Friday, September 17, 2010

The Beginnings of Something Beautiful


I was so, so lucky to have a new friend, fellow muse Suki, come and meet me in Paris for an afternoon. She took the train over from Germany and we met as the overcast skies cleared up to sunshine, for a wonderful walk around the city.


This was Suki's first time in Paris, and since it was only my second time, neither of us knew the city well so we just walked and talked and photographed our way randomly around the sights along the River Seine for a few hours. I don't think it mattered to either of us where we were, it was just so wonderful to find a kindred spirit, in person. To find someone else who understood and could talk about our passion for photography, for capturing the perfect moment, for hours. We talked equipment and theory and, most of all, what called to our souls. What subjects and light and ideas that made our hearts sing. What dreams we have. And while we talked, we walked and photographed what caught our eye. We traded lenses, to try out something new.


We could have talked for days, I think. I was so sad when it was time for Suki to head back to the train, one afternoon together was definitely not enough. I am so glad that she came to Paris to meet me, to have a chance to have a few hours where we weren't interrupted by the reality of work and school and other commitments, we could just talk and dream and be who we are - artists with cameras, a passion in our soul to capture the beauty of the world around us.


The images in this post are ones I took during my time with Suki. Pop on over to Suki's blog where she wrote about our meeting, and see her photos too. It is such a wonderful example of how we all have a unique vision of the world to share. We were side by side the whole time but saw and captured dramatically different things. She has an amazing gift, she sees the essence of beauty in everything. I like the "me" I see through her eyes. I am envious when I look at her images, they are so beautiful. But then, I look at mine and see that they just have a completely different point of view. Not better or worse, just different.

The next time you think to compare your work to someone else's, just remember this little story of me and Suki. Two people, sharing a passion for an art form, but from a different perspective. We all have a unique vision to share with the world, whether it is photography or painting or writing or whatever your work is. The creative universe is big enough for all of us to join in.

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Today I'm on Mortal Muses, talking about the end of summer. Come by to see how the end of summer is marked in our little town of Vedano al Lambro, Italy.

20 comments:

  1. Thanks for stopping by. I would love to be there with u too. So many wonderful places to photograph. And a new friend is a blessing.

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  2. oh, i wish i could have been right there with you! i've never been to paris, and i can'
    t imagine a better way to see it than with a fellow photographer/muse. beautiful photos.

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  3. ok that's it! next photowalk is in paris!!!! love your words Kat. Not only do I wish I was there, but more so a bird on a fence to watch, listen and witness a true connection. you are both different for sure, but equally as beautiful.

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  4. What a wonderful post! I love your work individually, but this post really helped me to remember not to compare my work with any other, but to enjoy it for its uniqueness!

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  5. What a wonderful day you described for us. I have only been to Paris three times. I know that sounds like a lot, but in my mind I will be returning there more than once :) Thank you for reminding me about not comparing your work with others' - it's a useful awareness no matter what the art form of choice!

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  6. Thank you for connecting and having a day together. Truly I can't wait to meet you again. If I ever get fed up here by busyness I'll come over to visit your Italian home.
    You know, I still recall the moment we looked at each other knowing we would part soon and neither of us was truly thrilled that this day would end.
    Thank you. Big, big hugs.

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  7. Your time in Paris sounds so wonderful, and how fantastic to share it with a kindred spirit! Thanks for reminding us that each of us has a special way of seeing the world.

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  8. How wonderful Kat!! I am so glad you had such a glorious day with a kindred spirit in such a beautiful place. I would love to have been there, too! I *love* the photo Suki took of you (from her blog) - you look radiant! :)

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  9. I understand where you are coming from, meeting someone you can share your heart's delight with, a soul mate is very precious. Funny thing was when you came to England that same thought crossed my mind! I wondered where you would visit?

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  10. "I saw her shine that day." What a beautiful thing to say and share about someone you've just met! It looks like you were both delighted by the day, and by the meeting. Congratulations on the new friendship!

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  11. This is so wonderful, I wish I could have been there too :)

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  12. How lovely to spend a day in Paris snapping away and feeling inspired with a friend. Great post!

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  13. Thank you for sharing your day with Suki. It sounded very special.

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  14. What a wonderful story of beautiful connection. It was thrilled to hear your excitement and passion, for which I got the goosebumps. I have been watching suki's work too for a while, and like you said I enjoyed the difference of both of your photography, no better or worse. Thank you so much for emailing me a kind word that really boosted my esteem. You are turuly something! xm

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  15. This sounds like a lovely day! Will you be sharing more pictures from the day?

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  16. How fun to meet up with a new friend! Life is full of lots of little wonderful surprises and this is one of the best.

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  17. What a wonderful day you spent together and what a lovely friendship. I can relate what you wrote about the kindred spirit. And thank you for reminding us not to compare our work with that of others because everyone has a unique view. It's so easy to slip into this trap! Beautiful photos!

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  18. Sounds like a wonderful time!
    I received the notecards today Kat.
    They are so beautiful, and I thank you very much!!!

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  19. cool- i'll pop over and see what she captured of the day- that's a cool idea to have two photographers in the same spot and see how different the pics are!

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  20. so glad you and suki got together and had such a grand time. and i love this idea "The creative universe is big enough for all of us to join in." perfect.
    and what a cool shot w/the bicycle. it's perfect too.

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