Month: December 2017

Christmas morning…

in my place of magic.

20171225_090052-Edit-4When a moment in front of me appears to be particularly special, whether it be by beauty or experience, I capture it. I usually find a reason to justify taking that photo – symmetry, or color, or contrast – and it’s my hope that my photography sheds light onto what I see and do on a daily basis.

Connor Franta

This is a first for me I think.

As the chairlift neared the summit of Schweitzer Mountain I kept turning to look back with that feeling of anticipation that something was about to happen but this being my first time out for the season and there being only single digit temperatures, I left my Nikon at the lodge and only had my LG K10 smartphone with me.

And sure enough, for the second time on a Christmas morning, an incredibly bright and beautiful sun pillar appeared with diamond dust swirling in its bright light.

It’s easy for people to believe that their photography would improve if only they had the next best latest and greatest equipment. Fortunately that’s not the case and if you have a true passion for photography, you can capture moments with whatever device you have available to you in that moment.

I loved how the lens flare added to this image and worked with it to create this image.

Do I wish I had my Nikon with a wide angle attached? Sure, but on this day I was grateful to see this crystal phenomena and have the challenge of capturing it by cell phone.

I’m so sorry…

is the first thing that someone says when they hear that I’m getting divorced.

DSC_6609-2When two people decide to get a divorce, it isn’t a sign that they ‘don’t understand’ one another, but a sign that they have, at last, begun to.

Helen Rowland

I used to think that divorce was the easy way out. That it was something that you did when you no longer felt like “working” on your relationship. That it was a self-indulgent cop-out.

I’ve always been that girl who takes commitments seriously and thought that when I was 17 years old I knew what was right for me.

I thought that the issues that have always been there in that relationship would miraculously change for the better.

Year after year I lost a little bit more of who I was and found ways to cope and convince myself that staying was the right thing to do.

There were many times during that 37 year relationship that I tried to leave but always got pulled back in. I knew deep down how difficult it would be to break free so it just became easier to stay in a dysfunctional marriage.

Last December I took the first step towards righting this wrong and today, almost a year to the date, my divorce is final.

So when you see me next…don’t say “I’m so sorry” but say “congratulations, I’m so happy for you”.

This coming year will be a very special one for me. I hope to complete my book “A Legacy of Lies” and have the time to focus fully on my passion for all things photographic.

There have been many people who have made my transition possible and I am incredibly grateful to each and every one of you.

Collectively you have offered me places to stay, shoulders to lean on, and been patient when I haven’t been able to fulfill every commitment. You’ve watched over my health and reached out when the stress became almost overwhelming. You’ve shown me how to protect myself and you’ve given me my confidence back. And always through each step along the way, you’ve given me love and shown me that it’s okay to be the girl that I am.

This year has been full of unexpected twists and turns which only serve to reinforce the concept that we are never completely in control of our destiny and often the better choice is to stay fluid and roll with what comes your way.

Thank you…

Merry…

Chrismoose!

DSC_4458-EditEvery creature is better alive than dead, men and moose and pine trees, and he who understands it aright will rather preserve its life than destroy it.

Henry David Thoreau

Closing in on three years of blog posts and enjoying every moment of it. I’d planned a different post for this week but hopefully come next week I can release it!

So, in its stead…a Christmas moose, grazing on some apples.

Take time to connect this month with friends and family. They are what really matter during this holiday season.

Thanks for the support, comments, likes, and shares. That gives me a whole lot of pleasure.

As the year winds down…

I’m taking time to play.

DSC_4261-2If you’re not trying to be real, you don’t have to get it right. That’s art.

Andy Warhol

I couldn’t have planned this year if I tried and looking back on it, I think that may be what got me through it.

Sometimes it’s just better to let things unfold and make choices on the opportunities that present themselves.

Life and art are a lot alike that way.

Sometimes it’s worthwhile to listen to your gut and just go for it. The path that you should be on is often the easier one to navigate.