Do you ever see a photograph that kind of takes your breath away and leaves you feeling better for having seen it or for witnessing the moment?
This is that kind of photograph for me.
I can’t quite describe it really. It is the golden strand of hair that is falling across her cheek. It is the direct connection with those oh-so-blue eyes that I sort of fall into. It is the expression of a child held safely in her grandfather’s arms with the knowledge that the world is still a wondrous safe place in his warm embrace. I love the light falling across her face. I am just in love with this photograph and I know her mama will be too!
I’m really hoping the heat breaks soon. It seems like it has been forever since D and I were able to have fun outside. Right now it is just TOO HOT! I know we aren’t baking as bad as the East Coast, but once you hit 95* and have greater than 75% humidity does it really matter?
Here is a photo of D last night eating his bedtime snack. That expression is meant to disarm me and sometimes it works. Ok, it works quite a bit:)
I ordered a new lens that is supposed to arrive tomorrow. I’m so excited! I can’t wait to take it for a test drive. I have a bad habit of naming my camera gear. My camera is “Big Bertha” because she is huge! Once I show you the lens you will have to make suggestions on naming her/him/it.
Hopefully D, Michael and I will be able to go out and test the newest member of our camera family. Wow, writing that reminds me of being 8 years-old and naming all my Barbies! What a flashback.
I’ve looked at all their photos and I have to say this may be my favorite image. What do you think?
“People usually consider walking on water or in thin air a miracle. But I think the real miracle is not to walk either on water or in thin air, but to walk on earth. Every day we are engaged in a miracle which we don’t even recognize: a blue sky, white clouds, green leaves, the black, curious eyes of a child — our own two eyes. All is a miracle.”
Thich Nhat Hanh
On September 3rd 2008, Kelli received a call that would change her life. In a moment she went from being a woman who wanted a family to learning that she would soon be a mother to a little boy.
Sometimes you see a family that is so perfectly matched and this family is that family. I’ve had the pleasure of knowing Kelli for a couple of years now and I recall so well the first time I met her son. Even then I knew he was going to be a gentle hearted child. Kelli gives so much of her self to her students, to her family and friends, and advocates for orphans in Vietnam. Yeah, they are that family and thank God!
Aiden couldn’t possibly be any sweeter and fun if he tried. Even though the heat index was 105* he was a trooper and put up with me asking him to play here, play there.
Kelli, I have additional photographs for you, but since Craig Ferguson of the Late Late Show is playing I should probably go to bed and add the rest tomorrow!
I hope you enjoy your images:)
I did not intend to neglect my blog this long–so sorry! Little D got sick and although it wasn’t serious, it wasn’t diagnosed promptly and I had a sick, whiny, clingy, and upset little boy on my hands. There just wasn’t time and when he finally did sleep I was too tired to pull my laptop out and update.
Other than that life has been good. Busy, but good. I’ve been working on a photojournalism project that I hope to share with you all soon. I’ve been applying for grants and I’ve learned that there are a lot of really great photographers also trying to find money for their projects. It has been great to see the work that others are doing and it just clarifies the importance of documenting these moments in time, not just for those involved, but for others that may someday find them self down the same path.
I’m going to keep this post short since I really should be in bed right now, but I can’t leave without a few photos, right?
Jerri invited me to attend a dance recital (practice session) this afternoon. D loved it! He loves music and he loves to dance and when Jerri’s dance partner looked like he was being mean D ran out onto the dance floor and shook his finger at him yelling “NO, NO, NO!” He doesn’t like anyone messing with Auntie Jo (his name for her).
The studio isn’t done yet so you will see random items hanging out and unfinished backgrounds, but it’s all good and everyone had a blast.
And because D was hamming it up for the performers
Whew…what a week! I had been taking some time off from doing sessions after the holidays and I am glad I did! I’ve been getting caught up on work at home which this weekend necessitated buying a new computer. The old one had been limping by until Friday when I couldn’t nudge it to do anything. I work in technology (in addition to photography) and I’m usually savvy enough to fix issues, but this was a combination of age (going on 4 years old) and a nasty trojan that someone dropped in my hard drive. If only these programmers would work for good and not evil!
