Baby Shoes and a blanket named Umpy

I took a small stash of cash out at the ATM and headed to a photography studio that is going out of business. My plan was to stay focused and purchase camera equipment—maybe stands or backdrops. I have no need for knickknacks… or chairs… well, unless they were special. I always need a special chair… or two….

I resisted the urge to buy a men’s safari hat (though I am currently regretting it.) Next to the safari hat was a small box with shoes.

“I don’t need these shoes.” I thought to myself. “What am I going to do with baby shoes?”

I took the shoes out of the box and noticed they were very old shoes. I examined the box—it had labels on it. This box of shoes had character. Needless to say, I bought the shoes.

When I brought my goodies to the studio owner to see what kind of damage my purchase would make on my bank account, I was pleasantly surprised.

Studio owner: “How does 100 bucks sound for the lot?”

“Sold!” I replied with gratitude. I had purchased a window frame, wall, and countless other wonderful goodies I don’t technically need but will get great use out of one way or another. Besides, I like a challenge.

This evening I justified my purchase of the baby shoes with a photo shoot.

What additional prop could possibly accompany these old shoes? I looked at my fabric and paper – nothing was good enough. Then I had an idea…

I found my old baby blanket… whose name is Umpy, tucked away in a closet. This well-loved blanket that is 30+ years old, was the perfect addition to the shoes. Umpy, by the way, had a ‘twin’ but even as a toddler, I knew which one was Umpy and which was the poor substitute.

This was the first photo I took. I was disappointed because I loved the shot and almost didn’t feel a need to continue. But where’s the fun in that?