Good People Doing Good Things March 30th, 2010 . Good People Good Things
A friend of mine is a supporter of From Houses to Homes, an agency dedicated to creating community harmony in the
highlands of Guatemala by building lasting, healthy homes.
She sent my husband a link to their site, so that he can see what they are doing there. (Ever since his return from Haiti, he
has been trying to figure out the best way to build a couple of homes for people he met in Cange. The trip was great! Ask
me about it sometime or email me... I'll try to post up pictures soon. :)
While I was looking at the H2H site, I came across this link to a young man's site.
His name is Roberto and he makes beautiful textiles to support his Mom and Sister. If you like these or find yourself
needing bracelets (in school colors!), please take a peek at his offerings. Seems like a great and easy way to support him.
Thanks!
Hubby is heading to Haiti - Deep thoughts today... February 25th, 2010 . Good People Good Things
This is Tim.
He's my husband, and my love - truly a soulmate. He has me thinking deep thoughts today as he heads out on a mission trip to Haiti. Now, I know that most likely he will be just fine, even though some folks are a little negative about the trip. We are very aware that things are not totally safe in Haiti right now, but the work they are setting out to do is important and I am a woman of faith. We all know, however, how easy it is to say the words, but how hard it can be to FEEL it when it involves the love of your life... the father of your children. Let's just say it hits home.
I won't bore you all with all of the thoughts my mind is asking today, but I did want to share one small thing with you. Being the photographer I am, I can't help but document my family's lives. It's just what I do. It is even why I offer lifestyle photography sessions where I go and spend a good part of any given day taking pictures of whatever my clients do. Life is not meant to be documented only on special occasions, in your best outfit with your hair and makeup just so. I'm very much a believer in catching life as it passes.... the little day-to-day things. They can mean so much in the future.
I was working on an album design today and thinking how much this couple is going to LOVE sharing these pictures with their kids someday. (And those of us with kids can attest just how fast that 'someday' will get here! ;) This put me in mind to take a peak at some of the pictures I have of Tim that I love looking at.... not necessarily the BEST pictures I have, but the ones that speak to me on a personal level.
So I did, and you know what? It helps. To have pictures of him with the kids, doing the day-to-day stuff in life, it helps calm me. I feel more at peace with the trip and I know that, if my worst nightmare came true and he didn't return to us for any reason, it would be good to have these pictures. They would insure that the kids would have wonderful memories of their dad.
I told you, deep thoughts.
Now, some of you may cringe at the idea of talking about the potential death of a loved one, but I have seen it happen over and over in my years as a photographer... life is never a sure thing. We never know when it will be our 'time' and it soothes me to know that I have wonderful images of him - the pictures would be something I would cling to. I've had clients who have lost loved ones and have come back later and thanked me for my small part in capturing their loved ones for them. It makes what I do seem very rewarding. It's good to have reminders of what is really important in life sometimes.
Nowadays in our advertising-intensive world, the marketing of memories may make us all a little cynical at times, but please don't let it keep you from realizing how important photography can be. Lately I've had a few brides-to-be share with me that their dress cost several thousands of dollars so they can't afford to spend $2,000 on photography. I can't help but roll my eyes internally sometimes when I hear someone say something like "pictures shouldn't cost so much, they aren't THAT important". You have to know that someone who does what I do for a living would value photography highly, but that aside - I'm not just a photographer. I'm a mom, a wife, a daughter and I wouldn't take anything for the pictures of my friends and family. I know most folks are on a budget and have to make decisions about their priorities, but it doesn't mean that pictures are not important... it just means that something else may be more important. :)
I'm getting sidetracked here, something I don't want to do. I will write on this kind of thing in future blogs, but just take this away from today's post. Take pictures of your loved ones. Often. Resist the temptation to make them dress up or brush their hair. Catch them exactly as they are, doing things they love. THOSE are the very best pictures a person can have.
Thanks for listening.
G