Wildings

My boys and their friends and an afternoon at the park.  

So very Lord of the Flies.

Love my Wildlings

Homecoming

A little over 5 years ago, I started this blog to celebrate my family.  I was a mother to two toddler boys and pregnant with my third.  I had just fallen in love with Waldorf Education, I was starting to become passionate about creating images through photography to capture my sons' childhood, I wanted to have a way to connect with others and share the basics of homemaking.  This was all before everyone started gathering on Facebook and Pinterest as online coffee klatches.  I met some wonderful women through the mothering.com forums and through shared images on flickr.  I felt like I had found my tribe of mothers from all over the world, all just trying to create beautiful safe spaces for our children to grow up in and that we had each other to learn from and support and I am so proud that a handful of these women are still my friends today.

For many of us, our children are older, less in the early childhood education stages.  The gorgeous wooden toys have been replaced by legos and *gasp* even some of our children have been introduced to the magic of the movie Star Wars for the first time.   I have to admit that I cringe when I think about the all or nothing approach I took to incorporating Waldorf in our lives.  So much time and money wasted trying to find the "perfect" natural toys for our boys.  I wish I could go back and tell the mother that I was back then that it really.doesn't.matter.  I would tell her to spend more time loving her children with hugs and kisses.  Let them wander and explore more.  Put much less emphasis on "stuff" and more on experiences.

My boys are in public school now, and while it's not perfect.. it's pretty damn close.  We are so very fortunate to go to a school where there is a passionate parent community that helps insure that arts and gardening are part of the curriculum for every child.  We have made friends from all over the socioeconomic spectrum that we would not have made in private education or if I had homeschooled. We are doing the best for our kids within our means and honestly, I feel like we're doing more than OK.

So what is the point of this post?  I guess perhaps that it is time for me to disconnect from the Waldorf world... or what has been my paradigm of it these past few years.  The acquisitive nature of collecting material things, the silent judgement of mothers whose children wear superhero t-shirts (yes, I have received the side-eye for that)... just the entire holier than thou crap you get when you come across the Mama In Fairyland.  It's been said before, but it bears repeating.  Being a parent is hard enough, no one should make it into a competition.

Don't get me wrong, there are mothers out there who live and breathe Waldorf in such a genuine and heartfelt way, I wish everyone could experience it like that.  Nicole of Frontier Dreams, Cindy of Zach Aboard, Joy of An Art Family, Annie of Imagination in Parenting, Renee of Heirloom Seasons... these are just a few of the women who are my friends and heroes with how they live their lives.  (One of my favorite memories of Cindy is, under her screenname of BoatBaby, constantly yelling at us on mothering.com "It's NOT ABOUT THE TOYS!" :)).  I am so grateful for their friendships and inspiration, as well as all the other mother bloggers who shared their lives and beautiful families in the blogging world.  My beef about Waldorf is far from being about them.  I just feel that for me, it's my time to let go and fully explore the world with my family under a different set of values.  Letting the boys become who they are meant to be, taking the emphasis off of stereotypical societal achievement and guiding them to appreciate what is in themselves.  It's probably not THAT different from the values of Waldorf education, but I think I am just ready to go without the label.

I'm sending much love and gratitude out into the blogosphere for allowing me to process my thoughts and for always being a source of encouragement.  This isn't a goodbye, but more a touching base with myself and for those who do share their time here with me.

With Love and Light,

Marina

P52: Week 27/52- Summer, Night

Next up is Sarah Maxey Photography from the Kansas City area. Sarah is an on-location, natural light photographer specializing in birth photography, lifestyle newborn photography and modern maternity, baby/child and family portraiture. Please click here to see her take on this week's theme.

P52: Week 26/52 Action, Sports

Next up is Tricia Burrough of Lilac Blossom Photography. Tricia is a portrait photographer and freelance photojournalist based in Collingswood, NJ. Please click here to see her take on this week's theme.

P52: Week 25/52- Action, Father

Catch me Daddy!

Roshambo

My Beloved

Next up is Lanie Coulter. Lanie is a natural light photographer that specializes in newborn, family, senior and wedding photography in the Chattanooga and North Georgia area. Please click here to see her take on this week's theme.

