Shutter Sisters

focus on right now

By

“In the company of my child, I realize how much time I spend in some other place entirely. Indeed, how much of my life I spend in the reverie of my own thoughts and schemes. Her laughs and cries, her outbursts and calls snap me back to where we are right now. Can I manage to stay here for a little while longer before I trail off again? It’s very hard to do. In my bleakest times, one more plea from her hooks me, and I thrash back, as if fighting for my life. Namely, the lost luxury of solitude combined with unlimited escapes into e-mail and the internet.” Karen Maezen Miller

As I pondered on focus this week, I stumbled on this quote by Momma Zen’s, Karen Maezen Miller, and suddenly everything clicked.  

One may think it is pretty obvious where my focus is lately as a new mom… But is it really? I’ve been noticing that as I go through my days, I’m constantly somewhere else but in the moment. Although I love my daughter very much, sadly, I’m indeed losing sight of her tiny toes while I wander off in my thoughts, reminiscing, scheming and daydreaming. I’m distracted by what is next. I’m making lists, planning posts, I’m wondering when I might be able to send off an email, read a blog post, shower, eat, etc. Not that any of that ever happens… The shower and eating especially! 😉

But in any case, what I also realized is that when it comes to my photography though, it is a different story. Behind the camera it is a lot easier for me to choose where to look and where to adjust my eye and lens in order to capture a clear moment. It is when I shoot that I am the most present. It is through the viewfinder that I find my zen. It is by focusing that I learn how to pay attention.

So today I invite you to focus on right now and on what is in front of you. Let your lens be your teacher and show you how to snap back to where you are and where you need to be.

Comments

  4. I love this post. It is so very true, but I find it very difficult (without the camera in my face–which is usually at home) to stop-look for the beauty, those treasures to hold on to, etc…with my own family. It is so easy when the camera is on my face! When I am home,-doing the day-to-day, I am very distracted and missing so much-this was just a great reminder-thanks.

    One thing I can say-when I am on vacation-I usually have my camera around my neck searching for those moments with my own family–so, by default I am treasuring them in my heart also, I am forced to follow them around, slow myself down, to watch and to listen. Then thankfully catch some treasures like these…

    —Some daddy love-they were behind me, I heard my daughter giggling and was able to turn and capture without them seeing me.

    http://www.flickr.com/photos/rebeccasmithphotography/5191986388/
    http://www.flickr.com/photos/rebeccasmithphotography/5191380419/in/photostream/

  7. This post pretty much sums up what photography means to me. I got my first dSLR a few months after my second son was born. My camera has been my therapy through the tough times. It helps me to remember how fast time flies and lets me focus on the good things about where we are now and savor every second.

    This isn't the best quality picture, but it is one that soothed my mama heart.

    http://www.flickr.com/photos/19379573@N06/5192196820/

  8. Oh Alex! It totally looks liek your finding tons of inspitation at home! Those toes are bautiful! I have nothing but love for baby toes.

  11. Yesterday I was driving, my mind filled with thoughts of boys (well, one in particular) and the shoot of my grandmother I was on my way to, when suddenly the setting sun burst free from beneath a cloud, hitting my hand and forcing me to hit the brakes. I didn't put on my hazards. I didn't even pull over. I just grabbed my camera off the seat next to me and shot.

    http://www.flickr.com/photos/14632491@N07/5192946249/

    It was as though the day were reminding me to stop worrying, stop planning, and just be.

  12. These ugg boots are extremely comfortable to wear and because of this you may find yourself wearing UGGS alot. Which is all well and good until cheap ugg boots start to get dirty and start to smell. Certainly one way of making sure that your Cheap Uggs remaining look good is by using a specialist cleaning product which has been designed for use on leather and suede items.The great site that discount ugg boots online:
    http://www.uggtodoor.com

  13. This is a lovely post and your words rings true for me as well. It's so hard to not feel guilty when your focus strays from your baby or little ones. For me, photography and the great online community has allowed me to let go of this guilt and has taught me to appreciate more of the things that surround me … my mundane, often chaotic, beautiful everyday.

  14. These ugg boots are extremely comfortable to wear and because of this you may find yourself wearing UGGS alot. Which is all well and good until cheap ugg boots start to get dirty and start to smell. Certainly one way of making sure that your Cheap Uggs remaining look good is by using a specialist cleaning product which has been designed for use on leather and suede items.The great site that discount ugg boots online:
    http://www.uggtodoor.com

  16. His hair is dark as the hyacinth-blossom, and his lips are red as the rose of his desire; but passion has made his lace like pale Ivory, and sorrow has set her seal upon his brow' Bronze-limbed and well-knit, like a statue wrought by a Grecian, he stood on the sand with his back to the moon, and out of the foam came white arms that beckoned to him, and out of the waves rose dim forms that did him homage Then the Spring came, and all over the country there were little blossoms and little birds Therefore is it the god, and we worship it He would not have given his rose for all the pearls on the canopy, nor one white petal of his rose for the throne itself What he wanted was to see the Infanta before she went down to the pavilion, and to ask her to come away with him when he had finished his dance Flour is one thing

  17. <a href="cheapuggsbootsmall.org.uk" >cheap uggs</a>
    <a href="cheapuggsbootsmall.org.uk" >cheap boots</a>
    <a href="cheapuggsbootsmall.org.uk" >cheap uggs boots</a>
    Related:UGG boots are handmade of pure sheepskin.