wish i could take you there...

You know if I was a better writer I would be able to share Squam with you in a way that would make you feel like you were there with me. I suppose that's how I found photography in the first place because i needed a way to express what I couldn't say in words. Squam has always been that, an experience too close to me that words cannot do it justice.

I wish I could take you all there. We'd swim in the cool lake till we couldn't stand it any longer. We'd sit on the dock laughing and talking with other woman about anything and everything. We'd get lost walking along the paths on our way to class. We'd sit for a spell and listen to the birds, the crickets, the rustling of the leaves, and acorns descending to the ground. We'd clear our mind with yoga. We'd meet new woman who quickly felt like old friends. We'd sit by the fire eating chocolate and telling stories. We'd participate in silly, photo reenactment games. We'd feel free and open to whatever the week had in store for us.

Instead of sharing photos, in the traditional sense, I made a video/slideshow of my experience at Squam a couple weeks ago. One of my goals this year was to learn to make videos. Sigh. I have so much to learn, 1) being actually taking the videos. I'm still in photograph mode. Anyway, here is my first of, I hope, many creations.



squam love | fall 2012 from amy gretchen on Vimeo.

The days I've spent walking the woods surrounded with these woman have made such an impact on me. They have truly touched my life for good and how grateful I am our paths crossed. The strength I've come home with after each session is helping me get closer to the woman I'm striving to be. Thank you for being apart of my story.

But don't take my work for it, come! Come and see how SquamArtWorkshops can change you?

see more photos from squam here.

illusion

if you hold on to the handle, she said, it's easier to maintain the illusion of control. but it's more fun if you let go & just let the wind carry you.

~storypeople

 

Have a great weekend! xo

12of12 | September | iphone version

[click here to enlarge]

01. The farm house I spent the night in.
02. Slowly waking up at the farm with seven other beauties and the promise of an excellent day ahead.
03. More farm. I couldn't get enough of this place and want to steal away there for an entire summer. Love it!
04. Went out running with Thea and came across this killer barn.
05. This huge wooden table in the dinning room was full of drawings, writings, and names. I could have spent hours reading.
06. If these walls could talk. The farm was just as magical on the inside and it was on the outside and I couldn't help but wonder what it has witnessed over the years.
07. Went to the fabric/yarn store with Thea, Allison, and Cal to get fabric for a skirt I'd be making in Cal's class. You'd be impressed, I choose something in under 5 minutes. A record, I believe for me, when shopping for fabric.
08. I couldn't imagine a more perfect greeting than to be welcomed by my dear friends Tingle and Maya as I checked in at Squam Art Workshops.
09. A gathering of woman. Really we're keeping ourselves busy while waiting for the dining hall to open for dinner.
10. I'm a huge fan of all the different cameras I see with all these amazingly creative woman.
11. Walking through the woods -- it really is magical there.
12. Our first of many meals together. It's not just about food, it's about being together.

Posting this now makes me miss everyone that much more.  :)

Again, I'm sorry for my delay! There is just no way I could have made it work with my spotty wireless connection. I can be sitting right next to my modem and it has me on 3G. Can't figure it out. Hopefully my new phone, yep the iphone5 is ordered and soon to be on it's way, will fix the issue.

Anyway, it feels good to be back and reconnecting. I hope you all had an enjoyable day shooting.

xo g

coming soon

I'm sorry to have not stopped by my blog today to post my 12of12. I am deep in the woods where I'm constantly in and out of service. I will post my photos when I can -- unfortunately its probably going to be after I get home. :)

Till next time. xo
Good night!

trains, plane and automobiles

Just wanted to remind you all that tomorrow is the twelfth. Looks like this is going to be another iPhone addition for me since I'm on the road -- or tracks as the case maybe right now. I'm currently on a train heading to Albany to hook up with my lovely friend Thea and then on to New Hampshire by car.

I must say I'm quite enjoying my train ride. It's not the first time I've been on a train, but it certainly the most beautiful leg I've had. There is something magical about up state New York, wouldn't you agree? Definitely looks good from my window seat.

