Jan
4
2010

Capturing Life

Filed under: Photography

“Photography is a way of feeling, of touching, of loving. What you have caught on film is captured forever. It remembers little things long after you have forgotten everything.” – Aaron Siskind

In 1997, I took advantage of a once in a lifetime opportunity. A position had come available at the North Dakota Air National Guard, one that was highly sought after and rarely opened up…the position of “Still Photographic Specialist”. Otherwise known as “a photographer”. I was 1 year into college, and still didn’t know what I wanted to do with my life. I had loved photography for as long as I could remember…so when my dad told me about this position, it got my attention. I went for a tour of the base, and the rest is history. My life was changed forever.

I held up my hand and swore to defend our country. I spent 6 1/2 weeks in Air Force basic training, and another 6 months in training at Ft. Meade, Maryland. Ft. Meade houses the Defense Information School, which is basically the artsy fartsy school for all military branches. What a hoot…try to imagine…military meets art. Crazy. It was so much fun…and I learned alongside some very talented people with whom I am still in touch with today (a big hoo-rah to my ladies!)

I spent the next 6 years working for the military…shooting generals (now that sounds dangerous!), documenting deployments, donning gas masks, flying in KC-135 tankers,…always in search of the perfect shot. I started on film cameras because that is all we had back in the olden days. In school, we learned in the dark room, with black and white film…and then spent a lot of our time shooting slide film. We only had a week or so of Photoshop training.

When my unit finally bought us the new fangled digital cameras, every one was excited, but almost scared to use them. The first digital camera I used sported a whopping ONE MB image size. Whoa! And we were all amazed. And after that, the technology exploded. And we always seemed to have the latest and greatest. I feel very blessed to have had such a great background in photography and in learning Photoshop. I truly enjoyed my time with the military and I am thankful for the experience. I went in with one goal…and that was to learn as much about photography as possible. Mission accomplished.

I finished up my bachelor’s degree in photography and design and continued to fall in love with capturing life. Fast forward to today…I’m now in business for myself, and loving every minute of it. I am passionate about life, and it’s only natural for me to want to freeze my favorite moments in time forever! My camera goes with me EVERYWHERE. When I don’t have my “big” camera, I use my iPhone. And this brings me to the whole point of this blog post.

I want to encourage all of you who are reading this to CAPTURE YOUR LIFE!! You will forget many things…but when you take a photo, you can remember forever. Who will be around in 100 years to tell about what you did every day? Not you! But your photos will be (if you remember to back up your hard drive! ha). Think of your photography as a treasured heirloom that you are passing down to your family.

You don’t have to have a fancy camera to take photos. As Chase Jarvis would say, “The Best Camera is the One That’s With You”. And for me, that happens to be my iPhone. His philosphy is to use whatever you have with you at the time to make amazing, memorable photos. Chase’s book is made up completely of photos taken on his iPhone (even though Chase is an incredible, sought after commercial photgrapher!). It’s totally inspiring. It forced me to SEE again…to really notice the details around me. In the book, he says,

“As an artist, I feel more free with the little camera built into my iPhone than I ever have with any other camera. I somehow recovered an innocence I’d lost, and I was able to see the world again for what it is: a beautiful, funny, sad, honest, simple, bizarre, and wonderful place. If taking pictures helps you see this, then keep shooting.”

Yes! I love this. As someone who knows a lot about the technical side of photography, I sometimes over think and over perfect my photos. I can rely on my gear and post processing skill to clean up a shot or make it into something that it wasn’t. I don’t have that luxury with a camera phone. It is what it is. Sometimes it’s grainy. Other times it’s too bright. Or too dark. And blurry. Just like real life. And that’s what I love about it.

Chase also has a GREAT app for the iPhone called “Best Camera“. I love love love it. The photos in the collage above are some that I’ve taken recently with using the app. I’ll be adding more photos (hopefully daily) to this set.

And lastly, here are some people, blogs, and a book that are inspiring me right now:

“Within the Frame: The Journey of Photographic Vision” by David duChemin. It’s a MUST READ for every photographer. So good.
Flickr…I LOVE Flickr. If there was word bigger than love, I would use it.
Clickin’ Moms
Shutter Sisters
Denise
Erin, especially this set.
Lens: New York Times
Sarah Rhodes
Tara Whitney

I want to hear from those of you who love capturing life…what or who are you inspired by? Why do you keep shooting?

Posted by Sara @ 8:52 pm | Leave a Comment

http://laughingfamily.blogspot.com tarena

loved this…without photos I would not be able to speak, communicate or even breathe.
http://www.akereshabayis.blogspot.com Angelique

Thanks to my daughter who at 15 began taking up photography she reminded me of an old love. And it inspired me to recently join The blog camp 365 in 2010 project. It’s my first but it commits me to my love. Capturing everyday with my blackberry curve, not the greatest pics but raw, none of the prep, it is what it is. It keeps me from trying to be a perfectionist!!! To see my life which sometimes I can take for granted in a pic, I can see how blessed I am. That pic is my life and not anothers. Seeing it through my own eye….
What keeps me inspired is life itself, good or bad this is the moment and it won’t come again.

