Since 2005 I have been in the business of creating tangible memories but the truth is that I have been a photographer "forever". I was about 6 when I first held my brother Matt's (heavy) Canon AE-1's viewfinder up to my face, I the heft of the camera heavy in my hands & the strap scratching the back of my neck. I remember seeing the world through that viewfinder rectangle for the very first time.
For a number of years I worked as an RN in the critical care setting and at some point I had a realization that while I loved the connection nursing allowed me to have with others, I wanted more to contribute beauty and love to their existence. Some of my favorite patient families would bring photos in for their loved ones - visual reminders that the patient lying in bed is a human being, struggling at the moment but in reality this person is a loving parent, a doting grandparent, a wonderful wife or husband, someone's best friend. Those photos personalized my experience with my patients. It is because of these experiences that I continue to grasp to UNDERSTAND the meaning of this life. My belief is that the meaning lies in the connection between us all, relationships, after all, are the only thing we leave on this earth with any real meaning.
In 2005 when I finally took the leap and started Marmalade Photography it was based upon a single vision: fun, beautiful and quality photos for Chicago area families and children that speak to who they are as a character in the plot of their lives and who they are in the connectedness of this life.
My ten years photographing people of varying ages is of benefit to you: I offer a full service photography experience and have the expertise to create art you will love for your home. I love to help clients design wall galleries, provide custom created beautiful albums and art pieces. I have even been commissioned to create images as large as 10 feet in length. High touch, high quality, there is no other way to do it.
While I do live, breathe & eat photography obviously I am not just Marmalade Photography. I am also a wife…a mom to Maddie & Lauren who inspire me every day in so many ways…I am a historian and a friend…a gardener (who can't keep indoor plants but I have a green thumb if it grows outside)…funny…fun loving…serious…in fact you & I may have a lot in common…I would love to get to know you through that rectangle & tell your families' story for you.
In the past couple years I have really enjoyed going back to the ‘point and shoot’ nature of photography, mostly via the tool I have most handy at all times. This tools’ simplicity is flawed in many ways but its’ back to basics – point, click, go aspect appeals to me on a fundamental level. The quirkiness of its’ shortcomings, the inability to manipulate the exposure accurately in camera, the lack of controls – all these would be seem to be frustrating for a pro photographer who enjoys the CONTROL aspect of photography. But that’s the rub. It’s the simplicity in the tool, the ability to use various apps that allow you to express creativity without the digital darkroom (AKA Photoshop) or chemicals (AKA the actual darkroom). The simplicity + the ability to control the variables normally associated with downloading and manipulating on a computer make it such a fun tool for photographers and amateurs alike. Of course I’m speaking of the iPhone camera.
lovely post. fabulous quote. def speaks to me!
Perfectly written, and that quotation really hits the spot. Thanks for sharing!