Inspiration Photo Friday: The Blue

12 Friday Oct 2012

Posted by melissaoconnor in Inspiration Photo Friday

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blue, color, earth, gray, interior design, moss, natural, nature, new jersey, palette, photography, raritan, rocks, stream, water

I always liked this photo because it was serene. The delicate water resting against the earthbound rocks set a nice canvas for nature to shine. The fantastic blue of the sky showing its reflection oh so beautifully in the water makes me smile. The moss slightly peeks out among the stream. Earth is truly a main character here.

I shot this in Raritan, New Jersey about 6 years ago. I remember that quiet March day being nice and cool and the setting where I was taking photographs was calm. No one was around which left me and my subjects at ease. No distractions. No unnecessary noise. Just me and the blue.

The color scheme from this photo is a great inspiration for interior spaces as well as events. I have this palette throughout my own home because it is soothing, earthy and adrogynous. It allows for many accent colors to come into play as well. Think of it as a natural background for endless possibilities.

Historic Series: Baldwin – Southard Cemetery

25 Saturday Aug 2012

Posted by melissaoconnor in Historic Places

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Baldwin - Southard Cemetery, bellmore, cemetery, historic, long island, nature, new york, seaford, stream, trees, water

Located on Lakeview Road in Bellmore, NY, the Baldwin-Southard cemetery is connected to Mill Pond. Not too far from Sunrise Highway and right off Bellmore Ave. I found this historic burial ground to be peaceful and somewhat void. What a difference it must be from the past. Considering the surrounding area used to be a private farm and Lakeview used to be Mill Road. These days houses and cars fill up the street, yet it still has a sense of tranquility.

Upon walking into the park, a welcome sign greeted me with history of the former farm. It stated the owners were John and Ann Southard and it is likely the cemetery was on their farm located in the back corner. The only stone that remained was for a young girl named Lucy Ann, which I assumed was their daughter. Lucy’s early death at the age of 13 made me wonder what could’ve happened to such a young girl? How did this loss affect the family and the production of the farm? It was questions like these that really got me thinking of the past. History has some great stories to share. So I started to look further.

While doing some research I came across some genial records on Lucy Ann and found a match. Included in this record were Lucy’s parents, John Southard and Ann Whitmore, as well as her birthdate, July 25, 1828. The one thing that didn’t match up was the date of her death. The date listed here was Jan. 29, 1841 while the sign at the cemetery read June 29, 1840. Considering the burial stone was not in the best condition, I could understand the mistake. I couldn’t find any information on her death, but I do know John passed away three years later at the age of 44. I wonder if the deaths of Lucy and John were the result of some sort of illness. Whatever the cause, I assume John was also buried with his daughter at the cemetery. In 1884, at 83 years old, Anne’s death followed.

Both around the same age, John and Ann got married in 1826 while they were in their late 20s. Then gave birth to Lucy two years later. I also found out they had a son. Warren M. Southard was born Dec. 14, 1838 in Seaford, only two years before his sister passed away. Warren lived a long life and made it to 72 years old. Even though he outlived everyone in his family, Ann lived the longest. I wonder what her secret was? Warren’s wife, Harriet, had a good 50 or so years with him before his death.

Looking at a 1906 map, the cemetery was surrounded by land owned by David Bedell, William Fanshaw and Foster Smith. There was nothing recorded about the Southard farm on this map but there was a Mrs. G. B. Southard listed as a property owner just south of the cemetery. Could this be another family member? From what I have learned, Warren and Harriet didn’t have any children so I thought maybe she could be a sister of John or an in law. Who knows who the mysterious woman is? What we do know is that the Southard family lived and worked in Bellmore for a number of years. They have a history here and will be remembered by all thanks to the small memorial at Baldwin – Southard Cemetery.

The next time you pass this special place, think about how life used to be for the Southards. Wonder how they defeated their struggles and celebrated their achievements. Feel the earth beneath you and know that they lived glorious days and sad days standing on this same land. Remember that we are all connected. Time can make a difference but its the stories that keep us all alive. Holding on to memories, yet striving for a new view.

Historic Series: The Meroke Preserve

20 Monday Aug 2012

Posted by melissaoconnor in Historic Places, The Bride & Groom

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bellmore, bride and groom, bridge, earth, engagement, engagement shoot, fall, forest, garden, historic, history, lauren elle photography, long island, love, marraige, meroke preserve, nature, new york, photography, plants, rustic, seasons, stream, trees, woodland, woods

If you feel the need to escape and you live in the Long Island area, then I have got the place for you. I must say I was very surprised by the size of this secret hiding place and suggest that you explore it yourself. The Meroke Preserve, located on the corner of Orange Street and Farmers Avenue, is a wonderful and exciting place to visit. My experience the first time I was there was serene, delightful and inspiring.

Being part of the 3,300 acres of preserves that Nassau County manages, the 25-acre Meroke Preserve is maintained so we may enjoy the natural spaces of Long Island. It’s these areas that really give our communities a sense of organic environment. We should appreciate them because they are the Earth’s gifts to us. Taking care of these preserves is important to keep our history alive. Plus, they are great places for us to take our children so that they see the beauty in their surroundings and learn how vital it is to appreciate nature.

When you enter the preserve you will be greeted by a sign that says Faith Laursen Meroke Preserve. If you don’t already know, Faith was a former publisher of the Freeport/Baldwin Leader as well the owner of Merrick Life with her husband. From what I read, she was an intelligent caring woman who loved nature and felt it was important to appreciate life. For this reason, the Meroke Preserve was named in her honor. Although she is not here today, the light inside her will continue to shine and give life to all the trees and plants that call Meroke home.

There were certain trees that held so much character it amazed me. The detailed cuts and aged growths really made me feel like I was not in Kansas anymore.

As you start your walk through the preserve the trails effortlessly lead you while the trees welcome you quietly. Hearing the birds chirping and the leaves rattle were music to my ears. It was a gorgeous day and the sun lit up the area so brilliantly I was practically seeing through a lens the whole time. It was really hard not to capture all the beauty I was able to witness. Although it was the time for the trees to be quite sparse their was an interesting amount of foliage. Browns, greens and oranges surrounded me creating an autumn rainbow that would soon turn to spring.

In the middle of my walk I came to a small bridge. As I continued over the bridge I could see a lot of brush up ahead. Eventually the path turned to hectic for me to go on so I turned back. With the stream to my left I walked to the edge and admired the swampy area, the overgrown roots protruding the earth ever so slightly and the moss green as ever. There is so much about nature that is captivating and as I continued on my journey that is proven over and over again.

The time I had spent at the Meroke Preserve felt like a brief moment in history and I am the lucky one to go back in time. I wound up visiting the preserve once again after that to show my husband, then fiance, the area. I thought it would be an amazing place to have our engagement shoot since it was a natural environment and I had such a magical experience the first time I was there.

Well, once Dan witnessed the awesomeness of this place he agreed and we set it all up with our photographer, Lauren Elle. I can happily say the preserve didn’t let me down. Our experience during the shoot was personal, serene and fun. We were so happy with how the photos came out as well. They clearly show the beauty of the surroundings as well as both our happiness with being engaged. Being surrounded by the Earth felt perfect and we couldn’t ask for anything more.

It’s interesting to think that nowadays you can experience a place that has been standing over 100 years. With a bit of the past surrounding you its not hard to let go of any issues or daily struggles you may be dealing with. Breathe in the cool air, feel the sun peaking through the trees and thank Mother Nature for providing yet another beautiful place where you can relax and set your soul free. A new view of the past will always brighten your future.