home away from home

The other day I had the privilege of working with the fabulous Romi Lassally of True Mom Confessions fame. A handful of moms (myself included) were there participating in a project she’s working on in conjunction with the release of her book and her new website—go Romi—but beyond that I had my camera by my side capturing the ins and outs of the day.

I have become a seasoned story teller of my own everyday life but stepping out of mine and into someone else’s life was enlightening. A couch found friends chatting amongst themselves, yet these friends were new faces to me. A fruit bowl on the dining room table filled with oranges, not apples. A chalk board for family memos, instead of the bulletin board I use everyday. Although it was all new and different it was so familiar and everything around me felt worthy to photograph.

As a portrait photographer I have been invited into people homes on a great many occasions. Arriving at a scheduled time I am met by families who have been harried and hurried to get prepared for my visit; everyone dressed and ready for ‘the portrait”. It is after all, the reason for my visit. And so we get right to it and spend our time together making that happen. Rarely do I get the chance to notice the fruit bowl.

I felt a sacredness being in a home as merely an observer; an outsider looking in. Watching and noticing all the details that make a home and being given the opportunity to capture what I saw through my lens. It was an honor to be there.

What details of your home beg to be seen? What are you compelled to capture under your own roof? Or perhaps there is a view or vignette of someone else’s home you covet? You are encouraged to share images from your own home discoveries.

Comments

[Kathleen O./ko2008]

I'm loving the One Word project...and the advice to shoot pictures in the morning...it's making me look around my home and see it with fresh eyes.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/ko2008/3250906565/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/ko2008/3245595648/

[kosenrufu mama]

here some spots in my home... i love the picture in this post, full of sweet pink!!!...
http://esterdaphne.blogspot.com/2008/11/last-day.html
http://esterdaphne.blogspot.com/2009/01/un-anno-con-voi.html
http://esterdaphne.blogspot.com/2008/12/december-08-photo-project.html

[Kacey]

We recently became empty nesters and I captured the remains of my son's move. A bittersweet time for me. No artfully posed items in these shots, captured at interesting angles. Just real life memories.

http://www.wineonthekeyboard.com/2009/01/22/empty-nest/

[Puna]

I posted my neighbor's beautiful bedroom a while ago...with a twist.

http://lifesignatures.wordpress.com/2008/12/23/house-and-garden-a-not-so-tranquil-bedroom/

[JeanaMarie]

I like that our home is a place we can relax, play and create - from last year, but one of my favourites because of the memory:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/jeanamarie31/3079790616/in/set-72157610610551771/

and outside, looking in:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/jeanamarie31/3253015164/

[ELK]

Tracey ~looks like a happy day was had ...congrats to Romi!


just yesterday I posted about a spot in my home that is a special place for our family:
http://www.redorgray.com/2009/02/i-dream-i-eat-i-create-i-invite-you.html

[shelli]

I love your photo. And what a wonderful coincidence that you write about this today! Because I wanted to write here that I'm beginning to submit photos for the One Word Project, and my word this month is "home." I've been cooped up this winter because of the cold and because I'm pregnant and feeling exhausted and, well, pregnant! I wasn't taking many photos, and I didn't think I would find anything inside my messy house to inspire me, but finally one day I decided to try. So I'll being posting these photos. Here is one I posted today. Thanks!!


http://www.mamaofletters.com/Site/The_Focal_Point/Entries/2009/2/4_Doorway_(Screen_in_Background).html

[renee @ FIMBY]

Oh my goodness... considering I'm a stay at home, homeschooling mom and it's the middle of the cold, snowy winter most of what I photograph is my home, day in - day out.

Here's a couple recent favorites:
Breakfast oranges
http://fimby.tougas.net/morning-oranges?size=_original

Saturday morning light through the bedroom door
http://fimby.tougas.net/light-through-open-door?size=_original

End of a winter's day at home:
http://fimby.tougas.net/node/2362?size=_original

[mary]

I tend to go through the house in the winter, searching for some light. Here are some shots from the only south-facing window in the house:

http://dearlittleredhouse.blogspot.com/2009/01/silver-and-sunlight.html

[jody]

I love my home. We've been rehabbing for 5 yrs now and we're almost done. I say we..but its mostly Hubby who'd done all the work.
I love the light....http://flickr.com/photos/jodyangel/3188949491/

the shadows...http://flickr.com/photos/jodyangel/3083801282/

and the location...http://flickr.com/photos/jodyangel/3039804838/

But most of all I love him. Thanks honey =) http://flickr.com/photos/jodyangel/3173591911/

[Wayfaring Wanderer]

Since my photo-a-day challenge was met, I haven't found myself taking too many photos inside. But I have been examining my outdoor surroundings rather closely. I have plans to make a lightbox soon.


