the gift of change

I had no idea how much my children would change my life. Of course, I knew things were going to be different but what surprised me is how deeply and profoundly I have been changed. The “old me” is still here. She is just much brighter, stronger and more generous than she ever was before.

Life changing experiences happen to everyone in all different ways, not just having children. Kids were the perfect change for me though. I was always pretty self-sufficient (translation: a little stoic and protected). What my children did for me was to show me how vulnerable I could really be. They forced me out of myself and that vulnerability opened me up in so many other ways. One of the surprising ways was with my photography.

I started taking photographs when I was in the tenth grade. It was love at first click I guess you could say. I never really photographed people though until I turned my lens onto my babies. That little turn of the lens completely changed the path of my life.

Now I photograph babies, families and bellies everyday. I get to witness the change that I experienced over and over again as it happens to the families that I photograph. Not only that, I sing out loud to my kids and have become adept at making all sorts of silly noises. I get teary at lots of little things and I reserve judgment just a little more. My heart is softer all the way around.

The short of it...I see spirit so much more clearly now. I see mine, as well as others, and it has been the greatest gift that I have ever been given.

What have you seen through your lens that has changed your heart? I hope that you will share some images from your heart and of your gifts with us today.

Picture and words courtesy of Guest Blogger / Honorary Sister, Houston based photographer extraordinaire Farrah Braniff. 

Comments

[kosenrufu mama]

ohhhhh this picture is perfect!!!
http://esterdaphne.blogspot.com/

[sharon]

Stunning capture!

[Meg]

Wow, this really got me thinking in so many ways. I love this post, that shot, the words, everything. It has really inspired me, thank you!!

http://whimsy.typepad.com/teaandbrie/2009/03/change.html

[Sue Henry]

Retirement and photography have changed me in numerous ways. I look for, and see, beauty in little things -- the subtle color change and a graceful curving line. I no longer desire the "things" of a busy life and long for the simplicity of the natural beauty that surrounds us. A very good "change." :)

http://suehenryphotography.wordpress.com/2009/03/27/desires/

[ManfredKZ]

Wonderful and tender picture.
Two wonderful boys changed my life.
After a while, a little girl, a princess, came, and changed my life even more. Here she is:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/22781088@N02/2911454478/in/set-72157608270625199/

And here she is today:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/22781088@N02/3324298313/

My three kids: they are gifts, blessings

[marty]

I want to communicate the way my son has changed my life...but words are so hard to find...to express. One thing I can say is my husband and I decided very early on that he wasn't "broken"...we didn't need to "fix" him or necessarily "cure" him...we needed to find a way to be where he was and then help him connect to the world around him. Along the way we ended up reconnecting with the world in different way...his mind works so differently! And it has added beauty and texture and unfettered joy into our lives.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/martyhadding/2860094128/in/set-72157604612636054?edited=1

[Mrs. E]

Changes can be gentle, wonderful! Or they can hit us over the head and rock our world.

http://erickfam.blogspot.com/2009/03/change-and-how-it-changes-us.html

PS. Your photos are so beautiful!

[shelli]

Beautiful words and photo. I guess I have to agree with you - my son has changed my life and perspective very much. I'm a better person with him in my life:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/spabis/3115899098/in/set-72157605050278706/

[Liz W]

Wonderful post! I can completely relate, I'm tearing up a bit. Children are amazing in so many ways. My two babies have completely changed my heart.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/ewhitaker/3383303145/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/ewhitaker/3377800350/

[CDScott]

I recently posted the following about my blessings of change. Growth is a wonderful thing and comes to us in many ways.

http://courtneysablogger.blogspot.com/2009/03/eating-my-words-with-relish.html

[CarrieJ]

I have always taken pictures, but it wasn't until my children were born that I tried to take BEAUTIFUL pictures. And it wasn't until recently that I have decided to branch out and take pictures of the world around me. As they have expanded their world, I have expanded mine. Hopefully they will not feel the need to expand into the area I recently photographed :)
http://thejaxon4.blogspot.com/2009/03/184-urban-scrawl-part-1.html

[sharon]

This is a great post. Very thought provoking. I think I could make a whole blog on it.

http://sharonlinnefaulk.com/photo/archives/1605

[jasminflower]

This picture is SO very beautiful. I kept trying to click on it thinking that it would link back to Flickr! LOL!!!!

[Jen]

This is one of my favorite baby shots ever. This baby was so wanted by my friend and her husband. They fought years of infertility until they conceived via IVF. The the little guy decided to give his mom a scare and show up 7 weeks early. The whole experience is just so powerful to me.

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3323/3295958244_18fc82f0db_o.jpg

[Kathleen O./ko2008]

This little guy, my nephew, has been with me now for almost two years. And, wow, how it has changed my life in every way. He's the best gift I've ever received. Each day, I see the world through his eyes and it makes me want to be a better person constantly. Amazing.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/ko2008/3395482303/

[Krystal Radlinski]

Sometimes a painful experience can change the course of your life. Just being the photographer at this scene convinced me that I needed to be somewhere else in my career.

http://www.k-gallery.com/kjournal/index.php?itemid=532

After this shoot I never did another spot news story and became a portrait artist. Without witnessing that I don't think I ever would have gotten to this point in my life.

[Alicia]

Farrah, beautiful photos! I've spent the last hour looking though everything! Wonderfully inspiring!
My change:
http://aliandsethinthecity.blogspot.com/2009/03/changes.html

[Andreea]

The picture is so nice , and having kids is truly amazing.

[~ kristina ~]

Oh, I know we all say it, but the lovely little moments and pieces of nature that I can capture through my lens do touch my heart - they bring a bit of grace to my days and a bit of cheer.

http://meadowlarkdays.blogspot.com/2009/03/nosegay-for-you.html

Thank you for blogging about how having children has changed you. I still haven't taken this big step!

[kimberlee]

Sometimes even the most devastating things, can bring changes of hope.

http://segolily.typepad.com/becomingjoy/2009/03/changes-of-your-heart.html

[katkoutmateo.blogspot.com]

love your blog - discovered it not too long ago!

[KL]

The awareness photography demands has led to many changes in my life. Most importantly, a profound sense of gratitude.

http://blessourmess.blogspot.com/2009/03/sundaymy-new-favorite.html

[Farrah Braniff]

Thank you everyone for such great comments and amazing images! I looked at them all and really enjoyed reading everyone's blogs too. Thanks for having me here at Shutter Sisters!

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