Have you ever worked on a project, photography or otherwise, that requires so much work and yet once it ends you realize just how important it was to you?
That’s a Project 52 for me. For six years I documented my family’s life and wrote about what was happening in a blog post every single week. Some years I worked on themes posted in different photography groups, other years it was more open ended.
In 2020 I decided to focus on different things. Good things with amazing people, but different things.
What I found was while I enjoy all the new projects that have come up since moving to the Bow Valley, I really miss the accountability of having a year long personal project. I miss having a year’s worth of images to choose from for our family album.
So…this year I’m getting back on the Project 52 train, but with a bit of a twist. This year I am committing to a self portrait every single week.
This week’s portrait is titled Waiting.
This week has involved a lot of waiting…
Waiting…
for kids to go back to in person school.
The Good News? Alberta kids are going back on the 11th. And boy do my kids (and I) need this!
Waiting…
for Kane’s pacemaker appointment.
The Good News? When his team were testing the settings on Kane’s pacemaker, his heart began beating on it’s own! To be clear Kane will always require a pacemaker, but this is unexpected and amazing. Our cardiac electrophysiologist decided to try out a treadmill stress test to see what happens when his heart rate increases. Turns out his heart starts skipping beats so we can’t change the settings to allow his heart to take control more often YET.
Waiting…
for the 6th anniversary of my dad’s death and all the emotions that come along with it.
The Good News? I ran a Tell Your Story workshop that day and it was just what I needed. By the way there is one more Tell Your Story workshop in support of the Canadian Mental Health Association coming up on Bell Let’s Talk Day (January 28th). Register here if you would like to join me.
In other news the image above from my Suicide Survivor Project is one of two images that will be included in the InFocus “Brave New World” Photo Exhibit in Edmonton.
Below, is my other image in the exhibit. This was taken after Kane’s heart surgery. Heartbroken, is up for the InFocus People’s Choice Award. Here’s the link to vote. You can vote every day until February 11th and I would really appreciate the support.
Waiting…
To share more about a new collaborative project with Krystle Schofield. You may remember Krystle from our I Was There Too conversation in the fall. She is another documentary family photographer and medical mama.
The Good News? It won’t be too long now ; )
Waiting…
to turn 40 in a time when I can’t celebrate with my girlfriends in person.
The Good News? Prior to the winter lockdown and in honour of the big 4 0 I booked myself a Simplicity Session with the amazing Alexis McKeown and I am so glad I did.
In case you were wondering, my birthday is February 2nd, Groundhog Day. Figures.
The Waiting Place…
…for people just waiting.
Waiting for a train to go or a bus to come, or a plane to go or the mail to come, or the rain to go or the phone to ring, or the snow to snow or waiting around for a Yes or a No or waiting for their hair to grow.
Everyone is just waiting.
Waiting for the fish to bite or waiting for wind to fly a kite or waiting around for Friday night or waiting, perhaps, for their Uncle Jake or a pot to boil, or a Better Break or a sting of pearls, or a pair of pants or a wig with curls, or Another Chance.
Everyone is just waiting.
NO! That’s not for you!
Somehow you’ll escape all that waiting and staying.
You’ll find the bright places where Boom Bands are playing.
– Dr. Suess
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