Bring the Whimsy Home
Sharing Magic and Knowledge Through Photography
Hi, I’m Q! (The one on the left!) Ever since I was a kid, I have been telling stories. Whether it was through my writing in the form of plays or through short films, I enjoyed sharing what was in my head with the world.
This site is dedicated to sharing not only the photography and videography I have created, while offering you the option to bring home the whimsy by purchasing selected photos.
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Twilight
Recently my family and I decided to celebrate the summer solstice by taking a walk late in the evening. Now, late is a relative term as it was 8:30 pm. However, for a family that typically hunkers down for the night at 7 pm, this was in the wee hours for us. This was the first year I wanted to do something to mark the day and it felt like the most appropriate way would be to take advantage of the additional light. Also, having worked from home for over 9 years, I’ve realized that it is kind of essential to find ways to mark the time. Otherwise it all blends together and one day, you suddenly realize, “wait, I don’t remember 2017…..”
Summer solstice itself stood as a specific day to mark because I have always had an affinity for the season. Like most kids, summer meant freedom and a lack of responsibilities. You could sleep in until noon, spend 4 hours playing a video game and then hop into the pool and consider it a successful day. And, as much as it would not be beneficial to my productivity for me to continue it today, there is one aspect from my youthful days that I have attempted to keep into my adulthood: taking advantage of summer nights.
John Travolta and Olivia Newton-John knew what they were talking about in their somewhat problematic song: summer nights do have a special aura. It is usually still somewhat warm and the air carries the energy of the day. Plus, what I have found is that it is not necessary for it to be dark to gather that magic. Twilight during the summer has its own vibe, a feeling of one last push for fun before nightfall. And nowhere exemplifies that more for me than Disneyland.
In case you didn’t know, my wife Jenn is a teacher and our trips have had to coordinate around her school vacation schedule. Hence, quite often, a visit (or two) during the summer has been the only opportunity to see the park. As such, I’ve had plenty of opportunities to see the parks during that time when the sun sets behind the berm, the lights turn on, and the crows begin to make their migration. When we visit, we have a tendency to go pretty hard, arriving at the park before rope drop with a plan of staying until the park closes. Of course that means that, right around 2 pm, the energy starts to sag. And the midday drain lasts until that glorious golden hour moment. As it wanes on, I can feel momentum for my second wind building and, as the lights in the park twinkle on, it is unleashed.
Hence the moment captured above. This was a long park day and I was hunting for some fresh perspectives. Jenn and I were taking a lap through Fantasyland when I noticed how brightly the lanterns were glowing against the darkening sky. I paused because I wanted to attempt to capture video when I noticed the two tea cups at the bottom of the photo. Both groups were making memories. On one side, a family was capturing the moment of everyone crammed into a cup together. On the other, a partner was ensuring that he would always remember how special his significant other looked in the light. And it struck me that this is what twilight brings. Even as the light begins to fade, we are warmed by those around us.
The Disney parks (and for me, Disneyland specifically) have the ability to provide a space where we can fully embrace those moments. Moments which may seem small take on a larger significance. Looking back at those summer nights, I realize that those moments were special because it felt like the world had possibility. That as day faded, time wasn’t coming to a close. That we can still make those significant moments. With those we love by our side, the sunset is not the end; instead it is the transition into the next joy. And I am glad I have a photo to remind me of that.
This Week’s Featured Video
“Q, what is your goal for this year?” This.