Photographs for Special Occasions

Photographs Make Great Gifts

I have a new slogan that goes like this, "Photographs Make Great Gifts", but it doesn't replace my main slogan, "Reflecting Nature's Artistry". It's just a little reminder to tell people to consider photographs when selecting gifts for themselves or others.

With Christmas drawing near, people are out shopping and getting ready to exchange gifts, so I have been reminiscing about several of my photographs that were purchased for some very unique reasons. I would like to share them with you in this week's post.

The first photograph that comes to mind was also the first photograph that sold when I made my debut in to the world of fine art. It was at my first art show, the Summerlin Celebration of the Arts in Las Vegas, Nevada. A woman saw the photograph titled "Carpe Diem", and immediately fell in love with the cloud formation and God's lines. She collected photographs of clouds and also recognized the location where I had taken the photograph.

Several years and many photographs later, I was doing a solo exhibit in the Visitor Center at the Red Rock Conservation Area. During the reception, I had noticed several people sitting in a group and talking quietly with each other. When the reception was over, a man from the group came and asked me in a very quiet and somber voice if he could purchase the photograph titled "Waterfall at Lost Creek". He then continued to tell me that his brother had recently passed away from cancer and that he used to spend all his free time hiking and rock climbing at Lost Creek. The family was here for the memorial service and just happened to stop by to see my exhibit. When they saw the photograph they knew that it would be the perfect way to always remember their loved one.

I was participating in a different art show in Las Vegas when a woman walked up to me carrying a matted photograph of "Spring Mountain Sunset". She asked me in a quiet voice if I could ship the matted photograph to Australia and then she told me that her brother had just lost his wife. She said that the colors reminded her of the sister-in-law who was so vibrant and full of life, that it would cheer her brother up each time he saw it hanging on the wall.

Cathedral Rock in Sedona, Arizona has always been a very spiritual place and as you stand in the flowing water and look toward the amazing rock formation of two lovers joined in time, you become filled with its essence. "Cathedral Rock" was a special purchase from a friend to her sister who was in recover from a major illness.

The photograph, "Serenity" was taken by the bridge under Weeping Rock at Zion National Park, Utah. Weeping Rock is a rock formation that has water seeping through cracks in the rocks and appears to be weeping. The scene caught my eye and was the perfect setting to sit and relax or meditate. Serenity was a special purchase by a person who had been through a traumatic life altering event, it would go in an area of her home where she spent time meditating.

The last photograph that has special meaning, "Primal Fire" was so named for an exhibit at the Artisans International Gallery in Minden, Nevada, titled Elements. While at a recent art show, a gentleman came to me carrying the photograph and began to tell me that he would like to have it because he had been struck by lightning! He was so grateful and amazed that not only his life had been spared, but he was unharmed, other than being shaken up and knocked off his feet.

In conclusion, I would like to add that I get as thrilled now when someone buys one of my photographs as I did during my first sale. A wise man once told me that all the awards and ribbons aren't nearly as exciting as when some one is willing to purchase your photography. And this is as true today as it was when I first became a professional photographer. I guess it's that kid in me that is always there. I appreciate every purchase, no matter how large or small. Over the years, many people have shared their special stories with me. The experiences I have mentioned here really touched me because the people shared a very vulnerable part of their life with me. I feel deeply honored that my photography can touch people and also bring comfort.

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What an exciting and interesting photo-adventure this day has been.  I love it when I am drawn to an area and not knowing what to expect I get treated to new experiences. 

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Photography places me in the moment where I can share that moment in time. It becomes a life story as represented by my interaction with the scene. The happiness and beauty or the sorrow and strife; how I focus leaves a lasting impression that might touch the viewer on a spiritual level.

 "Reflecting Nature's Artistry" 

Many of these images are available on my website:

 http://www.bonnierannald.com/ 

For custom matted and framed images:
Off The Wall

No images on this blog are within Public Domain or are available for free download. 

 All rights reserved, world-wide and images protected by Digital Millennium Copyright Act (DMCA). All photography, graphics, text, design, and content is copyrighted by Bonnie Rannald and should not be copied, down-loaded, transferred and re-created in any way without the express consent, in writing to Bonnie Rannald. For information on Bonnie Rannald licensed, right-managed images, please submit a written request.

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