I love the outdoors. There is something about getting out in nature, often away from other people, that soothes my soul. I don't always have a camera on me when I'm spending time outdoors; typically even when I do, I only focus on photography when I'm alone. I find it hard to compose shots when I'm with other people, bystanders, spectators - when I photograph I tend to get really "zoned in" and it can take time to work a specific scene to satisfaction. I have convinced myself it's all rather boring for my friends to participate in. So instead I resort to quick "grab" images in social situations.
I have tried to photograph people and take more shots "in the moment" but it doesn't come naturally to me, so most often I end up photographing my tremendously patient husband or our dog when out and about. I love wild places and nature, and I love my family, so putting them together in photos just makes sense. Maybe shots like these don't have the broad appeal that an unspoiled pretty landscape does, but knowing they are unique to us makes me cherish them even more.
