Photography is a way of feeling, of touching, of loving. What you have caught on film is captured forever….it remembers little things, long after you have forgotten everything. ~Aaron Siskind

Last year our youth group, Blue Papaya, enthusiastically began learning how to capture orbs and other energies during our outings. So many of their images were outstanding and varied that it was decided we should have an exhibition to show their work, and we also opened the exhibition to adults who shared the same passion as our youth. The response was wonderful, images submitted not only locally, but from far and wide.

Can you see the face in the rock? Side profile, nicely defined nose, and eyes.

Melanie France took this image, and overall took 3rd place in the adult category.

Melanie is a photo workshop attendee and an orb photographer who leads labyrinth walks in Wisconsin. Melanie very quickly learned to take photographs of tree and rock spirits as well.

This orb was captured by Bonnie M., she tied with Melanie for 3rd place.

The mother of one of the Blue Papayans, Bonnie took photos on our outings and discovered she has the talent. Notice how well you can see the inner structure of the orb.

Our first place winner was Mary Pat Brennan.

Mary Pat captured this image twice. A flower sprite perhaps?

Mary Pat read about our contest and came in with a collection of photographs. She has the widest selection of life forms, including a female ghost in an old car her son had bought (he hasn’t used it yet, after seeing this image!)

This is Mary Pat’s ghost image. While on exhibit, some of our youth believed this was a dog, while others strongly voiced their surprise at what they believe to be a woman.

Lanette Padulla came in 2nd place but this photo won best in show in the adult category.

This image was taken at Wheeler Park in Geneva, and has many different nature spirit energies. So much so that every time it’s viewed, someone can find something new inside.

Who is the lady? Well she wasn’t there at the park that night, and another image taken the same night does not show her either. Lanette is a photo workshop attendee. The night before the workshop, Lanette had attended an energy session and had been told her totem animal was the bear-she did not know this. When processing photographs from the workshop, she discovered she had an image of a black bear in the park grass-confirming to her it’s presence in her life.

As one of the jurists for this exhibition, I must say it was a very difficult process for us. So many wonderful contributions, we literally poured over the submitted images for hours until we found our winners.

Thank you to everyone who participated! We have decided to make this an annual event at Crystal Life! Keep an eye out in late September/early October for information on how to enter!