It's been a whole year of St Lucia's Day!
Actually, I started observing it in 2017, when a friend of mine went to Sweden. I made Swedish meatballs for my family and we lit candles at dinner. He told me stories of hearing a choir in an ancient Swedish church for the holiday. None of that impacted me as much as a single photograph. A photographer I follow, Cameron Uilleam (make sure to look at his page) did a photoshoot of St. Lucia's Day. Those pictures alone stirred me to celebrate. I think it's a testament to how powerful images can be: the snowy forest with the lone girl inspired me to create my own art--and remember the holiday for years after. Art keeps memory alive. Photography preserves history, but also the stories within. On St. Lucia's Day, the darkest day of the year, I remember her story: a girl who visited Christians in caverns, carrying candles. The flickering lights danced with shadows on the cave walls. The flame might be tiny, held in the hand of a girl, but the hope it brought meant more. It doesn't take a great flame to light a dark place: small ones are enough. My mother celebrates a different holiday: Make Music Day, held on the Summer Solstice. This is the brightest day of the year. I'll include some photos from past Make Music Days below. With Make Music Day and St Lucia's Day, my artistic visions didn't quite come to life. Quarantine halted everything: St Lucia's plans and Make Music plans. Still, don't let canceled plans stop you from sharing your inspiration: perhaps it isn't a great flame, but it doesn't have to be. stay inspired + merry christmas! 🌙priscilla
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*drumroll please*
If you saw me hinting about announcements, today I reveal: I will be a photo assistant for my friend Chynasia! She owns Chynasia Photography, so be sure to follow her for some phenomenal photos! Honestly, she has insane talent. I haven't seen anyone with the same level of skill at her age. She's passionate, enthusiastic, and focused on getting the best photos possible. She did some for me; can't wait to post those! Chynasia makes photography fun and artistic, and I'm excited to learn more from her (I've learned so much already). Shooting at Greenway was a lot colder than it looked--my fingers felt numb after thirty minutes! 29 degrees, anyone? Still, it was great to see glittering frost and bare trees. It looks magical in the winter. Congratulations to the remaining yellow leaves; Tennessee impresses me with how long some of the leaves hold on to the trees. If I had a few words to describe our time, I'd say efferverscent, exciting and encouraging. All E's. It made us forget the cold (my fingers fumbling for the shutter release didn't forget, but I did). Next time I'm excited to do creative photos; be on the lookout for a winter photoshoot coming up. Thanks to all of you, by the way, who follow and read this even though I haven't posted on Instagram in almost a year!? I promise that will change soon! Classes are hopefully letting up a little (I only have one more to go before graduation!) so that means more time for photography, writing, and new projects! Stay inspired, and merry Christmas! 🌙priscilla |