Love

This last week I was blessed to have a chance to visit with two good friends from college.  The sad reality is that as we grow older, we move around, develop new careers, start families - and all of this makes it incredibly difficult to keep in touch with those we care about.  You really have to take advantage of the opportunities you have to get together, and make an effort to stay in contact with one another.  I have been looking forward to this weekend for a long time.

Several years ago I went on a study abroad trip to China and met two girls who I now consider some of my best friends.  I have been looking forward to this weekend and getting together for quite awhile.  Miss Natalie has been planning the day that she got to marry her best friend for some time now and we have been so excited to share that day with her.

Her wedding was beautiful!!  It was a gorgeous evening wedding at Postlewait's Country Weddings in Canby.  I was excited to have a chance during the reception to sneak away to take a few pictures of the grounds and decorations.

These pictures cannot even begin to describe the beauty of that evening.  And if they could portray the love in Natalie and Neil's eyes on that day, you would be as blessed as I.

Nieces

Okay - there is nothing technical or philosophical about this post.  I just want to brag a little about my beautiful nieces!! 

The oldest two: Taylor (5) and Taryn (1)

Holidays with kids are always fun - I love to watch how they react to all of the traditions and events.  The Fourth of July parade is especially entertaining!!

I had the pleasure of snuggling with this little doll for much of the afternoon - I think her mom was worried I might try to take her home with me!!

Tealyn (1 1/2 months)

And I'm not sure who gave Taryn a sucker - but she sure enjoyed it!!

I love my girls!!

Serenity

Lately, there has been something about nature that just calls out to me.  When I leave my house with my camera to go explore somewhere new, there is this feeling of peace and serenity that just washes over me.  Even though most of the time I end up deleting two thirds of the pictures I snap, being outside and trying to capture the beauty that surrounds me puts my mind and soul at ease.

While wandering through this park near my house the other day, all I wanted to do was to sit and absorb everything around me - the older couple picnicking on a bench nearby and the small children feeding the ducks; the sound of the water spraying from the fountain and the smell of the fresh cut grass.  All of my senses were awakened and allowed any sorrows I was feeling to be replaced with that serenity as I relaxed.

I believe this ability to recognize a particular window into one's own soul is a true blessing.  Many people wander through life and never know how to make themselves truly happy.  But for me, to know that going out into the sunshine with my camera and capturing the life that surrounds me can provide this overwhelming peace is such a comfort at times.

To switch gears just a little bit, looking at the two pictures featured above, what do they make you feel?  It can be both pictures - the combination of the two - or maybe each picture invokes a different reaction.  For me - the open road is inspiring.  When taking the photo, I was thinking about how it represents the promise we have in life: that we can travel whichever road we choose, but at the same time we don't always know where that road may take us.  It depicts opportunity.

I also have a fascination with fences.  I'm not sure why, but I love photographing them.  In this particular picture, it gives you a sense that you are currently in the present and although we can see a little ways into the future, it sometimes gets blurry.  But that's okay.  As your eye can follow the line of the fence, so will our lives follow the path we create for it.  It may not happen quite the way we expect it to...but we will get there eventually.

I want to challenge you.  Even if you don't always know at the time why you are taking a particular shot or what you are trying to communicate, try going back through your photos and see what types of emotions or reactions they evoke.  You may be surprised at what you discover about yourself and your artwork.  I know I have been.