Thanks for such a lovely post and links.

Shalom
Angelique
http://oakblossoms.blogspot.com/ Heatherlee

I was so sick last year I hardly took a picture. This year I started a photo challenge for myself…it’s on my blog & Flickr…for each month.
http://www.aklivelovelearn.net Anita

Hey…a new reader of your blog and love it! Could you educate me on the hair. My 16 year old daughter was asking why you wear your hair the way you do. If you posted about it just direct me to the post. Thanks!
Kimberly

i absolutely love photographs…as a child i would love to sit on my grandparents couch and spend hours looking through their albums. My Dad is a professional photographer, and for many years we even had a studio in our house. I feel so fortunate that photographs have been cherish throughout the generations of my family, and we have images of our ancestors dating back to the earliest photographs. So amazing to look at & share the stories of these relatives who would otherwise be lost to time. I totally relate to the iPhone photography…i capture alot of our spontaneous life with mine too. My Dad is definately my inspiration for loving photography…although we all love taking pictures and our family get-togethers can be pretty funny with so many people trying to take pictures
http://therecanbeonlyjuan.com Juanita

What a rocking story!

“Capture your life” can be used on so many levels – photographically, remembering to be in the moment, seizing the day and having fun, etc. Thanks for the quotable
http://www.keikikuddlerz.com HawaiianHeldts

I taught photography for 4 years (majored in are ed) but have resorted to snap shots instead of art. It’s been something eating away at me because it’s something I’ve practically given up on! I’m challenging myself this year to take the time to do for myself, the dormant artistic side of me!!!
PS….My kids (ages 1,3 and 5) and I are all wonderfully addicted to green smoothies after reading your other blog! Thanks for all the info!!
http://julielovesphotography.blogspot.com/ Julie

Awesome post! What an experience to be a photographer in the military! I usually always have a camera with me too. I don’t have a camera phone yet (stuck in the dark ages…lol) but usually have my p&s in my purse at all times. And to me capturing my world is why I love photography so much
Eliza

WOW, the military! I would have NEVER guessed. Cool though. Was it kindof like military art school?

Love your photos, keep them coming!
Candyce

Amazing story! I love taking pictures of friends and family, but struggle when it comes to taking pictures of myself. Something is always off — my hair, my weight, or I think I look too tired. I am going to quit ducking out of pictures, and keep your philosophy in mind about preserving moments and memories.
http://dmoms.blogspot.com Denise

I just started the 365 project. SO much fun. This post is all so true. And, I love your loves too. Thanks for this post.
http://joy-of-my-heart.blogspot.com/ Amy S.

Fantastic and waaaay fun phone shots, Sara!!

My kids inspire me so much… their natural and beautiful tendencies towards anything lovely, is so inspiring to my heart.

Love your captures! hugs.. Amy
http://www.westofthemississippi.wordpress.com Jennie

I am doing Project365 with my iPhone because I always have my phone with me, and with some creativity I get some great photos.

Does Chase have a book about him shooting with his iPhone. My FIL was telling me about a book that sounds like what he was doing….
http://www.melissamillerphotos.typepad.com/ melissa

Great post! I am always inspired by the innocence and honesty of children.
http://www.lauraluphotography.com Laura

oh sara, what a wonderful post. it is so true on how you see life differently through photography. i still have the article you did on our family for one of your projects! it is so fun to look at those images of our daily life and remember the time fondly. you are such a gem! love ya!
http://www.emptynests.blogspot.com Barb

I have always loved taking photos (and looking at others’). I think I get this from my dad. He made it a point to record life in this way.

I, too, love flickr. I can (and do) spend so much time exploring there. In fact, flickr is how I first found you. I think it was through the “Corners of my Home” group. Anyway, that led to finding your blog(s) and following your journey around the country. (Eventually, you ended up meeting my niece and staying at her home on the first leg of your Live Lightly Tour. Such a small world!)

So I would have to say that I am inspired by many things, but one of the photographers that continues to inspire me is YOU..in addition to so many others. Thank you for all that you share.
Jolene

Best post ever Sara, thanks for the inspiration. What an awesome photography background story you have. =)
Laura suedbeck

Loved this post…even tho I know your story it’s still so fun to hear you tell it. I definately need to take more pictures. That will definately be a priority this next year. Love you sister!
http://livinglearningandlovingsimply.blogspot.com Aimee

ahhhhhh, vintage Sara bloggin’ right here!! wonderful post…have enjoyed seeing your daily-life shots on Flickr again…so real and warm!
http://walkslowlylivewildly.com/ Sara

Anita…if you go along the left sidebar where there is a category drop down…select “dreadlocks” and it will take you to my posts about that topic.

