Luckily, those very same people have continued to support me as I figure out how to do what I love and find my way as a retired kindergarten teacher. I am still working through that...lol. As a former kindergarten teacher, I believed my role was to convince young learners to take risks. That meant providing them with activities and experiences, often through play, that would make them believe that
they could do something new, before they could do it perfectly. That is where I am as a photographer. My work is full of imperfections. But, it's my work, my play, and my passion. I see perfection in imperfect places, things, and people. I see God's glory in a world full of uncertainty. Just as I taught my kindergartners to take risks, my support system has done the same for me. Turning 50 recently was a moment of revelation. There is a phrase in education that refers to children traveling at their own pace as they learn new things, a very valid belief system for educators and parents. However, when you turn half a century old, you begin to realize that you don't have all the time in the world...it runs out. For that reason, I have begun to get serious about printing my images that would otherwise be lost in my computer and the world of social media. My journey is long, but why not share along the way? And so, within this process I wanted to present my work in its best light. That's where the framing comes in. In my quest to be economical, my husband Steve and I, began a search for used frames. This took us to thrift stores, yard sales, estate sales, auctions, flea markets, and even trash picking...we began “reclaiming the frames.” Frames that would have been discarded or placed in trash heaps have now found a new purpose, they highlight the images that make up our world. Revitalizing something old doesn't make it completely new again. That's the beauty of it. It changes things for the better. That's where I am in my journey...welcoming change that enhances life, taking the risk that you'll see what I see. Because God's glory is right here in front of us, if we are just willing to open ourselves up to it. Among my work, you'll find images that are mostly from South Jersey. More specifically from Carneys Point, Penns Grove, Pedricktown, Salem, and Pennsville. If you are from the area, you might think that something looks a little familiar, for good reason. It's probably something you've passed by a million times. It may be just down the street from you. Or, it may be your very own street. You will see MANY photographs from the from the Jersey shore down to the Outer Banks. Visiting these beaches with my husband, my sons, my family, and my girlfriends has allowed me the luxury to appreciate the vastness of the sea and its possibilities. The beaches provide endless opportunities for photography. Again, this is a journey. We've all heard the saying that it's not about the destination, it's about the journey. If you have chosen to join me, I am forever grateful. There are only so many tomorrows!
