Hello Again

It's been a while. A long, long while! Winter is not for me. Every year I swear "this will be the year". This will be the year that I face Jack Frost head on, stare down the cold, and put on a brave face. But alas, the season of shortened days and blustery winds won again. I went into hibernation like a bear, settling in for an extended nap, stirring only occasionally to make sure I was still breathing.

There is something about the lighting that actually feels cold. It is like the world is hidden behind a repressive cool filter while the sun slinks low in the sky. There is always a darkened cast in the air that keeps the true colors of the world under wraps. It is during these winter months, which simply drag on and on, that I come to understand meaning of the expression "feeling blue". My creativity is stifled and my energy is gone. I start a countdown, waiting impatiently until warm days are upon us. Long days that give way to brilliant lingering sunsets and evenings enjoyed on a patio, enveloped in a soft breeze heavy with the scent of orange blossoms.

Today, though, is a new day. It is bright, sunny and warm. The grass is sending out new shoots that are reaching skyward to greet the world. The trees are covered in tiny buds, slowly unfurling to reveal their soft leaves, pure and untouched. Once again, spring is making an appearance, and a new beginning is in sight. The sun is climbing upward and a bright golden light reigns over the land. The tiny creatures that populate the garden are waking up and creating a buzz.

I find myself reunited with an old friend. We have set off on new adventures, searching for nothing in particular. Yet, we always find something that calls to us, demanding our attention. We couldn't be happier as we head off on another journey together. My camera. Me. Spring. Ahhhh.....

Bring The Inside Out

I was recently involved in a “Portraits” art project that dared to delve beyond skin deep, looking for the true meaning behind the image. As a photographer, the goal is always to create beauty but a meaningful image should do more to draw the viewer inside. It should reveal a real person filled with palpable emotions. I selected just a few of my favorite past images that communicated honesty, pure of heart and soul.

Hollywood Noir  

Dark secrets, mysterious figures, and spine-chilling intrigue. Do you really see what is laid out before you, or is there something hidden, veiled behind the shadows. Living life under cover of darkness while dancing in and out of the light creates a perfect camouflage. A simplistic yet effective layer of protection from those we don’t want to let in. Why is there is a hesitation to reveal our true selves? It is human nature to want to hold tightly to what we cherish most: our true identity. Shadows create the ultimate mask. 

Multifaceted

The teenage years are always complicated by divisive outside forces. The struggle to develop into a strong, independent soul is often a battle fought deep within, hidden from view. Getting to know someone well is never easy, especially when they often don’t even know themselves. During quiet times, if you look very closely, the two sides fighting to create one beautiful person will reveal themselves in a single instant. 

Speculative

It would be nice to believe the old saying that “the eyes are the window to the soul” was true. However, I'm not convinced this is always the case. Do we really claim to know what others are thinking simply based on a picture? Are we, as the viewer and not the confidant of the model, simply projecting our beliefs upon someone else? I've worked with this model countless times, yet I'm still not certain what was going on behind the curtain in his mind. I am personally just grateful for the opportunity to capture the charismatic expressiveness of it all.

Sanguine

 Living in the here and now, being present for every moment we are given; these are lessons adults can learn from children. A butterfly floating along on a breeze is fascinating to baby. A dog licking their face can send a toddler into fits of laughter. The sound of a child’s giggle is contagious and evokes a smile from even the most cynical adults. It is essential that we capture these memories and hold onto them forever. The twinkle in a child’s eye is pure joy and exuberance that radiates from within, reminding us all of the simple beauty that surrounds us.

Devoted

Photographing animals can be tricky. Imagine the situation from their point of view. A stranger comes in and suddenly wants to be their best friend. That in itself is reason enough to be wary. Then, the stranger produces a large unfamiliar object that makes noise while flashing a bright light in their eyes. The desire to run away can be overwhelming. I understand this fear and do everything in my power to make the setting one that encourages playtime while creating a bond of trust. When I am confident that the animal believes my intentions are pure, I start shooting and the magic begins. What made this moment special were the deep penetrating feline eyes. I felt as if I was looking into an old soul. She was not looking back at me; instead, she was looking right thru me.  

It's Friday!

It's finally spring. It's warm and sunny, and time to think about the weekend! Is it time to present a rose to your special someone and ask if they would like to spend a little time with you? This intriguing close up of a soft pink rose is sure to awaken their romantic side and spark an answer of yes!

Gentle Breeze

This delicate dandelion began losing it's tiny seedlings as the wind gently rocked the bloom while I was setting up this shot. The wispy adventurers were about to set off on their journey but I was blessed to be able to capture them before they were swept away. It can be said that dandelions are a nuisance, but I prefer to think of it as witnessing the life cycle come the full circle.