Spirited Away

‘Spirited Away’

The snow was heavy and pure. Soft flurries blew between us as Elbie stood still, her eyes closed, oblivious to what I could see. A magical landscape stretched before us, wild and white, as a blanket of distant jewels spiralled down crowning her hair and hands.

We were completely alone, with nothing but the wail of the wind for company. Colour collapsed in the wake of Elbie’s footprints as I carefully directed her steps towards the camera. It was so simple, surreal, but the finished picture is truly how it looked.

The day had been long and we had walked for miles searching for the perfect place. For the first time I had talked openly to Elbie about my mother; our friendship was changing. We had laughed, called out our names and sang broken songs that echoed through the frozen sky to keep our spirits up. It had been hours and the day was fading, along with our hopes, until at long last we found it: the field at the foot of the hills. We leapt and waded through knee-deep drifts to its heart, where a lone tree stood and shadows pulled to the east. It was perfect.

It became one of ‘those’ pictures, one where you simply don’t have to try. Everything was so strange and beautiful, and despite her insecurities, Elbie was a vision I will never forget. It was a precious day, with a truly special friend – in an extraordinary world that I would never have experienced if it hadn’t been for my camera.