Bloom Where You’re Planted
When I started my journey in photography, I was captivated by the stunning wildlife and landscape photographs shared on platforms like YouTube and Instagram. I followed photographers like Thomas Heaton, Matti Haapoja, Nigel Danson, Peter McKinnon, Christian Schaffer, Morten Hilmer, Jonna Jinton, and Benjamin Hardman to name just a few. I learned from their tutorials, soaked in their shared experiences, and marveled at the breathtaking locations they captured. However, there was a twinge of envy. I knew that I would never embark on epic hikes in the Swedish wilderness, explore Italian landscapes, or venture into the wintery wonderland of Banff, Iceland or Finland.
But then I saw Thomas Heaton posted about riding his bike through his own backyard, so to speak, capturing the beauty of his local area. I also watched as Mads Peter Iversen photographed the enchanting scenery of his native Denmark. They challenged themselves to SEE something new in the familiar.
As I snapped pictures of the birds in my yard and explored the wetlands around my home, I realized that my own surroundings offered plenty of opportunities to hone my photography skills. The dreams of epic landscapes and majestic creatures remained, but the limitations posed by my wheelchair seemed insurmountable.
It’s ironic how the phrase “bloom where you’re planted” has been a constant theme in my life, whether it was during moments spent with my daughter in the hospital or while I was recovering from my strokes. Now, it means creating art and sharing the story of life in western Massachusetts and throughout New England to the best of my ability, using the tools at my disposal.
Perhaps you find yourself in a situation with little time due to family and work obligations, or you have dreams that seem distant. Take a moment to look around you and make the most of your current circumstances. Create something beautiful, even in the most ordinary settings. Seek out unique perspectives. It’s easy to be creative when you’re surrounded by grand vistas, but when you have to craft the beauty from your surroundings, it challenges you to see the art in everyday life. It challenges you to find new perspectives in the things that people often overlook in your area. You must view life through a different lens and create your own flowers, no matter where you’re planted – because blooming where you’re planted is the art of making the most of what you have.