portraits | The Inner Path of Photography

December 13, 2010

Life Reflections from Photography: “Brothers”

“Brothers,” c. 2010, Heidi Straube

“If you press me to say why I loved him,
I can say no more than because he was he, and I was I.”
– Michel de Montaigne

There’s a grace and gentleness to this photograph that gives me a warm feeling every time I see it.

Two brothers…who did the usual “boy” thing of resisting a bit when we started the family photo shoot…then began to enjoy being the center of attention…and by the end of the afternoon, were fully into a beautiful dance of friendship and love that lit up the space.

An elegant connection…giving each other room, then teasing and physically close…claiming their personal portrait time, then inviting the other to play in front of the camera…And throughout always comfortable, trusting, supportive.

These boys are young men now. May they still enjoy their special relationship of brothers, and may the women in their lives enjoy the same beautiful experience that was my gift at this time.

Leave a comment

December 2, 2010

Life Reflections from Photography: PASSION

“Savannah & Sierra, after ‘Annie'”

“Be still when you have nothing to say; when genuine passion moves you,
say what you’ve got to say, and say it hot.”
– D. H. Lawrence

What’s so wonderful about this photograph?

The passion. The freedom of these young girls to feel deeply, enjoy, share their feelings fully.

Are you living with passion, or has it disappeared from your life?

Did you shut it down by choice? Or has it slowly slipped away, as you’ve resigned yourself to the day to day routine, convinced that one cannot be “responsible” and passionate at the same time.

Passion is vibrant energy; the expression of life.

Pain/joy, disappointments/triumphs: Allow yourself to feel.

You are alive. Live deeply.

Leave a comment

October 31, 2010

Photo of the Day, October 31, 2010

This little boy was at a Halloween party in 2008 at Moody Gardens, in Galveston, Texas. This was barely a month and a half after Hurricane Ike hit, devastating the island.

I love his superhero costume and elegant stance, contrasted with his expression: childlike, vulnerable, and mature all at the same time. Who knows what he was feeling, or what was running through his mind?

Just as this little boy’s costume didn’t cover the complexity of what was happening inside, our “costumes” in life never hide who we truly are.

Inner spirit still shows through.

May you be able to play in life, with all of your costumes. And may you also take the risk, drop the superhero stance, and be your deepest self.

People will see and appreciate your inner truth and beauty.