Say Cheese!

Welcome to another month of 2026!

This is one of my favorite months of the year. Spring has sprung more than it did in April, and creatures, great and small, are coming out of every nook and cranny. The sun feels warmer, even if the air is still a bit on the cooler side, and it makes for a lovely mix. I'm ready to jump into whatever spring brings. I’m thankful to be surrounded by such natural beauty.

I recently came across this quote attributed to Abraham Lincoln: “There are no bad pictures; that’s just how your face looks sometimes.” It made me think about authentic, natural beauty.

It’s a hilarious—and oddly relatable—sentiment. Now, I didn’t know Lincoln, and I can’t confirm he ever said or wrote this. In fact, there’s no reliable evidence that he did. Still, if he had, I doubt he would have been the type to obsess over selfies or retaking photos until every detail looked “perfect.” Something I would have admired about him. He had bigger fish to fry, and in any case, daguerreotypes and ambrotypes didn’t exactly make casual self-portraiture easy or fun.

There are many reasons we take photos. We use them to document meaningful milestones, express our identity, and sometimes share images as gifts. Photography also helps us capture our travels, stay connected with others, and experiment creatively through portraits, still life, and everyday scenes.

On the other hand, photography can also be used in less positive ways—such as invading privacy or causing humiliation. And at times, the impulse to constantly document life can pull us out of the very moments we’re trying to preserve, making it harder to stay fully present in meaningful experiences and relationships.

My son, Evan, runs a photography business and has a gift for street photography or capturing spontaneous moments in everyday life—people and animals walking, waiting, and interacting without posing or being aware of them. His sense of timing is outstanding. I’m especially drawn to his work at live music events, where he captures the energy of the moment. The squirrel image featured in this blog is one of my favorite wildlife shots he has taken. Evan truly sees the authenticity in his subjects, and it comes through clearly in his photos.

As spring continues to unfold, I find myself paying closer attention to these small, unposed moments that make life feel real. There’s a quiet beauty in them that doesn’t need anything added—just noticed. Imagine if everyone could see their true, authentic self—beautiful not because it’s perfect, but because it’s real.

From the heart,

Rae

Please visit: www.evankiesinerphotography.com