About a year ago, a friend of my wife participated in my Body Image project. This is a photo series that features the relationship between the way people see themselves, the way the world sees them and how it affects their lives. I was (and still am) struggling to get people to participate in it. Marie stepped up and volunteered to go in front of my camera and shared a story. This wasn't easy for her as she travelled more than two hours. But, she did it anyway. I really appreciated her doing that for me.
This past weekend for her housewarming, my wife and I decided that giving Marie framed prints of her images would be a great personalized gift, since she always mentioned how much she liked them. I was floored by her response to receiving the prints! I was expecting her to be happy. But, I was not expecting her to be emotionally moved by the gift. Photography always has a way of reminding me that the photos I take of people are important and very meaningful to them.
Photography isn't just a thing that I have, that is meant to bring joy into my life (although it does). Photography is a gift, that should be shared and given to as many people as possible. The photos that we have of us and our time here on earth are priceless.
"By far, the best gift I received: personal, beautiful and thoughtful. When someone catches the real you in a picture and this is the result! Thank you so much. This was truly unexpected. I love them so much. You guys are the greatest and I so appreciate you. Thank you for your support and the thought that went into this gift."
