Sunday, October 7, 2012

Storytelling Sunday - Photography Love

Growing up, my Mom was always into photography. She would set up actual photo shoots with us kids, draping sheets for backdrops or trying to use natural light filtered through sheer curtains. I think she shot with a Nikon camera. In our apartment in Chicago, she even had a closet that she used as a dark room and she developed a lot of her own photos.

Because my eyelashes were so blonde, she would often put mascara on me just so they would show up in photos. And she would try to pose Deanna and I - only Deanna was a toddler and not much for posing or sitting still, so we have shot after shot of her squirming or frowning, obviously not into being a model for Mom.  But we also have shots like this:

Shots where you can clearly see how blonde I was, contrasted with Deanna's fiery copper red hair. Hair that I was so jealous of growing up! Her hair would hold a curl and could be styled in so many ways that my stick straight mane just couldn't... but I digress.  Here I am probably six years old and Deanna is two.  And I love that we have this shot of us (and several more) because our Mom was into photography as a hobby.

My own love for photography started as a teen. I'm pretty sure it was a natural offshoot of growing up around good cameras.  I don't know that I'll ever be much of a "people" photographer, but I love taking nature shots! And I'm finally playing with that Canon 60D that I got for my birthday. And I just wanted to take this opportunity on Storytelling Sunday to acknowledge the part my Mom played in my current obsession. Thanks Mom!  I just wish she were still around to teach me a thing or three.

This post is submitted in conjunction with Sian's Storytelling Sunday.  To read more stories, check out the links at Sian's blog.

15 comments:

Maria Ontiveros said...

What a wonderful connection. And a beautiful photograph. I hope my kids take up photography some day.
Rinda

Alison said...

I wish someone in my family had enjoyed photography...there are so few photos of us as children..you really were blonde Cheri!
Alison xx

debs14 said...

Oh my goodness, what a contrast in colouring you two have! What a fabulous photo. You really are a true blonde!

Anonymous said...

What a gorgeous photo and I love the hair colour of both of you. How marvelous to have these photos from your mum.

scrappyjacky said...

I feel the same as Alison...we have so few photos.

humel said...

A lovely post, Cheri :) You're making me resolve to take more photos of my kids in their everyday life - I'm quite good at including them in holiday pics or special events, but even then I tend to focus more on places and things!

Jo said...

It's lovely that you got your love of photography from your mum, that is a beautiful photo.

Karen said...

What a gift your mother gave you! My mom took rare photos with a point and shoot, and they were often pretty terrible, though there are a few keepers. I have just one photo of my mom, dad, brother and me taken in the early 50's. I'd give anything for a few really great photos of all of us.

Melissa said...

Wow, that is a fantastic photo - the lighting lends such a wonderful feel to it. Lovely story of your mom's legacy & your interest in photography!

Elizabeth said...

That's a lovely photo and you must be so happy to have it. Imagine that...a true blonde and a true redhead all in one family.

quiltingfool said...

You were both adorable, each in her own (very different) way. I'm glad you have those photos too.

Sian said...

What a wonderful legacy! I have often wished that someone in my house had enjoyed photography. After my Dad died my Mum put our camera away..and we have no pictures at all really for a few years until I statred taking an interest.

You both have stunning hair - each show stopping in its own way. I always wanted curly hair when I was little. I married a man with curls and now I have a son with crazy hair lol

Alana said...

Beautiful memories and photo.

Missus Wookie said...

Oh what a lovely photo - my hair was that copper once while my next sister down was blond with curls. Obviously we both thought the other's was nicer!

As so many have said, you are so lucky to have so many childhood photos.

furrypig said...

what wonderful memories you have and I love the contrasting hair colour, you really were very blonde.