On Saturday I co-shot a same-sex wedding in Portland, and can I just say that the gay weddings I have been to have been some of the best? The ceremonies are all so heartfelt, so emotional, so genuine. I think that anyone who is against gay marriage should attend a gay wedding. I think it would be impossible to not be moved.
I got home late on Saturday so Rob and I slept in pretty late the next day. One of his coworkers from the summer had to fetch some data from a pond on Tumbledown Mountain so Rob and I decided to go up with her, her boyfriend, and both of our lovely beasties. The hike is short, about 1.2 miles, but it involves a lot of climbing on rocks and all in all is pretty rigorous. This is why I don't have many ascending pictures below, since I was too busy huffing and puffing the whole time. Once we got to the top I remembered why I love my home state, at least from May-October.
After we went hiking I was thinking about this post where I talked about the benefits of social networking. I've heard a lot of bloggers say that they have to disconnect from their blogs/Twitter accounts in order to appreciate the moment, but in a weird way I have found the opposite to be true. When I'm in the moment, or planning some type of adventure, I find that photographing it and coming up with just the right words to explain its significance amplifies my appreciation of that moment. In other words, I think that blogging has, in a way, actually helped me to become more aware of what is going on around me and allow myself to be truly present in that moment. Does anyone else find this to be true?
I don't believe I'm explaining this very coherently, and for that, I apologize. I'm writing this on Sunday night after about 5 hours of hiking and it is long past my bedtime. Perhaps I'll write a more in-depth post on this topic at some future date.
I hope you all had a great weekend and thank you for all of your comments on my last few posts!
You have made a VERY good point...one that I've been struggling to put in words. There isn't much evidence that the last 10 years of my life took place at all. I mean, I lived it, I know that, but I have no pictures, no reflections...just faded, fuzzy memories. My blog has changed that.
ReplyDeleteI can look at each of my posts and know exactly what was going through my head the day I wrote it. I look at the pictures and feel the love and happiness behind the eyes of everyone in the frame. My blog has made me connect with my life rather than just live it...and for that, I'm grateful.
I think blogging about our lives makes us more reflective as we relive the experiences through words and pictures. It's definitely given me a different perspective on my own life as I try to imagine how my own blog comes across to others. I think it's been great so I totally agree with you!
ReplyDeleteNew follower! I love all your pictures in this post, looks like you had a great time!
ReplyDeleteI think there are definitely two sides to those moments. Sometimes it's easier for me to just be there in the moment and not worry about getting that perfect picture. But other times, I feel like I would miss out on beautiful moments without my camera. Ones that I may not have captured in my mind or even paid attention to if I wasn't behind the lens.
ReplyDeleteI think a mix of each serves my blogging purpose the best.
ok first, gorgeous pictures! Glad you got the camera out :)
ReplyDeleteas for the blogging, I am with you. blogging has been the source of documenting my life and taking time to document moments with my children.
i now use my camera everyday. and i love it. i wouldn't have it any other way and i have blogging to thank for that.
however, personally, i do need to unplug. but not from my blog, writing or taking photos. i need to unplug so i don't get caught up on twitter, instagram or other blogs. i have found myself saying, well i email this person why haven't they emailed me back. did i do something? do they not like me? and then i think...why am i worrying about this? there is too much going on in my life to worry about THIS. that's why i've thought about simplifiying the blog even more, taking out the sponsorship and just keeping it....well simple.
good post caitlin :) sorry for the rambling!
You explained it very very well and I completely agree. I took a very long hiatus from my love for photography after an extremely bad ex boyfriend and schooling experience caused me to loose all passion. When I started blogging, however, I quickly found myself excited to take pictures again! My camera has once again become an intricate part of my life and blogging has also helped me come to terms with any and all bad memories that kept me from photography in the past!
ReplyDeleteAnnika
A Sweet Release
your pictures are BEAUTIFUL. The scenery is breath-taking. I totally get your last point though about blogging and trying to come up with the right words. That's why a) I had to journal in Greece because b) I couldn't wait to add my thoughts at the end of it all on my blog. There's something really satisfying about being able to do that, you're so right.
ReplyDeleteGlad to hear you had such a lovely weekend!
I do basically agree. There are certainly times when I want to be "in the moment" and not taking photos, but most of the time I do want to take photos to remember things by later, and blogging about them refreshes that memory. =]
ReplyDeleteAlso, can you e-mail me (SaraBell2010@yahoo.com) to try and make some kind of plan to meet for when you're in Arizona? =]
ReplyDeleteYou explained it very well, and I completely agree.
ReplyDeleteI suppose for bloggers with thousands of followers, it would be so overwhelming to come to all of those comments and emails every single day...but for someone who isn't as "famous" in the world of blog, like myself, I feel the exact same way about it as you do. =]
Looks like you had a great time!
ReplyDeletegah! i am pining for a hiking/camping adventure!!...and i am totally missing the east coast now too! i feel ya on the blogging tip, because i am not a "top blogger", so to speak, i actually don't feel any pressure or divide between living my life and sharing it with people. i'm not an obsessive social networker though, i feel like zero obligation to any of it, i just do it because i like it. and sometimes if i don't take pictures or take the time to put my thoughts and feelings on any experience into words, i feel like i'm missing out. that might sound totally silly, but its true. i do appreciate the moments i don't share, and sometimes the ones i keep all to myself are the best ones...but i still wouldn't give up "documenting" this life for anything.
ReplyDeleteVery well said!
ReplyDeleteI get into trouble with blogging when I try to filter things through the eyes of other people: "Is this blogworthy?" I don't like the feeling of always trying to weigh things by how interesting others might find them. I mean, I've certainly gotten better since I started, but there's still a little bit of that left that irks me.
I think you are a "healthier" blogger in that you just write for the sake of writing, and it shows! I'm trying to be more like you : )
also, beautiful photos! so green <3
I totally agree with you! Thanks for taking the time to blog about that thought :) Also, amazing photos.
ReplyDeletethose last couple photos are breath-taking! so beautiful.
ReplyDeletei'm guilty of getting overwhelmed by blogging and the internet...but that's how i am with everything, i just throw myself into a project and get very passionate about it! haha! thanks for your posts on this though, it's been very thought-provoking.
I'm also new - I just wanted to say that i really like the photos - i also enjoy hiking so this was really great to see!
ReplyDeleteOh these photos remind me of the mountains back home! You have made me homesick.
ReplyDeleteI feel the same way about blogging - I find that it helps me be more present. I do have trouble keeping up with other social media, though. I don't think I've logged on to Twitter in months, eek!
ReplyDeleteI like your perspective on blogging, Caitlin. I've been thinking about it, and I think you're right. Not only does it somehow amplify the experience, but I love the reflection that comes with writing and editing photos. It intensifies the whole experience, sort of bringing it full circle. It's been very healthy for me...
ReplyDeleteThese pictures are STUNNING! Makes me wanna go camping right now ;)
ReplyDelete