I have spent the greater part of my adult life photo journaling the spontaneous moments, planned events and once in a lifetime occasions of my friends and family as well as the life events of strangers turned friends and friends turned chosen family. I have a stack of hard drives fourteen feet tall, okay, maybe fourteen inches tall...that is part of my 50% rule. I exaggerate a bit, sometimes, here and there. Anyhow - I cannot think of a time when I was more uncomfortable than when I am in a large group of people without my camera. I can already tell this post is about to turn into a soul searching, vulnerable, epiphany laden, escapade with words but I am okay with that. My friends call them BM's or Brandi Moments. I call them emotional diarrhea.
I love people and I love to talk but after so many years of living in a very confident head space, mostly becuase of how I was raised, I have started to realize the times I was/am most comfortable (aside from being the occasional center of attention), is/are when I am behind my lens. It is, I suppose, my way of letting others see the world through my eyes without being forced to do so. They can choose not to look at the pictures, but who isn't going to choose to look at photos of themselves or take an opportunity to see something through someone else's eyes? I get great satisfaction from the appreciation that is provided to me through the photos I take. Yes, I suppose that is that me seeking approval of others through my camera? Okay, maybe I am not ready to go that deep with you whom are mostly strangers, reading this. Until next time, here are some snapshots from the roads and waters I have encountered while out wandering. Enjoy.
