Dot art

I was literally up all night fiddling around with my cameras and equipment. My kit lens is screwed up with miscommunication troubles, so I had to dig around for an old one to use. I located a Canon 35-105 4.5-5.6 that only functions in manual focus mode. Why I had forgotten even having it is another story. These test shots of the colored LEDs ended up being fun and pretty.

Morning light

 

To Forget

Together

Holding hands with my father during a solo visit home. 

Morning Lobby

This was a good spot to enjoy an early morning cup of coffee and croissant before a flight to my parents. I had been through this space before, but it never prompted me to stop. The morning light turned on the reflection and symmetry.

NYC - on the ground

NYC from the driver's seat

I prefer training it to NYC, but this time around I made a quick trek with my girls to NYC by car.  I'm not one to complain about the stop & go of the red lights and crowded streets. 

Time treasure

Before taking the trip to my parents, I went through my photo closet looking for family photographs. I sat there for hours before dawn overwhelmed with boxes and boxes of hundreds of photographs. Why was I just letting these treasures of time sit there undiscovered? I didn't let myself get caught up in the thought of what to do with all of them, and piled up a scatter of moments to bring home to share.

Yesterday, I finally spread them out on my mom's dining room table for my family to see. For the adults, it was about remembering. For the children, especially my 12 year old nephew, it was an investigation of sorts with lots of amazement. For me, the photographer me, it was a peek into my beginnings with Polaroids and Instamatics, and just what was important for me to capture about my family and friends.   I love the power that the images took on, too.  From something fun and simple years ago, to something so cherished and important.

Visit

Jenkinson's

4th of July Fireworks

 

Slice of Americana

Needless to say, I felt that this 4th of July parade in small town Milltown, NJ was deserving of a photo documentary.  Rich.


                           

Favorite Color

Immeasurable

This picture was taken 43 years ago when I was around 2 years old.  I was the prototype "Daddy's girl" always wanting to be with him wherever he went.  On that given trek he jumped into a photo booth with me, and the image became quite a treasure over the years.  I found it unexpectedly this past week safely tucked away in a drawer of candles.  I took some pictures of it to send him, then set it on a window pane which holds other special things.  It was such a sweet surprise, and the timing of finding it is beyond coincidental.  Little did I know that I'd be on a plane a couple days later traveling home to be with him and my mom.

I don't think I've shared the story yet, but he's the one who gave me my first 'real' camera when I was in the 7th grade.  It was a Fujica SLR, and it set me on my way photographing life.  Years later he upgraded it to a Minolta, which was stolen, unfortunately.  And somewhere during that stretch of time my parents surprised me with an enlarger.  I still remember climbing up the attic ladder to find it.  Needless to say, my parents have encouraged my love of photography for many years, and I'm forever grateful.

I love you, Daddy.

Sarah Jane's Rose

The Golden Snitch

Best Pickle Trick Ever

Morning Walk

 

 

 

I made it out to the Ford property before 7 this morning with Sparkle to check out the colors. Despite being close to busy roads and constuction, the cool air and morning quiet made me feel so far away. I'd like to return with just me.

Camera in one hand, Sparkle and flowers in other

This is just the way it is when heading out on a little trek.  If it's not the flowers or the dog, it's a cute little person tugging onto my person.  And so the challenge and the fun in carrying the camera, too, to grab some images because that's just what I do.  I wonder, too, if my imagery changes much when I have more time and two hands to work the camera.  There's something to be said for constraints of some form in pushing things to happen.

The weather was so tremendously beautiful and out of character on Saturday night that we couldn't help to head out as a family for a walk with Sparkle.  Usually there are groans and hesitations because of the humidity and the mosquitoes that go along with it, but this time we were racing to catch the end of day sun.  We found ourselves at the old Ford property venturing through the gate and around the lawn mower cut path.  It was a wonderful experience, and we'll be sure to continue fully embracing it while the weather is out of the ordinary.

 

'Praying' flowers

These rain lilies bloom for a very short time in the early morning hours.  Their opening is amazing and beautiful.

                             

Barefoot in thunderstorms, standing on wet concrete

 

There's something about being barefoot
in a thunderstorm
standing on wet concrete
that takes me back
to my childhood
and the happiness
of being
in the rain

Random bearded dragon moment

Iris

Bubbles and toes

 

10.30.11:  There are times I need simple and quiet, soothing and calm.  It's nice to retrieve into visions of childhood activities to create that space.  I remember taking this photo of my little one this past Spring which seems so long ago to me right now.  We enjoyed a little bubble blowing session outside on our back deck, and then a little toe dipping into our ornamental pond. 

Reflections in brass

 

When I see a brass band, I can't help but see the reflections in brass.  I love this one because it captures the band, the crowd, and the elements of Jackson Square.  And if you can believe it, this is the same band, the Young Fellaz Brass Band, that I crossed paths with the week before on Bourbon.

A dose of happy

9.17.11:
A nice reminder of the little things in life that bring me joy. A great New Orleans brass band, being out with my husband and friends, and playing photographer (while sitting on the front speakers, of course).

Rebirth Brass Band at Chelsea's