Monday, November 8, 2010

Palmyra and The Hill Cumorah, Upstate New York

***Edited to add some info to help identify the photos (I tend to miss a few things when I blog at 2 a.m. Sorry guys):
Old and new. The Palmyra Temple as seen from the property of the Smith Family's farm.
Palmyra, New York Temple

Smith's log cabin.

Alvin's Tree




Replica of the box the Book of Mormon was hidden in.







Sacred Grove

Moroni Monument, Hill Cumorah, New York

Monument


Monument, other side.

(all photos shot fuji 400h on a Nikon N80, using a 50mm 1.4, at 1.4)

My brother has been BEGGING me to continue posting photos from our trip, so I thought what better time than now?

Travelling to New York City, then to Upstate New York was a fulfillment of a life long dream. I am such a history buff it isn't even funny. Combine that history love, with the love of my religion, and well, I am one happy girl.

The peace I felt in this place is indescribable. Tears come to my eyes just thinking about it. My heart longs to go back. If I could, I would live there. LIVE there I tell you. It is beautiful, peaceful, reverent. Amazing.


Very grateful I could take my sweet family there, and share such a neat experience with them. I wish you could have all gone with me. Truly.


Because I wasn't able to slip you all into my suitcase, I want two of you to be able to have a little piece of this trip to hang on your wall. SO, that means a giveaway! Leave me a comment telling me which photo is your favorite from this little post, because if you win, that photo will be yours! The two winners will get a mounted 11x14 of their favorite image from this post. (I'm sorry, I know the kids are adorable, but I won't give you a photo of them.)


Share the giveaway love with your facebook and twitter friends...I want everyone to feel the joy.


I will take comments for the giveaway until Noon MST on Sunday, November 14, 2010. I will choose two winners that evening.


xoxo

48 comments:

disabilitydiva said...

So difficult to choose!!! I think I LOVE the first simply because the sky looks amazing, and the juxtaposition of old fence and new temple. Just LOVE it!!! You are AMAZING!!!
Christine

SAMinJapan said...

Ahh, Kim you do wonderful work! But it's hard to narrow down to just one....I can get it to two. The cabin, as well, I have thing for old houses. And the path in the woods. One knows it just has to lead to a place of serenity. Your passion truly shows in your work!
Marnie

Kirsten said...

Oh Kim! The pictures are wonderful and peaceful! I so wish to be able to convey what I see in my pictures as you do!

If I were to win, I would either pick the picture of the Temple Spire, or the one of the path right below it.

The Snellie's said...

I love all of them too. I counted them and I think the one I like is #14?.? It is on will a lot of trees. I love any with the greenery in it. I want to move back there too. My sister lives back east and I would love to live closer to her. But of course that is beyond my control right now. Love ya.

Ron and Jessica said...

Oooh, #1!!!

Audra said...

They are all lovely but my favorite is the path through the woods... I would absolutely love to go there someday, it is so nice of you to think of us all!

Leslie said...

My favorite is the path into the woods! It's incredible! It would look so fabulous in my new house! You're amazing!

Emily said...

Are you sure I can't have one of your kids? They are adorable! I love the first and fourth ones, and then I also love the one with the trail through the trees. SO beautiful! Pick me, pick me!

Shane, Meg, CJ, RJ, and AL said...

I love the first one that mixes the old farm fence with the temple as an accent. I can picture Joseph Smith looking at this scene in his day and imagining a temple sitting in that opening in the trees.

Jerilee E. said...

Beautiful! I would love the Sacred Grove shot.

Aileen said...

love the Smith log cabin photograph. :)

mommyoffour said...

That is a tough one - they are all beautiful!! I would choose the sacred grove shot - love it!

Karilyn said...

wow, you don't ask for much, do you? *lol* A favorite out of these... *SIGH*

reminds me of Facebook a little while back, the "LDS General Conference" page had a contest to choose one's favorite photo of the Temples- then they posted a list of those pictures which had ten votes or more - then had to vote on them.

uh uh - I couldn't.

This one - well, how about the first one, or the picture of the Sacred Grove? I can feel the magic you felt as you share these pictures, thank you so so much, maybe one day I can experience it myself (with my Tribe, ha!)

Cassie said...

I would love to take a little trip back there. As for your amazing photos? Kind of in love with number 2, the Palmyra Temple hidden in the trees with the beautiful sky above.

LOVE the one of kiddos 1 and 2 heading down the stairs. Just sayin.

The Gag-nears said...

I miss you! And am still so mad that I wasn't living here when you visited the grove. I am only an hour away from it. For me, I have had the opportunity in my life to call 2 places home - Snowflake, AZ and Salt Lake City, UT. Now I live here in Upstate New York trying to make it the third place to call home and when I look at your pictures I fall in love with living here and can feel closer to home. We went and visited the grove as a family and had it all to ourselves and it was a special memory that will will be a forever memory for me. So for me, the choice is easy - the picture of the trees and the path leading into the Sacred Grove is my favorite because I have had the opportunity to walk that path twice now and feel the spirit inside those trees and looking at that picture I can't help but tear up and feel it again. So moving, so powerful. I have pictures you have taken hanging up all over my home and since I am not there in Utah to get our family ones done this year :(. I would LOVE to have some sort of Orlandini photography up and even if I don't win could I pay you for that print so I can print it on my own? Let me know because this post reminds me of why I love it here and makes me not miss Utah as much. I tried to take pictures like this while I was there but none turned out like this. So beautiful. I love the pictures of the temple too. Breathtaking. You are so talented!

mandee said...

They are all amazing...I love the one of them temple from the smiths property...and the sacredt grove..just gorgeous! Loves

Riley said...

