board walk while their owners played a game of sand volleyball at the Main Beach in Laguna.  I have to admit that I was feeling a little sorry for them in their fur coats at 104 degrees.

It isn't hard to see why people from all over the world want to come and visit Laguna Beach. California has some of the prettiest ocean views around.  This is a little cove just above the main beach as shot from a nearby park that sits on a cliff.

After skipping breakfast and walking on the beach for a couple of hours, it was time to head for food! A quick 20 minute drive to Dana Point and a nice lunch gave us energy to take more photos.  The harbor at Dana Point is beautiful. You can enjoy the water, watch the boats coming and going and you will always see pelicans and other birds following the fishing boats in, just hoping for the bait to be thrown overboard after a long day out at sea.  

Dana Point hosts the Tall Ships each year and has a couple sitting at the Ocean Institute, the Brig and the Spirit of Dana Point. 

A little further up the coast at Huntington Beach, the local fishermen were on guard as these two friends wanted to share their catch.  You aren't supposed to feed the birds but a couple of fishermen threw little fish to the pelicans and were rewarded with laughter from the little children watching - or was that me squealing at the photo op?

When you are shooting photos, look for shadows and interesting shapes.  Let your picture tell a story.  

Further down the pier, we met three more pelicans.  I couldn't help but wonder if they were waiting to be seated at the restaurant or protesting the sign that said "Do not feed the birds!"

I hope you have enjoyed this week's blog.  Please feel free to pass this along to family and friends.  Subscribe by email...I will be posting a new blog at least once a week.

Have a blessed week.

All photos used in this blog are copyrighted to Karen Ruhl, and all rights are reserved.

Prints are available, feel free to contact me at 714-731-0564 

for information on prints and on photography lessons.

People, color, landscape....oh...everything!

Karen Ruhl Photography

People often ask me what type of photos I like to shoot most.  I have considered this question and my answer is everything, I like to shoot a little bit of everything.  

Street photography:

People are interesting, with each one having their own personal story. It's a way to document real life. Below is a photo of a man just taking a "break". 

I took a candid shot of this lady, and then felt the need to talk to her and offer her a couple of dollars to get something to eat. Some will look and make fun of her sign, I saw a beautiful person who was just out of luck and was grateful for the personal interaction.

The Beach:

My husband and I love being around or on water.  We have driven from Southern California up through Oregon taking the coast highway.  What a blessing.  We live about 20 minutes from this pier in Huntington Beach.  The other day, my great niece Jenn asked me to meet her there and we had a wonderful morning talking and taking pictures of the big waves and surfers. 

Night Shots:

Not a category I shoot often, but after walking around in San Diego all day shooting with my friend Pam, we decided to go to Coronado Island. It was a great night of shooting and a beautiful spot to capture the San Diego skyline.

Color:

The brighter the better! Color attracts me, I don't go out with the intent to find colorful shots, God puts them in my path. When I see bright color blocks, my heart pumps a little faster and I can't wait to get the camera up and shooting.  

And everything else...

I have always loved Ansel Adams. He was the "Master" of photography and I study his work because his shots have depth, clarity and love. Ansel once said, “Sometimes I arrive just when God's ready to have someone click the shutter.”  I call those my God shots. Some days you can be out for hours just looking for a shot and just when you are ready to head back in, you will get your "God Shot." Those are the shots I have learned to love.

I'm leaving you with a few random shots.  I hope you enjoyed the blog today. I will be posting a new blog at least once a week. It would be great to hear from you. You can email me at karenruhl12@gmail.com.

Now, get out there and make your camera "Click!"