There isn’t much to be said about the photo of the month for April. I simply wandered around the house observing how the light shined through the windows, creating abstract shapes as it came in contact with the objects in the room. I used these shapes created by the light and resulting shadows to create this abstract black and white photo. It was a great creative exercise to keep the photography muscles in my brain active and responsive while stuck in lockdown. Since we have been given a little bit extra time due to the lockdown, I figured I would use that time to go through my Lightroom catalog and reminisce about past trips and outing with the camera.  

As I clicked through my Lightroom catalog and got to a new photo I was teleported back to that time and place. It allowed me to look deep into my memories and re-imagine my past trips. This caused me to become quite emotional. I was overwhelmed with feelings of joy, sadness, longing, and appreciation for the experiences I had. Everything about the trip, the period of my life, and the landscape came back to the forefront of my mind. So many thoughts would swirl around in my head, but I almost always ended on the same thought. “I wish I could go back”. 

The theme of my March photo of the month blog post was centered around missing the things you take for granted. The feelings and thoughts I had a month ago still ring true today, but with a lot more intensity. As I looked back at my past experiences and trips, I kept wishing I could go back and really make the best of those times. It’s not that my past trips and experiences were bad, I simply wish I would’ve gone the extra mile to make the most of the time. Sitting here now, all I can do is make sure I remember these wishes, so that the next time I’m on a trip or even the next time I’m somewhere local, I can make the best of it. I know it’s cliche to say but, I should treat it like it's my last time I’ll be out with the camera because you never know… it could be my last. 

What stuck out to me the most from all of the feelings I’ve felt and all of the thoughts I’ve had this last month is how much my photography means to me. Before all of this happened I knew photography meant a lot to me but I never really knew how much, but now I know. My photography has brought me to places I never thought I’d visit, got me to do things I didn’t know I was capable of, allowed me to meet so many wonderful people, and allowed me to grow even closer with the important people in my life. My photography has helped shape me into a far better person than I once was. I’m still not perfect, and I still have my flaws, but I feel my photography has allowed me to gain a different perspective on life that will continue to help me grow into a better person. I now see things through a different lens (no pun intended), a lens that seeks purpose and meaning rather than empty pursuits.

 I want to inspire and be inspired.

 I want to help and protect.

 I want to connect and disconnect. 

I want to create and consume creations.

I want to travel and experience.

I want to live.