I opened the door and peeked in, and there it was, a question that really sent me deep into thought and reflection! I went back a few years, then a few more. I thought about every picture I took. I thought about the people, places and things. I thought about my life and how privilaged and blessed I am to travel, do the things I get to do and meet the people I get to meet! I live an abundant life!
I was humbled as I looked back on my life, because parts of my life are not particularly happy ones, but as I looked back, I’m not even sure how I can compare the bad seconds to the hours upon hours of amazing things I’ve been allowed to experience.
So, what question set my soul on fire?
It comes from Jason and he asked me:
“In all your years of shooting…what photo are you most proud …of and why?
Jason, you really got me thinking and to be honest, your question really helped me put into perspective a lot in my life. so, Thank You!
So, what picture am I most proud of? Like a lot in my life I don’t have just a simple answer, If I had to pick one, well, I’d probably have to list more!
As I looked back, I started to think of certain pictures and I realized that those pictures that I thought of first were more because of the amazing people I was honored to meet and photograph! What made the picture an honor was the people, not so much my talent or ability, but the “life story” and people behind the picture.
I thought of all my brides and grooms and they all know they are special to me but, i wanted to dig deeper and this is what I found!
Erika: A beautiful woman who cried at her trash the dress session because her dress had already been worn and her marriage had ended, what was difficult turned into laughter and joy. I’ll be shooting Erika’s wedding in a couple of weeks! It’s been a joy to know her and watch her grow through these years!
Sam: I met Sam at my hotel in Westchester, NY. We just started to talk and when Sam wanted to tell me “his story” I felt such a strong connection to him and the wife he loved so much and lost a few years ago to cervical cancer. Sam caused me to blog and encourage women everywhere to pay the costs and get checked, had his wife done so, it would have been her hand he was holding that day, not mine!
Bert Randolph Sugar: On a train ride home from NYC to my hotel I sat across from a man with amazing stories. I thought no one could have done these things, met these people. For over an hour we talked and shared and laughed. He promised me at the end of the ride he would tell me who he was. Do you believe I had to google it? Stay in touch Bert! I miss our chats!
Eretz Yisrael: Israel, while I have many many pictures of Israel this one stood out, I just snapped it, I thought about this young man serving his country and who he may have been talking to. The smile on his face, the weapon in his hand. Ths photo also haunts me, because I tried to find him, I wanted a release to be able to use this picture. To this day, he remains a mystery!
Rev. Stanley W. Scott: I was asked to follow the end of Rev. Scotts life. This was particularly difficult because, he was a constant help in my life for 23 years. He baptized me, married me and prayed over my life and my families. He was a constant strong point in my life. I was honored to cover his life and his death. I chose this picture of him, because it’s how I remember him most! I hope to share more images of him with you in a month or so.
Ami Jerimiah Cohen: I covered the birth of Ami and when his birth became an urgent factor, I did the only thing I knew to do, I grabbed my camera and I stayed composed, and in a matter of seconds I heard his cries from the operating room! Ami is my grandson! He’s beyond amazing and special. A part of my heart beats in his!
I’ve lived a wonderful life and it’s far from over! It’s been amazing and i can only look forward to the next person I meet and get to here “your life story” I’ve been privilaged to travel to different nations and states, to cover life from the beginning to the end!
Thank you everyone for allowing me the opportunity to share your Life Story, photographing you and allowing me to be special enough to be entrusted with it. Thank you! I am deeply humbled by this chance to look back!
