“True friends are like bright sunflowers that never fade away, even over distance and time.” – Marie Williams Johnstone
True Friends
This image paired with the quote reminded me of many of my dear friends who live both near and far. The quote defines our friendships; although the miles between us are considerable, and the days, weeks, months and sometimes years between our visits are many, our friendships never fade.
A dear friend once sent a hydrangea plant to me. On the note was the statement ” A favorite flower for a favorite friend.”
A Favorite Flower for a Favorite Friend
Have you ever had a friendship with a person that you never expected to become friends with? Friendships can be found when least expected. Sometimes those least like us in appearance are the most cherished and dearest at heart. Sometimes those totally different from the “norm” we surround ourselves with bring out the best in us. When the unique enter your lives, let them in to open up your world.
Welcome the unique.
A little uniqueness can go a long way toward making us a better person. Embrace the possibilities in the unique.
Sometimes the one that is least like us is the one most like us at heart.
Meet Charlie
Charlie II
Sweet 16 – oh how sweet it is! The days of youthful bliss and the whole world out there just waiting for you to discover it!
I was recently asked to photograph a “Sweet 16” party. The birthday girl wanted to have a photo shoot/glamour shots party and then take her good friends out to dinner to celebrate her special day. I set up backdrops, brought out an armamentarium of props, and let the girls choose their “looks” and giggle, giggle, giggle. I am not sure who had more fun, them or me. Each girl had her moment in the spotlight, each a shot or two with the birthday girl, and then group shots. The smiles were fantastic, as were the serious faces when they each had their special moment in the spotlight and glamorously played the role of whomever they wanted to be for the moment. One of the girls’ mothers recently said to me “you really captured their joy”. One of the highest compliments I could receive…. It was really a privilege for me to share in this special moment and be able to capture their youth and beauty.
Never too old for birthday kisses from Mom and Dad!
Today I spent the morning with two incredible women who I am fortunate to call friends. Friendship is not something to take for granted. People that you can trust, share your inner being with, laugh with, cry with, and be completely yourself with, are to be treasured. I am a person who takes time to warm up to people. I’m not ready to share my inside world with just anyone, I need to get to know others first, and develop a sense of comfort and trust. I know a lot of people who, like me, are tentative about jumping into friendships. There are times when one person nudges the other along until the friendship can be established. Sometimes, there is an immediate connection and the relationship moves forward with lightning speed and it seems as though there was never a time that the people in the relationship ever lived without the other. These connections continue to develop and before long, the depth of the friendship is rooted deep in the soul. No matter how the friendship develops, it is therapeutic to be with friends with whom you have such relationships, the time spent together sooths the soul, and brightens the horizons. These are the types of friends I spent my day with, enjoying breakfast, and taking a walk to see the captivating sights of winter.
The image below not only reminds me of my dear friends because they were with me when I shot it, and were very tolerant of me stopping every time I saw light in action, but because of the symbolism found in the image.
Notice the reflection. Who needs a mirror when amongst good friends? True friends will tell you if you have spinach from your veggie omelet in your teeth, or when your lipstick or mascara are smeared.
Notice the branch teetering on the ledge of the waterfall. Good friends provide balance in our lives when we need it most.
Notice the height of the trees in the reflection. Good friends provide encouragement, and give us strength to move through the challenges of life so that we can stand tall and face the challenges with confidence.
Notice the reflection of the old stone building. Friends’ doors are always open for a friend to stop by when they need to share good news, or when they need a cup of coffee and advice.
Notice the waterfall – how refreshing! Good friends always keep life fresh and exciting through laughter and new experiences.
Representation of Friendship
Robyn Graham Photography 