Representation of Life

The other day, I was flipping through some of my pictures that I have on my computer and facebook and I thought about how much pictures are visual symbols of my life. I think the most meaningful for me might be pictures of my family and friends, or really any picture that helps to represent where I come from and what I am. I am no photographer, and often find taking pictures from interesting or creative angles difficult (even after some instruction in photo design, I’m still struggling with this), but the content is what means the most to me.

It seems strange to say, but I think looking at my life through all of my pictures would be very interesting. And yet, only looking at pictures would give a skewed view of myself and my life. If I’m in the photo, I’m often smiling, as are most of my other photograph-victims... Taking pictures on the farm of the animals often allows me to have less self-conscious subjects, and yet even their actions are often influenced by my presence. Even when I'm taking pictures of our pet llamas, they are in my face wanting to know what that "cool new thing" in my hand is (and no - that's not using zoom... and I have pictures of just parts of noses from them. They are VERY curious creatures!). Even they put on a different face for the camera! Pictures that I take don’t usually show everyday life.

I find it funny how we, myself included, cling so tightly to things like photographs when they can never show the “whole story.” Something to think about.

Photographs are from my private collection.