A few years ago I came across Barb Uil’s For the Love book. And I was inspired! Wow! Now, I only wish I could wind back the clock to when I was an expectant mum and start all over again, armed with all the gear and knowledge that I have acquired today. It’s full of fantastic ideas about documenting and celebrating the everyday moments in the life of a family. Each child’s, milestones, aspirations, “firsts.” The sum of who they are.
In my own way, I’d already been doing that, but it wasn’t as intentional as a “Project”. It was a spur-of-the-moment, grab-my-camera and document anything I thought important, sort-of-thing. Barb’s book lead me to discover Kristen Cook’s “January Project”—a personal project that she undertakes every January to document the lives of her own family by taking one photo a day. I’m sure she takes more, but the aim I think is to get at least one that means something. Something you’ll want to remember and share with them when they grow up.
My children are getting a little too old for documenting “firsts”. Truthfully, teens and pre-teens are going to notice mum sitting with a camera in her hand, just waiting for them to do something noteworthy or everyday. But I get the concept, to take note and value the every day. Because that is what I will want to remember most. Not fancy poses, hats or props.
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We all have to start somewhere. I bought my first DSLR in 2007 and at that stage I really didn’t know all that much about how to use it. I remember being so excited—it had taken months to save up for it and the results were obviously so much better than the point-and-shoots that came before it.
But I didn’t just want to own a good camera. I also wanted to know how to use it to it’s full potential and I wanted to make beautiful images. The first step was learning how to get it right technically. So I read the manual. I’ll admit, it’s not the most exciting reading but it’s a good place to start. I’ve come a long way since then. It’s a lot more fun to experiment.
You don’t realise how much there is to photography until you start peeling back the layers and then you discover that there are many more layers. I’ve read books, watched tutorials and listened and observed and I’m still being inspired all the time. The best way to learn is to just keep picking up your camera, challenging yourself and pushing the bar. The truth is, I’ve discovered that photography isn’t just a science—it is that, and life and art all rolled into one.
It’s all about you as a person, how you see the world and learning to capture what is ultimately most important—a connection, a moment, and how it makes you feel.
“Great photography is about depth of feeling, not depth of field.” – Peter Adams
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This year marks the beginning of a new chapter for me. A new business name and a new start. We moved from the city to an acreage just over a year ago so that we could spend some time with our children, enjoying the little things and the great outdoors before they’re off to see the world. The beach is only 15 minutes away so we have all the best places to run to when we need to refresh and recharge. I took this photo of Miss C in an orange orchard just around the corner. Albeit, a rather large corner.
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Welcome to my blog and thank you for stopping by. I hope you’ll stay a while and come back to visit again soon.
I have always been quiet and introspective. An observer who prefers to stand back and watch. So it comes as no surprise that I have fallen in love with photography. And with the ability to travel back in time to remember moments and details so easily forgotten.
I love words too—especially when they express thoughts so eloquently. I like how this quote seems just right for this occasion. And so my journey begins. This is my place.
“There is some place where your specialities can shine. Somewhere that difference can be expressed. It is up to you to find it, and you can.” ~ David Viscott