Take a Long Look

Photography, as we all know, is not real at all. It is an illusion of reality with which we create our own private world.

Arnold Newman

Meet my Jumanji house (seriously, doesn’t it remind you of that Robin Williams movie?). It’s taken over by vines as thick as my arms. At first glance, you might wonder why it’s my favorite (I know, because I’ve been asked many times why I love decayed buildings.). But take a second, longer look. It’s not your typical beauty. It stays hidden. Its potential is amazing. It sits in wait for the day it will be restored and loved.

I love finding the diamonds in the rough. It’s an exciting challenge for me. And when I create something like this that I am so excited about, I’m sharing a piece of myself. And I’m grateful for those who have seen that I have potential and have encouraged me, even in my weirdness. You mean the world to me.

And if a day goes by without my doing something related to photography, it’s as though I’ve neglected something essential to my existence, as though I had forgotten to wake up. I know that the accident of my being a photographer has made my life possible.

Richard Avedon

The start of my abandoned love

Well, my family only lasted in Belle Chasse, LA for 6 months. We had hopes that maybe it would be the town that we could settle in. But, no. Maybe we're just not use to how clean a city can be.
My favorite day there was spent just driving up and down Belle Chasse highway, exploring the area. I love adventure days with the family. No agenda, but we always discover the greatest things (at least, in my eyes!). We (my husband, kids and I) came across a great little house that was falling in on itself. I battled all the wasps and bees in order to snag some photos. What most impressed me was the beautiful rose tree that was in full bloom on the side of the house. I always have to spend some time just staring at places like this. I have to imagine what it once was and who lived there. I just have to know all about it!

So, I present my very first part in my Abandoned Love series. Can you figure out the inspiration for the name of this series? Check through the photos, and then if you find it, post the answer on my Sugarberry photography facebook page. www.facebook.com/Sugarberryphotography

Richness that won't raise your blood sugar

Beyond the beautiful homes of the Garden District and the amazing food, New Orleans has a deep, rich history. Don’t discredit the little things that seem unimportant. I’m not recommending to go through trash on maybe Bourbon street and hope that one day it will have importance (never mind that the visual image that I get from that makes me shudder). However, learning a little more about my city makes me excited, and I hope that even this little tidbit will make you say ‘oooo, cooool’ as I did.

I’ve seen these signs painted on buildings in a couple of places in New Orleans. I have a slight obsession with all signs (just a wee bit). I’ve always been curious about this one in particular, Uneeda Biscuit. And, yes, I spelled it right. You may not be able to see the posted price, but it was 5 cents…is anything 5 cents now? Maybe a half a piece of gum.

Uneeda Biscuit was once a company in 1898. This New Orleans company was a combination of two companies (okay, a lightbulb will be flashing over your head in about one second…) named The National Biscuit Company and the New Orleans Nabisco Baking Company (lightbulb!). Eventually, it was just called Nabisco Foods. Now, isn’t your life a little better for knowing that?