Photography, Mixed Media & Stories

Tag: Maine

Not A Selfie – An Us-ie

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“Usie” / S.A.Leys Photo

Teaching my mom to do a “selfie” or in this case, an “usie”. It’s almost been two years since she died and I miss her a lot. This is one of my favorite photos – not only because of how great she looks (and her smile) but how priceless it was that we got to spend the time with each other that we did.

A few months after she died, I went to Acadia National Park / Cadillac Mountain where she and my dad had brought my brother and I when we were little. I found myself getting frustrated as so many people were taking selfies that I went up to as many people as I could and said “please – can I take that picture for you?” thinking it’s always better to have arms around each other than it is to have them outstretched in front of you.

I took photos of over 25 families that day. I loved seeing the smiles on their faces.

And who wouldn’t love seeing a view like this with the people they love the most?

Acadia National Park / Cadillac Mountain
Photo by S.A. Leys

Enjoy your families this holiday season. Merry Christmas everyone.

Perspectives

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OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA
S.A. Leys Photography

This is one of my many photos taken in Maine last weekend. I now have a nice little cold as a result of spending too much time lying on this very wet rock without a warm enough coat or hat to protect me from the cold, rainy day that it was.

This is how I learn…

My mom was the one who first taught me about the different ways you can frame a shot. On a sunny day back in 2009, we were sitting on the lawn of the Narragansett hotel on Block Island. As she sat in one of the Adirondack chairs, she would coach me while I walked back and forth trying to figure out how to get the best shot. I remember that day like it was yesterday and lying there on the rocks this past weekend, trying to get the nicest shot brought all of these memories back full force.

(This is the Pemaquid Point Lighthouse in Maine – it’s beautiful)

The thing I have been trying to remember lately (in life and in photography) is to make sure I always have all of my perspectives covered – to get the shot in front of me (which Is the photo above), while also taking the time to remember to turn around and see if there’s a picture behind me as well.

The photo below is what was behind me. To me this is funny as when some of my parents’ friends passed away the joke was they were going to come back as seagulls (don’t ask, it’s a long story). So looking up and seeing this one was sort of treat.

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA
S.A. Leys Photography

But as I sat there taking a picture of the one seagull who was spending a lot of time looking directly at me, this wave came along… And you know, there’s a lesson here: Life is going to throw a few cold waves your way on these dreary, rainy days. And when they do, stand firm, just like this little guy.

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