I love old things. I also love cameras. Add an old story to go with an old camera, and I start to squeal with delight. My husband bought some Seattle Film Works film at a garage sale last year. Actually, he got it free. 60+ rolls for free. Seattle Film Works film has been out of production for over 15 years, so I knew this film was really old. But old doesn’t mean unusable. And I intend to use every last roll!!!
Recently my husband and I took our two youngest daughters on a nature hike to a Wisconsin State Nature Trail, called Observatory Hill. I shot images on my trusty old Canon AE-1Program 35mm camera, using the Seattle Film Works film. I love shooting fun images of my family when we are spending time together doing the things we love. I’ve always enjoyed spending time outdoors, but my husband is the real outdoor guy. He fishes, hunts, camps, canoes, and hikes. He has, in turn, fostered the love of nature in our children as well as myself. Our best memories as a family have occurred while spending time together in the outdoors.
Sometimes I wish we were better about building up our savings so that we could take all the kids to Disneyworld, or to Europe, or Hawaii. In my best imagination, I see them having a great time and all of us making memories that last a lifetime. But in truth, I don’t think those places are any more magical than the humble trips we take to the state parks around Wisconsin. The destination is not what creates the memories; it’s the people and the love and laughter that creates memories.
I’m so blessed to have the family that I do.
I am part of a wonderful group of film photographers who share their work every month in a blog circle. Please click on to Colleen’s blog to see her images for this month!
Gretchen Willis is a Portage Wisconsin family photographer, tween photographer, senior photographer, and event photographer serving Portage, Wisconsin and the surrounding areas including Baraboo, Wisconsin Dells, and Montello in Columbia County and Marquette County. Please “like” my facebook page so you can see my most current photography projects!