Getting It...

I've been thinking about photography a lot lately and the feelings that it stirs inside of us. Sometimes it's a memory of a beautiful day, Other times, a picture of a sunset can evoke a wonderful memory about the last trip we went on. I always have my pictures running as a screensaver on my computer. Countless times I have caught myself or one of my boys sitting, just enjoying the memories as they flash upon the screen.

Word is out that I enjoy taking pictures. People have asked me to photograph certain aspects of their lives, gardens or hobbies. I feel honored yet nervous at the same time. I certainly didn't go to school for this medium and have no idea what makes a "good" picture. Yet, I do know when I see it, I'm just not sure what to do with it.

So, what does this all have to do with the picture below? Surely, Bobbi and Mike had no idea when they took this picture it would have an effect on a middle age woman in New York. But it did! In a huge, huge way.

So what do I think of this picture?

It makes me all kinds of happy. Probably,because I know the bride, but more so, I just love looking at wedding photos. I'm sorta obsessed by all that there is to see about weddings on the Internet. This one just looks like a rocking, good time.

But let me take it a step further. Not only do I know the bride, I also know one of the bridesmaids and a guest in this picture and they all make me incredibly happy.

Em, the bridesmaid is my sister. She just happens to be best friends with the bride, Meg. I've watched these two grow into wonderful, young women. I babysat them when they were little and then took them to see Brittany Spears (don't ask) when they were in eighth grade. I heard their secrets about boys and was asked advice about subjects they couldn't ask their parents. Emotions run high when I look at this picture.

But then I see Christian. He's a great college friend of Em and Meg (and I'm sure the groom too, seeing that they all went to school together). BUT, he was also a student of mine in fifth grade! Em and Meg grew up in a neighboring city from Christian(both in New York). Sitting around a bar one night (in Ohio), my name came up (probably talking about their best teacher ever!). They put two and two together, Em got on the phone (that was before I could text) and bingo, the mystery was solved.

Three lives that have touched mine in ways that could only be imagined and one photographer got it without even knowing.

I have to play around with this notion a bit more. I want my photos to have feelings. Is there such a thing? I'm not sure. More importantly, I want my family to look at my pictures, today and long after I'm gone and remember.

btw...go check out all of Matt and Meg's wedding pictures at bobbi and mikes site. They are wonderful photogs! I will be adding them to my inspiration blogroll as a must read!