a summer bar mitzvah
"I found a fruitful world, because my ancestors planted it for me. Likewise I am planting for my children." ~ Talmud, Taanit 23a
"I found a fruitful world, because my ancestors planted it for me. Likewise I am planting for my children." ~ Talmud, Taanit 23a
The potato plant.
On the session at home a few weeks before the event, I learned that the Bar Mitzvah boy to be had planted a potato and from it, sprouted a plant. And as were but in the first weeks of summer before Solstice), I felt a profound symbolism in this little plant.
His story is one of family ... and friends he's known since he was a little; it is a collage of sports and music and science and community. A personality that is at once both public and private striking the right balance between outer and inner.
We wove a few of the day-to-day goings on in at home and a few weeks later, came together again on the Bar Mitzvah day for portraits at the Temple, family portraits at the venue and a few details of the setting. I have no words to describe my experience inside Temple Ohabei Shalom ....along the lines of what it translates to - Lovers of Peace. Being surrounded by extended family who gathered to celebrate this milestone ... the laughter, the love, the traditions. Our time together ended two days later at the brunch - a gathering that told the story of how exhausting a rich experience can be. I chose a sample of images to share with the collection of them being custom designed into a larger book that tells the story of the people, the places, the moments, the experience and the boy that was and is now a man.
I am always moved by those who choose me to cover this particular event for I am deeply moved by the emotions and nuances, the preservation of customs, and the profound symbolism this day marks.
The sample of images shown will be folded into the collection and presented in a custom designed book
a surprising start to 2015
So much to my surprise, I've found myself not necessarily moving away from black and white, but beginning to embrace color a little more, particularly when the background is neutral and color actually helps to bring in the focus.
There's no denying that most of my portfolio features black and white photographs. It's been a preferred format for a number of reasons - that it allows for a focus on emotion and expression, that it feels classic and timeless, and that it is simply the way i see, think, feel and create. So much to my surprise, I've found myself not necessarily moving away from black and white, but beginning to embrace color a little more, particularly when the background is neutral and color actually helps to bring in the focus.
This was an entire session photographed in the woods on an unusually warm day shortly after Christmas with a four year old who insisted on wearing a new princess purple dress and spotted coat (from Santa) and a mama who outfitted her four boys (rescue Australian Shepard dogs) in red bandanas. I chose late afternoon for the soft low winter light and on this day, the quality was sensational. If I may add that I had my reservations on the inclusion of the four dogs, but damn - I've never seen four happier, more connected "we are family" (though they arrived from different shelters at different times) dogs. You'd think they'd been together since they were pups. I'd also note that as the lil quickly lost interest, I found asking her to help us find the right spot turned into more than I imagined - many of the portraits were taken in areas SHE chose! (and yes, she chose very well). And as you can see, nearly all of them are in color.
I will end by saying that this was a session I gifted for this single mom who's been away from her family in basic training for the Army Reserves. Reading her posts on how much she missed her daughter and her boys, knowing how hard the transition was for her family, it pulled at my heart. And as I believe in giving where and when I can, well this feels like the right way to start off a New Year - into the woods with a beautiful family and a lot of love.
the lake house
"The world is full of magic things, patiently waiting for our senses to grow sharper.”
― W.B. Yeats
Where do i begin with this experience for what began as a gift card from one lovely sister to another turned into a bit of a journey.
In an initial discussion, I was left with an impression of family, of love and togetherness. And while we couldn't really make the entire family gathering possible, we opted to focus in on those more immediate. Which sounds in theory easy enough, until you try to find time in three different schedules (four counting mine!), particularly as I advocated for gather everyone together than at the lake house in new hampshire.
Though a bit of a drive for me, I couldn't resist - the location sounded dreamy, and as I'd never driven out through the winding roads that way I was eager for the scenery to be seen along the back roads and by roads that wound to an enchanting (yes, I used that word) drive up that led to a house on a lake that I struggle to find the words for. While yes, the actual house was brilliant - the craftsmanship of wood and and light and space - but it was much more than that. I could see cousins splashing and running ... I could hear laughter, sense the story, feel the love shared among family which on this day revolved around a certain red haired blue eyed boy who dazzled and delighted with his many expressions and silly sounds (and non stop motion).
The adoration of two sets of grandparents, remy the dog, his aunt and his own parents are evident throughout. The documentary inside was what I'd hoped for, and the portraits were exactly what I knew they'd be. And I feel the entire collection speaks to this family and their clan rather well - the lightness of spirit, the fullness of heart. I can only hope they'll have me again - preferably in a warmer season with more of them there ... I see their story and the richness of their connections with each other.
Wells Blog
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