John Meyer's 3X5

I was scrolling through my pictures - trying to find images to add to the website (both for locations I've visited - and for pics of me for my bio). All I can say is - thank God for stock photos... 

Here's the top four reasons I say so:

SOMETIMES I am too caught up in the moment to take the picture! I noticed this on a recent trip to St. Thomas (in the Caribbean)... my companions were posing with different backgrounds or outfits - and stopping to snap pics of wildlife and locals...not me! If I am drinking in the view and fully being present - I am not worried about trying to capture it. 

Secondly, I am not a professional photographer! So, I am rarely able to get the beauty and majesty I can see with my own eyes to make it through the camera lens. The pictures are often inferior! In this world of photoshop, deep fakes, altering images with graphic designing... we can jump through a dozen hoops to try and make the picture as beautiful as the experience truly was. This often results in insincere representations.

Additionally, as a single mom - I am not often on the other side of the lens. I can take on the role of documenting an adventure for someone else - but I don't often turn the camera around on myself. I have very few images of myself - because I am rarely the center of attention. I can take pictures of others - but no one is taking pictures of me.

Finally, in the words of John Meyer - I cannot 'fit the world inside a picture frame.' I have seen so many people posing for pics - and then retaking them to make it "more perfect." They wait until the boat moves out of (or into) the background, or their hair looks just right, or the lighting is ideal... and in these seconds - the authenticity of the experience is draining away... it becomes artificial. We lose the magic of the moment by trying to record it. 

Watch 3X5 on Youtube