~WW
http://www.wayfaringwanderer.com

[Sharon]

For the month of January I did a "month in the life" book with a few pictures a day of our life in an ordinary month. I never take photos of my home (it is usually just background), but for this I did use my home as the subject. This is one of my favorites:

http://flickr.com/photos/queenofsheba/3253474766/

[Diane Schuller]

The kitchen is often not photographed much yet I love to see it "in full use"

http://www.flickr.com/photos/27458974@N00/3251578072/

[spread your wings]

i love my home - it's small, but cozy, with a lot of natural light that makes me very happy. It's filled with furniture made by my dad and paintings by my mom (and daughter) and surrounded by God's beauty.

I post a lot of photos of my home because it is very much a part of me and it makes me happy but here are 2 mosaics I did recently that kind of wraps it all up.

http://autumnsun08.blogspot.com/2009/01/2-honouring-my-inspirations.html
http://autumnsun08.blogspot.com/2009/01/birds-will-sing-their-sweet-song.html

[Monica]

One evening, at my aunt's home...
http://picsoul.blogspot.com/2009/02/home-away-from-home.html

[Julie Alvarez]

My kitchen being "worn":
http://www.flickr.com/photos/juliealvarez/3231508711/
A sudden and nice color combination:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/juliealvarez/3231133177/
A new nook to knit in:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/juliealvarez/3227995727/
The summer sun that comes in:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/juliealvarez/3227991243/
A good place for a nasty task:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/juliealvarez/3224367506/

[robin-bird]

this was taken from the driveway of my friend's laurie's house. i was in my car backing out after spending the day taking photographs together. It captured the perfection of the day in that small framed view!

http://www.flickr.com/photos/22496405@N03/3253875566/

[JoAnne]

This is my wire 'fence' in my kitchen to keep the kids from jumping over the banquette bench into the stairwell. I had it custom made and love it...especially the shadows that it creates.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/31299004@N02/3217313197/in/set-72157608626372773/

[Oliag]

This detail of my home my not be begged to be seen...but for some reason or other I was compelled to take the picture and I have enjoyed it...
http://www.flickr.com/photos/22733432@N08/3053902066/

[gonzomama]

this was taken awhile ago, but i love the light that comes into our room.
http://flickr.com/photos/59735955@N00/2880151999/in/set-72157603846311475/

[Kelly]

On taking your home away from home when you go...
http://www.flickr.com/photos/8702729@N02/3253245925/

Tracey, I love your people photos, what you do with your colors, how you process your shots. I'm shooting a lot of macro because there aren't a lot of people around, but I'm a photojournalist at heart. Every time I see your people pictures, I want to go out and find some people to photograph! This particular photo is a favorite of mine - I'm going to find it and favorite it on Flickr!

[Nathalie]

I'm looking with envy to all your pictures, taking a peek into this "home" feeling I am longing to bring here, in what is my new country (for at least two years). I see a cat here and colours that are warming my heart up. I also think some of you live in wonderful places with home mixing with Nature (forest, mountains), it's like a breeze.

[kristin]

flickr friend and shutter sister photos i have collected through trades. and some of our coveted kid art.. http://www.flickr.com/photos/14811117@N02/3254377618/

[Toni]

It's my carpet...but the dogs think it's grass: =)
http://dailyvignette.com/2009/01/28/its-my-carpet-but/

A couple others:
http://dailyvignette.com/2009/01/29/ps-im-moving/
http://dailyvignette.com/2008/11/28/food-galore-and-stuffed-tummys-too/

[Gabrielle]

I thought I would join the fun! Thank you!

http://flickr.com/photos/34189955@N08/

[Steph Wiese]

Here are some images of spaces in my home...

http://stephwiese.squarespace.com/blog/2008/8/25/slice-of-life.html

[margie]

our life at the cottage truly shows our lives in a real way. when all the family comes together.

http://www.soeursdujour.com/

[Grandma Photographer]

I'm trying to make friends through the Flickr.com. If anyone would like to see what photo I have and I plan on getting morefor this later on. By the way, I am deaf and have been a photography for nearly 30 years.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/7363677@N04/3224668074/

[littlepurplecow (Stephanie Roberts)]

Love, love, love this shot Tracey.