208.880.5382 info@moffettphoto.com

Oregon Coast

The best trip of my life! Christeena and I threw everything in the truck and told the kids we would call them each night and tell them where we were. Not a worry in the world. No schedule. Just the two of us. Next to getting married, it was the best decision we had made. After nearly 20 years of marriage and raising children, we needed some time, just us two, to remember what brought us together. We had such a great time that we have decided to do this much more frequently!

We drove to the Oregon Coast and arrived in Astoria just in time to photograph the sunset (a topic for a future post), then headed to Seaside for the night. We photographed Canon Beach the next morning, then during the afternoon did some hiking between Seaside and Canon Beach. I loved the lush green forests. I was used to the forests in Utah and Idaho, but had never seen forested areas with so much foliage and thick undergrowth like this. It was incredible. And to share the moment with my most cherished possession… Christeena.

Viewing this image brings back the memories. I can smell the fresh, moist air, the cool ocean breeze filtering through the trees. That is what I love most about photography. Being able to capture memories, not just documentation, but true memories of what I feel at any given time and then share those feelings through my images with others.

memories

Awestruck!

This image of my 4 boys reminds me of the need to capture images frequently throughout our lives. Not a masterpiece by any means, but definitely a “keeper” in my family album. I made this image several years ago while on a family trip. I remember as a boy myself being captivated by water fountains like this. When my four boys lined up on the steps of the fountain, I was happy to have had my camera with me to capture the moment. My oldest is now 18 and the youngest in this photo 11. I often wonder where time has slipped away to.

This photograph tells me to slow down and remember the important things in life… family! Take time to enjoy life. There is always something that needs to be done, but it can wait. Boys grow up too fast. Soon they will be independent young men with school, jobs, etc. Life will pass us by if we don’t take the time to notice.

Teenagers and Portraits

I love this portrait of my son! Anytime I photograph a person I try to capture something more than what shows on the surface. This particular image, at least for me does that. I see the independence that is within. I see a bit of an inner struggle as he is learning to be an adult… who am I, who should I be, who do I really want to be…?

Christeena, my wife and his mother, prefers the smiling portrait that I made at the same time. I think it is the motherly side seeing what she really wants him to become. I see glimpses of that personality emerging at times, but now, this is what I see. So this is what I photograph.

In a portrait everything must come together. The clothing. The lighting. The pose. The print treatment. Everything. When it does, as it does here for me, then you have a timeless statement. A True Portrait.

New Print of the Month

The April Print of the Month is now available at the MoffettGallery.com website. This month’s image, “Circle of Life,” is a 13″x13″ black and white image, matted to 20″x20″ on white museum board. This image can be purchased during the month of April for only $195 (over a 30% savings)! At an edition of only 50 prints, this investment will surely appreciate in value over the years.

Circle of Life

Circle of Life

While on a trip to the Oregon Coast last summer, Christeena and I were exploring an area near Canon Beach when this hillside caught my attention. I love the diagonal lines created by the dark green foliage in the foreground contrasting the light tones of the larger, older and dying trees rising out of their midst. Just as these younger trees are beginning to crowd out the older generation and provide new life to the forest, I see our children rising up, often thanklessly pushing the older generation aside and trying to claim their ground. Often , I think they forget the protection that these wise, more experienced elders have provided as they grow.

error: Content is protected !!