Many photographers will tell you the same thing…We think in light and shape and there’s always a picture being made in our heads. It never stops. The year is coming to a close and I know most of us are pretty happy about it.
2020 took so much away from us and dealt us a hand of fear, of disappointment and uncertainty. We watched as lives were transformed, businesses were devastated, seniors couldn’t properly graduate. Close friends of mine became ill. Another friend lost her husband, the father of their 2 teenage children. I watched as my 14 year old pushed groceries through my parent’s screen door during lock down. So much of it sucked.
But…
In the middle of the chaos, there was some good. This Canon of mine, along with the iPhone have allowed me to hang on to some things actually worth looking back on…
This moment here…Not open for political debate. This is just me documenting my 12 yr old Asian daughter, watching a woman of African American and Asian descent about to become the Vice President Elect of The United States. History in the making and an image I absolutley had to create…Period, end of story. Shot on Canon 5D Mark III, 35mm 1.4 lens.
2. We said good bye to the toys. Being home allowed us to have the time to clean and reorganize some of our space. Talk about bitter sweet…I cried at least 5 time during this process. The memories that came flooding back…seriously it was hard. The toys piled up here were being donated to a local toy library so at least we knew they were going to have a second life. Shot on Canon 5D Mark III 24-70 mm 2.8 lens.
3. The Beach…With everyone online for work and school, and only essential businesses open, we were able to escape to The Outer Banks in both Spring and Summer. What a gift this truly was. These were shot on a Canon 5D Mark III 35mm 1.4.
The best camera is the one you have with you. This was shot with my iPhone.
Another iPhone image…This was the very first day of synchronous online learning for my high school sophomore. 8:10 AM, unknown territory for most schools and incredibly strange to be so far from the classroom. At least the light was nice.
4. Time to Help…As we began another school year remotely this September, I was able to assist my daughter if she needed help or motivation, nothing crazy I mean I was never good at Math, but if she needed a snack or wanted to share an idea with me, I was there when normally she would be gone for 7 hours out of the day. How great is that?! This was the 2020 First Day of School image shot on Canon 5D Mark III.
The above 2 images are what recess at home looked like…Canon 5D Mark III 35 mm 1.4 lens
5. Extra time with my College kid…Having my son home early was for sure the greatest gift of all. He was home to decorate the tree with us and every time I looked up to see him there, it made me happy. This letting our kids go thing is hard! The transition sadness has come in waves over the last year. I am thrilled he was able to attend school on campus for at least some time, but man is it good to have him back! This is again Canon 5D Mark III 35 mm 1.4 lens.
While I am very happy to see 2020 about to exit, I am truly grateful for the moments she gave to me. I am grateful for the time out of the car and not shuffling my daughter to gymnastics practice all week. I am grateful for the extra sleep. I am grateful for the time with my husband where we started to work out together and then both fell off the wagon. I am grateful for technology and it’s ability to connect us when we are craving social interaction. I am grateful for the families who reached out to me to preserve their memories, making this my busiest year yet in this photography journey. Here’s hoping 2021 is gentle and kind and brings you all the health and happiness you deserve.
Here in DC, the blossoms are a pretty big deal and aren't they just the perfect backdrop for some Spring Birthday images?
Happy Birthday to the little Korean whole stole our hearts. She destroys the house, she's acquiring a real sassy attitude and she likes junk food way too much but she's kind compassionate and has brought sunshine into every day. I'll never know how we got so lucky.