This Monet-inspired photo, taken by Minnetonka’s Linda Harl, won second place in the Kids & Family category of our 2017 Lens on Lake Minnetonka photo contest.
Harl took the snapshot of her then 3-year-old granddaughter, Lily, in Spring Park last August. The pair happened to be driving by the Lake Minnetonka Shores Assisted Living facility when Harl noticed the picturesque garden there, with its small pond and water fountain—both of which proved to be irresistible to Lily.
“Lily loves water fountains, so we stopped and got out of the car,” Harl says.
The combination of bright purple, white and red petunias, and Lily’s pink shorts and brown curls created the perfect springtime photo.
Harl says she enjoys practicing photography as a hobby so she can capture important family moments. She took this particular photo on her iPhone 7S and purposely chose to capture Lily’s body from behind, because it created a candid shot of her granddaughter’s interaction with the pond. “I love pictures taken from the back as they are so natural, not posed,” Harl says.
After looking at this image, Harl thought of the brightly lit, colorful garden scenes French impressionist Claude Monet made famous. The lush greenery in the trees builds the background, while the flowers and pond mimic the subjects in his paintings. The photo even looks a bit like it was created in his vibrant, light-focused style. Harl calls it “just a lucky shot,” and we’re certainly lucky she shared it with us in last year’s contest. Trés belle!
