I was recently challenged to answer the question: Why do I shoot?

When I sat down to pen my response, I was shocked by the deep well of emotion unleashed by this seemingly innocuous question.  I would love to share with you the realizations I came to which helped me understand the direction my life has taken and why I’ve found so much purpose in this creative pursuit.

“I shoot because it is as natural to me as breathing. I could no sooner lay my camera to rest among the cobwebs than severe my mangled hands that held it. I shoot to see and understand the bending pines and whispering golden brush and feel, in those moments, that infinite beginning and ever-looming end. I hold this camera as an ambassador to make introductions and break silences and knit me together with the patchwork earth.

But…

I also shoot because of the blinding terror of forgetfulness – like that time I went to that place that I can no longer recall the name of and will soon fail to even feel along my fading corners. I shoot to stave off the impending fractures and fragments and thwart the thief of time.

I shoot to remind others to look while they have eyes and love while they have hearts to give. I shoot to know myself in all my cracked perfection and tattered glory.

I shoot because I am not whole without it and, if that makes me a shadow of a person, I will embrace that distinction and honor my failings as best I can.”

My heartfelt thanks to Stormy Solis for gently placing this powerful question at my feet and always inspiring me to live bravely.

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Melody is a full-time nomad who calls an RV home while roaming all over the western US and beyond for couple’s adventure photography in the wilds of nature. Her style is cinematic, romantic and richly colored and she believes that the beauty and chaos of nature, with its twisting paths, coarse landscapes and breath-taking wonder is a poignant analogy for relationships. The Pacific Northwest will always hold a special place in her heart but, life is short and the world is wide so check out the travel schedule to follow along with her adventures.

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