Photographs are windows to our memory. Reflections of our life. Reminders of our blessings. Each Wednesday we feature 5 personal favorite photos from a Creative Team member or a friend. These 5 photos will remind of us why photography is so beautiful and why documenting the everyday is so important. The goal is to leave us all a little more inspired to cultivate a good life and record it.
Our inspiration this week comes from Creative Team member Cathy Zielske. In her own words…
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During all of 2012, I’ve been taking more and more pictures with my iPhone. Yes, I have a big, fancy DSLR, and yes, the quality of the photos is amazing, but it’s not always within reach, and it’s certainly not with me everywhere I go.
Here are five photos from the past year, taken with my phone and processed via my favorite app, Instagram, and the take-away behind each shot.
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Shoot ordinary moments
Seeing my 13-year-old, chilling on the couch with the omnipresent laptop reminds me that one day, this boy is going to fill up a lot more of the couch. I love to shoot people unaware, and often, I’ll mute my phone so they don’t hear the tell-tale shutter sound. I’m finding that teen aged boys are much less fond of having their photos taken.
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Don’t worry about getting the perfect shot
This photo, taken at 5 a.m. on a day when my oldest child was headed off on a mission trip to El Salvador isn’t a classically fabulous shot, with all the clutter and the low light and high grain. But what I see is a 15-year-old girl full of nerves and excitement for her first major trip away from her family, and I recall my own worries and fears for her safety. This simple cell phone shot packs a lot of emotion for me. Sometimes, grabbing your cell phone and shooting away, even in less than ideal settings, will save a memory you will never forget.
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Snap your surroundings
Where are you right now? Is it worthy of a quick shot? Sure! Why not? I love to take photos of my surroundings, and I usually try to get some part of me in the shot. This photo was taken up in Northern Minnesota at our family cabin. I can smell the lake and feel the cool breeze and am instantly transported. One quick snap on the cell phone and the memory is saved.
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Inspiration is everywhere
When you’re out and about, if you see something that inspires you, stop and get a shot. One day, driving to my bank, I noticed a new building where they’d engraved words all over the building. I pulled my car up, leaned out the window and took the shot. I think there is inspiration at nearly every turn and all you need is a phone camera to save the scene. Pay attention to what catches your eye. The most interesting photos can result.
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Don’t forget about you
With a cell phone camera, you can basically shoot away until you get a flattering shot of yourself, and why not? As the memory keeper of your family, I’m guessing the number of photos of you might be sorely lacking. Don’t forget about taking pictures of yourself. Seriously. There are so few photos of my mom from her younger years, and sure, they didn’t take photos the way we do today. Still, get out of the mindset that pictures of you aren’t as important. Because they are.
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You can learn more about Cathy here + check out more of her everyday photos and Project Life pages on her blog.
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Tags: creative team, Everyday Photos
As a fellow Minnesotan, I agree with what you said about the lakes in MN. There’s nothing like the smell of the woods and the lakes and a campfire. I could actually smell it when she described it. Thank you!!