I was soooo tempted to leave this for tomorrow and call it Authenticity and start off my A-Z blogging challenge but that would be cheating in a way as this is something I did before I knew about the challenge and should be kept separate. So it will be A-Z plus 1. Nothing like a good challenge!
So why the 'mini shrine' - said with a smirk.... part of revisiting some milestones and points I needed to emphasis to myself.
Bottom right is where it all started. That was me 20 years ago. A lot of things changed for me that day. I got married, I was expecting my first child. A step from childhood to adulthood and a lost innocence forever. I've tucked her protectively into the envelope - keeping her safe. Protecting what remains of my inner child. She needs nurturing and protecting having been trampled on a bit too often. She also needs encouraging. Along the way I've lost the spontaneity and ease that comes with childhood. The creative spark of effortless art and I am fighting to regain that.
The little cameo tagged onto to front is an acknowledgement to my love of all things vintage and the blue rose being for my favourite colour growing up.
To continue clockwise as not to lose the plot....
A photo of me just about on the ground with my camera and tripod and the word 'you-nique'. Yes that's me with the camera. I'm always on the hunt for the odd angle. The unique perspective. The different shot.
Next up is the posed shot. In 2012/2013 I did some boudoir work. Some with friends and some self shot. This was a self shot photo BEFORE I invested in a remote trigger for my camera. Now when you don't have a remote trigger you have to rely on the 10 seconds the camera gives you to get into position ... so to set the scene...
Bed with something on it to set focus ... me behind camera setting focus and hitting button... me jumping onto bed, turning, posing, smiling, looking relaxed, camera shutter clicking... TEN SECONDS PEOPLE.... and on your own... try it yourself one day. In fact if you have any intention of being a photographer, especially a portrait photographer, you need to do this. You will LEARN the virtue of patience and how much it takes to model and stay sane. It is however my absolute favourite shot of myself.
The quotes - 1 in a million and authentic. I am myself, I am striving for authenticity every day. Trying to be true to myself on a daily basis. I'm also not just 1 in a million - I'm one in 7 billion. I am unique. The flowers represent growth of my photography talent through nurturing. I work at refining my art because I enjoy it. And I hope that my images bring joy to those who view them.
I love words and I am drawn to the art of Vincent van Gogh. The quote "What is done in love is done well." is his quote written to his brother and talking about his love of art and the power of love. I believe that love heals. That we all need love. I'm not talking about romantic love. We need that but also friendship, sibling, parental, work, hobbies, life. Love. We need to love.
http://www.brainpickings.org/2014/05/07/vincent-van-gogh-art-love-letters/
I love photography - well if you didn't know that about me by now you either blind or are reading my blog for the first time.
The guitar for music. While I was putting this page together the ladies that were the inspiration were chatting about music and what role it plays in their lives. I wanted to make a small note about it on my page. A reminder to listen for the sweet notes. And I'll have to find a way to fit this quote onto the page "It's the rest in a piece of music that gives it resonance and shape". Music is the background to my life. As they are for most of us. They have a way of evoking the most powerful memories and transporting us back in time instantly.
Along with the music is the dancing - from a dancing boudoir shoot. A little black dress, heels and a twirl. Movement and blur, black and white for emotion and a red rose, reminiscent of a tango. Arms reaching up for the stars. Relaxed and in the moment.
One of a kind - that I am - and I'm aging. I've actually supposed to have worn glasses from a teen but vanity meant I didn't wear them that often - in fact I don't have them on now as I type and true to form my eyes are blurring the text. This photo has a different meaning for me though. I had just picked up the new specs and one of the ladies in the office took the snap of me but half an hour later I received the news that Kyle had been accepted into Boys Town. A day that changed me in so many ways. It wasn't to long after this photo that I was sobbing. Although thankful he had been accepted and hopeful that it meant positive changes I was also profoundly sad that I couldn't be the one to 'fix' him. I am his mom....
Heels and puddles... a reminder to myself to find joy and go jump in the puddles on raining days. A link to the post where I wrote about it...
http://yvonnevandalen.weebly.com/through-words-and-viewfinders/puddle-jumping
And last but not least :
A blue bench with the words "Life is beautiful" and a red bicycle.
I was headed for a solitary walk on the beach. It was a Saturday afternoon, just before a storm headed in. Not a particularly nice area. And in front of me this bench, with these words. The blue standing out against the greyness of everything else as I had the start of a migraine and couldn't appreciate much of what was in front of me. A gentle reminder that even on the worst possible days, in the worst possible circumstances, there is always something to be grateful for.
A little bit of beauty in every day. I try find it where I can now.
And a red bicycle because I love photos of bicycles but never take them myself... quirky I know....