In July of 2009, I took a week long advanced intuitive training, taught by medium James Van Praagh, at the Omega Institute in Rhinebeck, NY.
I made many close friends, among them was Mary Shannon Bell.
At times during the class James would say he felt the presence of many spirits in the room. It was then that he’d stop and tell us get out our camera’s and snap away.
Silly me hadn’t brought a camera, so while everyone else was taking pictures that captured many orbs all in one shot – all I could do was look at the viewfinders on their cameras and feel sad that I wouldn’t be taking home any of these amazing shots.
It was incredible. Every last single person in the room with a camera was getting photos that captured dozens and dozens of orbs in each frame.
After the course was over Mary kindly sent me a CD of 20 unbelievable photos she’d taken from our course. There were big orbs and little orbs and if you magnified the photos, some even appeared to have faces in them – oh my! I’ve included one of her photos from the seminar, so you can see just how many orbs there were.
Since then I’ve gotten to know Mary quite well. I’ve realized she has an amazing talent for photography; particularly photography that captures orbs. I’ve never seen anything like it. I keep telling her to put out a book on her orb photography – it’s that amazing!
The only time I’ve ever captured any orbs was this past Christmas – just a few months after the passing of my father. One orb appeared in my family photos. When the orb was enlarged sure enough there was a face in there and you guessed it – it was my father’s face! To tell you the truth, I really was stunned.
If you want to see some amazing photos of orbs you really must visit Mary Shannon Bell’s website. She’s also written a wonderful book about her experience receiving signs from the “other side” from her parents that I recommend as well.
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Hi Angela,
I’ve never heard of orbs either. And like Katie says it’s amazing how we can go around missing things in life. Or maybe it’s just being unaware? Is that the same thing? Now you better believe if I’m alive I’ll be taking photos at my mothers wake and funeral. She’s nearly 90 so I’m currently planning to outlive her! You’re right can’t be the dust on the lenses;)
Hi Tess,
I wasn’t aware of orbs either until just about 3 years ago – about the time I became aware that I was a medium. But, even after I became aware I was still skeptical until I went to this seminar and saw everyone’s photos! It is really amazing, isn’t it?
Yeah, I didn’t think to take photos at my father’s funeral, but he did come through 3 months later in our Christmas photos.
I’m so glad I could introduce you to something new!
Thanks so much for visiting and commenting Tess.
Very amazing. I would be skeptical if it was just one camera getting all the orbs, but if multiple cameras did that really is amazing!
Hi Rosemarie,
That’s how I felt about it. If it was only in one photo taken at the JVP seminar, but every body taking pictures got these! So, to me that was real proof that they were all the spirits surrounding us hoping to communicate.
Thanks for commenting.
Hi Angela,
That was great and I went to Mary’s website and watched the video. Wow! I want it to be true so badly!!!! We’ve had light in strange places in photographs and often wondered…
Thanks!
Betsy
Hi Betsy,
Her photos of orbs are amazing, aren’t they?
I think we can capture the energy of our loved ones around us every once in a while.
I don’t think every orb in every photo is a spirit, but I do think that while they exist in another dimension – that dimension is not a far away place, but within our field of existence. So, once in a while I do think we can capture their energy frequency in a photo.
I’d go back and check some older photos!
Thanks so much for visiting and commenting Betsy!
Angela, this was awesome—for you and now for us. I’ve known of orbs for years, but the closest I’ve been to seeing any was in a couple photos I took of my toddler niece and her father. Something about the way Emma was crossing the lawn caught my attention and I was riveted. Later, when I saw the photos, there was a distinct halo glow surrounding her head yet slightly behind her. There was a softer glow spot near her father. Your story and the photos Mary Shannon Bell took reinforce my own beliefs. Wonderfully comforting! Thank you. 🙂
Hi Julie,
I know – Orbs are a really fascinating topic. Mary is absolutely phenomenal about capturing orbs. I’ve never seen anything like it.
It sounds like you took a fascinating photo of your niece and her father.
Do you know who in the family it might be?
I’m glad my post helped reinforce your beliefs.
Another friend of mine informed me of a photo of President Obama’s inauguration that had literally thousands of orbs in it. That made my heart happy to think that he attracted so much love from the other side!
Thanks so much for commenting here Julie. Hope you have a fabulous weekend.
Angela, since my father has been visiting, I’m guessing it might be him, as my brother-in-law’s family is still intact. Whoever it is, I’m just so glad to know they’re there.
Wow, about Obama’s orbs! …love love love that, knowing there’s so much loving energy trying to help us along. 🙂
A wonderful weekend to you, too, Angela.
Oh, that makes sense that it might be your father-in-law.
Yes, it’s nice to know they’re still “around.”
That’s exactly the way I felt when I heard about the orbs at Obama’s inauguration!
Thanks I’m planning on it!
WOW Angela, that really is fascinating. I had no idea that a camera could photograph spiritual life.
I have not heard of the Omega Institute. What an amazing experience for you to have been there and shared that experience with the others.
Hi Aileen,
I’m glad I could introduce to you to orb photography.
My week long course was amazing.
Omega is in Rhinebeck, NY where Chelsea Clinton’s wedding was held recently.
Upstate NY is beautiful.
Thanks so much for visiting and commenting Aileen!
Hi Angela, this is such an interesting post. I knew nothing about orbs until I saw a TV show that did a whole segment about them. Then some friends from the midwest came to visit. They went to Winchester Mystery House, a local tourist spot. They took pictures of the different rooms and sure enough, there were orbs in all of the pictures taken in the house. Different sizes. Some had color, others were pure white. Even if to a cynic this proves nothing, it’s impossible to deny that there are blobs of round things on those photographs.
