P A N A M A

Posted on 05/27/2019 by Maria Peterson

Sometimes I’m in an uncomfortable place where I feel like I’m on an assignment but I don’t have all the details before me. When it comes to photography, there are a few situations where I feel like I’m “not done” or unable to put up a proper blog and questioning whether I’m just slacking or there’s more to the story…or there’s a deeper truth I’m supposed to wait for. This is the case with Christina and Kyle. I never felt settled about putting up a blog of their wedding 9 months ago in Austin, TX…but now I realized that the more precious story is this trip they made all the way to Panama to have an intimate wedding celebration where Abuelo/Grandpa Ramiro can join them. Sharing the traditional Panamanian wedding cake (Sopa Borracha) was something special to Grandpa’s heart and now they got to share that moment with him. This might be very ordinary to most people, but I feel so blessed and privileged that I was able to be the documentarian in this life-giving celebration and it makes my heart so full knowing that God appointed this special place and time for me. These are the things that make me feel alive and I am beyond thankful for the gift of photography. So being an artist is becoming less and less about the camera and cranking out beautiful images and having people’s approval…but more about being fully present, truly engaging with people that I admire and love, and learning something. And in between those sacred things, I take some photos and hopefully tell the most sincere and beautiful story I know how.
P.S. And if you are reading this blog, how amazing is it that the wedding celebration for Christina+Kyle happened on Grandpa’s farm and the million dollar view is that of a lake that feeds into the Panama Canal which is known as the Bridge of the World and Center of the Universe?! The incredible things you learn when you travel. I love it!

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“The best and most beautiful things in the world cannot be seen or even touched…they must be felt with the heart.”

MARIA PETERSON PHOTOGRAPHY

IRELAND

Posted on 03/25/2019 by Maria Peterson

Many thanks from the bottom of my heart to my friend, Valerie, for being my traveling buddy for this trip. There’s no way I could’ve done it without you, Val. Thank you for saying “Yes” to every moment…no matter how big or small. And most of all, thank you for driving me around on the smallest roads in the world. :)

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“May the dreams you hold dearest be those which come true and the kindness you spread keep returning to you.” – An Irish Blessing

MARIA PETERSON PHOTOGRAPHY

Editing

Posted on 03/24/2019 by Maria Peterson

It’s been a while since I’ve done an Editing image but I took this photo of the Cliffs of Moher just last month in Ireland and really love Lightroom for making editing wonderful for an image that was all over the place with exposure. It took maybe a minute to edit and I really love the end result; something I could totally enlarge and treasure if I want. This is the power of shooting in raw and know how to edit simply. :)

BEFORE: Ireland_20190316_MariaPeterson0051
AFTER:

I largely trust my intuition and inspiration when I compose photos. I get inspired mainly by my desire to express something I feel, though I usually cannot tell exactly what that is. ~ Elena Shumilova

MARIA PETERSON PHOTOGRAPHY

The Morton Arboretum {Winter}

Posted on 02/13/2019 by Maria Peterson

We had snow, sleet, and rain last night in Chicago. The sun came out this morning and we had the most gorgeous scenery at The Morton Arboretum. We basically had an ice show and it’s impossible to document the true beauty on camera. There are things in life that you’d have to experience to deeply understand. :)

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“May You find me GRATEFUL, God, wherever I set my feet.”

MARIA PETERSON PHOTOGRAPHY

Portland, Oregon

Posted on 12/18/2018 by Maria Peterson

2018 will forever be the year when God downloaded an extravagant gift on me that I didn’t ask for but He knew it was a deep DEEP desire of my heart…and that is to travel and see as much of the world as possible! He led me to Canada, France, Hong Kong, Iceland, and in between these international travels, I made a bunch of trips to and from Las Vegas (where my precious Grandson Duke lives), Oahu & Maui Hawaii, New York to see my little brother, Tennessee, Texas, and to California a couple times to stuff my eyes with beautiful things. Whew! :) My very last trip was Portland, Oregon where I visited a dear friend and ate three times at the most amazing little French restaurant where the heart of the owner/chef was almost tangible. What a year. What a God. I am so humbled and grateful.

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“When your heart is truly content, you stop looking to the Giver for the next gift.”
MÅURICE
Modern Pastry Luncheonette
921 SW Oak St., Portland, Oregon

MARIA PETERSON PHOTOGRAPHY