there's so much that inspires me and one thing is other photographers, especially those that are different and willing to take a risk. sally mann is one of my favorite photographers and one of her images is what inspired this photograph of my oldest, kiele. sally mann has a photo of her daughter, at about the same age as kiele, holding a cigarette. if you don't know who sally mann is, you can google her name or if in a bookstore, she has numerous books out of her work. Her work includes numerous images of her own children, other people (children and adults) and landscapes. the work of her children was quite controversial in the 70s...but truly works of art.

so anyways, i had this vision of kiele with a candy cigarette for quite a while before actually taking this photo. one day i was at a doctor's appointment and there at the hospital was a candy kiosk that had candy cigarettes. i knew at that moment that i was meant to create this image. i haven't posted this image in my gallery *yet* ...for the moment, i thought it would be perfect for my blog.

i really want to create art.
i know art can be contoroversial.
not everyone views art the same way.
i know not everyone will love this image.
it's ok that some may not like this image or agree with it.
me...i love it.

this image, of my oldest holding a candy cigarette, is one of my favorite photos to date. i've entitled it "breaking the rules". breaking the rules...from a standard child/family photographer's standpoint. breaking the rules...from a mother's perspective.