The Sparkle of Reinvention
On Christmas morning my youngest daughter was a scallywag princess, a keyboard playing ballerina and a tap dancing cowgirl all within a few hour timeframe. As she vacillated from one role to the next she confidently became her persona of choice without hesitation or apology. The family all encouraged her and played along as she reinvented herself via costume changes, hair and makeup and attitude. A lot of attitude. She was living each of the characters she longed to be in vivid color from cattle rustling swagger to dainty plie .
Today, as I thumb through the photos of a morning filled with impossible magic I know I have a lot to learn from a four year old. The freedom she allows herself to be exactly who she wants to be from one minute to the next is an example of how to live in the moment. No regret, no fear, just unbridled passion in forward motion.
In my creative journey I have come to a crossroads of sorts. I have approached a place where a whole new world is opening up to me as I truly begin to explore digital photography. I feel like I am learning to create my art via a brand new medium and as I do, I am changing and growing. This is a good thing, I know. But I can’t pretend that I’m not resistant sometimes. I have found myself clinging to my old ways, holding on to my self-proclaimed title of being a low-tech photographer. It’s where I have felt safe for so long; the place I have grown comfortable living even though I have long grown weary of it. I believe it’s time to step up for a costume change.
As the New Year begins, I am looking forward to letting go a little and dancing into the wide open spaces of reinvention. Now all I need is a pony and a comfortable pair of sparkle shoes.
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Reader Comments (2)
I knew this photo was yours as soon as I saw it! I'm loving your style of capturing your children in such different, fun ways. I really love this one!