Collies & Cacti

“Photograph what you love.” I was told to photograph what I loved while I was developing my photography skills. For starters, you will love making the photographs often, so you would get to practice. Also, people will start to see how strongly you love your subjects through the images.

So, it’s clear that I love dogs. If you’ve met me, you know you can’t go long without being shown a dog photo. And plants. And beetles. And veggies, gleaming in their colanders. Love those.

It started with Fisher. Our baby saguaro cactus. He’s probably 40 years old, so, a baby, as far as saguaros go.  My friends couldn’t keep him anymore.  He was too big for his pot, and they thought he’d do well with the xeriscaping in my front yard.  It was a well executed plan, they got him safely into his new home with the use of rugs, ropes, braces. And I was happy to have a new cactus in my care. (But also nervous.  What if he didn’t pull through?) 

Photos were taken.  He looked like a Fisher Price people, with his cylinder body and perfectly round noggin.  Fisher was home.  Commemorate with a photo. He’s small. Add dogs, for scale.

For scale, beyond just the size of something in a photo.  What you love the most is what every other aspect of your life has to stack up to.  Those dearest to you can’t help but command the decisions you make.  Whether it’s kids, pets, a career you love:  the every-day decisions you make are commanded by the the intensity of your love.

Can I go on vacation now? How long can I be gone?

Is this car big enough for my family?

Can I date this guy if he freaks out if dog hair gets on his pullover?

If I want you to know how small something is, or how big it is, you will probably get a Border Collie for comparison. If you want to know how deeply I love something, you will also get a Border Collie for comparison.