About

In 1995, my husband gave me a Minolta X-700 film camera for Christmas. I loved the idea of exploring my creative side through photography, but for years, I limited myself to taking photos on the “automatic” setting, with my children as the primary subjects.

Then, in 2010, I attended a weekend photography workshop at Shrinemont, an Episcopal retreat center in the mountains of western Virginia. I finally learned what all those settings on the camera can do. For Christmas that year, my ever-supportive husband replaced my old Minolta with a Canon EOS 60D, my first digital DSLR. In the years that followed, I have devoted most of my free time to photography. A wonderful group of women friends who share my passion for this art form have enriched the experience.

I am by nature a storyteller, and photography is a method of telling a story. Often, when I see a scene, I can hear the caption for it in my head. Those are the images that resonate most strongly with me.

Photography also fosters mindfulness. Selecting a subject, deciding on a perspective, framing the shot — the thought that goes into creating an image has, for me, a spiritual dimension akin to meditation. Photography has forced me out of my comfort zone, influencing me to travel more, meet new people, and engage in activities I never would have experienced otherwise. I learn something new about myself with every outing.

I hope you will enjoy viewing these images as much as I enjoyed taking them.

Photo by Cecilia Kane