Anyway, I’m finally catching up with blogs and working on some new marketing material. That is the fun thing about a New Year–all the new possibilities. I also learned that the photojournalism grant I applied for will finally be decided by the end of the month. I am sure they received a lot of wonderful applications, but I hope mine is seriously considered. I am really anxious to begin my project and funding would allow me to do that a bit sooner.
For this week, instead of my fondest memory I thought I would focus on creating a memory. In addition to photography and working as an RN analyst I have a background in anthropology. Despite what you may think–all these things are very related! There are several sub-fields of anthropology and focused primarily on biophysical and cultural anthropology. The word culture gets thrown around a lot. One part of culture is tradition. Every family has one–how you celebrate birthdays or holidays or the stories you tell when you get together. Communities and countries also have traditions within their cultures.
When I became a mother I couldn’t WAIT to have traditions. I wanted traditions that I grew up with, but I also wanted something new. Two of the our favorite traditions are:
- Pajama day–literally we spend one day a month and don’t get out of our jammies. It means we get to stay in and play and I LOVE it. It also means I get to take goofy pictures of him all day.
- Pancake Sunday–One of my fondest memories is waking up Christmas morning. We would open presents and my Dad would make a HUGE breakfast–pancakes, eggs, bacon, toast. I have continued this theme in my family and every Sunday I make a little pancake magic. My son LOVES pancakes and if there are leftovers he will eat them days after they were prepared.
The eye through the paper towel roll
And now for the wacky photos!
Kissing the monkey
Smiles
I know it’s kinda gross, but I can’t bring myself to digitally clean up the snot or scratches on his face–it just seems like part of his charm:)
Whew, sorry for the delay! It’s been a busy week and I nearly missed this post. My baby is still sick, there was a minor flood in the kitchen and I’ve been trying to clean-up BOTH of their messes. The fun never ends in our home!
This probably does not seems like something to be fond of, but if you meet my father you will soon learn two things:
- He has ADD
- He has OCD
Ok, I am probably exaggerating some, but he is incredible neat & tidy. Last week my son was kicked out of daycare for 2 days because he developed a fever. My dad was wonderful and came down for both days to watch him. There is something special about coming home after my dad has been in my home all day. The dishes are washed, dried and put away. The stove and sink are scrubbed clean and gleam white. The table is completely cleared off and any dried food residue has been removed, the floors have been swept and mopped. The door blinds are open and the sun seems to bounce off every shiny surface in my kitchen. If we had been able to maintain it longer than 5 minutes after he left I would be posting photos, but alas, that did not happen:(
But it isn’t limited to the kitchen, as you can see in the photo above. The only cock-eyed book is the one my son put away. Everything is clean and sparkly and it is amazing to come home to.
He has always been this way. The year I graduated college my sister and mother took a little tour of Europe and while we were away for a couple of weeks my dad got bored and began to miss us. So he cleaned. And arranged. And when I got home I couldn’t find my make-up.
This is the same man whom we lovingly tease for putting away the ketchup and mustard before the burgers and dogs ever reach the table.
This is the man my son looks up to and emulates.
It is such a joy to watch the two of them together. As far as my son is concerned, the sun rises and sets on D and that is the way it has been since the beginning. I think my dad feels the same way.
I had hoped to make sure I posted my fondest memories each Wednesday, but I gotta tell you, it was a busy week! I was busily preparing some grants for the other photography/writing project I am working on. And the babe and I both got sick. Usually that means he falls asleep by 6:30 each night, but in this case it meant staying up waaaay past each of other bedtimes. So, without further delay here is this week’s fondest memory.
From the time I was very young I was always very curious about the world and I longed to travel. I recently opened a “time capsule” I had sealed as part of a class project when I was in grade school. It was interesting to read though and see that some of my goals haven’t changed much–travel the world, have a family, take pictures.
When I was 14 I traveled abroad for the first time, sans parents. I had never ventured beyond the tristate area and there I was enroute to the UK. The following summer I traveled to Hong Kong for the first time with an exchange student I met in school. I spent a good portion of that summer there and while I have many memories of HK, the two most memorable occurred while I was completely alone. I had the realization, that despite my age, in that moment I was an adult, making adult choices and relying on my charm and brains alone. I was in a subway station without my friend and I was utterly lost. In those days (early 90′s) not many people spoke English and I couldn’t always understand the signs. There I stood, completely alone. Not a single soul in the world knew where I was and it was one of the most liberating moments of my life.
