susan chambers designs: Personal

Showing posts with label Personal. Show all posts

Saturday, July 12, 2014

roman holiday.

So John and I went to Italy for a couple weeks to celebrate our thirtieth (yikes) anniversary.

And took pretty close to a million pictures.

I haven't even been through them all, but have been asked by family and friends to share a few.

If you're the kind of person who doesn't enjoy other's vacation slide show, feel free to move on.

We won't be offended.

R O M E

The rays of light in St. Peter's Basilica were absolutely amazing.

I think I want to be a street photographer when I grow up.

V E N I C E

Bubble chasing.

Bird feeding.

Bride photographing.

Seriously, this was so sweet.

With crowds of people strolling through the piazza,

this groom held a private little photo session with his bride.

I just couldn't resist joining him!

B U R A N O

This colorful little fishing community is in the same lagoon as Venice.

I thought I had landed at the end of a rainbow.
It might be the cheeriest place on earth.

F L O R E N C E

C I N Q U E T E R R E

Our daughter spent some time in Italy when she was in college and said this was her favorite place.

I might have to agree.

T U S C A N Y

That one leaning tower.

View of Florence from the bell tower.

And cell phone selfie inside the bell tower.

"Closing thoughts?" I asked John.

"It was glorious," he answered.

That works.

It was glorious.

Sunday, June 1, 2014

dimples and diamonds.

"She has dimples."

That was one of the very first things I said when I gave birth to this girl.

Those dimples are extra prominent these days.

Perhaps because she was just asked an important question

that included a diamond.

We are beyond thrilled for these two as they prepare to spend their lives together.

Farmers' Market

Madison, Wisconsin

The Best.

The Madison Arboretum is absolutely beautiful.

And so are these two.

Wednesday, February 5, 2014

hibernating.

Hibernating.

That's what I've been doing lately.

My cup is full.

Rest and be thankful.

―William Wadsworth

Wednesday, January 1, 2014

Project completed.
For the last 365 days I have taken at least one photograph.
In today's Instagram world, that may not seem like much of a challenge.
But I approached this year seeking something more than a picture of the day.
I think I wanted to learn to live in the present.
To see the glory in the everyday.
To breathe deep and give thanks.

I learned last January that not every day could be "art."

More days than not, I wrestled with my perfectionist tendencies.
There were countless times I thought
I wish I had my camera.

Other days I could have shared a whole story in pictures.
Sometimes I captured something and thought,
Well that was just dumb luck.
Sometimes the picture was more calculated.
Some are favorites.
Others, not so much.

People ask me what I look for first when I take a picture.
The answer is always the same.
Light.
I always look for the light.
My search for the "perfect" picture each day has led me to a search for light.

And so it is the Light that has opened my eyes.
Shown me shades of beauty and grace in the midst of the mundane.
Revealed cracks and exposed darkness hidden in my secret places.
Poured shimmering rays on glorious milestone days.
Invited me to marvel and stand in awe.
Reminded me of why I am here.

You're here to be light, bringing out the God-colors in the world.
(Matthew 5:14, The Message)

While my 365 days worth of images don't begin to scratch the surface,
they are my feeble attempt to bring out the God-colors in the world.
To see and share Him at every turn.

For the first time in over a year,
my camera is staying in the bag today.
But you can be sure I'll still be looking for the Light.
Happy New Year!

All I have seen teaches me
to trust the Creator for all I have not seen.
-Ralph Waldo Emerson