I’m the first to admit that how open I or my animals are to recognizing the full potential of the bond varies from day to day. Relative to capturing that connection photographically, I realized that for me at least that’s difficult for several reasons. One is because my focus on the kind of picture I want to get often interferes with such a connection. My greatest teaching moment occurred quite a while back when I was trying to put together a holiday PowerPoint presentation for my grandkids and others I thought might appreciate it.
Like a typical doting grandmother, I attempted to garnish the animals with some festive accessories that the grands would enjoy. This resulted in photos that clearly communicated that my lame, primarily self-serving connection with said animals at the time had been noticed and found lacking and found unworthy of any effort on their parts:
However when I started taking pictures just for fun with the camera held at my side and aimed only in their general direction with no screen or device between us while I focused entirely on physically and mentally engaging with them, I did capture one instant when Frica and I connected in that special way.
For me, capturing such a moment on film or digitally may turn out to be a once in a lifetime experience, but I don’t mind. The fact that these moments of mutual revelation are often so fleeting is what makes them so special.
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