
Since quitting the newspaper a few years ago (as some may know about) I haven't done much photography at all.
Honestly I was quite burnt-out on it.
During the first several months after quitting I was helping my mom stay at home as she navigated the journey of dementia.
A few months after she passed away I was looking through my photos and saw something that I hadn't seen in a long time. A spark of interest, something was revealed to me and I felt excited.
It was a photo of a male mallard duck landing. It was dark, a little blurry from motion. But, I was very excited about the colors on his yellow feet and the blues and greens on his neck and head. It just looks so cool.
This photo, called "Holy Duck," is a one-of-a-kind since I cannot find the original digital file or any digital file. The photo inspired me to start up again. It was like a view into the essence of what I love about photography.
I was feeling very excited. I went back to look through my old photography and did some editing. I remade my website and joined the local art Association and began showing some of these prints again.
Now I'm working on a new show, or, a new body of work based on the inspiration I felt when I saw that print from 2008.
Right now I'm calling the body of work "The Essence of Life." I'm trying to be present with my relationship to the process of working. But, mostly I'm just heading out the door with my camera in my hand and clicking the shutter when it wants to be clicked.

"Holy Duck" unknown date by Jamie Gemmiti