305
Listed below are links to blogs that reference this entry:
Archive Sale
. TrackBack URL for this entry:
http://saraatkinsphotography.com/darkroom/mt/mt-tb.cgi/304
303
When we finally got back to Chioggia, after four weeks of traveling and staying in bed and breakfasts we were ready for some family time. Our last two weeks in Italy would be spent surrounded by friends and family, and of course food. One of our first evenings back in Chioggia we went to the fish festival. Every year this festival takes place down the main street of Chioggia and the food is AMAZING.
Can you get any more delicious than this? By the end of our trip I had become pretty skilled at filleting a fish. I hadn't ever done it before, but in Italy it seems that this is a pretty common way to serve fish. 
After a great meal of fresh clams and fish and whatever else was pulled out of the sea that day we decided to walk up the clock tower.
The street was full of people devouring the treats from the sea. And it is all for charity, not that I need an excuse to eat great food.
Chioggia, you sure were good to me.
Listed below are links to blogs that reference this entry:
Nibbles: Chioggia Fish Festival
. TrackBack URL for this entry:
http://saraatkinsphotography.com/darkroom/mt/mt-tb.cgi/302
301
I found this image on Wikimedia Commons, it is in the public domain and not copyrighted. It is a watercolor by Jules Pascin called 'Hermine a lit' or Hermine in bed. It got me thinking about my own bed and the comfort that a nicely made bed can bring.
Mom has a way of making a bed in a way that always begged me to crawl under the sheets and snuggle in. She pulls the sheets so tightly that even the most wrinkled sheets will become crisp. It is not just the way the sheets are pulled so tightly, it is also the way the comforter is pulled back just right and the pillows are fluffed and perfectly placed. And I can tell instantly if it is a mom made bed. It must be the extra love folded in.
As a little girl I used to crawl into bed as she was putting fresh sheets on. I loved the feeling of the sheets right out of the dryer. Mom would put the bottom sheet on and then I would jump right in the middle of the bed. She would finish the job right over the top of me. I just loved it. Come to think of it, my cats now do to me what I used to do with my mom. I suppose they love a mom made bed too.
Mom is coming to visit tomorrow...maybe I will leave the bed unmade. Maybe she will get the hint.
Mom:
Thankyou :). Mom
Anonymous:
Sara, so happy your mom is coming - I enjoy setting up a new home with Lisa. Our thought process always seems to be on the same wave length. Take a picture of your mom in your new flat. You have a special mom and I love her too.
(08.19.10)
Listed below are links to blogs that reference this entry:
This is love: Mom Made Bed
. TrackBack URL for this entry:
http://saraatkinsphotography.com/darkroom/mt/mt-tb.cgi/300
300
Just before I left on my trip to Italy I was contacted by Dandelion Magazine, a local magazine for parents with children that have special needs. I was asked to do a photo session for the cover story on a very special family. It was basically the last session that I shot before leaving, and the magazine was going to come out while I was away. The editor promised to send me a copy and when I finally got home I rushed to my pile of mail to find it. The images came out great, but it is the story behind the images that really touched my heart. You can read their story HERE.
We met in Golden Gate Park, it was a beautiful afternoon. We walked and chatted, I got to know them and enjoyed capturing the love that they felt as a family. It is amazing the mountains that they have had to climb together, and that is just it. They did it together and they seemed to be pretty strong because of it. You see, when Lily as just two years old she was diagnosed with Juvenile Rheumatoid Arthritis. This is a chronic disease that causes joint swelling, stiffness and bouts of severe pain. The family overcame the heartache and devastation of this painful disease, they learned how to cope. When Lily was four years old Miriam and Ronan welcomed a second child into their family, Frankie. By the time Frankie was born Ronan and Miriam had learned how to cope through writing and letting themselves accept help. Something they struggled with in the beginning. Miriam even became a life coach to teach other parents how to manage when dealing with crisis. She has a website called Cope and Thrive and has taken everything she has learned to try to help others in similar situations.
The family was strong. They each played an important role and while life was still difficult, they were happy. In May of 2009 any resemblance of normalcy faded. Frankie was diagnosed with Lymphoma. The family was tested once again and had to be strong and help their little boy through painful treatments while continuing to give their little girl all of the help she needed to deal with her disease.
Frankie did well in his treatments, he was in the 'maintenance phase' which had him taking several pills everyday. But his hair had grown back and he was in school and thriving. Frankie was supposed to complete his last round of treatment in June. I was in Italy at the time and although he wasn't quite in remission yet, he seemed like a healthy, normal boy. I was pretty sure that he was going to be just fine. I couldn't imagine anything but good things for this family. They had been through enough. It was time for them to breathe.
When I got back from Italy I contacted Ronan to set up their viewing session. It had been a few days since I had heard from them but I assumed that life had just gotten busy. When Ronan finally contacted me my heart about sank with the words that I read in his email. Frankie had relapsed. This poor family had been through so much and now, after everything they were back in the hospital. It is hard to make sense of it, it just does not seem fare.
Nothing in this life is more important than the people around you. Love them as hard as you can. Don't let life pass you by without showing your family and friends how much you care about them. Be present in your life. Do not let the mundane business of everyday let you get lazy. Be thankful for what you have been blessed with. These are the words I said to myself as I fell asleep that evening. These are the words that I hope to never forget.
Nothing in this life is more important than the people around you. Love them as hard as you can. Don't let life pass you by without showing your family and friends how much you care about them. Be present in your life. Do not let the mundane business of everyday let you get lazy. Be thankful for what you have been blessed with. These are the words I said to myself as I fell asleep that evening. These are the words that I hope to never forget.
Anonymous:
FABULOUS!
(08.17.10)
Autumn:
Positively amazing and touching story. Thank you (and the family) SO much for sharing!
(08.25.10)
Listed below are links to blogs that reference this entry:
Lily and Frankie
. TrackBack URL for this entry:
http://saraatkinsphotography.com/darkroom/mt/mt-tb.cgi/299
299
Kathy: Do you always have an assistant with you?
Sara: Absolutely. If at all possible I always try to have a second shooter. Especially if I am Shooting an event with more than 90 people in attendance. And especially for weddings. One reason: I can be with the bride and have my second with the groom, this way we can get images of both of them getting ready. There is often not enough time for me to both. Also, if something were to happen to my gear at a critical point, it is a safety net. Finally, It is great to have someone available to help me set up and test the light when needed. Shelly is a professional helper.As you can see... she has the amazing ability to be at more than one place at a time. It is a real talent. Thank you for all of your help Shelly!
Shelly Waldman:
Wow... look at me. Three places at once, that's a amazing. However, I know that I'm silly but I had no idea I was this silly. I can't image what the dancing pictures you took to check light look like.
Working with you is a great pleasure. Thank you always for the opportunity to assist you.
Lianna:
Is Shelly going to assist for our wedding?? Cause Ethan got really excited at the possibility :)
(08.17.10)
Sara Atkins:
No, unfortunately she is going to be in Italy during your wedding. I did try though!
(08.17.10)
Listed below are links to blogs that reference this entry:
Tidbits: Second Shooter
. TrackBack URL for this entry:
http://saraatkinsphotography.com/darkroom/mt/mt-tb.cgi/298