Close to My Friends’ Homes2 min read time

“The key is to integrate our art into our life, not the other way around.”
― Brooks Jensen

I have been thinking a great deal about the benefits of photographing close to home.  I have spent much more time doing so lately.  I am also currently putting together a presentation about the benefits of photographing close to home.

Recently, I had the opportunity to visit great friends to photograph near their homes.  Photographing in an area you are extremely familiar with often leads to stronger photographs.

I visited friends Les and Janet Saucier to spend time together and photograph the fall colors near their home in Brevard.  Since they were driving in the area daily, they knew the best spot to stop for reflection images.  While I took many pictures at this location, my favorite was of Les photographing.

As we were preparing to leave that location, my attention was drawn to the reflections on Janet’s very clean SUV.  While I was photographing them, I heard vehicles coming from behind me.  I recomposed in order to include the vehicles driving past.  I was extremely pleasantly surprised when I saw what type of car it was.   I loved the contrast between old and new.

This past weekend, I drove to Winston-Salem to photograph at a lake near where my friend Chris Almerini lives.  The lake was partially drained and there were interesting details in the mud.  There was so much mud that often walking became difficult.

As Chris and I made our way around the lake, the reflections were what caught the attention of our eyes and lenses.

I am very fortunate that my friends will put up with me using them as subjects when we photograph together.

I had two extremely enjoyable mornings spending time in my friends’ neighborhoods where they knew the best locations to photograph the fall colors.

Take a look at your immediate surroundings.  There is beauty everywhere!