Friday, July 4, 2014

My Pivotal Moment

by Cathy


My sister called one morning to talk about selling our parent’s home. Our mom had been gone eight years, our dad five. The same renter had been in the house for the past four years, but she was ready to sell it. It was her call as she is the one who had to take care of it, living in the same town. “Will you come help me clean it up?” she asked.



“Of course,” I told her and in a few weeks time I was heading a couple hours south to Vancouver. I arrived ready to work and met her over at the house. I had not been there since we rented it and I knew it would be hard. Our renter was good, he paid his rent on time, kept the inside of the place up and we really had no complaints. But we both knew it would need some TLC to get it ready to put on the market. 


She met me at the door, “I don’t think he has mowed the back yard since he has been here,” she cried. “Mom and Dad would be so upset.”  We both stood in the back yard remembering how perfect it all use to look. We talked about the big garden they always had and Mom's gigantic rosemary plant, which stood all dried up and dead now. 




“I say we leave this for the guys,” I told her. Our husbands would both be available to help in a couple of days. She agreed and we got to work on the inside. 



When we got back to her house that evening we were both physically and emotionally drained.  We had talked about Mom and Dad all day long and all I wanted now was a hot shower.  I walked into her guest room and saw my camera and thought to myself that the last thing I wanted to do was head someplace to take a photo. I was midway into my first 365 project and while I like to use my big girl camera for my daily shot, I had used shots from my phone and I thought today will be one of those days. I jumped into the shower, letting the hot water wash away some of my sadness and when I was done I stepped out to this. . . 


I wrapped the towel around me and scooted into the guest room grabbed my camera and brought it back into the bathroom and clicked. For me it was a pivotal moment in my photography journey. To this day it is still one of my favorite captures. I have discovered that this is my passion; capturing those simple everyday moments. And while I love to take photos of those I love and places I see, it is these simple, tiny moments which speak to my heart so. It is what I am after every day.


Summer time is the perfect time to notice those moments. The light is good, days are longer, and the kids are home. I encourage you to step back and watch the magic unfold around you and click away. Look for moments and things you might not have ever thought to capture; your kitchen sink full of dinner dishes, that sticky Popsicle stick left on your kitchen table, the piles of dirty laundry from a well-deserved vacation. These are the simple, everyday moments that make up our lives; document them.


I think you will be pleased with your results. 

10 comments:

AFishGirl said...

I really needed to read and see this today, Cathy. Thank you for this beautiful post. I'm exhaling.

kelly said...

i could not love this post anymore. this is what it is all about for me. what a perfect way to start my weekend. xo

Deanna said...

What a heart felt post.

Dotti said...

Beautiful. Simply beautiful! I really need to zone in on these little things. I'm wending my way southward to 'our' beach. I'm going to put this into practice this week. Thank you, Cathy!

terriporter said...

Cathy, you are the master at capturing those simple everyday moments. I always enjoy seeing your world through your camera lens. And your words ... always a pleasure to read. That shot of the sun going down through the curtains is just gorgeous! Something so simple but you had the eyes to see it and the desire to capture it. Every one of these shots is a little slice of heaven and I thank you for sharing them here. I am going to attempt to open up my eyes a little more and see the beauty around me. Thanks for the inspiration.

Linda said...

What a beautiful post! Just what I needed to read today too. The simple things in life deserved to be remembered. Thanks for the reminder.

Roxi H said...

Great post. I need to do more if those type of shots. Thanks for the reminder and the awesome shower shot!

Carol said...

I am a day late, but I wanted to say this is beautiful in both words and images! I love seeing people who notice the beauty around them, and recognize it's emotional connection. Thanks for sharing your eyes with me.

Peggy said...

I think the thing that distinguishes a real photographer from one who just takes pictures is that they have the ability to make the ordinary beautiful. You can see things that most of us would not consider picture worthy. You teach me to really look and not be afraid to shoot. Taking pictures of places I go is fun but seeing my everyday life would be more meaningful. peggy from PA

susan said...

beautiful post and so heartfelt. absolutely adore… xoxo

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