What Does Photography Mean to Me, Part 3 // Guest Blog

Part 3 in my series, what does photography mean to me? Carlie has been my dear friend for years and, even though I don't see her often, she has had a huge role in my life. She currently lives in Northern Virginia with her husband, Dietrich, and is the creator of a great blog, Fat Soul Slim Kitchen. Check it out for awesome tips on cooking, finances, and everything in between.

As I walk through my living room and glance over at the almost 50 different pictures fixed on just one wall, my eyes hang longer than intended and my mind is in a million different places.

My attention swings to my bookshelf to see the 12 photo albums made within the last decade and then to the scraps all over my kitchen table of the most current one I am working on. Like many others, I then sit down to regularly spend more than I projected clicking through me and my friends’ albums on Facebook.

My family has always been picture people. Every shelf, every wall, and every room of the house I was raised in has framed captured memories about them. It may be that, like me and my house now, my mom loved being surrounded by people – even if only their still faces. I love the comfort that these moments bring.

It is all about connectedness. Each of those pictures captured a moment where we were with someone or went somewhere or did something meaningful to us that made us glow. Now, except for Dietrich and my apartment, I don’t see most of these people or places every day or even every month. And against my wishes, some I may only see once a year. But when I hang that moment we had together up on my wall, I am reminded of our connection any time I open my eyes.

Surely I’m not the only one who gets a good case of the forgetfulnesses once in a while and can’t seem to remember that I have friends and that my life is filled with many good times. When the busyness of life takes over for a spell or its winter and no one has left their house in weeks except for work, their faces, silent but shouting with joy, keep my spirits lifted as though they were right here with me.

Though we do not get to greet each other every day or have buckets full of laughter once a week, I remember the giggles, the jokes, the comfort, the excitement, the relaxation, the music, the long trips, the snoring, the heat, the cold, the shouting, the food, the sunsets, the craziness, and of course, the love and experience once again that connection and the friendship we have.

Copyright Katy Martin Photography

What Does Photography Mean to Me, Part 2 // Guest Blog

Another blog in my series about what photography means to different people in their lives! This post comes courtesy of a dear friend, Katy, graduate of Radford University with BFA in Graphic Design. She spent 2013 in Johannesburg, South Africa designing for the IMB and sharing the love of Jesus. If you need her to do something, the best form of bribery is through a cup of coffee or a cone of ice cream. Currently, Katy is serving with a campus ministry in Northern Kentucky.

I remember the day I realized I could make a picture look artistic. My roommate showed me the “micro” setting on my point-and-shoot and I fell in love. That was 5 years ago. Since then I’ve grown so much as a photographer, as an artist, and as someone who just appreciates capturing life in any format. 

Photo credit: Katy Martin

In 2010 I attended the PASSION Conference in Atlanta, Georgia for the first time. If you’re familiar with it, you know it is nothing short of an incredible experience. One of their projects is the Do Something Now area. This massive setup is available for attendees to walk through and become aware of the world’s injustices (lack of clean water, human trafficking, aids, etc.). I specifically remember walking up on a section dedicated to Clean Water and seeing an image similar to this:

Photo credit: Esther Havens

It altered the way I thought of photographs. They no longer consisted of my everyday moments, but it now included everyday moments for someone who is experiencing clean water for the first time. I soon thereafter learned of Esther Havens and her incredible work with humanitarian organizations. She captures people so realistically and in such a hopeful light, I couldn’t help but long for her eye behind the lens.

The fact that anyone could capture this moment so beautifully shifted my ambitions for photography.  I wanted to always photograph things that gave a face and name to the stories, people, injustices, or celebrations, of whomever, whatever I encountered. Photographs became my novels, written by an amateur author. 

What Does Photography Mean to Me, Part 1 // Guest Blog

I've asked a few people I hold dear to my heart to answer the question, "What does photography mean to me?" I think it's so important to hear from real people about real events in their life, and understand why families choose to get pictures taken. This guest post is from Rebekah, who I've known for years - she was actually my babysitter when I was younger! Rebekah currently lives in Southwest Virginia, is a wonderful mom of 3, and is also a doula and marathoner. She keeps pretty busy! I hope this was as big of a blessing to you as it was to me!

I was recently asked, "What have pictures meant to me in my life?". Initially, this question took me off guard, because honestly, photos are something I tend to take for granted. I mean, with the surge of smartphones (we have 2 iPhones in our home), it is ludicrously easy to get snapshots or videos on the fly. Then, I started really thinking...

In early December, my husband and I went on a belated 7 year anniversary trip to Gettysburg, Pa. (We're both history nerds... what can I say?!) About three weeks before our trip, I had the sudden idea to hire a mini-shoot photographer to capture our getaway and to celebrate our 7 years of marriage.

I think this photo - taken by Rose Finley of The Focus Photography in Gettysburg, Pa. - speaks for itself.

We have this shot framed and hanging in the hall just outside our bedroom door. Why?  This photo captures the joy of a weekend getaway, just the two of us.  It captures thelove we've shared for over 7 years.  It captures the friendship we've learned to cherish.

So, then, I started to think about what daily photos have grown to mean a lot to me.

Photos can celebrate those routine day-to-day moments that we may not remember otherwise, those precious moments we may be too sleep deprived to remember on our own!

Photos can capture special times together with family - time enjoying creation together, relaxation after dinner together, a fleeting smile that would have otherwise been missed.  

If it wasn't for this photo (Copyright - Aaron Stewart), would I necessarily remember the green of the grass by the lake in Michigan in July?  Would I remember how positively frigid it was that day and how I didn't pack enough warm clothes?  Would I remember how we laughed as we huddled together and smiled for the camera only to bolt inside to warm up once the shots had been taken?

You may be wondering - why even bother?

Photos capture memories.  Joy.  Life is filled with so much joy, but sometimes it takes looking back at a snapshot - a frozen moment in time - to really become aware of the joy that has filled our memories.  

So, as I've reflected on the significance of photos in my life, I've come to learn that photos are important reminders of time spent with family, special memories shared together, and remembering joy in the seemingly mundane.  As cliche as it may sound, a picture really is worth 1000 words.