Monday, November 30, 2009

Nan

So I had banned myself from taking pictures and reading books until my website is up and running, but as we all know that hasn't happened yet. It's still a ridiculous mess and I realized I felt like I was missing so much by not taking pictures... and since my threat hadn't made me work any faster, once again, my camera is back on the job. Jes, Jason and I (Hanna too occasionally) have been snapping away through the holiday celebration and Jason's birthday. Maybe I'll get some of those photos up...just maybe...

But for now I was thinking about the blog and our little handful of friends who were amazing and re-discovered my new posting and decided that you guys needed to see something new.

I think you all have met this lovely lady but for anyone who hasn't, this is Nanette Cole, one of my beautiful grandmothers. She was gracious enough to let her camera-crazed granddaughter take some portraits of her at around 10:00p.m. this Saturday evening while everyone else was decorating our new tree.
Lately I've had this feeling that if I don't take time to do something with someone when I think of it then...what if...what if they're not around by the time I get around to it? Not that I'm expecting to lose my grandmother...I've just been thinking about all the times I've taken for granted and all the things I want to remember ...we're never guaranteed the future...I don't want to regret the past. I think that's why I love photography so much...it captures the beauty I see and keeps it for all of those other times when we need to remember. In short, that's why I pleaded with grandma to let me set up some lighting and take her portrait when most people just want to be curled up in bed- to keep the moment of her looking cozy in her jacket in the retro chair by the fire. I'm glad she's such a good sport!

So this is one of the several frames we took that night. This is Nanette Cole: born in Boston, raised a traveling "gypsy" enjoying the depression with her brother, mom, and interior designer dad, married my grandpa and raised my mom, uncle and aunt in Atlanta, Georgia and is one of the most amazing gourmet cooks and seamstresses I have ever know!

8 comments:

Courtney said...

Jen I love that you are blogging again! It's like I get to see a glimpse of you again.. since I've been bad about calling and I haven't seen you in so long! So please keep it up and don't feel pressured to always post a photo! Though this one is amazing.. I love how you captured your grandmother! It's really breath taking!

Love and miss you bunches!

Becky Swann said...

Jen I am with Courtney I love that you are blogging again, It is just such a great way for us to keep up with you being the traveling "gypsy" you are:)
Your Grandmother is beautiful! This picture almost looked like a painting to me..and you know I like that!
Thanks for sharing, miss you terribly-took a weird route to Swannanoa today just to I could pass by the house you might buy!

Sunday Grant Photography said...

Jen!!! Finally!! Now we get to see your beautiful work. I am so excited you are back. Love the picture of
Jason. Very cool. You need to teach me your secrets.

Margaret said...

Jen, I just found you on Sunday's blog...yipee!!! Your grandmother is gorgeous and what a beautiful post. Hope you are doing great. Miss you!!!

Jessica Rodriguez said...

Great picture my lovely sister. . . grandma looks beautiful.

Anonymous said...

that picture is crazy looking! she looks like a painting! Hope all is well with you!

Unknown said...

this really does look like a painting. i love this and is it in Jes's yellow chair that i adore?
glad you are unable to stop taking pictures even if trying to be disciplined, i think that means you are doing what you absolutely cannot stop doing.
beautiful picture, we want more!!!

Jessica Rodriguez said...

Yes, Annie, that is my yellow chair. :) I still have the pic of the yellow end table that we both liked at IKEA on my phone too!. . .