It's another portrait contest organized and hosted by @jasonrussell.
Thank you Jason for bringing us together!!
People are incredibly interesting and I love catching them in all their glory.
I especially love the surprise capture that is natural and uncontrived.
I'm not the kind of gal who likes to ask my subjects to stand with a certain posture,
tilt their head to one side, or to put their hand on a shoulder just so.
Capturing someone's natural state is really alluring to me,
and connecting with them through their natural movement
feels so alive!
This week's theme - couples - is a great opportunity for me to share a few photos of my daughter and one of her boyfriends from some years back. Both were raised in an unschooling atmosphere, so reveled in being real, and pushing the limits with free expression. They were super fresh together, playing off of each other's energy, and relaxed into being themselves. It's always great to witness people who are raw and vulnerable, showing up in the light of who they really are.
I'm entering these first three photos which I shot one afternoon in Austin, Texas,
when they were just goofing around together on the street.
I happened to have my camera (duh!), so captured a few shots of the moment,
no set-up, and no pre-conceived ideas about taking a "photo shoot".
I love the candid-ness of these shots, capturing the innocence of
"Young Love"
For those of you who do not know what unschooling is, I'll give you my quick personal perspective:
I searched and searched for an answer to education and life, an answer in which I could feel joyous immersing myself and my precious tiny beings. Though I examined and experimented with many different methods of "schooling", I didn't really find any way that really set me afire. One day after discovering unschooling, I realized that unschooling wasn't really about my children and their "schooling" at all, as they were already whole, intelligent and capable. Unschooling was about me looking at myself, going deep to examine my own fears and limitations, questioning everything, and getting out of their way so they could continue to be the divine beings they came on this planet to be. I kept reminding myself to stand back and witness in awe their magnificent life unfolding.
I had found the answer I was searching for.
I think unschooling is a silly label, but I suppose it helps us find others of shared values and like minds like @sashagenji, @samstonehill, @canadian-coconut, @stillgideon, @heart-to-heart, @creativewoman, @dreemit, @markwhittam, @marionjoe, and @spark.
Children with such ability to be themselves are naturally incredibly genuine. They express themselves differently than most other people, as they have a different perspective on life. I'm grateful to have had the awareness to have given this gift to my children, as the gift I received in return has been eternally priceless.
Taken with my Canon T2i with a Tamron Lens.
If you wish to explore more about unschooling,
here are a few of my older posts on freedom for children:
- No Shoulds, Have Tos or Musts - Growing a Life of Freedom,
Empowered, and Immersed in Unconditional :ove
- Life in Community - How That Plays Out for the Children?
- Disciplining Children - Questioning the Norm
Check out this new Steemian, 6 year old @qiqi-power, who's father @quinneaker runs her account for her in Trust. She will show you what it's like to live a life of freedom - Meet 6 Year Old QiQi
Also, check out @quinneaker who has an enlightened perspective on parenting that will blow your mind. His writings on parenting will likely be more frequent as he has so much to share. And just so you know, most everyone who has seen Quinn in action with his children wishes they had had a daddy like Quinn. Quinn will also be speaking at Steemfest2. I encourage you to tune into @quinneaker if you want to feel true hope for the future. Meet 4 Year Old Noki.
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This is my last week's entry to @jasonrussell's portrait contest - Week No. 13 - Black and White Portraits:
"Love Love Love in the Garden of Eden"
@quinneaker, visionary and founder of the @gardenofeden - also taken with my Canon T2i.
I really love all the initiatives that spark inspiration to share our passions. I also really love that we are building a strong community here on Steemit to compliment my community life at the @gardenofeden. Magical things happen in community, and I can also say that it's never a dull moment!
Thanks for tuning in, visiting my blog, and sharing this life with me.
