Above and beyond most things, I strive to be fully present in my everyday life. When I am with my children, talking to Kevin, spending time with my friends, I continually try to be completely with them.
Its not something that comes naturally to me. I like to think about 6000 things at once. I drift off easily into day dreams. I make endless mental lists about all of the OTHER things I should be doing. I can spend days and weeks convinced that 'right now' is not worth paying any attention to.
On Saturday, I was the photographer at a friend's wedding. I spent the day capturing one of the most lovely ceremonies I have ever attended (There was not a dry eye in the house). As I snapped away, it occurred to me that I was fully there in the moment, watching the group, noticing the small details. Being the photographer for such an important life event meant that I needed to be completely present to ensure that the beauty and love and wonder of the day was captured for my lovely friends.
Everytime I look through the eyepiece, I am forced to really inspect what is happening. I gather the visual elements--the colours, the light, the objects-- that make that moment and then 'click'. The moment is caught. And then there is a new moment. Another piece of the puzzle that needs to be captured and remembered, and on it goes.
Its this presence, this mindfulness, that I love about photography. The way it forces me to really look at my life. To SEE my children and capture their journey through the days. It brings me more deeply into my own world, into the details that make up the seasons, the ages, the events.
And I loved Saturday. I loved bringing my love for photography to beloved friends. I loved looking for the details that made up their day. In fact, just writing about it makes me a bit breathless. I came home afterwards, so fulfilled and happy...giddy even.
And to top it off, I was able to get some great pictures as well.
"Photography is a way of feeling, of touching, of loving. What you have caught on film is captured forever... it remembers little things, long after you have forgotten everything."
Aaron Siskind
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Hopefully, I will be able to share with you some of the better pictures taken on Saturday once my friend's return from their honeymoon!!