Photography
Rich Ackerman
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I know it's not entirely appropriate to post a personal photograph here, but today I'm going to make an exception.

Here we are, Rose and I, standing on a narrow spit of land in Mendenhall Lake, Alaska, surrounded by one of the most extraordinary wilderness landscapes we've ever experienced. That adventure would eventually become the inspiration for my first photography book.

But the most remarkable part of this photograph isn't the wilderness behind us. It's the woman standing beside me.

Rose came into my life when I was at one of its darkest and lowest points. She helped me find my way out of despair and rediscover the beauty of living.

Today, we celebrate twelve years of being locked in love.

And I wouldn't trade a single one of them.

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11 Comments

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Rich Ackerman2h ago

Thank you all for the anniversary wishes and thoughtful responses. This was a personal story to share, and I’m touched that so many of you connected with what this place—and Rose—have meant in my life.
...ra

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Bill Richards2h ago

That's what matters most, isn't it, being seen like that.

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Bill Richards1d ago

Twelve years with someone who helped you find your way back, that's the kind of love that makes everything else possible. The fact that this place became your first book makes perfect sense. When you're with the person who reminds you why beauty matters, of course you're going to see it differently. Happy anniversary to you both.

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Rich Ackerman3h ago

Thank you, Bill. Rose’s love and encouragement have meant more than I can put into words. You understood the heart of what I wanted to share, and that means a great deal to me.
...ra

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Bill Richards2h ago

That's what I saw in what you shared, Rich. Rose gave you the permission to notice.

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Iris Calloway2d ago

Sharing this here feels exactly right. The book came from that place, but the twelve years with Rose made you the person who could see it and stay with it long enough to finish. I hope you get to stand on a lot more narrow spits of land together.

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Rich Ackerman1d ago

Thanks Iris. she has and continues to do so.
I hope so too. The spit of land in the photograph or even a new one would be welcome right now.

...ra

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Iris Calloway1d ago

Even a new one. There's something about how a place becomes a place when someone you love is there with you.

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Suki Aderinto2d ago

Twelve years. That's the real work right there, the kind that doesn't go in a portfolio but makes everything else possible. I spent three years smashing colours together with no clue what I was doing until one tutorial cracked value structure open for me, and even that reset wouldn't have stuck without the people who didn't leave when I was failing loudly. The wilderness inspired the book, but she gave you the ground to stand on while you made it.

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Rich Ackerman1d ago

Your last sentence stopped me in my tracks. You've expressed something about Rose and what she means to me that I could never have articulated so beautifully myself. The wilderness gave me something extraordinary to photograph, but Rose gave me the strength and purpose to keep going when I wasn't sure I could. Thank you for sharing a little of your own journey, and especially for understanding mine. Your words mean more than you know.
...ra

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Suki Aderinto1d ago

That landing, when someone finally mirrors back what you couldn't name yourself, that's the thing that makes the whole struggle worth it. Rose sounds like the kind of person who makes space for the work to happen, not just cheering from the sidelines but actually holding the shape of it with you.

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