on documenting moments : : recording life

This year I've been participating in a self portrait e-course.  It's been 39 weeks, thus far, of turning the camera on self.  A friend pointed out recently that I'm motivated by challenge and though my knee jerk reaction was disagreement to that, she's right, I am. Who knew (probably all my friends)?  At the beginning of this e-course I challenged myself do take each weekly prompt and create seven self portraits.  Yes, I challenged myself to take a photo-a-day of myself for one whole year, that along side my already challenge of a photo-a-day with a few words of life.  In my mind I challenged myself to use my nikon instead of my phone for this project (what I was also doing for my original 365 project) but then...get ready for a series of unfortunate first world events...my nikon stopped working, so I started shooting with our old camera which I quickly discovered has white balance issues (think that reflected blue salty sea water really infused itself and everything was looking mighty smurfy), then every photo needed editing, however, the editing became an issue when the ipad (that's where I did any and all photo work) was stepped on...I stopped using the nikon and eventually I took it out of my bag altogether and stopped carrying it around with me.  The self portrait project continued, but the 365 project fell to the wayside.  I was committed to use the regular camera...I had challenged myself to do so...but it simply wasn't happening and eventually it was so overwhelming to try and catch up I just stopped trying. Fail.

Have you heard of Photojojo's time capsules? They are the best. The Best! Each month I receive two emails with photos and thankfully words reminding me of what exactly one year ago was.  The good the bad and the ugly (but mostly beautiful, even when it was challenging).  I realized next year my inbox will not receive a time capsule about life, what I was thinking, feeling, seeing...reminding me of all the change, growth, consistency, rhythms in our days.

This week's prompt for the self portrait class is Dare...perfect for that challenge driven side of me and just the boost I needed after having been thinking of releasing the idealism of using my big camera.  I have a perfectly good iphone 5 with a great camera built right in.  I have the ability to use this tool and challenge myself to see, capture, savor, treasure and keep the moments that are making up our life. I will not get the same depth, quality, feel that I get with a DSLR, it will be a different depth, quality and feel, not better or worse, I am daring myself to start shooting again everyday with what I have (and am so very thankful for!)

It's as if the universe has been funneling down cues this needed to happen, so I'm taking those hints and acting.  For example, my first born arranged a fairly last minute 'friends get together and go to the beach' yesterday.  Friends came and we spent a few hours down playing in and by the water, went to one of said friends home for some quick hot tub action, dropped friends off to meet their parents, had a tiny photo adventure en route home.  The day was sweet and good and full of friendship.

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 ""... sometimes i catch myself hoping they aren't forgotten about up here in the woods ..."



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One year ago, these were some of my words along with this photo of my firstborn.  I can see now I don't need to worry about my kids being forgotten.  This last year has grown some seriously sweet friendships that were not there or with the same depth, friends near and far &  I'm excited to see what will blossom in this year to come (and have it all documented for our reminiscing pleasure!)