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 the previous months, 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’s an oddly relatable sentiment! It made me think about authentic, natural beauty.

Now, 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, is a gifted photographer with a talent for capturing spontaneous moments in everyday life—people and animals interacting naturally, unaware of the camera. His sense of timing is exceptional. I’m especially drawn to his live music photography, where he conveys the energy and emotion of each performance through remarkable patience and persistence. The squirrel image featured in this blog is one of my favorite examples of his wildlife work. Evan has an eye for authenticity, and it shines through in every photo he takes.

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

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