In keeping with November’s theme of “Gratitude,” I just wanted to express how happy and grateful I am to be the newest Muse here at Mortal Muses!
When I was thinking about this month’s theme, I realized that, in spite of life’s difficulties, I have so much to be grateful for. My father passed away recently, which has led me to a place in my life where I am constantly digging up wonderful memories, which has helped me develop an entirely new appreciation for the importance of a photograph. Though losing my father is fresh on my heart, and looking at family photos is still very painful, I am so thankful to have those photos.
I think it’s safe to say that we are all here because of our shared love of photography, and, as photographers, I think it’s also safe to say that we have developed a certain amount of awareness of the world around us. We see beauty in places that others might (read: often do) overlook, and, even if we don’t have our camera with us, we are constantly noticing beauty, and making mental notes to revisit things with our cameras.
I have been having some difficulty getting back into the swing of things with photography since I lost my father. I feel as though I’m having to re-learn how to be a photographer, which, in some ways, has been a blessing in disguise. I’m finding that I am much more aware of the details around me. In the past, I used to think in terms of one photograph being sufficient for me to express myself, but right now, I’m finding that I am enjoying pairing multiple photographs with each other, because I have begun rediscover so much beauty in my surroundings, that I want to show more than one image at a time. I consider them to be little vignettes, adding up to a bigger picture.
With all of that said, I am grateful for photography. I am grateful for the family photos I have to help me remember my father, and I am grateful for the awareness and appreciation for the beauty in life that photography brings to all of us. I am also grateful for the way in which photography brings all of us together in a shared passion for the medium of photography itself, but also in our shared appreciation of the world around us.
We are do lucky to have you! Your work and words are beautiful.
Just yesterday evening, in the midst of running errands against a clock, the sky was spectacular.
I didn’t have time for so much as an iphone shot, but I was conscious of how I could bask for a split second and hold onto that image, and be uplifted.
These images are beautiful – familiar and mysterious at the same time. They take me to the particular suspended reality of new loss. I am sorry for yours.
Stunning images. Inspiring words. Thank you.
Gorgeous photos and pairings! I can relate to your statement about getting back into the swing of things after your father’s death. I was extremely grateful for the “second sight” I am developing as a photographer when my mother passed away a couple of years ago. I relied on it to awaken Beauty in me, particularly when so much seemed so grey and the world had shifted beneath my feet.
Thanks for sharing some of that beauty with us here.
I think doing a 365 project on flickr pushed me into a rut of focusing on single images, and I’ve been struggling to move beyond that. . Beautiful images and groupings, Anna, and I’m so sorry about the loss of your father.
Beautiful post, Anna! So glad you are with us! xo
Thank you Anna for your lovely words and photos. So thrilled to have you here.
I love how you’re pulling yourself out of a dry patch and taking up new challenges. I find that I’m starting to walk around with my camera again and not just my iphone which has me reconnecting to my beauty little by little again. I’m so grateful that you joined us too!
This is such a perfect first post. So glad to have you here.
How I love this! That triptych is so amazing! And your words resonate wonderfully. Thank you for joining us.
What wonderful photos. Love