Discovery by the Sea: Fort Bragg, CA

It was a slightly foggy morning, but it looked like the sun was about to pop out, so I grabbed my camera and boots and headed out to see what I could find. What a Score!

We arrived at the BeachComber Inn in Fort Bragg, CA just about nightfall, so it was too late to go explore in the evening. My friend Vanessa and I were celebrating her 55th birthday with a trip to the ocean, so the main priority was to have fun, and we had 2 days to do it, so we had dinner and retired for the night. I was mesmerized by the iconic bunch of wind-whipped trees out back though- which was the logo for the hotel. 

Right out our window- between me and the ocean stood this cluster of trees almost warning me of what could happen if I ventured out… Our room overlooked the bike trail and the bridge with a constant stream of bikes and walkers with dogs and kids. Morning couldn’t get here soon enough. 

I’m an early bird, (and my friend is not) so I knew I would be adventuring alone- but my secondary task was to find a spot to photograph her for her official “55th Birthday Portrait” because afterall, it’s a benchmark birthday … [well, we the truth is, we just grab any excuse to take pictures, right?] So off I trotted in the foggy morning to see what I would find. Gorgeous rocks and cliffs, a lovely beach, a long trestle bridge over Pudding creek, all sleepily peeking through the fog.  A few people exploring too, and the light starting to burn off the fog….wow!

And then I got far enough out to see the tide pool. An amazing natural pool, still and crystal clear, full of life! 

The tide was slowly coming in with each wave taunting the edges, only once in a while did the water splash over the edge to send ripples across the pool. I photographed and reveled in this amazing sight with colorful ice plant and wicked trees breaking up the fog. 

It was one of my most memorable mornings! The ocean is like medicine anyway, but the opportunity to capture this pristine and perfect pool, secluded and bathed in glorious light- WOW. Yeah, I said it a hundred times out there!

An hour later, I called and coaxed Vanessa to come meet me out there so I could photograph her in the beautiful morning light! The fog had mostly obscured the sun, but we got some amazing pictures. Here are a couple of my favorites, which I printed on Metallic paper in an Acrylic block to show off the depth of the sea-green water. #perfectpresentation

I love how we can capture the story, the memory, the feelings and the occasion all in one small thing, one small celebration of life- a photographic print.

#SuzetteSays take the time to go exploring (even if you have to go alone) to see what you can find and capture the beauty you may have never found otherwise. Be expectant and willing to go out at sunrise. It is worth it every time! And don’t forget to make prints!

#SuzetteSays #recordthebenchmarks #beadventurous #gooutearly #beexpectant #SEEinspired #shoottoshare #printtopreserve #sharethejoy #rememberyourlife

@LumixS1 #motionpictureperfect #nextlevellumix @bayphotolab #teambay @createwithSuzette

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