Someone else’s dreams,
or your own.
All that’s left is to decide.
a snow day
Making the most of a modest amount of accumulation, our youngest still maintains the can-do spirit around the cold, excited for even the lighter of dustings. Plus, she didn’t have school today. Nothing to be mad about here.
I’m trying to be better about catching family moments, instead of just creating artful representations around our goings on.
My, how the turn tables… years ago my goal was to see things differently, share things differently. The big hope was to create art, less personal to our family, but more universal, around nature, life, and belonging. This goal has been firmly accomplished and solidified.. I’m proud of the work, happy to convey the mystical around this world of ours. BUT.. in a striving for balance, I do hope I can also photograph moments for what they are this year.
And, so, this is our almost nine year old, on the cusp of adolescence, seen from the porch, working the hill with a vintage Radio Flyer. She’s loving every minute of it, despite the lack of detail and monochrome edit.
illusionary
Feels like you’ve been here before,
illusionary doors,
unsettled stagnant scores.
Farewell to 52 Frames
Something different for you today, kiddos! Enjoy :-)
The year was 2020, the time was covid.. I had just pulled myself out of some rough mental places in 2019, juggling two young girls, attempting a photography business, and dealing with unresolved postpartum and life issues. The world experienced a series of unprecedented events, one right after another, leaving us all collectively grasping for any sense of normal in a mess of germs and hatred.
My own reaching found 52 Frames. An online community for photographers, who took on weekly prompts to learn, meet other creatives, and try new techniques. Members ran the gamut of seasoned professionals, to grandmas with iPhones. I loved the diversity in perspectives and experience in a space that kept my craft close while the world sorted itself out. So in 2021, I jumped in. It was a great place for creative accountability. With each week’s new submission, the photo streak number increased, you didn’t quit! Wahoo for a good metric!
Before I knew it, I had completed a full year of 52 images, well on my way to developing an artistic style from the weekly practice. It was a struggle, but it continued to feel something akin to the high you get after running a race. Hard, but happy in hindsight. Another year began, I started to grow confidence in myself as an artist, posting elsewhere on places like IG and Glass. My exposure to other creatives outside of 52 Frames increased. I started meeting these communities in real life, making friends, learning, and being inspired.
Fast forward to 2024.. the world is changed, my kids have grown, and with them, responsibilities outside of creative photography. My client work, while slow, is expanding. Free time for creative expression is harder and harder to come by. Kid activities are demanding more travel time. Our garden/property responsibilities aren’t shrinking either. Many things to prioritize.
And so, last week, after 188 consecutive weeks I said goodbye to the practice.
Did I take my commitment to the whole endeavor too seriously? Yes, yes I did! But I’m massively grateful. So many of the images you see on this blog are directly and indirectly related to time contributing and learning from the platform. I’m happy I kept going, incredibly thankful for all the ideas I now have, and the skills I’ve cultivated. There were and are constraints, but 52 Frames helped me see those as a tool, and not a burden.. well, at least some of the time ;-)
The community is absolutely lovely as well. I could go on and on there, but I’ve already rambled enough. If any of you are reading, thank you so much, for all the time and care and kindness you’ve shown (the internet doesn’t have to be a bad place)!
⚡In summation⚡ if you’re looking for creative resistance training, or help on the journey to finding your “why” with photography, I cannot recommend 52 Frames enough.
On the schedule for tomorrow, less talk, more image! Thanks for reading!
Perspectives #5
Lake Guntersville, AL, July, 2011
Perspectives #1
Orange Beach, AL, 2012
Orange
the not quite red
speedy, playful,
a fervent Finncoming.
(this guy’s name is Finn. He embodies the color orange)
Look Up
A quick perspective shift,
weight and weightless in meer seconds.
The lightest ease of that transition is lovely, no?
Senior Session at Lake Padden
Grace
Class of 2020
Echoing the beauty and stillness around her, in a place she grew up in.
Grace’s session was a peaceful walk around a lake she’s grown up going to. The colors during this day were spectacular. Diffused, gorgeous pacific northwest light showed up for us in the best way.