P52: Week 24/52- Action, Motion

Next up is my dear friend and mentor, Jen Dunham of Jen Dunham Photography. Jen specializes in creating artistic newborn portraits for her clients and is located in the San Francisco Bay Area. Please click here to see her take on this week's theme.

P52: Week 23/52 Action, Freeze

Next up is Andrea Orozco of Drea Lyn Photography. Andrea is an on location, natural light photographer specializing in children, seniors and couples from the California Bay Area. Please click here to see her take on this week's theme.

P52: Week 22/52 Children, Playtime

My oldest boy, so rich in imagination.  With homework taking up so much of his time afterschool, it warms my heart to see him use his playtime to return to what he loves best... sharing his ephemoral worlds in a form where we can all see them, in this case his chalkboard.

Next up is Megan Lee of Amber Decadence Photography. Megan is a natural light, modern lifestyle and portrait photographer specializing in children and families. Amber Decadence Photography is based in Singapore. Please click here to see her take on this week's theme.

P52: Week 21/52 Children- Serious, Meltdowns

My sweet Bean.  

At four years old, so sensitive.

So worshiping of his older brothers, that any small slight or perceived insult will send him to curl up inside himself where he feels safe.

I love this boy so much.  

Grateful that he knows how to find comfort inside of himself.  

Hoping that he learns what strength resides there as well.

Next up is Sarah Maxey Photography from the Kansas City area. Sarah is an on-location, natural light photographer specializing in birth photography, lifestyle newborn photography and modern maternity, baby/child and family portraiture. Please click here to see her take on this week's theme.

PS52: Week 20/52 Children, Mother

Next up is Tricia Burrough of Lilac Blossom Photography. Tricia is a portrait photographer and freelance photojournalist based in Collingswood, NJ. Please click here to see her take on this week's theme.

PS52: Week 19/52 Children, Laughter

The theme this week is children laughing.  I will tell you now that my boys are being monsters and I am choosing to punk out by using an old photo than trying to capture a moment of fake hilarity.

There are simply not enough chocolate chips to use as bribery to get them to laugh and not enough vodka to make me want to do it.

Apologies with promises to get a more recent and sincere photo of laughter in the near future.

Next up is the immensely talented Lanie Coulter. Lanie is a natural light photographer that specializes in newborn, family, senior and wedding photography in the Chattanooga and North Georgia area. Please click here to see her take on this week's theme.

PS52: Week 18/52- Spring Self-Portrait

The theme this week is self portrait.  This past weekend I ran the Big Sur International Marathon.  Though I had run it last year, it was still the hardest race I've ever completed.  Having said that, I know that I will return.  If you are going to find out what you're made of, there is no place as beautiful or as challenging as the California Coast to test you.

Here I am, letting my poor battered feet soak in the Pacific ocean with my hard earned medal.

Next up is my dear friend and mentor, Jen Dunham of Jen Dunham Photography. Jen specializes in creating artistic newborn portraits for her clients and is located in the San Francisco Bay Area. Please click here to see her take on this week's theme.

P52: Week 17/52- Spring, Macro

Watering the kale

Next up is Andrea Orozco of Drea Lyn Photography. Andrea is an on location, natural light photographer specializing in children, seniors and couples from the California Bay Area. Please click here to see her take on this week's theme.

P52: Week 16/52- Spring, Landscape... For Boston

It is here at Inspiration Point where you will find me running most Sunday mornings.  I have to admit that while the landscape is beautiful here, I had never found it all that inspiring.  High up in the Berkeley Hills, the wind will push against you, making all the effort you put into moving forward feel fruitless.  The hills are relentless and with few people who run that trail, it can sometimes feel desolate.

But as I spend more time up here, I've come to love the solitude.  The running has become easier and there is more room in my head to think about things other than the pain and effort.  I dream and think about the places running has taken me and where it will lead me.... and yes, I'd come to believe that running the Boston Marathon (with a lot of work and discipline that could take years) could actually become a reality.

I'm still holding onto that dream, despite the tragedy that happened yesterday.  If truth be told, it makes me want it more.  My heart feels broken, but my spirit is not.

My thoughts and prayers go to those in Boston and runners everywhere...


