I'm sure growing up I would have been diagnosed with something like ADD or ODD. I was very much the 'head in the clouds' kid. I remember when I was in 1-3 grade there was this rout my bus would take next to a small grove of trees all planted in a repeating line pattern. I would look out the window and imagine fairies or princesses dancing through that grove. For years, I would trek around my backyard, my head filled with fairytales. And I'd see it. I don't know how to describe it other than I'd look at something and see how it could be. I'd see flower crowns and white dresses and dandelion fluff floating through the trees. I'd see light hitting hair as the wind gently moved it off someone's shoulder and how beautiful a moment that was. I see beauty in just about everything.
In fact, a fun mental challenge I'll take on when I'm driving is to look for a space that is dingy or dull and I'll imagine how I'd photograph someone in it. I've only been stumped once- an RV dealership. I'm not exactly sure how I'd photograph someone there . . .
I truly do see beauty everywhere, to the point where it can be distracting. As I've looked back on my life and how I thought as a young child and then as a young woman, I see that's always how I've been.
I've always been a daydreamer, a chaser of light, and a seer of magic.
Here's an example:
This is a part of our backyard. clearly it's overgrown. It's a small space and its right up against a chainlink fence. It's also got hard patchy light. Not exactly someplace anyone would see as pretty.
But I saw this space and this is what I saw . . .
Because this is my daughter I obviously see limitless beauty when I look at her.
But, as beautiful as this is, this is really what I saw . . .
Yes, I see beauty in places.
But I see even more beauty in people.
As moved as I am by beautiful structures or peaceful forest or untouched waterfalls, I am in awe at the beauty of people. This love of people only grows with each person I photograph.
I know maybe you feel like this little space of overgrown forest. You don't feel particularly unique, you're a little chaotic, maybe even forgotten. And when you look at yourself you don't see beauty.
But like I did with this space, I can see your beauty. I can see it! It's right there so clear and striking I can hardly keep still.
I don't see you the way the world does . . . maybe I don't even see you as you see you.
I see beauty.
I see YOUR beauty. That's what I photograph.
Love, Melinda
Photography Studio in Athens PA.
Serving Athens, Sayre Pennsylvania, Towanda Pennsylvania, Corning New York, and Twin Tiers area.
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