Aimeee…thanks mama I know…it’s been awhile since I’ve done a “real” post! They are all in my head, it just takes awhile to get them out of there. ha.
http://amyluckynumber13.blogspot.com Amy

Anything and everything can inspire me…my kids, nature, little things, big things, walks around the neighborhood, daily life. I have always loved pictures, looking at them and taking them. I have some cherished pictures of my grandparents on their honeymoon and favorites of my mom as a child and one of 15 kids that I just LOVE. Pictures really do tell so many stories!
I found you on Flickr and just found your blog and am so happy I did–what a delight reading about all of your adventures!
http://www.homemadeserenity.blogspot.com Simple Mama

Such a great post! For several reasons. My brother is now in basic training – a decision that as a pacifist I’ve had a hard time reconciling. In my head, military personal all sort of fell into one category, one way of thinking, looking, acting. To read that you served our country is making me rethink that. Thank you.

I started blogging about my motherhood journey several months ago. I took many pictures, but found that they all just sat on my hard drive, with no real way to understand what they were about until I started putting the pictures to words. A documentary if you will of being my son’s mama. I’m so glad I decided to do it.

Bless you and yours
Kimberly R.

I’ve been shooting since I was 15. My boyfriend at the time bought me a Canon Rebel 2000 for Christmas (he really overdid it that year!). I really don’t think I displayed interest in Photography at the time, but he certainly knew better than I did because it’s my passion!…(Other than my daughter of course)I think the reason I keep taking pictures is because I’m constantly amazed by life. God inspires me completely! I never appreciated the beauty of this world until I became a Christian. My daughter is another big inspiration. She gives me a reason to take pictures even when there isn’t anything interesting around. Her smile is killer I love your stuff and your blog has become a huge topic of conversation for my husband and me. I thank God that I found it!
http://sarahwolfephotography.blogspot.com Sarah (Stoltzfus) Wolfe

I am just rediscovering why I like to take photographs. I fell victim to the “doing something that you love for a business and then hating that something that you love because it’s your business” thing. I loved photographing people and still do. What became my greatest struggle is setting aside my vision to please a client. So, I closed my business and just shoot what I want now. Unfortunately, I am still getting reacquainted with my camera- I haven’t completely fallen back in love with shooting but I am really enjoying observing other’s photographs and work. I have found great inspiration from your photos in the last month- your December Photo Challenge was refreshing. Daily activities captured with such beauty and tenderness is inspiring. I also love reading and looking at work by Me Ra Koh. She blows my mind. She addresses the need as an artist to feed your soul with your work… that’s what I lost when I immersed myself in the business of photography. I felt like whenever I attached a price tag to what I did, the pressure increased! Eeek! I really prefer to shoot in high contrast black and white film- gosh, even the smell of it inspires me! I love the waiting- the anticipation of what’s on that roll of film… did I get a good one? Did I miss that? Did the lighting shift during that shot? There’s something to be said for the delayed gratification of film… and something to be said for the speed and flexibility of digital. Really, the people around me inspire me, love inspires me, joy inspires me, and laughter inspires me. So, here’s to more inspiration… a photo challenge of my own, perhaps… and just shooting wildly- and not looking back.
http://wickysticket.blogspot.com Diana Chen

A friend and fellow scrapbooker sent me the link to your blog, thinking (correctly) that I would appreciate the post and the links you shared. I’m now a paid up member of Clicking Moms! I mainly take photos of my family, mainly to scrapbook them. I also often designate myself photographer at my friends’ kids’ birthday parties. I am working on improving my photography, any way I can find!
http://www.jenfromtheblock.blogspot.com Jen

I am always taking photos. In high school, the rooms of my walls were plastered with photos of everything that represented my life at the time…and even now I’m always carrying around a camera to capture little moments in life. I’m also doing the 365:2010 project and looking forward to reviewing it at the end of the year.
Great post – thanks for sharing!
http://aswegrowgreen.wordpress.com Elizabeth

My family has always been very broke, lol, so I was never able to get a camera. When I got married we bought a Canon Rebel that takes regular film. Honestly, I love taking pictures of nature and my husband. He is an incredibly quirky individual so I never know what kind of weird things he’ll do because the camera is on him. The only problem is that since we are still young and don’t make too much money, it can get kind of pricey to have the film developed and buy batteries and such. I’m really excited about the possibility of selling it and saving up for a good digital camera though!
http://mamajourney.wordpress.com Anna

Thanks for this inspiring post. I don’t do a very good job at capturing daily life, but it is something that I would like to do more often. This year!
Brandy

What a great post Sara! It is so fun getting to know you more through your stories.

