The Beauty in Imperfection

As I walk through the woods this fall seeking to take in the colors and sensations of the season I find myself thinking about

The Beauty in Imperfection.

The more I photograph the world around me the more I realize that there is beauty in all seasons of life. And that there is great beauty in imperfection if you take the time to see it. Though the colors this fall are a bit more muted than usual because of the ongoing drought Minnesota has been experiencing, there is still beauty galore to take in.

If you seek flaws,
you’ll find flaws,
if you seek beauty,
you’ll find that too.
― Donna Ashworth, I Wish I Knew: Poems to Soothe Your Soul & Strengthen Your Spirit

The light of our imperfect souls shines brightest when we let our whole selves be seen. And we cannot let our whole selves be seen if we are constantly worrying about what others think of us.

Your body, your face is the doorway to you and nothing more. The real stuff is inside.
― Donna Ashworth, I Wish I Knew: Poems to Soothe Your Soul & Strengthen Your Spirit

Life Lessons

When I was a kid I remember my mother never leaving home without putting on her makeup and making sure her hair was just right. And I used to do that too. I vividly remember when I was first dating Jon (my husband) and I told him that I needed to put on some makeup before going out. He looked me straight in the eye and said, “Why? What do you need makeup for?” That was the beginning of a lifelong journey towards self-acceptance and embracing my own imperfection.

When I go out to make photographs I am not looking for perfection. I am looking for the beauty of imperfection. Often the perfectly centered and balanced photograph is boring. But when you re-frame the photo with less symmetry the photograph comes alive.

Do you find beauty in imperfection too?

May you walk in beauty.

Note: Photographs from a walk at Carver Park Reserve last week.