Water Play

 

Growing up, my family had a love affair with water. Summers found us engaged in the most persistent and ruckus water fights on the block. Perhaps the entire city! I have fond memories of long summer days at the outdoor pool, water parks, canoe trips, water skiing and the perennial favorite of kids everywhere – sprinklers and slip and sides. Now that I'm “all growed up” and have two tots, our family has been making water-fun memories of our own.

We live in the diverse and beautiful northwest and we've made Portland, OR our home. For six summers, our family has toured the area fountains, making it an adventure to find another gem tucked into a neighborhood park or the incongruous feature of a busy urban street. When the temperature soars, as it recently did with a week of 100-degree weather, the fountains bring together families seeking play and cool water. Our passion for the many and varied water features started when my son was just a year old and in a swim diapers. It was Father's Day, mild and warm. The fountain we chose was near an ice cream shop and so another summertime tradition was born. As I look back over my son's first years these are some of my favorite photographs. Golden sun on pink cheeks, water reflected in baby-blue eyes and chubby loveliness!

We now have a series of photographs documenting the changes in our family and each of our two children's growth – mama sitting in the shade breastfeeding the new member of the family, big brother protectively hovering over an unsteady toddler, and this summer, two silly and shrieking children chasing each other in cascades of water. Also documented in the photos is my emerging sense of myself as a photographer. The first years were a frenzy of picture taking to preserve the new and wonderful experience of being a parent. Pictures that were pleasing to the eye were a fortunate accident. One that I was grateful for but that I felt no personal responsibility in creating! The last several months have been another kind of adventure – one with camera in hand, seeking images seen in my mind's eye and delighting in the process of creating them.

 

Every child believes that they are an artist – they draw and create with the same reckless and confident abandon as they play. I'm grateful to be rediscovering my inner child in photography – and for a community of women and mamas doing the same!

Pictures and words courtesy of guest blogger / honorary sister Heather of Mama Mutterings.

Comments

[Marcie]

What a wonderful series of summer images.
It's a perfect equation: children + water = pure summer fun!!!
http://www.marciescudderphotography.com/index.php?showimage=498

[camerashymomma]

oh yes, reckless creative inspiring. to watch a child play brings out some sort of freedom in me that has been locked away for too long.

we are enduring our texas summer with the pool and momma's new toy (it keeps sanity while we cruise through over 40 days of temperatures above 100 degrees.)

here's my set dedicated to water, mermaids, and dolphins:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/camerashymomma/sets/72157621248300828/

[renee @ FIMBY]

This was lovely Heather. Happy that you are finding and reveling in your new found artistry and creativity. Water play is so much fun and taking photos of our children enjoying it wonderful also.

[Jean M Fogle]

It has been years since my boys have played in the creek, but the cold water was their summer relief for years.
When Kevin got married I found these pics and put them into a powerpoint for the reception.
One look at the swimsuits will give you an idea of how long ago the pictures were taken! Summer water fun is eternal!
http://pixels-n-pen.blogspot.com

[Jaana]

these are recent and they are not my children, but i love the idea of the youthful spirit and sometimes wish i was still a kid with this much excitement: http://photographybyjaana.blogspot.com/2009/08/water-works.html

[djbeat]

as a new mom i am intent on capturing everything i can - his firsts, his milestones, his every waking minute : )
having a bb and having the summer of has taken me back to my childhood in a very real way! & he loves the water - ocean, river, water park & of course the turtle pool:

http://365daysofdifferent.blogspot.com/2009/07/scent-of-turtle-pool.html


http://www.flickr.com/photos/djbeat/3779347295/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/djbeat/3797315306/

[djbeat]

love your photos

[robin-bird]

look! you caught a rainbow too! i love how you connected the world of your own memories with creating those for your children. a heartfelt and wonderfully written post! you are a true writer and now a photographer of some talent :)
XO love, hug

[georgia]

i love heather's photos and her blog--so much that it is in my blog roll. great writing here, too. glad to see her post as an honorary shutter sister and guest.

these are wonderful, playful, innocent photos, too!

[Tayler]

I love your pictures. I'm trying to be a photographer when i grow up. You are great!

[food photography singapore]

wauww so cute..nice pic....