*Next up is Megan Lee of Amber Decadence Photography. Megan is a natural light, modern lifestyle and portrait photographer specializing in children and families. Amber Decadence Photography is based in Singapore. Please click here to see her take on this week's theme

P52: Week 15/52- Spring, Portraits

My Beloved

Next up is Sarah Maxey Photography from the Kansas City area. The wonderful Sarah is an on-location, natural light photographer specializing in birth photography, lifestyle newborn photography and modern maternity, baby/child and family portraiture. Please click here to see her take on this week's theme

P52: Week 14/52- Spring, Color

I really don't have much of a green thumb, so I was surprised to see these pansies pop up after dying a slow death last summer.  Rain this past weekend, warm temperatures following.  I guess that is the ideal climate for these little pops of color to emerge.  Spring has sprung, indeed :)

TRICIA BURROUGH

Next up is Tricia Burrough of Lilac Blossom Photography. Tricia is a portrait photographer and freelance photojournalist based in Collingswood, NJ. Please click here to see her take on this week's theme.

P52: Week 13/52- Macro, Flowers

Ahhh, the last week of shooting macro.  I had every intention of renting a macro lens and then life (and marathon training) got ahead of me and I ended up shooting with the 50mm this entire month.   I think this was a good exercise though and I think a macro lens will be the next addition (when funds permit) to my camera bag.  Thanks for joining me this month as I played with with seeing the world up close.


* Next up is Lanie Coulter. Lanie specializes in newborn, family, senior and wedding photography in the Chattanooga and North Georgia area.  Please click here to see her take on this week's theme

P52: Week 12/52- Macro, Bugs

Sigh... blur. Still shooting with the 50mm lens for lack of a macro.  Though I wished this was sharper, I am still charmed by the color and almost "paint-like" look to it.

* Next up is my dear friend and mentor,  Jen Dunham of Jen Dunham Photography. Jen specializes in creating artistic newborn portraits for her clients and is located in the San Francisco Bay Area.  Please click here to see her take on this week's theme.

P52: Week 11/52- Macro, Color

*Next up is Andrea Orozco of Drea Lyn Photography. Andrea is an on location, natural light photographer specializing in children, seniors and couples from the California Bay Area.
Please click here to see her take on this week's theme.

P52: Week 10/52- Macro, General

This week's theme focused on shooting macro, or close-up.  I was without a macro lens and at my husband's suggestion, tried using a 70-200mm f/2.8 lens with an extension tube.  It was difficult to say the least, the weight of the camera with the enormous lens made it impossible to hold it steady for a good shot!  So I went back to my tried and true 50mm f/1.4.  A friend of mine sent along some suggestions and helpful article about shooting macro. As this is the theme for the month, I thank you for joining me as I learn more about shooting up close :).

* Next up is Megan Lee of Amber Decadence Photography. Megan is a natural light, modern lifestyle and portrait photographer specializing in children and families. Amber Decadence Photography is based in Singapore.  Please click here to see her take on this week's theme.

P52: Week 9/52- Shadows... Black and White

My exuberant little one

* Next up is Sarah Maxey Photography from the Kansas City area. Sarah is an on-location, natural light photographer specializing in birth photography, lifestyle newborn photography and modern maternity, baby/child and family portraiture.  Please click here to see her take on this week's theme

P52: Week 8/52- Shadows, People

Brotherly Love

**Next up is Tricia Burrough of Lilac Blossom Photography. Tricia is a wonderful portrait photographer and freelance photojournalist based in Collingswood, NJ.  Please click here to see her lovely take on this week's theme.

P52: Week 7/52- Shadows Architecture

The Mills Building, San Francisco

 Mostly bathed in morning light, I was struck by the bright columns and the recesses of windows hidden by the shadows in this glorious building in San Francisco's Financial District.  I had taken a few architecture courses in college and fell in love with the Chicago School of Architecture.  It seemed serendipitous that my favorite architect from that time, Daniel Burnham also designed a building so close to my California home.

* Next up is Lanie Coulter. Lanie is a natural light photographer that specializes in newborn, family, senior and wedding photography in the Chattanooga and North Georgia area.  Please click here to see her take on this week's theme.

P52: Week 6/52- Shadows

My little boys love playing monsters :)

Next up is one of my dearest friends and mentor,  Jen Dunham of Jen Dunham Photography. Jen specializes in creating artistic newborn portraits for her clients and is located in the San Francisco Bay Area.  Please CLICK HERE to see her take on this week's theme.

