814

The top photo was taken on my last shoot before we closed down because of Covid. I didn't know that it was my last at that time but that same night it was announced that we were "unessential". Right away I asked if they would let me just take a few snapshots of the 3 of them once things opened up again. I thought it would be very symbolic and special.

I was so optimistic and I thought by the time we were back open for business everything would be great and right with the world again.

When I first met this ADORABLE couple, Jason and Becca, on that day in March, I was sharing with them that my son and his fiance were moving here from Florida and would be closing on their adorable little first home in the “814” in just a few weeks. I was probably annoying with how excited I was about the prospect of them coming home to put down roots, because well, I was ELATED!

The reality was that on my way to meet them for the shoot, I saw playgrounds with caution tape around them. The reality was that once I got there, I couldn’t go near the baby let alone snuggle him like I usually would. The reality was that I felt so sad because I felt uncomfortable trying to interact with my beautiful clients. I felt like I was doing something wrong and it had been so long since I had photographed anything besides birds that I wasn’t even comfortable with my camera.

Another reality was that right before I left for the shoot, my son broke the news to me that they were going to move back to Florida because nothing at all was going right here in the 814 for them. The reality was that I couldn't come up with reasons to persuade them to stay and that broke my heart.

I had envisioned that I would come home from this shoot and run to my office and excitedly post this “Before and After” that I was so eager to make. The reality was that I spent the next few days, very depressed and couldn’t muster up the energy to edit or answer emails.

It’s been a few weeks and I felt bad that I didn’t share this beautiful photo earlier. I try to be upbeat and positive but, man these past few months have been tough. Like many of you who are reading this, my heart hurts for a thousand reasons. I KNOW that many have had it way harder than we have. Oh Trust ME! I know I am blessed in so many ways. I have friends who have lost their businesses and those who have gotten sick with covid or lost someone because of it..THAT’S the tragedy here.

Today, the sun is shining. I feel like things are getting better but back in March , I really thought by June life would be back to normal. Boy, was I naive.

I still cherish these photos, not only because that baby has THE BEST parents (seriously - if you know them - you KNOW) but I still believe that the “814” is the most beautiful place to live both because of the nature around us but more importantly because of the wonderful people who live here. It's just a little tough to live in the 814 these days even for those of us whose job it is to look for the light and beauty in any situation.

Baby Ben is blessed that he will be raised in the 814. Brighter days are ahead.