6 Photographs that are special to me

Favoritism is a real thing.
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In an ever-growing collection of photographs, there are a few that are special to me and that I am especially happy to see you adopt for your home.

1. Laguna Mia

​Venice, of course. My lagoon, my soulmate. I remember the day perfectly. I can still feel the damp lagoon air on my face and tangled in my hair. I was alone – my favorite way to be in Venice – and I was close to one of my favorite places in the city. I was taking my time to get there, making sure to look thoroughly around and take in everything along the way. The air threatened rain, but Venice and I have a pact on that, so of course it didn’t rain. Two gondolas, a bridge and the perfect reflection. I felt as though I’d just captured a painting. I knew it was special to me before I even saw it on my computer. Laguna Mia encompasses so much of what I love and so much soulful atmosphere in a single shot. It is the cover of my (unpublished, stay tuned) book on Venice. It has my heart. 

2. London Bulbs

​Not long ago, I wrote a post about this photograph, as part of my “Made Me Look” series. London Bulbs is sentimental for a multitude of reasons – finally a trip to London, and one of the first photographs where I consciously thought that my eye had developed into something new, in capturing a mood and a pattern. I remember feeling as though I had caught something special just there. London Bulbs is so memorable for me that it forms a subtle background to my business cards (thanks Alati design atelier!). 

3. Barcarolle

​Another “firefly” I caught in my palm. Another moody day on the water. I took this photograph in Bari, southern Italy, one of my favorite port towns. I wrote about it as part of my “Made Me Look” series, and you may have caught a glimpse of it in my “Adriatica” blog post, because I had it made in acrylic for my maritime-inspired office. Veni Etiam was already in the works but not publicly unveiled when Barcarolle was taken. I remember discussing it with someone who said they thought a lone boat was so melancholic. That’s interesting, I told her. I find it so powerful. It is a meaningful photograph not only because I adore boats, port towns and Italy, but because of the power I perceive in its melancholy. 

4. Malinconia

​You may have guessed from the title that a touch of melancholy lives in this scene as well. I love this photograph for its colors, the reflection, the ropes and buoys, and the light. It was one of those rare shots where I only took one variation of it. I have it framed in my office. It reminds me that old, weather-beaten, rustic souls can be beautiful.  

5. Converging Boats

​There was so much that was beautiful about the small fishing town of Bermeo in the Basque Country. It was a cloudy afternoon, but all the colors of the village and the docked boats livened up the scene. I walked slowly along the marina as locals enjoyed their lunch at several small restaurants facing the sea. I looked down and found a dock with vibrantly colored boats, tied to the same anchor. Their harmonious position and colors made me stop in my tracks. I have never seen anything like it since. 

6. Gondola

​The tide was coming in. Waves were already spilling onto the wooden docks. The gondolas rocked and rose and fell with the unsettled waters, banging against the wood against their will. There were very few people around by the Canal; the fish market further away was in full bustle. I walked up a gilded gondola and caught its reflection in the puddle the tide had left. I love this photograph because of the unexpected reflection, and the way that each return to Venice offers me a new view to experience and cherish.  

Do you have a favorite Veni Etiam photograph? Tell me below!

This was Part 4 of the Birthday Blog Series. Veni Etiam Photography is celebrating its two-year birthday this month. Stay tuned for more of the 7-part blog series and take advantage of the special PAIRDEAL birthday promotion until January 31st.  

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