I’ve learned recently that the schools around here let students turn in their own photos for yearbook publication. This is just awesome. The individuality allowed, and the lack of needing a uniform look makes senior sessions all the more fun for me, and hopefully you all as well. I’ve also learned we have about a month before photos need to be turned in. There’s still time to get something planned, shot, edited, and right back to you! Let’s talk :-)
256-682-0218
info@amandapowell.net
Senior Session at Fairhaven and Boulevard Park
This is Kierra.
Graceful, funny, kind, passionate.
A virtuous young woman, with a full heart.
She is patient and creative, and has the spark so many children find endearing. I first witnessed this when I met her at my daughter’s school, after she spent time playing with many of the kids. Kierra is studying special education, which has blossomed from a love of working with kids, and a deep care for her family and their specific experiences.
I AM thankful people like her exist, young folks with the desire to help others. A next generation of caring souls to keep us all moving forward. We need them, and her.
<3 <3 <3 <3
Three Sweet Kids
Strong personality exists in this space.
Unpredictable dancing.
Uncontrollable laughing.
Tears and conflict that ebb and flow.
But always
We look out for each other.
Siblings are something special.
A fun, quick, traditional portrait session in a field in Bellingham, with these three lovely kids again. <3
As they grow, this trio continues to be a joy. They are a lively bunch, still funny, still happy, and still willing to have me photograph them, with plenty of breaks for hugs and sweet conversation.
Spring Family Session at Memorial Park
Hold on to me
enjoy the ride
we spin and fall
and run and rise.
I’ll be here with you
but know.
I’m working on the art of letting go.
A nice day for a quick session at Memorial park with Felicia and family. Felicia is a fellow Bellingham photographer, and friend, find more of her here. https://feliciamarie.us
Woodstock Family Session
May we be this for our children:
A safe place to land
where our silliness is acceptable,
our turmoil relatable,
our selves never abandoned.
Thank you Bouchers, for letting me photograph you and your growing littles, once again. :-)
Gill Family at Whatcom Falls
Wild and wonderful and full.
Constant motion, and a never ending supply of feelings from moment to moment.
Photographing a family with young children is dynamic, and silly, and physical in the best way.
Thank you Gill Family, for letting me be a part of this sweet season of your lives.
Blushing Willows Spring Session
Spring has been beautiful, colorful, bright, and just lovely.
Fitting, because these photos feel like all of that. This momma and her girls feel like all of that.
Mothers Day is coming up, and I wish any biological moms, god moms, people who have mothered children, even if they haven't birthed them, a time of being appreciated.
Here's to Mom's who work hard, who pursue their dreams, who sacrifice those dreams, who don't sacrifice, but still find a way to be there for their kids. Who set the example for their children. Who embody the many variations of feminine strength. Not of perfection, but of progress. A massive shout out to those who don't have children, but care for them like they were their own. Who wipe up, clean up, build up, and hold the place together. Who are inconsistent in parenting because they are human, but never in love.
Have a great week, ladies.
****Thanks for meeting up again, Haley! (see the Fall session here) A spring momma session was in order, and you gals were awesome. Everyone else, check out Blushing Willows Boutique ( @blushingwillows on Instagram), she's got a great business.****
365 Photo a Day- Month Two
Our February was
2 Birthdays, lots of Treats,
Several Archival posts, and a new place for my work on Etsy.
This Month's 28 images:
A Good Time in the Fall (in the Spring)
Being young is a wild and wonderful ride. It contains constant new experiences, running the full spectrum of emotion. It's messy, it's fun, it's intense, and ultimately rewarding. Hopefully, with guidance and love, childhood is something we look back on with fondness. I have a feeling these kids will.
A Mom & Her Girls
This is Haley. She runs an online clothing company (Blushing Willows Boutique) out of Lynden Washington, just north of us. I met her via Instagram, and we decided to collaborate on some photos two weeks ago. The fall colors were a perfect backdrop to this sweet mom, her little girls, and a few of the cute products she has to offer.
These photos really show just how affectionate these three are. They're a smiley bunch, full of sunshine, without even trying. I find their positivity absolutely magnetic, and hope to work with them again to get more great lifestyle photos.
Thanks for working with me Haley! I LOVE these photos :-D
