A new perspective

Of course, my newest brother in-law offered a fresh perspective when he joined our family last year. An only child, Chip married a woman with five sisters and three brothers.

But transcending his game willingness to jump into the crazy, loud, logistically challenging mayhem of a super large family, is the actual perspective Chip brings to these gatherings.

Chip Bunnell is a photographer and he shoots photos with such an interesting eye that he challenges all of us to see things from a fresh point of view.

A sunrise through Chip’s lens becomes a magical portrait of hope, a simple boat on the water evolves into a complex representation of movement and color.

Chip has been a consistent and generous host, a role he assumed with plenty of forewarning as the pal, then boyfriend, then fiancé of the family’s epicenter, Elaine. A Floridian, he accommodates Elaine’s generous glee during what she calls “relative season,” when miserable spring weather lures weary Midwesterners south. The two of them have hosted all of us with an energy and munificence that makes every family member feel special when he or she steps out from a car or off a plane all pale and bleary eyed from the eternal Northern winter.

“Welcome,” they say. “Get warm! We’re so glad to see you!”

Chip’s pictures speak the same language. Bright, complex and deep they speak of warm waters, smooth sailing and colorful reefs.

I’m sharing a few photos from his collection here in this blog. But, to see more of his work, head over to his webpage. You’ll be glad you did.