seeing the everyday

[september 2006]

I'm sharing this photo with you today because it was this moment I started seeing life from behind my lens. We were walking to the car after an afternoon of fun at the school carnival and I urged my girls to sit on the hillside so I could take their picture. My objective was to get a lovely picture of the three of them, together, smiling, and what I got was this -- Bella sitting austere, seemingly unaware of the other two who were busy freaking out about a fly (Tess is attempting to swat at it, not trying to hit Megan).

After going through my contact sheet of the photographs I took that afternoon the photo above is what stood out to me. It depicted so perfectly the story of what our life was like on a regular basis. It was REAL and I loved it. It was then I realized I want to capture life as it's happening. I want the good and the ugly. I want the crazy hair and the mismatched clothes. I want the family games, evening with friends, and the unbridled laughter. I want the snuggles and the quiet moments. I want the morning light streaming in from my window and our faces first thing in the morning. I want the messy house and what it's like inside our car on the way to get ice-cream. I wanted to capture us.

And it was all of that, that lead me here.

Next year, 2012, I'm going to be teaching a photography class at Squam Art Workshops.

pause :: do a little dance

It's called Seeing the Everyday. I'll be teaching in New Hampshire in June and September, and in Outer Banks North Carolina in October.

I don't even have the words to try and explain what this means to me. I've wanted this. I've been working toward this, to be able to share with you my passion for really seeing life, and to finally have it within reach, I am speechless.

All I have in my heart this morning is gratitude. Gratitude for those who got me and saw my vision. Gratitude for those who helped me get to where I am today. Gratitude for God's hand in my life. Gratitude for my family for inspiring me. Gratitude to be given the opportunity to share something important to me. Gratitude for my three girls (Hannah, Jenica, and Amy) who got my ball rolling. Gratitude for those who saw in me what I could not see in myself. Gratitude for the support and encouragement from people like you.

Thank you.

I would love more than anything to see you there. Come. Let's play with our cameras together. Squam is a life changing experience you will take with you for the rest of your life. I know. It has changed mine forever.

xoxo
amy gretchen