“What is one to do with such moments, such memories, but cherish them? Who knows what is beyond the known? And if you think that any day the secret of light might come, would you not keep the house of your mind ready? Would you not cleanse your study of all that is cheap, or trivial? Would you not live in continual hope, and pleasure, and excitement?”
― Mary Oliver, Winter Hours
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Webs on a trail in Washington State
Quiet & Alive
I’m learning something about the trees in January,
So quiet, yet so alive.
a million tiny movements, imperceptible but important.
Acceptance in all stages,
Purpose, no matter how small.
partner, confidant, friend
We act in our own best interests when we…let them guide us, because in the eyes of those reflective, open hearted creatures, we can never be too joyful, too beautiful, too free.
-Linda Kohanov
Sessions like this are at the heart of why I love photography. Connection, nature, camaraderie, and golden light. All of it good for the soul of both the photographer and the subject, no matter what either is going through. Beyond grateful to have spent this evening with these two.
illusionary
Feels like you’ve been here before,
illusionary doors,
unsettled stagnant scores.
the gateway
the feeling that you might end up somewhere else entirely,
depending on where you step,
to veer off trail is to find yourself losing yourself,
which, depending on who you ask,
can be lovely
or alarming.
Fall Fire
Monuments
resolve
There are some very large letting goes to do:
people, places, honeyed and battered phases of life
there are some even larger letting goes to do:
anger, tears, parts of yourself that leave with no return.
have a past.
Everything that’s happened cannot be held today- Cleo Wade
the muse
I’ve lost count of the times I’ve photographed this dying tree. In some ways, it’s become my muse. On misty mornings, while faster things work to be settled, the birds, the air, the traffic from the highway, this tree is resolute. How is it weathering this? What changes has it made? Is it somehow thriving towards the end, despite the sharpness of the natural spire, that grows thiner and less dense each year? My gaze hits it often in mornings I feel frantic, needing to know it hasn’t fallen in the night. That, despite the decay, it’s still standing, doing its thing.
Hope
Above all else.
May love and hope, which is our natural state,
be what we return home to.
the midst
Peace does not mean to be in a place where there is no noise, trouble or hard work. It means to be in the midst of those things and still be calm in your heart.
~Unknown
Hello Again
October was a gloriously beautiful month. The fall colors lingered, in no rush, despite the winds, rains, and ramping up to the holiday season. I didn’t photograph it to the extent I wanted. My camera wasn’t pulled out for much other than client work.. but somehow, despite the many faces I saw, print orders processed, extracurriculars attended, I felt engaged this last month.
I didn’t blog. One day missed turned to two, and so on, but here I am again. Not coming up for air, but coming out to share success. My hope was to enjoy and be present, nourish what was around me, and what came to me. I wanted to do the best I could in a crazy season. I did that. And it was accomplished by letting go some of the things that once felt necessary for mindfulness.
Obviously there moments of stress, or overwhelm.. it wasn’t all pumpkin spice and brown sugar. I didn’t sleep enough for one. AND, I was pretty short tempered with schedules at times. But I’m proud of the lack of dissociating. Hoping to carry this into my next season, the season of thanks!
So, Gratitude for being here, friends!
6:45am
Sleepless, but with a silver lining.
Portals
Hello & Goodbye.
Forever yours,
September
October
We’ve entered into the softest season of boldness.
A quiet yet colorful paradox.
Confident whispers.
Hatley, Softly
How to show a place that has been photographed numerous times and showcased in various movies, with the constraint of a guided tour?
I’m not sure I solved that riddle, but my hope is these shots are at least mildly interesting, and keep people coming to admire the beauty of this castle on the campus of Royal Roads University.
Bold
Clover Point Park, Victoria BC
Cosmos
Just a few of the many beautiful specimens at Hatley Castle in BC.
once more with feeling
Interrupting Canadian imagery from our trip to bring you a surprise I experienced at 11:07pm last night. It lasted about 15 minutes and was stronger in color visible to the naked eye than what we saw months ago.
I can’t believe I’ve now seen the aurora twice this year.. life is full of the unexpected.