P52: Week 5/52- Winter Landscape

Living here in Northern California, I'm very blessed to have incredibly mild, lovely weather for most of the year.  Finding a traditional winter landscape is difficult as everything always seems to be sunny and green!  To the consternation of my colder climate friends, I share with you one of my favorite landscape views here year round ... Sunset on the Golden Gate Bridge :).

Wishing you all a lovely week filled with love and light,
Marina

* Next up is Andrea Orozco of Drea Lyn Photography. Andrea is an on location, natural light photographer specializing in children, seniors and couples who is also from the California Bay Area.  Please CLICK HERE to see her lovely image for this week's assignment.

P52: Week 4/52- Winter Macro

My oldest finally lost his second front tooth.  I have to admit I was a horrible mother about it.  The tooth had been sitting there, barely hanging on, all cockeyed and uneven- looking like those fake bad teeth that people wear during Halloween.  I have to admit, when my darling boy smiled at me... I *shuddered* inwardly.  I think it was a relief to him as well that it had come out, he had been having trouble eating with the loose tooth.  Though now he has difficulty saying words that start with a "th". When he expressing his gratitude, it comes out adorably as "fank you".

This week's theme was macro, which is the idea of shooting things close-up.  There are special lenses that do shoot macro, but for lack of one, I used my 50mm f/1.4 lens.  I do love the sharpness and the lovely depth of field it offers. Nothing better for shooting a little boy's front tooth

Fank you and have a great week :)

*Next up is Megan Lee of Amber Decadence Photography. Megan is a natural light, modern lifestyle and portrait photographer specializing in children and families. Amber Decadence Photography is based in Singapore.  Please CLICK HERE to see her beautiful take on this week's theme.

P52: Week 3/52- Winter Blues

The theme this week was Winter Blues.  It was a challenge to capture that for me.  I played with the idea of blue, what things are blue?  Does it get cold enough outdoors for anything to turn blue? Do I feel blue because of the season?

... and then I thought about my favorite blue, the blue of my husband's eyes.  He's in a moment of rest after chasing our boys that afternoon, indulging me as I try to capture this moment.

Thank you for joining me as I am learn and grow through this project.

Next up is Sarah Maxey Photography from the Kansas City area (honestly one of my favorite places filled with the nicest people in the world!). Sarah is an on-location, natural light photographer specializing in birth photography, lifestyle newborn photography and modern maternity, baby/child and family portraiture.  Please CLICK HERE

P52: Week 2/52 - Winter Backlight

One of the things I love about photography is the ability to play with the light. The wintertime has such gorgeous lighting with the sun so low in the sky. When photographing with the light behind your subject- the sun creates a beautiful outline.  Many believe that flare from the sun should be avoided, in this case I happened to like the symmetry of the circles and rays of light as part of the composition.  I thought that this was an interesting assignment and am looking forward to playing with the idea of backlight even more.

Thank you for indulging my musings about photography and light play.

Next up is Tricia Burrough of Lilac Blossom Photography.  Tricia is a portrait photographer and freelance photojournalist based in Collingswood, NJ.  Please CLICK HERE to see her take on this week's theme.

P52: Week 1/52 - New Year Inspiration

Chicago, October 2012

One of the privilages of photography has been that it has led me to see the world through different eyes.  There's a magic in the unintentional patterns and texture in nature.... in capturing an unscripted moment of children at play or rest.... the wonder in all that feels so fresh and new, like you are discovering the world for the first time... everytime.

I have the privilage of joining 7 other photographers in a special project for 2013 as we examine and explore different themes each week.  This first week, the theme is "Inspiration" and I chose an image from my trip back to my adopted hometown of Chicago in October.  A city that I had lived in for 10 years, after this long absence felt so new and so exciting.  These balloons around the city with inspirational phrases perfectly captured the feeling.  Photography does this for me every day, the familiar becomes magical at times, with just the change of the light. 

Hoping that this year brings inspiration to you in all things...

Marina

**Next up in the circle of photographers is Lanie Coulter. Lanie is a natural light photographer that specializes in newborn, family, senior and wedding photography in the Chattanooga and North Georgia area.