I've lived in my home for 30 years now. In that 30 years, I have seen a lot of changes in my community and my neighborhood. One thing that has remained a constant though, are the people who live on my particular street. Some were here when I moved in, and most have been here 20 or more years. There is a comfort in knowing your neighbors and enjoying long term acquaintances and friendships with them. We look out for and check up on each other, we tell each other when we are going to be away and watch over each other's homes. In times of illness we have had meals delivered while my wife was recovering from surgery, in good times  enjoyed golf and vacations with neighbors. The list goes on. This week I had the pleasure of enjoying another moment that could only happen in a neighborhood like mine....

I first started taking photography serious about 25 years ago, bought a medium format Mamiya outfit and built a studio in my basement of my fairly new house. I was going to be a wedding and portrait photographer. My new next door neighbors had two very pretty high school aged daughters who I approached to sit for me in my studio so I could practice lighting and posing techniques. I was not good, and the sessions were awkward. I was shy and not confident, and they were shyer. Yet, we eventually created some nice portraits and I learned from our experiences. 

Fast forward some 25 years. My previously mentioned neighbors still live next door, and their and my family have gone through many life events such as births, marriages and deaths. We know each other well, and have shared the joy and grief of many of these events. 

Today was one of those moments of joy. The daughter of the eldest daughter whom I photographed 25 years ago, had her high school grad ceremony today, and I was asked if I would take photographs of her and her date at a local park where all of the high school grads in town were gathering for celebrations and photography. 

There must have been 500 students dressed in suits, tuxedos and gorgeous evening gowns, accompanied by friends, parents and family members, and an abundance of photographers from cell phone snap shooters to people carrying high end gear, in the park jockying for position and favored backdrops. It was organized chaos, but  a feeling of euphoria seemed to permeate the park as those graduating celebrated this right of passage. 

Back to photography. My neighbors are my friends, I offered to take the  photos for free. I told them we could shoot any groupings they wanted, parents, grandparents, family shots, etc. They were all there to celebrate, so lets take advantage and make great memories for everyone. When we were done, the mother of the graduate handed me a hand full of cash. I smiled and gave it back to her, and then told them all the story  about how they helped me get started 25 years ago. I valued their help then, and value their friendship today. 

Whether you photograph for money or for pleasure, photographs are for sharing. They are important as they capture moments in time that may never be repeated. Today I helped my neighbors make memories that they can share for a lifetime, just as I have shared their friendship for 2+ decades. You can't put a price tag on a priceless memory or good neighbors....

Thank you to all my neighbors, long term and short. You are why our neighborhood is an amazing place to live and I could not imagine living anywhere else. 

 

Today we had our first snowfall of the year (actually first snow fall of the season!). It was -8 with a 30 km wind and my first thought was....perfect, grab the camera and go.  I love to go out when the weather really sucks...there's drama everywhere to photograph, and I never see anyone else out, so know any images I get will be one of a kind. 

Blowing Snow

So, this begs the question, are you a fair weather photographer or do you relish the challenge that Mother Nature slaps you with? Do you embrace the howling winds, rain and snow or wait until a warm sunny day to venture out with your camera? If you haven't yet taken that step into the wild unknown, I would suggest you give it a try, you will almost certainly be surprised and hopefully rewarded for your efforts!  Alone

There is really no weather bad enough (at least where I live) that I won't consider going out in. I make sure the gear I take with me for the day is well protected from the elements...sometimes a rain jacket for the camera and lens, sometimes just my handy umbrella, extra batteries if it is really cold out, and I like to keep my gear in the trunk of my car if it is cold, it keeps the camera and lens at a closer temperature to the outdoors, rather than in and out of a warm vehicle where moisture and condensation can build up inside the camera body and fog the lens. I also make sure I am protected from the elements, always dress appropriate for the conditions...rain gear, winter coat, gloves and touque, and warm, waterproof footware. 

The world around us changes as dramatically as the weather does. As much as changing light changes everything we see, weather affects the mood and ambiance of every scene. Places you have been to and scenes you have photographed before suddenly transform into new works of art, waiting for your interpretation.

Cascade Falls

It doesn't all have to be blizzard or monsoon conditions either. Sometimes you just wait out the worst of it and are rewarded with an amazing sunset or rainbow, and you get the shot because you are out there, prepared to capture that amazing image!

Heritage Park Rainbow

So, next time the photo bug bites you but it's raining buckets out there, think about how the extra water coming down your local water falls will look, or how a forest scene would look shrouded in fog or blowing snow. Pack up and head out...even if you don't bring home a winning image, you will have gotten off the couch and got some fresh air and maybe a little work out. Win win! 

In August 2018 I did it....I retired from my corporate finance position and can now call myself a full time photographer. That really just means that aside from the weekly newspaper assignments and freelance jobs I have always done, I can now shoot whatever and whenever I am motivated, for no pay!

Over the last 6 months I have discovered this to be one of the great joys of my new life, this freedom to fill a backpack with gear and roam the trails, or along the river, or wherever my heart desires that day, and record anything that interests me. 

I challenge myself with discovering something new in places I have visited many times before, and making compelling images of what I find. I am also venturing out farther afield from my usual haunts, discovering new places and new scenes to enjoy. I share many of these images on my Facebook business page, BobFriesenPhotography and have started to acquire a bit of a following, which in turn has motivated me to spend some time revamping this website and writing my first blog. 

I invite you to (figuratively) tag along with me on my journeys and share what I see, either through my website, www.timelessimages.zenfolio.com or Facebook. 

Prints of images are also for sale, if you happen to see something that would look awesome in your home or office. 

Stay tuned as I document my upcoming adventures in photography.