The Tree That Stopped Me in My Tracks | Brookline Family Photographer at Larz Anderson Park

This tree deserves it’s own blog post.

There’s an incredible photographer that I follow (she’s no longer in business, otherwise I would tag her!), who shared an image of this tree in 2019. It STOPPED me in my tracks. There’s a philosophy in photography that says that the greatest compliment to your image is the longer that someone stops to look at it. I have returned, time and time again, to look at her image of this one tree at Larz Anderson Park in Brookline, MA. And for the last six years I promised myself to head to the park, to find the tree, and capture it myself. This year it was time to make it happen.

Every year I book a ‘fall photo date’ for myself. I block off a morning on my calendar- usually somewhere right in the middle of peak foliage - head out at sunrise with my camera, and explore without any plan or pressure. It helps me quiet my mind, reset creatively, and notice the beauty I would miss if I simply stayed in my to-do list. I usually finish with a cup of tea (and obviously some form of croissant!) at a local café. That little date always resets me and in those moments I literally feel my blood pressure drop. It also reminds me why I fell in love with photography in the first place.

Most sessions are for clients. But this one—this day—is for me.

That date this year fell on a rainy, windy day. It’s always the case, right?! Unfortunately, every other day surrounding it either wasn’t optimal, or I was booked and it wasn’t going to happen (the foliage will be gone soon!).

I had one evening where I could make it work. It was coming off a weekend where I had four sessions in twenty four hours, back to back work days, and very little rest. Frankly, I considered just scrapping it this year. I was tired! But I knew I’d be annoyed with myself if I didn’t go, which was motivation enough.

So, I went.

And to be completely honest? My attitude wasn’t great.
“It’s too early. I need another hour for the best light.”
“Maybe I’ll hit a cafe first…Ugh, nothing close enough…”
“Fine—I’ll just walk through, get my tree, and get home early.”

I can get caught up in the hustle & bustle just like everyone else. We are all so busy ALL THE TIME. But I forced myself to take the longer walk—to stop by the pond I was at recently, and I appreciated how the leaves have changed in only the last two weeks. I made my way around the back of the park to see ‘my’ tree, from a different perspective. I forced myself to slow down, and frankly, to make myself notice it all.

That walk reset my attitude and reminded me of the exact thing I always appreciate: that beauty that’s most visible when I slow down to appreciate it.

And then came the icing on the cake. Right where I had parked, in front of the Larz Anderson Auto Museum, was THE most stunning vintage Jaguar. I literally stopped, looked ahead to frame this shot, and said out loud ‘Lord, you HAVE to be joking!’

It felt like a gift.

I spent so much time walking around capturing this beauty, I was holding my breath waiting for it’s owner, or someone from the museum to ask me to leave. I was in awe! Of all of it…the beauty, the timelessness, the classic history of this car; of the gorgeous fall foliage surrounding it; of the fact that it seemed like it was a gift left for me (I know that it wasn’t, but it was so perfect that it felt like it was!).

And to think—I almost didn’t show up.

It’s funny how easily we show up for everyone else, but so quickly excuse the moments we’ve promised to show up for ourselves.

I had every excuse to skip it. The weather, being tired, the long drive. There’s always a “better” time, right? But if we don’t carve out those moments now, who’s to say we won’t do the same thing next year?

Was it worth the ninety-minute drive just to photograph a single tree? Absolutely. Because that one decision gave me so much more—a reminder of why I love what I do, and of the beauty that meets us when we choose to show up.

It’s safe to say it was worth it. And what I’m reminded of, time and time again, is that it always is.

Maybe this week you need that same reminder, too — to slow down, step outside, and notice the beauty waiting for you. Whether it’s a slow walk, a quiet cup of coffee, or finally scheduling that family session you’ve been meaning to do, I hope you take it. Because every single time I do, I’m reminded—it’s always worth it.