Yesterday was an anniversary of sorts for me. On April 21, 2010 my whole family came with me to our local photography store where I bought my now-constant companion, JD. Since then I've added Little Bit (my 50mm), Hubble (a great zoom), and Big Butt (a wide angle lens) to the family. I've used Christmas money to buy the best camera bag ever. I've taken and/or posted photos nearly every day since then.
Best of all, I've finally found that thing. You know, that thing I've been searching for for years and years. That way of making the deep places of my heart visible. I've wished to paint, but I don't have the skills. I've longed to sew, but I don't have the patience. I've longed to create, but my fingers don't work. I've wished for years to find some way of pointing out all the beauty I see. Some way of showing others all the joy I feel flooded with. Some art form that is my own.
And, I found it. Thank God, I finally found it. As I've journeyed this year with JD at my side, I've taken pictures of so many things. I've captured some of the beauty I've seen. I've learned a lot. I've had so much fun. But, most of all... Most of all, I've fallen in love with faces. I love people. And I love their expressive, wonderful, lived-in faces.
What I love most is taking pictures of people. Their faces specifically. I love finding just the right question to ask, just the right angle to shoot from to create the magic; the image that is a perfect reflection of who someone is. Of course I want people to look good and feel great about how they look, but I don't take glamor shots - go to the mall if you want that. The kind of pictures I want to take are the ones that make people get this tiny smile of recognition. It's in that moment that I know the old tribal beliefs had some tiny bit of truth in them. A camera can steal a part of your soul. Or, at least, reflect it back to you.
31 comments:
and i have certainly enjoyed all of your photography so far. in this post, my favourite are the third and fourth. you have a knack for faces.
What an epic day for us, too, since I have enjoyed so much the passion you've shared. I love the names you have for your lenses. Thanks for sharing your gear. I'm always curious about what other people use but for some reason feel like asking is almost equivalent to poaching or something. By the way, the best piece of gear I ever bought was this camera strap.
http://www.blackrapid.com/product/camera-strap/rs-w1/
New life, perfect shot for the Easter resurrection!
I love that you named your camera and its lenses. :)
To Tracy: I figure the only way I can learn is to ask those who do photography so well.
Beautiful! Thank you for sharing your passion with us!
Yay! What a joyous joyous post...I loved this, and your portraits are stunning. Yup, you have found 'your thing'. Fantastic stuff! xxx
what a gift, Relyn!
I love all of the love
that sees and catches such
expressive, soulful shots:)
It's a beautiful thing, friend.
-Jennifer
You see so much life through your lens ... what a gift that you share with us.
i'm so proud of you and how far you've come....really really proud !!!
and to find what we love....well, it's simply the best feeling EVER !!!
xo
ps....i'm available this summer for you know what :)
Stunning photographs - I love them all, and most especially the third one.
Keep 'em coming!
x
AND... you are doing great at capturing all those faces. You have taken some really good photographs. I love this last on on this post and the one of the man kissing the girl. They both show joy and wonder! All of them are good! I just wish that you could have taken our family pictures before the kids moved. I know that you would have done a great job of it. Maybe one of these days all of us can be together once again and be sure that I will ask you to do it!
gorgeous shots - you are doing a fantastic job
It is so hard to believe that you have been photgraphing for such a short time...Theses faces are beautiful and expressive...
lovely smiles and quiet moments
Relyn, loved that you stopped by my blog. :) And I loved coming over here to read your words on this post. I know exactly how you feel. I always say my artistic soul found home behind my lens. Have a blessed weekend.
t
That's lovely. You found your passion, and we enjoy the beauty photos you are capturing. They are awesome!
Have you taken picture at the Galloway Trails? It's a great place for pictures... including the happy walkers and runners ;-))
Doris
Happy Easter my friend
Love Jeanne
These are beautiful, passionate, filled with love. Keep it up!
You have a gift with the camera, Relyn... we in turn are blessed by your gift, your art--thank you. :o) Easter Blessings to you & yours ((HUGS))
sending
easter love
to your face.
xo
The joy in the face of the mom and the girl getting the kiss just touched me! Those are the moments in life to capture! : )
I am beyond, beyond, beyond impressed with what you've accomplished in one little year, Relyn! It is a joy to see your heart singing through your images.
It slays me that you named your camera equipment. And that camera bag? OMG!!! It's going straight onto my Mother's Day wish list!
P.S. Have you considered making that top photo a black & white?
Oh Relyn- I am just so happy for YOU! To have found that thing that takes oyur breath away- and to be so very good at it- you are so lucky- as are WE! I am hoping that you and your family have a wonderful Easter~~ enjoy!
I love the way you have captured these faces ~ what a gift my dear!
Happy Easter ~ Love you!
Thank you for sharing these beautiful photos with us. You have a great talent - I find it much harder to take photographs of people than of places. The people seem to freeze up when I point the camera at them! And yet what you have captured here is the most important thing of all - love and connection. I'm so happy for you!
I love faces too ... though I've been lacking in them lately. I need to learn to take better photos indoors. :)
You've a great eye; well done! I'm visiting because of Ragamuffin Gal and enjoying myself.
You have the gift my dear one of many. Beautiful images.
How I love that you've found your true calling! An expressive outlet for your creativity; your joy! And you clearly do it well. Happy for you and wishing you so much fun on your artful journey!
And Happy belated Easter to you my dear!
Kirsten
I agree with Yoli...you have so many gifts. And one of them is the way you connect with the people in your life, which reflects so beautifully in the pictures you make.
And I love the names you give to your camera equipment. lol!
What a gift you have found in your beautiful portrait photography -- and oh -- to see things others may not and to share them is a gift to others as well. These are beautiful in every way, Relyn. Much joy in these faces.
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