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Seeing the world through a photographers eyes

Writer's picture: Chelsea MackeyChelsea Mackey

What do you see when you go outside? Or when you are driving to town to run some errands? Maybe you are paying attention to your surroundings and listening in to any local sounds. You see the houses in the distance, the hot black asphalt of the roads, or the trees and wildlife around you. You may be watching street signs and noticing new billboards or a new store opening up just up the way. But, are you truly seeing the world? Are you seeing it with the eyes of a photographer. Through a lens. My camera has allowed me to see beauty and potential through my lens in some of the most unsought of areas. As if seeing the world through a lens has unlocked a special kind of beauty that is only for me.


I often pass random patches of fresh grass and wild flowers along the road or tucked away down a beaten path. To most they may see the beauty and take notice, complimenting the colors or the sweet smells. What I see are my clients sitting together on a blanket sharing laughter and making memories. I see a little one picking a flower and bringing it to their nose to smell the sweet smell of spring. Or a mom with her small children playing ring around the roses while the sounds of my shutter fill the air capturing each turn, each giggle, each smile. I see tickle fights and dandelion seeds blowing in the wind. To me, that random field is full of memories just waiting to be made.



That old ugly condemned house with boarded up windows at the edge of your neighborhood? To me that space has the potential of becoming a beautiful vintage session with flowing lace gowns and fedora hats with suspenders; a couple leaning against the once gorgeously antique 1920s home sharing a kiss. That very house was once filled with old black and white images, beautiful furniture and memories expanding from wall to wall. That paint chipped siding and crooked front porch would make a picturesque scene for a growing little family. Almost showing what there is in the life ahead; potential.


That ugly graffiti on the run down brick buildings downtown provide perfect colors for that senior who wants to capture their artistic personality. To throw a little urban appeal to their images. Or maybe it provides the perfect backdrop for a 1950's inspired session! Speaking of 1950's themed, have you seen that local malt shop! I can picture a couple of siblings sitting on their knees in a booth sharing a milkshake in that tall glass mug, giggling with every sip.



Did you happen to pass an old barn in a field of overgrown grass and think, I wonder if I could just pop over and capture some beautiful moments shared between a husband and wife, awaiting the day that their two become three? I have. I see this with each and every space. When I venture out, I often get so distracted by random areas and think of the potential it has for a session. Dirt roads become places for families to stroll hand in hand. Open fields look like dance floors. Old barns provide that warm country feel and small creeks bring memories of skipping rocks or fishing with loved ones.


I keep a notebook of these very places tucked away in my car waiting to be used. Errands are no longer just errands, but also mini scouting locations. Each time I venture out, my list grows. A simple walk around the neighborhood can turn into a fairy-tale adventure. Sometimes I am lucky enough to have a kid or two cooperate and pop out of the car for a quick impromptu photo session to showcase the new space I found. And yes, I always have my camera on me. It goes where I go. Along with my list. Because to me, that little book holds much more than just locations. It holds a place for memories to be made and captured.


The images featured were just in my plain back yard. It had begun to rain and I thought, this would be cute. So we pulled out the old wagon we had and turned my plain backyard and neighborhood bike path into moments and memories my children will cherish forever. The world has so much potential when you see it through a lens with the eyes of a photographer.



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