keepin it real : Part One : Bella

Do you have online friendships? Of course you do. That's probably why you showed up here today. Do you get on a plane or drive a car to meet this friend in real time? Have you experienced the magic of a meet-up ? Possibly with someone you shared your deep, dark secrets with behind the safety of a computer screen. Maybe you participated in an online workshop and exposed your vulnerable soul. Maybe you follow each other in Instagram or stalk each other on Facebook. Social media options have opened up our possibilities to create whatever identity we want to. We blog about whatever we want our readers and followers to know about us. We strive to be transparent, real and authentic with our photographs and writings. Yet the opportunity to face each other in real time will certainly cause you to pause. You might ask yourself " Am I really the person I represent?...Will this person like my online personality better than that afternoon we spent frolicking in the woods, dancing on the beach,  sipping in coffee shops, eating dinner, drinking wine and photographing each other?" 

Fuck YES !! 

Every real time experience I've had with online realtionships do not disappoint. In fact, they run deeper, clearer. I can remember the way she smells. I hear her laughter. I held her when she broke down and cried. we exchanged handmade gifts.  I recall that moment of wild abandon when I asked permission to take a photo...or one hundred !! 

We are all artists. We are all hungry to connect. We find each other via photography, art journaling, or writing poetry. We reach out to those who resonate and vibrate with our own creative vibes. 

I highly recommend doing this. Bella and I are two of three. We collaborate our stories with self portraits. Our brief encounter in New York was an elixir for my friendship connection with her. 

photos are taken with Bella's camera, tripod and remote.

Editing by me !