A moment of wonder, of beauty and joy. Of connection.
I was standing in the cold predawn morning, and a surprising and revealing awareness came over me. It slowly slid in and then flooded me.
I was relearning what it truly meant to experience a moment.
Be still. Embrace the moment. Live and be in the moment. You likely have heard these statements or ones that are very similar. And, just as likely, like me, you have said them. I’m also going to go out on a limb and state that, again, like me, you have even practiced being still and in the moment.
But, on that cold predawn morning, I refound what it truly means to experience a moment.
I am a birder and a photographer. These favorite hobbies bring me joy and calm as I connect with the world around me. One of my year intentions was to plan and visit two National Wildlife Refuges/Bird Watching trips. I scheduled an early morning at Crex Meadows Wildlife Refuge for one of those visits to experience the Sandhill Crane fall migration.
I arrived in the very cold, predawn light, intending to capture photos of these extraordinary birds. Yet, as I heard the cacophony (what a sound!) of the Sandhill Cranes as they started to move, forage, and prepare for flight, I began feeling as if I was missing something important. I was taken back to another time when I experienced the same awareness. At that time, I was standing slopeside while my young children were alpine ski racing. I had my camera ready for when they came into view, and I took photo after photo until they passed by. And when I lowered the camera, I felt a sense of loss. I had missed watching them ski. I had not registered the sound of their skis on the snow or the distinct thwack sound slalom gates make when hit. I had not felt the thrill as they passed by.
A sense of loss. Because when a moment passes, it is gone.
The moment you are in has its own vibrancy around the focal point (child, family, friend, view, etc.). There are unique sounds and scents, even tastes, and there are sensory temperatures and emotions that are almost tangible. All bring what you are experiencing into being a moment – a precious, brief point in time.
Don’t get me wrong. There are definitely times when you want and plan for the priority to be recording the event in photos or video. The intent is the visual capture of the event. This is far different than being in a moment or sharing time and experiences with others. Think of it this way: this is why we hire professional photographers for weddings.
Do I, and will I, continue to take photos to capture what I see? Absolutely! Because it is a record, a reason to pause and appreciate what catches the eye and touches something within you. A photo has the power to trigger a memory and make you feel. Now, however, I do not record the event through continuous images and video recording. I stop and take select photos or videos; then, I want to be within the moment, fully experiencing its vibrancy – creating lasting sensory memories.
Just as I did with the Sandhill Cranes when I put the camera away, and was awed by what I heard, saw, breathed, and felt. It was amazing.
So, my friend, do you want to stand on the sidelines and take photos of the dancing? Or do you want to take a few photos, set the camera down, and join the fun on the dance floor? It’s up to you.