Love the pictures! I would have to pick the Sacred Grove one. Thanks for sharing!

Barb @ getupandplay said...

Oh, Kim, I was already mentally "shopping" as I read this post before I even saw the giveaway part!!

nicole said...

definitely love the first pic. my brother just passed away a couple of weeks ago, and it reminds me of him. he loved nature, and the greenery and fence just speak volumes. sometimes this life has obstacles or fences that we have to overcome, but all around us, beauty can stll be found. if we focus on the gospel, those obstacles can become 'blurred' and diminish. maybe i thought about it too much, but it's beautiful. thanks for sharing.

Molly said...

I love you for using film and the N80. My favorite shot is Moroni Monument, Hill Cumorah, New York...I hope I win:)

Amanda Edwards said...

My two favorites are old and new and sacred grove. You are one talented woman! Thanks for being so superb!!!

April Greener said...

Beautiful! I would love to visit upstate New York as well--maybe one day. I love the picture of the sacred grove...love the story that took place there it as well!

Calli said...

I love the photo of the sacred grove... I got goose bumps and tears came to my eyes when I saw it. I've yet to to visit but will someday.

Arianne said...

beautiful. I love palmyra. my sister Amy used to live about 20 mins from there, so we were able to go a couple times while she lived there. It makes me want to go back there, I LOVE the pictures of the temple. You amaze me!

Arianne said...

ps. I LOVE your new header! way to go Leisha! :)

mrs. r said...

love LOVE the sacred grove.

however, my fave is the one of millz and the window. is it weird to order a print of your child? i thought so.

i will stick to the sacred grove. LOL

Rebecca said...

so beautiful! I love the Sacred Grove.

Andrea Campbell said...

I love them all but I really love the Sacred Grove picture. Great pictures Kim!

Erin said...

Oh my goodness---you are one talented lady! Those pictures are amazing! I can't decide between the first old and new picture and the sacred grove. Probably the sacred grove. I love reading your blog and your honesty and openness. You are one classy lady as well!

Katie said...

I love the first shot!!! I took the same picture about 9 years ago when we were there, but mine was no where near the quality of yours. Beautiful post...thank you for sharing.

Katie

Emily Christine said...

Wow! What beutiful pictures! I would have to say my favorite was the first one, and a close second was the picture in the sacred grove. Thank you for sharing your talents with us!!

Liz said...

Your photography is amazing, and moving.

Liz said...

Oh, I just looked at your pics and commented - and then went back and read your post.

I love the picture of the sacred grove.

I haven't been there yet. It's gorgeous. What time of year did you go?

Heather said...

I love Sacred Grove. I can just feel myself walking on that path, enjoying the quiet and just feeling the spirit move all around in God's creation.

Lindsey said...

These are awesome! My sister lives in Buffalo and her husband served his mission in the Palmyra area. We are planning on visiting them and seeing all the sights!

Lovely photos.

moosh in indy. said...

Hi. Can we just buy the temple one from you?
Obviously you're aware that particular temple has a special place in our lives for several different reasons.

LoveYaMissYa said...

I love the first one of the temple view from the farm. I can just imagine it hanging on my wall. I'd feel honored to hang one of your photos in my home!

Candise said...

Gorgeous. I REALLY like the sacred grove, Alvins tree is a close second. Thanks for sharing about your trip - I love to live vicariously through others!

And, your children are edible. Especially that little one....

Manda Jane Clawson said...

Um, WOW. Holy smokes those photos are BEAUTIFUL!! In love with all of them. The Sacred Grove one is beyond amazing though!! Definitely my fav :)

Cheyenne and Seth and Co. said...

Oh Kim! So beautiful!!! Crossing my fingers and wishing on stars that I could have the stunning picture of the Sacred Grove. I love you!!

Lynda said...

Kimmie, All I can say is WOW! I am so grateful to be related to this beautiful, talented, amazing young woman. I could never choose, I am in AWE! Love you tons!

Shanna Gwilliam said...

Beautiful! These are greens we never see in Utah! I have been to the sacred grove several times and have tried to capture what you have here... You're awesome! I love looking at your photos every couple of weeks. And, forever loving my wedding photos!!!

Sharon Johnson said...

duh they are all amazing and since it would be kinda creepy for me to hang a pic of your kids on my wall I want #uno. LOVE it. You are amazing

Kirsta and Morian said...

Your picture of The Sacred Grove is absolutely amazing! I would LOVE to hang that in my apartment! What talent you have! (I wish I could afford you for family pictures!)

Kjrsten said...

Am I too late?
Oh well, my favorite is of your sweet pea sitting on the grass under the window, it is perfection, but since you aren't letting us have photos of your kids (it's probably a good idea since I am baby hungry and the magic isn't happenin' for anymore, I just might STEAL HER!)
So my (2nd) FAVORITE is the very first on! I love the temple there juxtaposed with the fence. LOVE IT!


HEARTSHEARTSHEARTS!!!!!

RaeAnn said...

Kim! I have not commented in forever, but I am your long-lost Boise twin, who seemed to be copying your every life-move, especially the ones neither of us planned. Anyway, if you remember be, awesome. If not, disregard the creepiness of that sentence...
My FAVORITE one is the sacred grove. I have never seen a picture of it with such vivid colors. Your work is amazing. You are amazing.
Oh, and thank you for finally getting your little girl to your family, because that means we got ours, too! Birthday is the day of your giveaway choosing, but no pressure. :)

The Snellie's said...

Hey Kim I all ready posted which one I liked but it wasn't labeled I just counted them and I think I counted wrong...the one I love was the sacred grove.

Leslie said...

These are so beautiful