The wind in my hair standing above Victoria's Peak
The next, very similar moment, occurred while I was leaving HK and facing changing planes through two different countries. On my way in we stopped at a very backward seeming airport in Japan. Seriously, NO one spoke English or Cantonese. We were near panicked trying to find the right line and during the return trip I had far less time to make my connecting flight. But I did it. And I did it alone.
When I arrived in the US I was a different person. I was no longer the uncertain child, I was a woman who had traveled the world on her own. I knew that nothing could stop me from doing what I wanted. And I was right.
A couple of years ago I returned to Hong Kong to visit Chennie. Chennie is, and was, like a sister to me. She lived with us as an exchange student when we were both in high school. Following graduation she attending a college nearby and has returned often to visit. This time it was our turn to return the favor. We went back for her wedding and it was just as amazing 15 years later, only this time I got to experience it with my parents. The pictures in this point are images I captured with a point ‘n shoot camera during this visit.
I have put significant people in my life “on notice” that I will be including mini-shoots of them in order to complete my 52 project this year. Until we schedule those I am going to start with a photo I already have.
This is a picture of my sister that I took last Spring. She was pregnant with her second little girl and we were all anxiously awaiting the newest arrival. I asked her if I could take some photos–she was the first one who volunteered for a pregnancy session She started shy and finished, well, she finished in a some what boudoir fashion! We had a great time.
Sarah and I are very different people. We have similar features, but our personalities have always been very opposite. Growing up this often caused us problems and our relationship into adulthood was strained. Over the last 18 months that has changed. There were a couple of reasons for that–some that I share and some left best between us, but I will say we became closer as we became mothers. Every time we get together as a family we sneak off and talk. As sisters. As mothers. As daughters. I really treasure those times when I can speak to another woman who is facing similar parental concerns, fears, laughs, etc. We compare notes, not on our childrens’ development, but with the funny things they do. The things that make us crazy, the things that make us feel like bad moms. We laugh at the antics of our children and shake our heads at our mother.
We’ve had a lifetime of memories, but as I sit here and think there isn’t one particular memory that stands out as most memorable. I could tell you about playing Barbies with our dolls spread across the floor of our living room, I could tell you about playing among the apple trees and running barefoot through the grass. I could tell you about the secrets we have whispered over the years, but even that wouldn’t encapsulate my fondest or most memorable moment with my sister. It is difficult to reduce a lifetime of memories and emotions to one fond memory. In this case, each time we see each other we create another fond memory that I store in the vault of my memories.
Sarah, thank you for the memories. I can’t wait to see how many more we create in 2010!
It is a new year, or a new-ish year. I never jump into anything without thinking it through and I prefer to follow my passions whenever possible. So, I really wanted to do some sort of project this year, but I wanted it to be something that I would stick to! While I like the idea of a 365 project, I’ll be honest, I would lose interest if I felt chained to my computer every day. So, I’ve decided to do a 52 project, as in 52 weeks this year.
I’ve had some time this weekend to read a book I recently purchased and it has really given me a lot of food for thought. I love photography, but I never really thought of what kind of photography I love. It didn’t take me long to realize where my heart lies, where it has always been. I love a story and I love photography that captures those moments. Yōlō photography is all about capturing those moments, both the good ones and the bad ones, from birth until death. These are the moments that mold us, create us, and tell our stories. Our good moments are the rewards from living the struggle every day. Our good moments make all the other ones bearable and worth while. So, while thinking of the direction I want to take my photography, I started thinking of many of the moments in my life that have shaped me–the good and the bad. I thought of the people that helped me along my journey to who I am now and how precious a gift it would be to share that with them. So, starting this week I plan on posting the story of a fondest memory or a memorable moment in my life. I hope to have the post up by Wednesday, but if not then, the weekend.
So, here are a few pictures of the person who continues to give me memorable moments and who has greatly defined the direction of my life. Here is my son:
by Erica
no comments
add a comment link to this post email a friend