Expressive Photography: Love
By: Author: J Bakken

Every picture tells a story. Photographs reveal a great deal to the viewer and they can be interpreted differently by individuals. When photographs feature people they often display a variety of emotions ranging from happiness to loneliness and every possible feeling in between. Capturing 'true love' in a photograph takes the right photographer, the right subjects (human or animal), and the right setting.
When I think of my photography where I have captured love I think of a picture taken two years ago of my mom and dad walking down a dirt road in Prince Albert National Park on the north side of Waskesiu Lake. They didn't know I took the picture as they walked side by side as they have through their 48 years of marriage. The setting was perfect; it was summertime and the leaves were full of bright green leaves, the sun was shining, and the light was just right on the two of them as they strolled side by side.
They looked as though they could be featured on a billboard selling everything from the clothes and accessories they were wearing, to the natural park setting they were enjoying, to the concept of 'love and companionship' itself. The photograph is so natural because they were oblivious to me snapping away behind them; they were simply enjoying each other's company in one of their favorite holiday locations. I managed to capture one extraordinary shot where you can just sense the feeling between them as you look at the photograph.
That same evening I captured another brilliant photograph of the two of them sitting on a park bench at the beach with their backs to me looking out at the water at sunset. Again, the picture could be displayed in a magazine or on a billboard or brochure.
Love involves a profound affection for another, and to capture that on film is gratifying and even if you only get one great shot out of 36, you know you've got 'the one'and that's all that matters.

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