Photo Heart Connection: Taking Flight and A Private Moment

Every month, Kat Sloma hosts a link-up she calls "Photo Heart Connection," where she encourages photographers and artists to review their monthly work and pick the one which most touches their heart. It's funny, but in April, she couldn't find a photo for this month (read about it and see other PHC entries here). I had a bit of a hard time finding an April photograph, and I skipped the practice entirely in March (more on that later). I did have a couple of April photos of my kids which touched my heart:

Henry looking all grown up on the day of his interview with the Giants

Clara and her team mates at the Arcadia Invitational

But they weren't really doing it for me, in a PHC kind of way. So I looked back through my track photos from April and chose the photograph up top. A photograph I took of Abby (one of Clara's team mates) doing the high jump. The photograph touches my photographic heart because of its technical beauty. I love being a sports photographer. I enjoy taking portraits, still lifes, street photography, nature shots and other types of photography, as well.

But I take immense joy in becoming the best sports photographer I can be. I have been on a journey this track season learning how to photograph track. And, at a recent meet, I spent about an hour by the high jump pit. Figuring out the angles; watching the light. Talking with another women who was photographing the jumpers. And, even though none of my children do the high jump (or maybe because of it), I felt really inspired. I felt that photo-heart connection as I captured Abby taking flight. And sailing over the bar.

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Photo Heart Connection: March

 At the end of March, I was on a bit of a blog break. I thought about doing PHC, but I actually felt overwhelmed by the number of PHC contenders. I finally settled on this one:

"After a long day of work" - a photograph which perfectly captures a moment. Late at night, after having taught an evening class. I come home, I take off my shoes and socks, but I'm still in my dress slacks. I'm tired. But still a bit too wired to sleep. I'll probably go upstairs and watch a bit of TV. Have a light snack. And unwind. When I look at this photo, I'm immediately drawn back into the moment. A private moment. Unknown to others, but one which defines the edges of my work life.

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And here are a few of the other contenders:

My bedside table at night

A still life "Unlocking the Past"

Clara with a puppy at the Humane Society

Before the boys 3200 meter race

Each of these touches my heart for a different reason, but I'm happy with my March choice. And happy that I took the time to not just review my photographs, but write about the connection. For it is in the writing that I learn more about myself. As a photographer. As an artist. And as a person. Thank you Kat. And I'm looking forward to where your current journey takes you.