A Thousand (Whispered) Words

Let's be honest, people.  There's a plethora of technically and aesthetically UNideal things about this photo.  For starters, no one's in clear focus.  The angle's a bit off kilter.  The black blob of a window frame is taking up a good quarter third of the shot.  The steam on the window is making Cadence's dress look all smudgy.  And that blurry hand is partially obscuring my friend Heather, the should've-been primary subject.  Overall, it looks like I accidentally clicked the shutter while tripping up the steps to my friend Mikey's porch.  For all I know, that may be exactly what happened.

Someone whose heartstrings are not attached to the people and moment captured in this photo may have very easily deleted the shot without a second thought.  For me, however, it was an instant favorite.  It's got magic crackling, the slice-of-life quality, that softer side.  You see, this one image conjures up for me a treasure trove of little personal tidbits and intimate moments that only I and my friends from that night are privy to.  For example, I know that there are adorable toadstools on the front of Cadenc's seemingly smudged dress, which I had found hiding forgotten and forlorn in the back of her closet that very evening.  Heather is entertaining all the guests doing goofy tricks on a big silver exercise ball.  The steam on the windows was made partly by the warmth in our hearts and partly from the indescribably delicious Ghanaian stew our host Mikey had made. That blurry hand belongs to my beloved and easily enthused friend Johnny, who was probably cheering on his much loved Heather.  Friendships spanning multiple states and continents, backyard chickens and bicycles, first kisses and percussive jam sessions--the stories are all there, in the hushed whispers of faded colors, soft light, subtle lines and dark shadows.  It doesn't bother me at all that I may be the only one who can hear them.

Mistakes, milestones or pure magic, share with us your images that whisper a thousand words--even if it's in your ears alone.  And in honor of National Delurking Day which was this past Monday, if you've never commented or shared an image of yours with us before, I invite you to jump in and join the party.  We'd be delighted if you'd say hello and perhaps share a link to an image that speaks to you.

We'd also like to mention that we will be honoring the big changes that America will be making this Tuesday. We will be participating in a special inaugural photo and post project that was brought to our attention by Alice at Peapods. We encourage you to join us. One photo - 44 words. Sounds great to us!

Giving Thanks for Laughter

"Okay, ya'll go out to the back porch before you change your clothes!" I shouted from the kitchen. I could procrastinate no longer.

"Why?!"

"I need to take your picture for our Christmas card."

[groans, moans, stomps]

And after quickly wiping the chocolate sauce off my girl's mouth and smoothing out my boy's bangs, I stuffed them into a wicker chair and instructed them to lean in close. "Put your arm around her please," I coaxed. Eyes rolled and then someone released a funny sound... and CLICK.

* * *

If you've shot your holiday card, do share a link so we can take a peak. Or if you're looking for an excuse to procrastinate a little further, join me in the spirit of Thanksgiving this week by sharing a moment that makes you thank-full.

Now

We used to string the phone cord from the kitchen into her bedroom. Then we'd huddle over the receiver together, calling boys. And by "calling boys", I mean we'd dial their numbers, hang up on them, giggle hysterically, and repeat 50 times. I'm pretty sure we were the sole reasons why they invented caller ID. After we graduated high school, we went to Waikiki together. Four of us by ourselves, we switched planes, flagged down cabs, and learned important life lessons like Strawberry Hill only tastes like fruit punch. Oops.

The next summer, we moved back to Hawaii. It was as simple as impulsively faxing over an application one late night. The next thing we knew we were living in Aloha Towers. We had jobs and a refrigerator. We learned to use bus routes, and found the grocery store. For the first time, everything was up to us. 

After the summer, we went our separate ways. There was college and road trips, relationships, jobs, marriage. The busy-ness of life allowed for paths to cross only occasionally. Then one day she emailed and asked if I'd consider flying out to photograph her family. She was now living in San Francisco with her husband and little boy. They'd been married for years, but I'd never met either of them. So, of course I agreed.

It felt like a full circle, opening the door to her apartment. Certain things hadn't changed. She still had too many shoes. We still laughed like teenagers. And she still knew all the best places to find everything, whether it be coffee, a pedicure, a baby sling. But what I loved most was the depth of understanding that happens when two friends grow up, then apart, then back together. Suddenly there are more layers to a story you'd put down years ago.

So here was my friend, living in her new chapter. One that felt familiar, yet completely new in context. I'd never seen her so content. And as we walked to the car after her shoot, I told her that I was so happy for the way things had turned out for her. She looked at me and said that everything else was just getting ready for this. And that made me think about life in general. The messy, scary, reckless, parts mix up with the thrilling, beautiful, intimate pieces. They're non-discriminating as they combine, yet they have a common goal. Everything is getting you ready for This. The only place where Life can exist, Right Now.

What does Right Now look like for you?

surprises everywhere

At first, I found the request for shooting an office party to be puzzling. I imagined dozens of people in slacks making awkward small talk, while balancing shrimp cocktail on their knees.  Why in the world would someone want to document this?! But I agreed. And when I showed up, I realized why they'd hired me. It was a group of 13 people who had worked really hard together for years. It didn't feel like a "networking event" as much as it felt like a genuine celebration of dedication, and accomplishment, and joy. There were pride-filled tears and hugs, and laughter. And since they seemed more like family than co-workers, that's how I wound up shooting them. It was a sweet reminder that it's always about the people. It was also an unexpected treat to find an empty office in the back, with the best window light ever! I used this room for headshots. This is Mr. Boston, with his awesome parents Jesi and Winston. They all have a special place in my heart, not just because they are so fun to photograph, but because Boston is single-handedly responsible for the Red Sox winning the World Series last year. Yep. AND, in the spirit of surprises, I'm totally going to rat Jesi out right now. Look closely...can you see her toes? Looking all painted and cute? When she took off her shoes, only TWO were painted! She is a girl after my own heart! Congratulations everyone at United Lending!

How about you? What surprises do you have in store for us today?

The in betweens

We mark the "important" things on our calendars, like birthdays and weddings. But when I think about my wedding, I don't remember what I ate, or how my flowers looked. I think of the way my sister cried; and how it made me feel like I meant the world to her. Photography is like life in the way we try to arrange things. We pose our lives and photographs to look a certain way. But it's the in-betweens that stay with us. It's the way your friend looked at you because she knew what you were thinking. Or how your dad's eyes smiled in that relaxed way you'd never seen before. It's not to minimize the significance of monumental events; or even to say there's anything wrong with "posing" your life. We need to live with vision and intention. But I bet when we look back, we'll see that our lives were never marked by milestones. But instead by "little" minutes and seconds that moved us. 

*This is my friend Jen and her gorgeous smile. It was taken in-between the posing, and was by far my favorite photo of the day. Edited to add: if you want to see the others, they're here.