sometimes i struggle with believing what i do is truly important.  that it makes a difference in the world.  oh, i know…i am capturing memories and love and life and beauty…and people treasure those things, but what about the starving children in the world?  what about injustices…slavery and child trafficking?  how does taking pretty pictures make the world a better place?

i’ve heard stories from other photographers’ clients…”my grandpa died a few months after my wedding.  this is the last picture we have of us together, and he looks so happy.  thank you so much for preserving that moment for me.  i will always treasure it.”  and that’s just theoretical to me…i never expected to be glad for my own sake that i took pictures of things that were important to me.

my cat died today.  some neighbours called to say they’d found him.  he’d been hit by a car.  we weren’t totally sure it was him when we went to look.  i couldn’t even do it; my landlord did it for me.  but, as i’d known driving up…of course it was.  i’m so glad that i took pictures of him throughout his life.  if you don’t want to see…just don’t press play.  but there’s a slideshow just below.  i both smiled and wept as i searched through my archives for pictures of his life.  he was really a tremendous cat.

**i KNOW that some of these are terrrrrible photos, from a quality standpoint, but i couldn’t bear to let them go…i hope you can understand and forgive me.**

this one is probably my favourite of him.

goodbye mao-cat. you were the best cat i ever had, and i will really miss you.
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i can’t imagine not having any pictures of him…so, when i get back from nz, i will be posting a special on lifestyle portrait sessions…you with your furry beasties. if you’re interested, comment here or email me, and we’ll schedule them for march or april.