Personal

My garden is quickly becoming my place of peace and quiet. I am sure that I can go outside to water it every day and see something new … A new bloom, a new pepper, the beginning of the change in color in a tomato. It’s amazing to know that my garden does as well as it does because I spent the time nurturing it. I’ve already been able to taste the bounty, as I’ve had a few tomato’s ripen already. The best part is watering the garden, and then popping a yellow pear tomato in my mouth, still warm from the sun, and the taste of the juice squirting as I bite into it!

I use to think gardening was a chore …. now I find it a very pleasing and self rewarding habit. Here’s a few quick shots from the garden as it is today.

I found this quote today:

There is a garden in every childhood, an enchanted place where colors are brighter, the air softer, and the morning more fragrant than ever again. ~Elizabeth Lawrence

We live in a scary and not so fun world … I am not sure why I feel so strongly to capture this project, but I can say that I wish that I could keep every child from growing up, from ever having to face the reality that this world is becoming. I was able to spend a great portion of today with a few children that have no fears, no false illusions, no hold on the reality we call life.

I am a mother of three children, the oldest will be 15 this year. How do we as parents shield our children from what they must ultimately face as adults. Being a military veteran and spouse, I am all too aware of how this world “really is” … and I know that I would love nothing more than to lock my children away and never let them become adults.

Between shootings at movie theaters and schools, bombings at marathons, flying planes that crash into tall building, abortions, gun control, sexual predators, lairs, cheaters and gossipers .. I fear there is not much hope for my children. I use to believe that this life was great and grand … and then I too grew up.

Somewhere over the last few months I have found the “need” to set up a photography project. One, I have a studio that needs a few photos hung up, but two I have a desire to capture true and pure innocence, and to do that with the children that come in front of my camera.

I do not have a plan of action for these photos … but I have a few ideas in mind. I will be working with about 15 girls and then I’ll round up about 15 boys and I will put together my first photography project portfolio. It is called “Return to Innocence” ….

I hope that everyone will stick close and watch for the final portfolio to be revealed. Here are a few of my favorites from a couple sessions I have photographed while visiting the El Paso Zoo.