In Memoriam of September 11, 2001
As I have been traveling around the country this summer working, exploring our world and searching to isolate my niche within the field of photography I have had many realizations. Many of said realizations would certainly be of little consequence to the reader of this blog, perhaps, but to me each one of them was unique and significant. Each realization I had, had stemmed from one small moment in time. I would be going on about my day or night in regular procession when - BAM! CRACK! POW! -The moment would overtake me and a flood of understanding and clarity would whisk across my busy mind and would slow all thoughts to a crawl, and then to a stop so that each particular realization could cross the highway of thoughts, beliefs, and opinions safely. Each thought, belief or opinion subsequently was forced into looking them-self in the mirror for a moment of rapid judgement... OK, so that was my attempt at a riveting narrative...My point is, quite simply- It only takes a moment to change our lives, our hearts, and quite frankly; the very motives & purposes of what it means to be a human.
The second the bomb dropped on Hiroshima. The moment the first brick hit the ground at the Berlin Wall. The nose section of the first plane hitting the World Trade Center in Manhattan. All of the above moments changed humanity as a whole in the amount of time that it takes you to read this sentence. The first contact of Neil Armstrong's foot to the surface of the moon. The moment President Lincoln's pen lifted from the parchment of the Emancipation Proclamation. More moments that transcended the way that people thought, behaved and lived. Seconds that would define the purpose of decades and even centuries. Each moment holds great opportunity and infinite possibility...Whether the moments to come will be mostly good or bad is uncertain, that is why it is on us as human beings to see that it is not the moment that defines us. It is how we move forward after the moment has taken us. Because just like the universal principle of duality demonstrates; where there is light, there is dark.
As a photographer it is most often the case that I am brought to serve the moments of the light, so to speak. Those moments of family gatherings, reunions, romance, or otherwise peppy scenarios are the most commonly desired clients because lets face it; its nicer to focus on those so-called happy times. But I am here to say this; It is my desire to say that the happy moments are not the only moments that change our lives, we must recall that it is the moments of overcoming tragedy, adversity, ailment or the like that most often work as the catalysts for the greatest change! Those moments of stress, loss, and anxiety bring about some of the rawest and truest emotions that we can feel as people, not to mention the most collaborative. A wise man once said "Inspiration stems from love and stress compounding". When tragedy occurs people unite, generally speaking. But as time goes by they detach as they retire at the end of the day to there own pursuits, forgetting the union that once was. Furthermore, when anniversary of said events occur people spontaneously remember the thoughts that once were, while within that first moment. Interesting...so those feelings didn't fade from our mind after all...we just chose to go back to what we believe as happy every day-mainstay thoughts... hum dee dum dee dum...
In conclusion, it is my belief that images and memories of tragedy, loss, or the like are not inherently negative, for my memory is clear of that fateful September day back in 2001. It was a scene of terror and confusion. My brother was 18 blocks from the twin towers, so believe me I was scared. But it was also a mind filled with outgoing prayer and hope. Thoughts like; United We Stand! We stand against tyranny and oppression, we stand against the separation of choice and liberty! We will not be attacked! Whoever did this will see this great nation have vengeance! My mind state at that moment serves as a great example of the power of moments. So I choose to go forward in search of capturing both light and dark because I know now that it only takes a moment to change everything, for better or for worse...and I also know that positivity and progress will show themselves at every turn, waiting for you to grab hold of them. Even in the face of tragedy. For if we can find beauty within the darkness of night, then the beauty of a day in the sun is all the more beautiful.
It only takes a moment to book a personalized and affordable photo shoot or event booking with I:.M:. Photography. Take a moment now to contact me, and I will make sure the moments you treasure are captured. So those images may serve as visual references to that special time of your life, that regular day in your world or that special event you have worked so hard to reach, or even that special pet in your family...whatever the subject, space, venue, or occasion it is...Immortal:.Moments:. Photography, for those who get lost in the moment. In memory of the tragic events of 9/11/2001 I will donate 10% of my proceeds from the next 2 weeks of photo shoots to a 9/11 charity of your choice.
God bless America, God Bless Freedom, and God Bless those in need of Love
We will never forget those who gave their lives in defense of this great nation on that fateful day, as well as the families across the world who lost loved ones to 9/11. Deus Te Amat
Sincerely & Creatively,
Blake D. Brinker
Proprietor & Founder
Immortal:. Moments:. Photography
Office: 503.910.1808
Email: blake@tallcat.com
