Cindy Knull

Greetings!

When I was six years old, my mother gave me a diary. I remember very distinctly that it was red with a little brass lock. This began my journey into recording the details of my everyday life. Writing has always been a love of mine and a necessary part of my self expression. While in school working towards my English degree, I had the opportunity to visit the John Paul Getty Museum in Los Angeles. To my great pleasure, the feature exhibits consisted of many great Masters of Photography. One of whom was the great Andre Kertesz. I immediately fell in love with his ability to form the perfect snapshot and felt something inside myself completely identify. It was upon reading a quote by Mr. Kertesz that I went home and promptly changed my major to Photography. The words were simply, "I write with light."

I'm a street shooter at heart, who people hire when they want honest and intelligent images documenting personal events. I dabble in portraiture. I run half marathons. And write, a lot.

I'm currently working on several personal projects. One of which is my first novel.

You can read more here... Inspiration

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Wednesday, March 24, 2010

Silver Years

Posted in Uncategorized

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The other day I got to photograph some individuals for a casting call for a national commercial spot. The call was for seniors, the over 65 kind. I had the great great great pleasure of meeting these lovely people, Charlie and Marion.

One of my favorite things in life is to listen to stories from the older generation. I love the personal story and how choices have played out for that person. Wisdom is so powerful. I wonder how many people take the time to just listen to the generations before them. These people I photographed are at the end of their lives and have so much to say, to share, to cast into the youth of today. I sat for a couple of hours and listened with wonder and diligent attention.

Charlie and Marion are both in their 80′s. Charlie has been a farmer his whole life. We talked of how farming had changed over the years as it has become more industrialized and corporate. They have three children and several grandchildren. Marion has been Charlies partner on the farm, staying at home and raising their children. Charlie loves old stories too. He shared with me the first time he ever hit a baseball. At 15, he had been asked to drive his high school baseball team to their next game location, his father agreed to let him have the car, but when they got to the game, they were one man short so the coach told Charlie to get in the game. Timid and inexperienced Charlie jumped up to bat. The first ball to come across, he cracked with his bat into the outfield. Charlie, with exuberance, relayed how he could still feel the feeling he felt as he watched the ball soar across the field. A memory that was 70 years old. We are so human, and our memories hold so much. I told him that he should write his story, a special memory like that deserves to be told.

Moving on to taking pictures…

After shooting several frames, I asked if I could have a kissy kiss picture of the two. Charlie leaned over and kissed his wife on the cheek. I then asked if I could have them kiss on the lips, which is what I meant in the first place, they both laughed and we all joked about how this was supposed to be family friendly…but then he gently reached out to his wife’s face and kissed her just the way I wanted him to. I asked Marion when the last time they had their portraits made, including a kiss photo, and she honestly couldn’t remember. Years. A decade or two or three? I was shocked. But then I look at my own life and realize I’m not really in front of the camera much, let alone with my spouse. I need to change that. And I will.

I’m very glad I could give them something special, not only for them, but their children, grandchildren and future children to come. Here’s to 58 years of marriage: