Kari’s Musings About Photography

…starts today.  I haven’t been in years, but I do remember going as a kid with my folks.  Back then, I loved to spend as much time as possible in the rabbit barn admiring all of the bunnies.  I’m guessing it would be the same if I went back today.  I also vaguely remember seeing Pat Boone, one of my mom’s favorites, on the main stage.

I recently rediscovered this photograph of me at the fair with my mom as we’re admiring my second place win, or should I say the photographer, Bob Benson’s, second place win.  I’d say every portrait of me from birth through K-5 was made by Bob Benson.  I’m not sure what happened to him, but I sure treasure his work.

It may be difficult to see clearly, but in this photograph I am eating a lemon with a smile on my face.  In many ways that could be a metaphor for some challenging points in my life.  Grin and bear it, I suppose.

Someday, I’ll actually remember to check out the Fair website early enough to enter a photograph of my own, but until then, I’m happy to have been exhibited there way back in the day.

Recently I reduced the number of art projects I have kept from my youth to a much smaller stack.  My mother kept everything and the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree. ; )  Granted I took photographs of most of the pieces I kept, as well as the ones I recycled and/or tossed, but I’m proud to say that many have left my home.  It’s hard to let go of the past, but I’m grateful for the moments when I can reflect on what once was and other fond memories.

During this process, I discovered many old photographs from when I was 4 and 5 years old and I want to share my new favorite portrait of me with my dad.

Photo credit: Gay Laaback

This image was taken by my aunt Gay in Walnut Creek, California, in June of 1977.  Thank God for people who write dates on photographs!  The image is unmistakably hers too simply based on her style of photography.  Up close.  Personal.  Intimate.  Catching a moment in time.  Gay is a wonderful photographer who I consider to be one of my photography mentors and I am thankful for all of the images she has taken of me and our family over the years. However, right now, I am especially grateful that she took, and I found, this image. I’d be willing to bet we had no idea she had us in her view finder, and really, that makes it all the better.