I have really been slacking in the daily photo taking department mainly because I can’t find my little camera right now! I have the opportunity to switch over and get an I Phone, and this post helped me make up my mind

I could look at the photos of my children’s births hundreds of times and feel as if it is the first each time. There is nothing better than capturing a special moment to have for years to come.
http://xanga.com/someboys Bethany

I am hooked on taking pics as a way to ”capture” and ”keep” the memories. I don’t have room in my brain to keep ALL the memories I’ve ever made-committing them to film is an easy way to preserve them. I am actually doing a photo-a-day project on my blog this month.
http://justtwiddlin.blogspot.com Karen Sue

I got my digital on ebay when my child #1 was a junior in HS and my 35mm died. I’m an idiot-proof picture taker, but I enjoy it. Now my computer is crying for the 13,000 pictures that are on there from the past 4 years. yes, I have deleted quiet a few! It’s my ‘cleaning’ goal for 2010!! But I have another senior this year and the scrapbook and quilt are the 2 special gifts from Mom. I skipped over to a blog and I have no idea where or when, but they had the missing mom challenge and I started doing it. I’m the one who takes a picture, so once a week I must take a picture of me or have someone do it! I started in the fall and challenged my Scrap & Sew group to join me and I know 1 of them did, because she emailed me a picture of them shopping on Black Friday! I’m only up to #17 or so, but it is already fun to see what I’ve been doing, my hair cuts, next week it’s be new glasses!! Perhaps less demanding than an every day challenge is to take a picture of a special someone, something or yourself every week for a year…
cecily s.

It’s interesting to hear your unique story about your technical background. Your strong skill set is apparent in the awesome way you capture everyday life. This is what I strive for in my photography journey. My goal is simply to take great snapshots of my family.

I’ve spent a lot of time self-teaching myself about photography and the main area that I’m lacking is practice! In a desire to pick up my camera more often, I’m committing to a 52 week challenge – a photo a week.
Hyla

I’ve been following your blog for a little while now and felt so compelled to comment today. For one, I think we are kindred spirits…dreads are in my future. Two, your post today met me at a very fragile time. I found out late yesterday that I am being laid off from my job. As I was headed in to the office this morning, there was an amazing sunrise. Even as I was hurting, it was joyful to witness such a beautiful event and I knew I needed to capture that moment because sometimes in the midst of chaos or sadness, there is a bright beautiful light that gives you hope. I am going to work on capturing more of those moments. Thank you.
http://photospoetryprose.blogspot.com Alison

My everyday life–people, places, things–inspire me. Usually it’s the little things, like the sun filtering through the blinds or a ring of coffee left on a student’s paper, that make me happy.

This year I started a new blog in which I will attempt to look at my life through photos, poetry, and prose. We’ll see how it goes!

Thanks for your blog! It’s fantastic.
http://www.travelingontheoutskirts.com Traveling On The Outskirts

Everything around me keeps me shooting! Sometimes I’ll hear a song and think, that would make a great photo! A BIG ditto on Hyla’s reply – When I notice the little things-in the midst of chaos-I know I have the power to endure anything life throws at me! Never stop shooting!

~Jess~
http://www.homemadeinchina.blogspot.com Christine

I live in China and randomly got connected to your blog via friends who have met you in Bozeman. This cyber world still awes me.

I love your pictures and think some of the same ideas you shared about taking them also applies to the art of writing. I love how the everyday, the sublime, the tragic, even the hum-drum or joys of life can be transformed when they are photographed or written about. What a creative Master we have…
http://www.spejory.blogspot.com Jenn

Great encouraging post for us amateurs out here! I only have a cheapy camera, but with a little help from Photoshop I find that I can be creative and have fun with the shots I take. I want to save up enough money for a nice camera. I was halfway there a few months ago, but some unexpected medical expenses wiped out my camera savings account. Someday…

I love photography because it’s yet another way to let out my creativity.
http://perfectlypattiineveryway.blogspot.com/ Patti

What a great post! Thank you for reminding me how important “capturing the moment” is. I am just beginning the process of building a blog of my own. Having a space to share my life and my photos of those cherished family moments, lovely simple days, and the amazing landscape that is my Redwood Coast home is absolutely thrilling!

Each time I visit your home on the web I come away feeling incredibly challenged to ‘walk slowly’ and ‘live wildly’. Thanks, Sara.

Blessings, Patti
http://beautifulbabyrain.wordpress.com/blog/ Katrina

Sarah! I returned to this post today after our “good” camera was sent to the doctors, and I wanted to say “THANK YOU” for such a great post…I can quite happily start using our little point-and-shot with the wisdom found here. Hugs and blessings, Katrina