In the last few years, my family and I have become what seems like traveling nomads. We Love to see new things and revisit places we haven't seen in a long time. We have learned a valuable lesson from two close losses in a very short period: time stops for no one.
So, we began traveling and seeing the things that we cannot imagine dying without laying eyes on. Last weekend, I went to Biltmore with my parents and my aunt. We had been there before, but that was nearly ten years ago! So, we knew it was time to revisit it.
It was unique to see it as an adult for the first time. My camera and I caught glimpses of what George and his family got to see everyday. What a view!
The views this family had at this location were and still are gorgeous. It's easy to see why George chose this location for his dream home. While time stands still for no one, George's descendants have done a fantastic job in freezing the family estate almost exactly as it was.
While they have done a lot of restoring, cracks were still visible in the the various well-crafted statues and busts. All of the brass has began to oxidize and green discoloration drips down the walls. History makes itself known in spite of the attempt to retrieve an image of life the way it once was.
Yet, this is why, when post processing a portrait session of any sort, I have never removed an age spot unless it was requested of me. Age and history have such amazing stories to tell, and I got to witness it and I now have memories that will last a lifetime.
Can you imagine looking at this everyday? I think I could live in the estate for a decade and still not be able to find my way around. I would be lost constantly!
The end of the day was nearing, and my family and I were getting increasingly excited. Chihuly, a talented glass sculptor, had allowed the estate to borrow his work for a few weeks.
All these sculptures were beautiful! They were excellent and exceeded my expectations. However, this statement also applies to the estate itself.
While things may change and statues may wear away and crumble, I will eventually find my way back to Biltmore and capture its olden glory once more; for time does not stand still, but history makes itself known.
