ashley folkema photography bio picture

  • about me

    What makes me, me?  Well.  My life is shared with my husband, Brian, four dogs, one cat and two horses.  Oh and throw a few chickens into the mix.  Whew, what a mouthful.  But I wouldn't have it any other way.  I am a small town girl.  I feel lucky to live in such a beautiful state, Michigan.  I heart all things rustic and furry.  Simple things make me smile.  I love spontaneity and wish I were better at it.  Real moments in life, to me, are special.  Nature is special.  Being able to see the beauty in the small things has allowed me to become a better photographer.  I am inspired daily.  

    My approach on photography tends to be a more casual, documentary style.  I shoot on location and use natural light whenever possible.  I like honey tones and vintage washes.  I love smiles and giggles, serious stares and raw emotion.

    I also love wagging tails, furry paws and slobbery toys.    

    I'm happy.  I am blessed.  I love what I do.    

my life – randoms

03.03.10

It’s Wednesday.  Do you know how many randoms happen within a week?  A lot.  Like a lot a lot.  I jot my thoughts on sticky notes when they happen.  I make little mental notes.  I try and stretch my creativity when selecting just the right picture to go along these posts.  It is fun.  I like this.  It is officially my little project.  So this Wednesday, is a picture of a stack of books.  My books.  On Michigan.  Mostly, about the Upper Peninsula.  My little local library.  In it you will find where to travel.  What hikes to take.  What tracks a moose leaves.  Which trees grow where.  What lies at the bottom of Lake Superior.  How to distinguish an agate from a regular rock.  Everything you ever wanted to know about the Mackinac Bridge.  Where to camp.  What old school Michigan was about.  This history of the Great Lakes.  How the wolves on Isle Royale are tracked.  What it was like to be a logger.  Where are the best waterfalls.  Why you should hike Pictured Rocks.  Where the Edmund Fitzgerald lies.  Oh, and what is a ”bearwalk”.  I think I may have a little obsession.  But if it is one with books…that is a good thing…right?

  • I have found myself belting out “Hey Stephen” by Taylor Swift every time I drive.  Alone, in my car, I have mad skills.
  • This week’s weather so far has been Monday:  sun.  Tuesday:  sun.  Wednesday:  sun.  Life is good.
  • My highlight on Saturday was filling the bird feeders and reading a good majority of a new book.  I love days like this.
  • I have an ipod, to which I keep downloading more songs onto.  However, I barely carry it around.  My goal for next week…use it.
  • While I love the satisfaction of mailing things out, I dislike standing in line at the post office.
  • Is it wrong that I get overly excited when my closet is organized and neat?
  • Speaking of my closet, each pair of my shoes has their own little clear plastic tub.  I stack them according to use.  Laugh at me now.  It is okay.
  • Week one of getting in shape:  excercise officially kicked my butt.
  • Brian has been helping do the horse chores with his 4-wheeler.  It makes hauling hay to the horses much easier this way.  Yay.
  • There are three pieces of candy in each box my printing company deliver’s.  It is always a happy suprise.  However, yesterday’s delivery included a lemon drop.  Yuck.
  • Brian and I have laughed so much in the past week.  About everything.  It is such a good thing.
  • Almost two years ago I picked up an old antique school desk at a yard sale for ten dollars.  Brian rolled his eyes when I brought it home.  He bet me I would never do anything with it.  Monday night it made it’s first session appearance.  Score for me.
  • Thinking it might be time for a new cellphone.  My old school flip phone’s hinges are broke.  I constantly hang up on people.
  • Brian and I had to swing into Menard’s on Sunday morning.  It made me think of spring.  I am envisioning new flower beds.
  • This week I have been straighting my hair instead of curling it and have realized just how long it is getting.
  • At the grocery store the woman at the checkout asked how I was doing.  I responded “Oh my goodness, just amazing, yourself?”  She didn’t know what to say.  People are just not prepared for those types of answers.
  • And lastly, I have been using Moroccan oil on my hair. It is amazing.
    • Posted in personal, wednesday randoms

    by ashley folkema

    4 comments

    Sean - The grocery store line made me smile :)

    LauraRad - The clear plastic tubs?? I’m guilty of that too! No joke. While my husband was deployed last time, I had an organizational streak and redid my whole room at my parents; maybe in anticipation of moving to Hawaii and finally moving out to live with my husband. My shoes still reside in those tubs!

    My parents have been to Isle Royal. I’d like to go someday too!

    And third, I LOVE that you are a thrifty person, always with an eye out for a deal. I think you wrote a post a few months back about finding a great suitcase too? That keeps popping into my head often. I LOVE a good bargain and unique finds, so my eyes are peeled for good deals like that!!

    Emily - I love your random Wednesdays… I hope you & Brian have a great rest of the week!!

    The Retired One - I LOVED seeing the books on the U.P. when I opened your post!! Thanks so much for the shout out of my stomping grounds.
    When you are thumbing through those books, look up Lake Michigamme…it is the lake we live on and love…!!!!

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