Category : Self-Care
My mind is feeling full and the swirling has commenced again. The sand in the hourglass runs so swiftly each day, yet tasks and to-do lists seem stagnant. Daily reminders keep coming that life can change in an instant. Then curve balls are thrown my way for which I’m not prepared and I’m unsure how to handle. I’m not in a good place, my friends.
For our polatych collaboration, Celina and I chose “relax” as our May theme. I don’t think this choice of word or sentiment was a coincidence. I’m trying to take in these photos, take in this message to relax, to quiet the swirling. I’m reminding myself with each breath to trust the process.
It’s funny how time changes you. A few short years ago, I was not interested in taking portraits of people. Actually, it was more than “not interested.” I really hated taking portraits. I felt awkward and uncomfortable shooting photographs of people. I didn’t know how best to frame people, how to help them relax, nor how to capture an image that really represented the person I was photographing. And more often than not, the people I wanted to take photos of were fairly opposed to having their picture taken. They also felt uncomfortable and awkward. They didn’t know how to sit or how to stand, they didn’t know how to relax and just “act natural.” And then because we are all our own worst critics, people don’t often like photographs of themselves. So there’s that uphill battle to climb both as the photographer taking portraits and as the person allowing her/his image to be photographed.
But recently, I’ve had the precious opportunity to take some portraits of people who I really love. I have found ways to muster the courage to ask if I can take their photo, and more and more frequently, their answer is “yes.” I’m so excited to share some of these portraits of love. That’s what these photos are to me: portraits of love. They are photos of people who are so dear to me and they capture a moment of time that just the two of us shared.
My partner-in-crime, my colleague and collaborator, my Tribe sister, Sarah…
The witty, smart, clever, wordsmith, Sara….
The generous, always-has-your-back, holding-hope, Josh…
And last but certainly not least, therapist extraordinaire, emoticon-loving, bear-hugging, Andy…
I am so grateful for each of these people in my life. They have given me so much.
Thank you for letting me see you. xoxo
Have you ever shot photos throughout your day — a typical, ordinary day — to just document it and tell your story? Me neither. I’m over at Mortal Muses today sharing my Sunday through 4 images I shot with my iPhone within 24 hours. As most Sundays do, here’s how ours started after Parker was fed and walked…
I hope you click here to see the rest of my Sunday. Hope it inspires you to capture your own ordinary and beautiful days.
Recipe for groundedness…
A scene from surgery day…
As I mentioned before, Tony and I took a quick trip to Nashville a few weeks ago to meet up with our dear friends, Melissa and Tom. We met M&T a few years ago when they were working on a documentary about marriage, and they came here to Lincoln to interview us! We immediately hit it off and totally believe the Universe brought us together. Tony and I agree with Melissa and Tom when they say we are like each other’s couple clone. We chose Nashville to meet up as it was a city that none of the four of us had ever visited and a place we all had an interest in checking out. We explored the main strip in the downtown area and lots of little neighborhoods throughout the city. Of course, I packed a number of cameras, looking forward to shooting photographs of a new place. Here are some highlights from our trip that I shot on two of my Polaroid cameras with instant film from the Impossible Project.
First up, the Loveless Cafe and Motel, a Nashville staple serving up some of the most amazing biscuits (plus, I can’t resist a vintage, neon sign)…
A little wheatpaste art in the 12South neighborhood…
The famous letterpress, Hatch Show Print, who have been in business since 1879 making posters and press for country music starts, political campaigns, and more…
The facade of Barista Parlor, one of the coolest and yummiest places to grab coffee (and biscuits and jam tartlets) in East Nashville…
Of course, when in Nashville, wear your boots! Melissa and I showcasing ours…
And last but not least, a lovely portrait of my Tribe sister and kindred spirit, Melissa, on our last morning…
These photos can’t possibly capture the fun the four of us had together, nor all the sights and delectables we enjoyed in NashVegas (I am not making that up!), but I hope it gives you a little glimpse into our escapades down South. Where will M&T2 venture to next? Rumor has it that Paris and London could be on the books!
A Nashville tradition…
