A Harbinger of Summer | Berry Picking & Eating!
I anticipated a summer of positive productivity and getting back into using time for myself again. After teaching this past school year, that’s what I missed most–long quiet mornings, slow garden musings, tending, making sourdough, time with my children, an actual cup of hot coffee and not taking it to go in a thermos every day. I mean, so many little things had to go once I took the role of full time teacher. It was such a shift from my creative work the last 10 years, but I felt adamant that I needed to experience something else, and I did. I learned so much over that time, and namely, it was that I need time to rest my mind, to breathe, to create, and to be without the burden of alarm clocks, the same single destination, and the overall rigidity of that lifestyle. I’ll be forever thankful for what that experience gave me. I’m even more thankful for this time now with my flowers, my vegetable, and most importantly, my kids.
As I’ve settled into the 3rd week out of school, I’ve taken on numerous photo shoots again, placing print orders, and making photo albums. While making a beautiful family album for a client, I had the idea that I should make a book of my 365 project from last year. When I look through those photos, I’m so inspired by what I was able to create in the time I had. There were many days that I had no light, little time, less inspiration, and yet I still did it. To be completely bold, I’m proud of myself. Some of those photos are favorites of all time. Simple moments of golden light, raindrops on flowers, my daughter running to the water, early morning sunrays, foggy mornings, and the list goes on.
As I put together that first draft of a book for myself, I saw photos where I had practiced challenging myself and getting outside of my comfort zone. Early last year, when the rain was constant and the days were endlessly gray, I learned about the fun possibility of vintage lenses and freelensing. Of course I ordered one right away and was immediately frustrated. I hadn’t been challenged like that in so many years. I kept practicing, liking very little of what I created. After putting it down for awhile and researching more online, I kept trying. When I looked back at those photos, I felt the creative urge to get out that vintage lens again.
Most mornings find us harvesting strawberries, some of the biggest, tasties berries we’ve ever grown. What started as a few small starts moved from the vegetable garden, turned into a huge mass of strawberries all over my flower garden. I let the do their thing and oh how richly we’ve been rewarded. While my girls sat down on the swing to enjoy what we’d just picked, I ran back inside for my camera and freelensing practice. It’s a challenge. Focusing is hard, getting the light balanced is tricky, but the effect is unique and fun. I really enjoyed these few moments with them, and I’m thankful for this time to spend outside in the sunshine.