The Photography Itch Is Back!!

Snail - Photography

For those of you that have kept me company on my creative journey for years, you know my first creative love was photography. There was a point in my life where I wouldn't think of leaving home without my camera. I made pictures every day and loved to share how I saw the world. And a very big part of my perspective about the world was shaped by life with my pups. So when Freddy my sweet boy became ill with cancer and we lost him despite everything, I couldn't stand to pick up my camera again. The thought of no longer being able to see him through my view finder just took that story telling spark away.

It's been almost 4 years since that happened. And it has been weird not having that constant itch to scan and look for magical details and stories around me. The urge to pull out my camera and get to making an image that I hope communicates what I want to share. I've pulled out my camera a few times and tried to recapture the passion. It was there but a very numbed dull version of it missing all the excitement and curiosity that I usually feel.

And then yesterday I was outside walking the dogs and Leroy discovered a patch of earth that was no doubt saturated in some sort of critter pee or poop....and dove face first into it to rub the random stink all over himself. While I was bent over telling him to quit his shenanigans I saw this snail shell on the leaf of a lily plant. And right there in the middle of arguing with a stinky Leroy, I felt that itch to make a picture hit me full force. I wanted to dash back home to get my camera (wasn't gonna happen because I no longer have the capacity to dash anywhere). I so desperately wanted to make this image. Then I remembered I had my cellphone and it would just have to do. Which is how I came to be squating on the ground trying to make an image that felt like I saw it.....while Leroy took the opportunity to continue to run his body in the filth.

It isn't perfect, it isn't exactly what I wanted...but lemme tell you how happy I am that I've spent the last 24 hours being plagued by the need to dust off my camera and go make some magic. I hope it sticks. I missed this part of me.