Camera in hand - what captures your attention?

I love people. I love capturing their smiles, laughs, their beauty....everything. 

What captures your eye when you pick up a camera?   I'm so used to doing people photography.  I get paid to take pictures of people.  Haven't had anyone come up and tell me they'll compensate me for taking the "just right" picture of a leaf or a flower so I gravitate towards people.   Must say it is my favourite thing to shoot.  People come in all sizes, shapes, so many different personalities and such, different styles to capture.

I went out just a few weeks ago with the camera and my best friend in tow.   Not a lot of time to go out.  Nothnig planned.  Just in the car we went and headed to the country (for where I live is just over the freeway and boom you are there)....so we didn't go far but saw a lot.   It was amazing to see what she "saw" vs. what I "saw".  We both ended up at the same field but what each of us managed to see through the camera is what amazed me.   I focused on this fence and tree....she tipped her camera up and caught the top of the trees but she saw the sky with the fluffy clouds.  Nearly the same spot but we saw something totally different.

Take a minute today - find the time - look around you and see all that you can see.  Look past what you immediately see and see past that to what others may see.  Might not be rain you see when you look a bit further but maybe a pretty tree, drops hitting a puddle.  Who knows.  Time to look past what we first see.

Ever feel akward and so out of place?

This weekend was a sad one.    It was unfortunately the anniversary of the death of a woman who I loved like a Mother.  Who I had the honour and priviledge of calling "Mom".  The day was bittersweet.   So after wiping up my tears I ventured out to do what makes me feel better - head out with my camera.  Now on days like this when I don't have any paying customers or willing "volunteers", my daughter is my human guinea pig.   She is my model and muse.  So off we went.   She is a beautiful young girl so capturing the beauty of her is easy.

Now comes the akward and out of place time.....we had a lot of social activites this weekend.   We were at one this weekend where I have never felt so out of place.   One would figure as you get older that social situations with a bunch of strangers would get easier.  I am an outgoing person - I talk to anyone and everyone wherever I go but at this particular event I felt out of place.  We weren't "one of them".  

So what makes me feel better when I feel out of sorts?  Depressed?  Not included?  Just not myself?  Photographs.   I sat down with my laptop and I edited pictures.  That makes me happy. 

I still shed some tears before bed for missing my "other Mom", I still felt like an "outsider" with the one event we attended, I appreciated the others we went to but more importantly I got out with my camera.   I spent my not feeling good time working on pics so I went to sleep happy.  Photography makes me happy.

What do memories mean to you?

What does the term "memories" mean to you?   The dictionary has one definition of memories as "the length of time over which recollection extends".   I don't know about you but as each year goes by and I get older, life gets busier and crazier.....well my mind is fading and the old memory isn't what it used to be.   Thank goodness for photographs.   Somehow when I look over old albums and see the pictures starting back at me it brings back the moment - you remember details that you thought you had forgot, it puts a smile on your face as you look back at the crazy, tender, loving or funny memories that were captured.

I didn't get the big fancy wedding.  The photos I do have from my wedding were from a friend who was a "professional".........I had a big whopping 24 photographs (this is back in the day of rolls of film not the fun and ease of digital media).  Out of the 24 I have 2 pictures that I have framed.  Two.  I don't think any bride should have two photographs from one of the most important days of their lives.  

I'm a Mother.  I was blessed with one gorgeous (albeit now a teenager) daughter.   The memories of her being so little are fading.  The toothless grin, the first time riding her bike, the first day of school are all but a memory replaced with the ever growing, ever changing young woman that blesses our lives.  

I want to be there for you as a "memory catcher".  The one that captures those special times - your engagement, your wedding, your blossoming belly, the delights of the new babies, your children as they grow, their grads, the photographs to capture the "just because" moments. 

Digital photography is growing an amazing speed. You no longer have to worry about the cost of buying film and the development charges.   Get yourself a digital camera and a memory card and away you go.   Unfortunately with this new found technology comes the "oh my Aunt has a digital camera she'll take our wedding pictures" or "my camera will work for my newborn's pictures".   You may luck out.  You may not.   Let the professionals catch the memories to cherish for always and forever.  I'm not saying don't pick up your camera and take pictures, get the goofy grins, the laughs the fun......let the people, like myself, who live to capture the moments grab them for you forever.

Thanks for listening!