Find the Beauty in Protecting What You Love

As a professional photographer for the last 35+ years, I have viewed thousands upon thousands of images both that I have taken, and those of other photographers. When I first saw this photograph several years ago by photographer Gregory Colbert, (Girl & Elephant from his Ashes & Snow Exhibit) … it took my breath away. I loved how I felt upon viewing it. I felt love, compassion, and in particular connection. Connection to Spirit, nature, and all the animals we coexist with on Mother Earth. I also felt respect and dignity portrayed in this particular photo. It truly “widened my lens” as to how I viewed the natural world and what my intention could potentially be as I moved forward with any of my photography assignments. I realized I could bring a lot more to a photo session besides my photographic eye or my camera equipment/lighting. I could also bring my own “internal light” into a photo session – by that I mean - I could “be” love and acceptance; hence, help my human subjects to be more comfortable in their own skin or in my nature photography, I could share the innate joy that animals bring to our lives. I would attempt, in my role as photographer, to do as an old Maybelline make-up tag line stated, to “Light Up Every Room I Walk Into.”

Seeing that photo by Colbert in that moment, shifted my responsibility as a photographer and a storyteller. My role changed in that I became not only responsible for recording an image for an ad, a headshot for a client, or documenting an event…but to see and capture the very best in people and nature and record/share that.

And presently, I would suggest that my role as a human, as well as a photographer, is to become more dutiful; considering where we are with the pandemic and climate crisis in our world. As this darkness moves through this time period, I can easily get lost in anxiety and worry about it. But at the same time, I’m even more cognizant of the “light” I can potentially bring to my observations; to my life and to my work. Case in point, Mother Nature needs this time of heightened “exposure,” so as to be acutely seen in all her power and glory, and I can, gratefully photograph her creatures/fauna with that intention in mind.

This short video entitled, “Nature Is Speaking,” with Julia Roberts sums up how we must respect her rules.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WmVLcj-XKnM

For me personally, week four into “shelter at home,” involves a daily visit to my backyard deck where I am surrounded by woodlands…forsythia and hyacinth are blooming, trees are greening up, and the birds: robins, chickadees, cardinals, red-winged blackbirds are singing their hearts out. I hear no strain, boredom, or panic in their voices as they fly overhead or perch in the trees. Beyond the unfamiliar, sometimes troubling, rhythm my body is currently holding during these strange times, their lovely voices prompt me to decide to choose another option – to joyfully raise my vibration and allow myself to be inspired by the beauty that surrounds me.

Nature cinemaphotographer Louie Schwartsberg states;

“beauty and seduction are nature’s tool for survival,

because we protect what we fall in love with.”

We need to give sunlight to the issue of climate change, but we also need to bring our hearts to the table. Will this time of “shelter at home” help us to remember the beauty of nature shining through our windows each day as we remain sequestered for the good of our health and the health of our world? Is this a window of time/opportunity to elevate our consciousness and fall in love with nature again?

Like the familiar memory of seeing Colbert’s photo of the “Girl & Elephant” for the first time, I am being given this current opportunity to look at my view of nature just outside my window, or through my camera lens - again,... I love how I feel upon viewing it; love, compassion, and connection enters my soul.

I am asking that in this time of the pandemic, whether it is sitting in our yards or leaving our solitary fortresses for a walk outside, that these conscious moments will serve as a frequent reminder… that as we watch the tulips come up, hear a chickadee’s song, or smell the sweetness of blooming peonies, that we stay present to address the needs of Mother Earth. To not just take in her scenery, but to love her, “for what we fall in love in with, we protect. “

For those who live in places where nature/animals are a bit far away from home, check out these sweet animal photos by John Drysdale only a click away at… https://www.pinterest.com/carrbieker/photo-john-drysdale/