I saw the chapters of my day unfold in a more beautiful way–instead of rushing from one Saturday commitment to the next–the photographs have helped the transitions roll off the second hand’s tongue like poetry. – Vanessa Simpson
Earlier this month, we learned the devastating news that our fellow Viewfinder Vanessa Simpson passed away while surrounded by those she loved. A devoted mother and loving wife, a dedicated runner and yogi, an intrepid photographer and innovative geologist, a lover of yarn and seeker of a creative life, Vanessa faced breast cancer wish such grace and strength, living with such fearlessness and joy, that it seems unthinkable that it could return to take her courageous life at such a young age. We are heartbroken. And in shock, that the unthinkable could happen, to her, at the young age of 48.
Vanessa was a lover of projects. Whether it was her 365 in Rectangles–”A year of instant images (shot using my Instax Mini 90),” her #shakeitout2014–”a 365 self portrait journey.
simple rules: use the hipstamatic camera on my iphone 5, shake to randomize the lens/film and shoot,” or this one below, her Saturdays on 24th–”a day in the life one Saturday at a time”, Vanessa’s love and exploration with her camera often took the inspired form of a series, and we are so grateful that she shared the many, varied ones she explored over the years.
To honor Vanessa this month, or when you feel inspired, we ask and encourage you to turn your cameras on yourselves, to document a self-portrait like Vanessa did over-and-over again in so many different ways. If you feel inspired, please share your portrait with us using the hashtag #selfiesforvanessa, so that we can see a beautiful, fearless side of you too.
The light you seek is inside…. – Vanessa Simpson
As Vanessa would say, “keep on chasing the light”
Love, the Viewfinders
Finding Joy
For the past four (well five once this post goes live) Saturday’s I have been posting an image to Instagram every hour or two. The point isn’t to inundate my audience–to be honest, I am not really doing it for any “audience,” I am doing it for me. I am doing it as a practice of finding joy in my day at home, away from my desk job, usually spent with my family–sometimes spent with clients or friends.
I wanted to see what happened, when I slowed down my day and truly noticed what was happening. Taking photos to savor the sweetness of my “home day”. When I started, I didn’t really have a plan, but I know I wanted to leave a bread crumb trail of images from my day. I have no idea how many more weekends I will do this project, but what I do know is I have savored my weekend hours more because I was aware. I saw the chapters of my day unfold in a more beautiful way–instead of rushing from one Saturday commitment to the next–the photographs have helped the transitions roll off the second hand’s tongue like poetry.
Looking back at these past three weeks I see common themes: early rising despite the need to go nowhere, soggy soccer games, chores, meeting with friends, down time and mini-adventures. What I also see is in each of these days is connection with my family and with my community. This is connection that I have been looking for and craving–that which I recently realized I was glancing over and missing out on. I am so glad my camera can be a witching stick for exactly what I need. I just have to pay attention.
“Connection is why we’re here; it is what gives purpose and meaning to our lives. The power that connection holds in our lives was confirmed when the main concern about connection emerged as the fear of disconnection; the fear that something we have done or failed to do, something about who we are or where we come from, has made us unlovable and unworthy of connection.”― Brené Brown
Keep chasing that light, Vanessa