the unexpected joys of shutter therapy
I needed a little shutter therapy this morning. I had two places in mind: Henry Horton State Park or downtown Dickson, TN. But a detour through Water Valley had other plans for me, and before I knew it, Water Valley had become my destination for the day.
My first stop was an old church I had photographed before. As I started working on my composition, a barking dog came out to greet me, followed by a lady named Cynthia. She called the dog back and reassured me that she wouldn't hurt me. After letting her sniff my hand, we quickly became friends, and she was soon looking for a little affection.
Cynthia began sharing the history of the church and even went back to her house to retrieve an old photograph so I could see what it looked like back in the day.
As we talked, I told her about my photography outings around Water Valley. She looked at me and asked, “Are you Shuttering?” I smiled and said yes. It turns out Cynthia follows Shuttering Thru Life and had been following my work since my time with the Wounded Warrior Project!
Cynthia introduced me to her husband, Tommy, and the two of them gave me a wonderful little tour. They showed me the cemetery connected to the church, shared old family photographs, and took me to see Tommy’s childhood home. Along the way, I heard stories about the area's history, how it has changed, and even stories about Cynthia and Tommy's courtship. If I remember correctly, they've been together for 47 years! Hearing their stories was a reminder of how special a lasting relationship can be. Lord willing, I pray my wife and I will have that many years together.
Before I left, I had one more request. I wanted to return to get a photograph of Scarlet, the neighbor's dog who had greeted me earlier. Cynthia and Tommy help take care of Scarlet, too, and I couldn't pass up the opportunity to capture a few images of her. Afterward, I headed home, finding a few more subjects to photograph along the way.
I've said it many times, and I'll say it again: the best part of grabbing my camera and heading out the door is the people I meet along the way. I've learned so much about places I've driven past countless times simply by taking a moment to stop, strike up a conversation, and listen. It's refreshing to meet people who are so eager to share the history and memories of the places they call home.
Today's outing was a good reminder that sometimes the best photographs come with stories you never expected to hear.
And here's something worth remembering: if you have older family members, take the time to ask about their lives, look through their old photographs, and record their stories. Their memories are part of your family's history, and if we don't make an effort to preserve them, they may be lost forever. I hope you enjoy the images and THANK YOU to Cynthia and Tommy for sharing part of your Sunday with me. I feel blessed to have met you.
