Let the wild rumpus start!
March 9, 2009 | Filed Under sneak peeks | 3 Comments
I grew up in the mountains, about half-way over to Santa Cruz…as a kid (when I wasn’t curled up with a book) I was tromping around in the redwoods, playing with junebugs, swinging on rope-swings, and picking and eating miner’s lettuce. I firmly believe that there is a reservoir in everyone’s psyche that is only filled by time spent in nature, playing, dreaming…just being.
When I first heard about the concept of a “wild zone” – a public space where unstructured natural play is both encouraged and facilitated, I thought “well, heck yeah!!” …and when David and Karen of Wild Zones asked me to come photograph their very first playday at the very first Wild Zone in the US, I said (again) “well, heck yeah!!” :-)
It was such a joy to see children and adults playing, dreaming, building fairy houses, balancing stones, and just generally having a leaping good time. I can’t wait to go back!! The wild zone is there for families to visit at any time, and I encourage you to go out with your little ones, to be in nature together, to see their spirits take flight. It’s truly a joy, and a gift.
As a photographer, I have seen over and over the spirit of a child become clearer, more present, more peaceful, more deeply joyful, when we are shooting in a natural environment. I also see this when I volunteer with kids at Full Circle Farm, and when I spend time outside with my amazing 4 year old muse. I am honored to have been asked to donate my work to support the mission of the Bay Area Children & Nature Collaborative, and to support the mission of Wild Zones.
Let the wild rumpus start!!
xoxo,
Lilia
p.s. I’ve only posted images for which I have a release – if you are a parent of a child who attended, please email me and let me know if it’s ok for me to blog your images! :-)
