Can you spare me a moment? That’s all I need to tell you about the wonderful project I’ve signed up for, called (ironically) All I need is a moment.
Moments are just small measures of time, but they’re pretty big things for me. They’re what my passion, my photography, is based on. Moments.
No two of them are ever the same. Just like you and me. But we’ll be around for a good 90 years or so. Moments won’t. That’s why I put so much effort into capturing them – if I’m going to be travelling this earth for another 60 years or so I wanna take them with me.
Anyways… this wonderful project that this post is actually supposed to be about, was originally just between two friends, but they are embracing anyone who wants to join in with them and pause for one moment out of their week. I’ll quote directely from their blog, as they probably do a better job of explaining it than I would.
“The method to our photographic madness is to randomly select a day and time each week when all of us will stop what we are doing and take a photo. This project centers around “a moment” because we all believe that the moment, any moment, this moment right now, is the most important thing there is. Catching ourselves, even if we have to arrange it, in a moment in time, in our busy lives, in places so many miles from others whom we love, is like catching a bit of rest, a bit of slow down, a bit of noticing, reflecting, being. And when our photos of that being, that noticing of where, who, when, and even why we are combine, we feel connected to each other and maybe to the greater world, because we know that in that one moment, that one week, we were making the same choice to be awake and alive, together, and on our own.”
I think it’s such a wonderful idea. Not that I need any more excuses to get my camera out, but I love the idea of connecting with people from all over the world, and sharing a very small piece of our lives together. And it’s an important reminder that we are not alone in what we do – whatever that is.
I’ve made a mental vow to myself to try (very hard) not to take photographs of my children every week – but it will be hard. They’re such a big part of my life, and a big part of each day. It will take a conscious effort on my part to concentrate on, and delight in, something else. But I need that. All us mums do. We need to take a bit of time out every now and then just for us.
In saying that, I didn’t do so well this week. Today was the chosen day, 11:17am the time. I found myself by the back window, laughing with Jaedon. Just having a bit of silly fun. The moment snuck up on me so I simply recorded it as it was. Funnily enough, Jaedon wasn’t as keen on the idea as I was. When I asked him to look at me so I could see his beautiful blue eyes he did his best to squeeze them shut as tight as he could, going as far as jamming his fingers into his sockets so they didn’t accidentally open by themselves. 
So not quite the moment I intended to capture, but one I know I’ll look back on and laugh at. And it will remind me of everything my little boy is about.
Narrelle x
{ Melbourne Children’s Photographer }
