The Place Where You Stand

“What you see and hear depends a good deal on where you are standing” --C.S. Lewis

I didn't think much of it the day I snapped this picture.  My sage guide wanted his feet photographed, and I obliged, not knowing at the time that in less than a week this holy man would take me on a trek to the top of a mountain where I would see my longings, my failures, my hopes and dreams in a whole new light.  Epiphanies are like that--unexpected, otherworldly, startling for reasons you can never quite understand.  Thank God, I had Stephanie with me that day to help me recognize the place where I found myself standing--the very center of a miraculous circle of divine support and Love.  I imagine I will never have a moment in my life like that ever again.

Maybe one of the reasons why I love to photograph feet so much is because I like to examine what grounds us and how our feet touch the earth--this same earth that continues to uphold and support us wherever we are, wherever we go.  You can be confused, light-hearted, shaken or full of joy--no matter.  It's always good to be aware of the place where you stand and who it is that stands with you.

Today I'd like to invite you to replicate this photograph either on your own, with someone you live with or with someone you trust.  Show us who stands with you and where you stand--whether it be the linoleum of your kitchen or the macadame of your driveway.  Let us see you standing in your home or on the earth, acknowledging in a new way that you are not alone.

Comments

[Jenni]

I've been a long time follower but a new commenter. I just love your blog to pieces. This post is so inspirational and beautiful that I just wanted to leave you a short hello and thanks.

[Puna]

Okay Jen, I'm going to do this today.

[kristin]

amazing jen. i get goosebumps reading this. and the photo so pure.

my best friend lives far from me now. when we get together i always try to capture us and our connection. how i feel when i am with her. this was from our get together this year. connected. grounded. where we stood. a found heart forever etched in concrete at our feet, much like my love for her.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/14811117@N02/3851075684/in/set-72157607524912981/

[Kerstin]

Beautiful and thought provoking. I, too, love taking shoots like these, it's become one of my favorite perspectives. Here is one of me and my mother, taken during a visit to my home town in Germany last month. Our relationship wasn't easy when I was younger, but now that I am older myself I have a much better understanding of her challenges and amazing achievements amidst difficult times. And as a result we are getting closer and more grounded together, despite the physical distance. http://www.flickr.com/photos/kcmartin/4111092809/

[rc]

First time commenting -- love the blog!

Here's a photo I took a few weeks ago: With my 17-year old cousin. Waiting for the tram at Disneyland. Behind the Yellow Line.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/24475026@N02/4171587413/

[xanthe]

very inspiring post. i too, love capturing feet where i am. today i was in this space.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/xantheberkeley/4172779000/

[Vanessa]

perfect inspiration for my 365 today.

thank you.

[Suebob]

I've actually done quite a few of these over the years.
On this one, I was welding a Rose Parade Float together:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/suebobdavis/2157496394/sizes/m/

This was last winter at the beach:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/suebobdavis/3085964044/sizes/m/

One with my dog, Goldie
http://www.flickr.com/photos/suebobdavis/1426381798/in/photostream/

[Nicole H]

"It's always good to be aware of the place where you stand and who it is that stands with you."

Wow did I need to see those words today...
Thank you. For perspective.

[bridge]

http://www.flickr.com/photos/ridethewavesoflife/2490609119/in/set-72157621292476537/
I immediately thought of this one.

[georgia]

i always love a good c.s.lewis quote. you picked a perfect quote. and what a post. i needed to read this. for so many reasons deep in the most secretive place of my heart, i needed to read this. i can't wait to try this shot out with my husband. it's just him and me here. and he's been standing by me for a very long time through a lot of stuff... a lot! we're off to bed, so i wont' take the shot now. but i will soon. and when i do, i'll share.

[Liz]

me n my pup
http://www.flickr.com/photos/lilybeth29/4173122377/in/pool-shuttersisters

not the best pic ever, but i like the golden tone to everything.

[Kellee]

Truly lovely. Even the act of determining with whom I would orchestrate this picture is quite an exercise. Love it.

[chiquiKat]

thank you for this beautiful post.
i love that all your feet seem to be standing, grounded, on a globe/earth-like background.;)

[Aubrey]

I was so inspired! THANK YOU!

http://aubreyplays.blogspot.com/2009/12/give-them-place-to-stand.html

[~ kristina ~]

I posted this a while ago - because I also couldn't resist shooting my feet standing on home ground -

http://meadowlarkdays.blogspot.com/2009/10/my-feet-on-ground.html