A photo journal comprised of my thoughts on motherhood and other life happenings, as well as some of professional work as a photographer. Southern California is home.
I was waiting for Willy and the boys outside of a Renaissance Festival in Arizona when this couple walked past me and into the festival. I was drawn to them immediately. When Willy made his was to the entrance with the boys, I mentioned the urge I had to photograph them. I thought there was a chance I’d find them until we actually entered and realized that the grounds were huge; my chances of coming across them again was like finding a penny someone dropped for you in a mall. We watched the whip show, ate some food, sat for part of a comedy show, met up with some friends, and killed hours just walking around. At the end of the day, we made our way back to a pottery booth near the entrance where I had bought something but left it there for easy pick-up once we were ready to leave. And there they were.
I grabbed the girl gently by the arm and positioned her next to her boyfriend and recall saying something along the lines of, “I’m going to take your photo, I don’t even care what you say”. Numbers were exchanged and the next thing I knew I was photographing them alongside a river. She wore the same flower crown she had on when I first saw them. That evening, we all became friends. I photographed them again the next time I was in Arizona.
And now, the images live in a published magazine.
Publication aside, because that’s not what it’s about, it goes to show that if you’re drawn to someone – for whatever reason – you should reach out. I’m not always so ballsy. In fact I’ve become a coward more times than I’ve had the balls to approach. But the last two years or so, as I’ve matured (I chalk it up to maturity, anyways) I’ve asked myself “why the hell not” and replaced self-ridicule with an I-don’t-give-a-damn mentality. I think that along with the rise in handheld phones / computers, we’ve lost the art of conversation with strangers and I personally would love to make the extra effort more often. I sat down in my seat on our flight to Utah, for example, and the entire row of people next to me were looking down at their iPhones. Perhaps it’s a separate topic. Point being, people are really special. It’s one of the parts I love about photography the most; it gives me a reason to walk outside of my comfort zone. Camera hanging from my shoulder or not, I’d like to think I’d still make the effort.
I challenge you all to start a conversation with a stranger sometime this week. I’ll do the same.
And because I dig the layout of the spread, here they are, in Mozi Magazine. The images of them above are from when I ran into them at the Renaissance Festival.
13 Responses
Kudos to you. I’m high-fiving you all over the place. And I love when you photograph this couple – I can feel how you were drawn to them.
They’re such a visually striking couple, and you’ve done a terrific job of capturing them, where it would be so easy to inadvertently caricature what makes them so special (if that makes sense). I’m so curious about your creative process, if you direct the subjects to certain poses, if you pre-scout locations, it always looks so natural, as though they were barely aware of your presence 🙂 you know, if you ever feel like sharing your trade secrets LOL
Congratulations on the publication!
ps: I too chicken out often, but the more rejections I had – ironically – the easier it gets. Because you know what? The world didn’t end, I didn’t die of embarrassment, and more often than not people are quite open to it.. Challenge accepted 🙂
I don’t mind sharing my creative process, though I have a hard time really calling it such. My preference is to not direct my subjects. I love to not be noticed. But, of course, not everyone is comfortable in front of the camera and almost everyone needs direction at some point. So when I do direct, I usually direct them to do something natural as opposed to posed. Thanks for the comment. And yes, it’s not really about the rejections as it is about how many times you’ve crossed that comfort threshold. The more you cross it, the more confident you become in that territory (outcome totally aside). And people are quite open to it — flattered, in fact. Go get em’.
This is wonderful news! Congratulations! These images and the subjects are so striking. I gave each photo a double or triple take! Also, I want to say thanks… how you have written about embracing strangers here and in your Hamburger Eyes post has given me inspiration. I’m still a little chicken with strangers, but getting better about it. Congratulations again, fine work!
I was waiting for Willy and the boys outside of a Renaissance Festival in Arizona when this couple walked past me and into the festival. I was drawn to them immediately. When Willy made his was to the entrance with the boys, I mentioned the urge I had to photograph them. I thought there was a chance I’d find them until we actually entered and realized that the grounds were huge; my chances of coming across them again was like finding a penny someone dropped for you in a mall. We watched the whip show, ate some food, sat for part of a comedy show, met up with some friends, and killed hours just walking around. At the end of the day, we made our way back to a pottery booth near the entrance where I had bought something but left it there for easy pick-up once we were ready to leave. And there they were.
Kudos to you. I’m high-fiving you all over the place. And I love when you photograph this couple – I can feel how you were drawn to them.
Thanks, Marin.
I’m definitely one to be afraid of approaching strangers. Thank you for this encouragement… Life is too short to be fearful.
Circus & Bloom
♥♥♥
It most certainly is.
Very cool! How did the publication happen anyway? Did they submit or did you? I’ve always loved these images…
I submitted these.
Congratulations! Love the story and the pictures. Talk to people. Live bravely.
They’re such a visually striking couple, and you’ve done a terrific job of capturing them, where it would be so easy to inadvertently caricature what makes them so special (if that makes sense). I’m so curious about your creative process, if you direct the subjects to certain poses, if you pre-scout locations, it always looks so natural, as though they were barely aware of your presence 🙂 you know, if you ever feel like sharing your trade secrets LOL
Congratulations on the publication!
ps: I too chicken out often, but the more rejections I had – ironically – the easier it gets. Because you know what? The world didn’t end, I didn’t die of embarrassment, and more often than not people are quite open to it.. Challenge accepted 🙂
I don’t mind sharing my creative process, though I have a hard time really calling it such. My preference is to not direct my subjects. I love to not be noticed. But, of course, not everyone is comfortable in front of the camera and almost everyone needs direction at some point. So when I do direct, I usually direct them to do something natural as opposed to posed. Thanks for the comment. And yes, it’s not really about the rejections as it is about how many times you’ve crossed that comfort threshold. The more you cross it, the more confident you become in that territory (outcome totally aside). And people are quite open to it — flattered, in fact. Go get em’.
Good…for…you! Go, girl, go. You deserve all kinds of recognition for your work and I’m thrilled to see you’re getting it 🙂 -Misty
Thanks, Misty. 🙂
This is wonderful news! Congratulations! These images and the subjects are so striking. I gave each photo a double or triple take! Also, I want to say thanks… how you have written about embracing strangers here and in your Hamburger Eyes post has given me inspiration. I’m still a little chicken with strangers, but getting better about it. Congratulations again, fine work!
Thanks, Meryl. xo