There are lots of traditions, legends, and history associated with Mission San Juan Capistrano including the Serra’s Chapel which is the oldest building in California still in continuous use. It is ornate and when you sit in the chapel you can just feel the tradition. I love walking through the mission and imagining all the people who have come before me. I tried to capture the mystery I sensed while I walked the grounds in my images.

Over the past year I have joined together with 10 other women to post an image focusing on the same theme each week through The Bloom Forum. This circle is not only given me a focus for the week for my photography but it is also inspirational. Be sure to see what Jessica Marchetti – Dallas Family Photographer has found this week.

The beach.

This was the first place I wanted to head to try for an image this week. I had just finished the best hot yoga class last night and set out to take shots both toward and away from the setting sun. I watched the waves crash into the land while the setting sun light reflected and bounced in every direction. I stood still, reflected on my day and gave thanks to God for all the gifts in my life. In the end, of all the shots I took this is the one that I loved the most. One that doesn’t show the ocean waves (like I thought I would get) but instead shows the gorgeous light at the end of a full (and wonderful) day.

A place of reflection.

Now head to see what stunning image my friend Melanie Kay Photography – Ventura County Family Portrait Photographer came up with for P52 this week.

As I went through my week thinking about all the chances we each have every day to connect with each other I thought that the opportunities for a photo to meet this week’s P52 theme just might be endless.  As I looked back through my photos from this week I was surprised to find I had a hard time choosing one photo that would illustrate the point of human connection with just one photo.  Even though we went to a few new places around Orange County this week, my mom flew into town from Texas, and I started a new job it seemed that my photos didn’t show all those connections.  But when I saw this one from the mall I thought of all the people who came and went throughout the day both before & after we were there.  People passing each other with the chance to connect with each other even if it is just a smile exchanged with a stranger.  People enjoying time with family & catching up with friends.  People making that simple human connection that we all have with each other endless times throughout the day.

Now visit my friend Jen Bruss Photography – South Carolina Portrait Photographer to see how she illustrates human connection with a photograph.