so i've never written a journal, but thought i'd take a moment to let anyone who actually reads this know what i'm about.

so i come from a pretty artistic family, my mom paints and designs clothes, my sister draws and paints, my cousin has a photography studio, my other cousin is an art conservationist, my other cousin plays instruments, and the list could go on and on. i grew up dancing (ballet, jazz, and hip hop mostly). that was my art. unfortunately, i had to resign from that art post college due to time constraints and then having my baby girl, kiara.

in the last year or so, i've dabbled with photography on another level (other than just taking pics of my daughter or when i go out with friends). i've been using just a little point and shoot olympus to play with photography of nature and things of such, and i've gotten compliments, which are of course encouraging to continue on. recently i received as a wonderful gift my first SLR - an olympus evolt 510 - and extra lenses to go with it. i know nothing of how to use it.. but i'm learning and wonderful people are teaching me and i have a manual and online tutorials and things i find to read online and here on deviant.

taking photos is a lovely outlet for me. it grounds me and helps me find sanity in this chaotic world we live in. i'm thrilled to continue on with the new camera and see what is created.

**dagmara***