“If your creativity during the upcoming year could take shape—or if the space that accommodates it could take shape—what would it look like? Show us.”  Inspired by this post on Shutter Sisters.

This is an interesting way of looking at creativity – that it could have a shape. A physical form.

Creativity is a mental and social process involving the discovery of new ideas or concepts or new associations of the creative mind between existing ideas or concepts. Creativity is fueled by the process of either conscious or unconscious insight. An alternative conception of creativeness (based on its etymology) is that it is simply the act of making something new. – Wikipedia

I don’t come up with New Year’s resolutions like many people do. This year I decided on a word to focus on. Soar. My creativity is entwined in this word. Its meaning is a guiding force for the way I proceed through my daily photographic endeavors.

Giving my creativity a shape has got me thinking. So I started to look through some of my images to see if any of them jumped out at me, announcing a physical presence.

This image volunteered. It is clearly a fence line, but beyond its borders lives mystery. Beauty. Light. Freedom. Infinity. Within its borders there is very little space. And it is limited. Familiar.

I envision myself soaring over the fence line. My creativity is clearly on the other side.

Maine Lifestyle Photographer in Bristol - Children's Photography, Family Photography, Weddings, Events, Portraits

Today is it – the final day of 2009.  In terms of weather, this day represents the calm before the storm.  We are in for a major nor’easter – two storms converging and taking three days to move through.  A lot of wind.  A lot of snow.  A mixture of rain and ice.

To me storms are about release and change.  There is no better time for release and change than at the beginning of a new year.  Maybe a thick blanket of snow will erase all the dirtiness beneath.  For some the white beauty may represent a clean slate, an empty canvas on which to create a new life.  A different life.  For better or worse, but different all the same.

A new year cloaked in snow can be a symbolic reminder of peace – in our lives.  In the world.

A blanket of snow is a time for dreams.

A raging storm is the collective voices of life upon our dear earth.  Chanting untold stories.  Unleashing rage and power.  Creating beauty.

The following images are various moments from this year.

The Fire of Dawn

True Love

Walk with me into the end of daylight.

The magic of childhood bliss!

Cowgirl Love

Partnership

Summertime

Daydream

Hands of Time

Sunrise and Meandering Fence Line

Heart to Heart – Soul to Soul

Two Worlds Collide

A Peaceful Moment

Lets See What Tomorrow Brings

Maine Lifestyle Photographer in Bristol - Children's Photography, Family Photography, Weddings, Events, Portraits

It’s hard to believe that Christmas is a little over 2 weeks away!  I’m actually looking forward to the New Year.  To me it is symbolic of fresh starts, beginning anew, leaving what no longer serves me behind.  I feel like I’m in transition, and for those of you reading this that are women who have gone through labor and bore children, you know what I mean!  It can be painful, you become ugly and monster-like, wanting nothing more than to release what is aching to come out because you know, in the end, it will be beautiful.

I am not giving birth to a child (whew!) but I am birthing a new life that has been growing inside me for a long time.  This “nesting” phase is both exciting and exhausting, creating a new joy to be shared with all.

The images below were taken over the past month or so.

Maine Lifestyle Photographer in Bristol - Children's Photography, Family Photography, Weddings, Events, Portraits