Well, so far all of New York has looked amazing and treated me very well. Actually it was my delightful friend Tory who made my trip exceptional or as she would say, special. I will greatly miss her energy and late night chats. I can't wait for her to come west and hit the slopes with me.

Before I sign off just wanted to share a few instagrams from the past few days.

Have a fabulous day!

City lights

Can't help, but fall in love with this city -- especially at night in the rain.

randoms from the airport

I'm sitting at the airport this morning getting ready to board my flight. I'm heading to New York first for a few days before I head to New Hampshire for Squam. It's hard for me to believe it's already that time again. I am looking forward to another great class and the connections I'll make that only happen deep in the woods.

But first New York. Back in the day when I was making my flight arrangements I didn't realize I would be in the city during 9/11. I have to say there is a layer of trepidation, but i am grateful for the coincidence. Can't imagine visiting the big apple any other time.

After enjoying breakfast this morning we had a fun lighthearted ride to the airport. I wasn't quite expecting the reactions I received, though I can't imagine why I didn't, they were so true to them. Bella gave me a big hug, told me to have fun and not to worry, they would be ok. Tess barely gave me a hug claiming 8 days is not long enough to miss. I disagree, even Adam misses after 3 days. Megan, poor meg, cried and cried. Makes it so much harder to walk away when there's tears. Sure do miss them!

How come you're always famished and in need of a bathroom when you fly?? Maybe it's just me, but the complimentary peanuts are a must.

The colors are already beginning to cover our mountains -- they were so beautiful as we flew over them. I've never seen them change so early and I'm thinking it must be a result of the crazy dry summer we had. I hope it doesn't peak when I'm gone -- it's one of my favorite parts of the year.

Fast forward.

Funny how it takes an entire day to post since I'm in and out of service constantly. Right now I'm sitting on the plane for who knows how long waiting to take off. Apparently the big storm in NY is causing problems. Bleh! They keep pushing back the time and I'm wondering now if I won't be spending the night in the airport??

Anyway I better sign off. I had hoped to add some photos, but my phone is quickly dying.

Till next time :) Hope your having a great weekend!

everyone is

the fulfilled life is a consequence, a gratifying byproduct. It’s what happens when you’re thinking about more important things. Climb the mountain not to plant your flag, but to embrace the challenge, enjoy the air and behold the view. Climb it so you can see the world, not so the world can see you. Go to Paris to be in Paris, not to cross it off your list and congratulate yourself for being worldly. Exercise free will and creative, independent thought not for the satisfactions they will bring you, but for the good they will do others, the rest of the 6.8 billion—and those who will follow them. And then you too will discover the great and curious truth of the human experience is that selflessness is the best thing you can do for yourself. The sweetest joys of life, then, come only with the recognition that you’re not special.

Because everyone is.

-David McCullough (Wellesley Commencement)

hello again

For the past couple of weeks I have felt a pull back to my blog. I can't be sure why I took such a long break. What I thought would only be days turned into weeks and months, but it's apparently what I needed. I have always tried to be true to myself and never force the words when I'm just not feeling it.

With school officially starting Monday the tides are turning around here and we are all mentally preparing for another school year ahead. While I have loved this summer together, I can't believe it's already coming to an end, I am ready, and I believe the girls are too, to get back into a schedule and regular routine. Since I was a school aged girl September has always felt like January, the beginning of a new year, making goals and reevaluating. This September has been no different.

In fact, getting offline this summer has given me a lot of time to think and reflect. I have felt for sometime that I'm at a bit of a crossroads and I haven't been entirely sure which direction to go. I continue to use my camera, but even my photography wants/needs to evolve. Upon reflection I feel I've been too stagnant for far too long and I need to step it up. I have missed, desperately, being creative and it's time now to stop missing and starting moving.

Bringing my blog back to life feels like the first step. This past week I have felt my juices flowing and my eagerness to leave the lazy summer days behind and get back to work.

Hello friends! It's good to be back :)