Hi Belinda,
Orbs are a really interesting and controversial subject, for sure.
I do think there’s something to it. Of course there are times when I do think it a camera malfunction, or light refracted from a particle of dust, but I love how you said it best:
It’s impossible to deny that there are blobs of round things on those photographs!
I wish I’d seen the TV show you mentioned it’s sound like it could have been pretty enlightening.
Thanks so much for visiting Belinda and adding to the conversation here. I really appreciate it. Angela
Wow Angela
I have never heard of orbs either. I will start paying more attention to photographs. I think there is another post in this. I would like to hear more.
Hi Marion,
Orbs are a fascinating topic, aren’t they?
I will think about another post – thank you Marion.
I’m so glad you enjoyed this article.
Hi Angela,
Enjoyed this post about orbs. I just thought they were a lighting and flash issue and had no idea about spirits! Learn something new everyday.
I just went to a family funeral so out of curiosity, I’m going to see if there are any orbs!
Also, do you live in Rhinebeck? My sister lives in Red Hook. I think it’s nearby but I have never been, so I’m not sure. She talks about Rhinebeck so I think it’s near. Small world.
Hi Jenny,
How have you been? It’s so nice to see you again.
I’m new to orbs too. I only learned about them a few years ago too.
One thing you can do is take photos when your thinking about someone you’ve lost.
Many times they’re near us and will show up as an orb in your photo.
No, I live 90 miles from Rhinebeck – about 1 1/2 hours.
Yes, Red Hook is very near to Rhinebeck. I think both are in Dutchess County.
It is a small world, isn’t it!
So, glad you came by Jenny!
Wow Angela, worth checking out old photos for orbs. Funny how we can wander through life and miss so much of the magic in it. I guess we’re just too busy not looking. Thanks for opening my eyes to this fascinating phenomenon. Sounds like you are on an inspired path. I’m so glad you keep passing along your growing wisdom.
Hi Katie,
I’m so glad I could introduce you to this fascinating phenomenon.
I’m sure there are more photos in my albums that have orbs that I never paid attention to before either!
Believe me, it’s my pleasure to pass on what I’m learning.
Thanks so much for visiting and commenting.
That is amazing. My daughter’s sister has a picture with her in which she is not alone. I assumed it was a trick of the light or something – and now I wonder…
Hi, Welcome to my blog!
Yes, isn’t it amazing! Sometimes they’re not spirits of course, and can only be dust on the lens that’s refracted light. Try magnifying it and see if you see a face in it.
Thanks so much for visiting and commenting.
Do visit again!
Wow, that’s interesting! I don’t know anything about orbs other than having heard of them somewhere–I think there was a photo but I got the impression that this was extremely rare, to be able to take a photo. Didn’t know anyone ever sees faces in them. Huh–Interesting.
Hi Leah,
I think it is pretty rare, but that fact that I was at a mediumship course with James Van Praagh attracted a boatload of spirits hoping to communicate. That’s why there were so many in one place. I’ve never seen anything like this again.
I didn’t know about the faces either until my friend Mary started blowing them up in size and sending them to me. That’s why increased the size of the one that came through the photo I took at Xmas and saw my Dad’s face! It was pretty amazing.
This is so fascinating. I am very open to the idea of spirit energy and auras and this perks my interest. I will be on the lookout for orbs now! 🙂
Hi Emma,
I know, isn’t it? I couldn’t believe it myself when I saw all the orbs. Yes, check your photos from now on for orbs! It could be one of your loved ones hanging about to say hello.
Angela,
I have to check out Omega Institute when next time, I am visiting my family (they live in NJ), I have heard of Orb but not much details I will sure look in to it, I miss my grand parents and hoping to see them, hopefully smiling. I miss them.
Hi Preeti,
Yes, if you get a chance to go – you’d love it. Where is your family from? I used to work in Woodbridge. You should check out Mary’s site. She has lot’s of orb photos.
I hope you have a wonderful trip visiting your family. When are you going?
Angela,
My parents and brother live in Edison. I had visited them earlier this year, and they are visiting me soon in a few weeks so visiting there will have to wait until end of this year or early next year. I will check Mary’s site for more Orb pictures.
Hi Preeti,
Thank you. I used to got some great Indian restaurants on Oak Street in Edison!
Wow Angela. This is quite fascinating. I have never heard of Orb’s before… It is tough to fathom but I am looking with an open mind. Thanks for introducing me to something new. Just when I thought I knew it all… 🙂
Really Rob? I’m dumbfounded. You’ve never heard of orbs – you see I do think you know everything!
I’m so glad I could introduce them to you here.
I’d heard of them over the years, but honestly I was a skeptic until this even convinced me otherwise. For me, the proof was that a room full of people took pictures and captured the same several dozen of orbs at the same time. How could it be dust in all of their lenses?
Anyway, I’m glad you found it interesting!
Oh, you’ve been to Omega! I have wanted to go there for many different programs, but alas, I’m a wee bit too far away 🙁
A friend of mine took pictures from the back of a crowd at a funeral for her father’s funeral a few years back and there were many orbs in the printed photo and some swirly colorful shapes too. It was pretty powerful to see.
Hi Jean,
Omega is a terrific place. I highly recommend it. I’ve been there twice now. It’s only a 90 miles drive for me so I can do a weekend too. If you get a chance – go.
Frankly, I was kind of skeptical about orbs for a long time thinking that it was just light refracted by dust, etc., but after seeing all the pictures that everyone took at the seminar – I knew there had to be more to it than that. How could 50 people all take the same photos with orbs and it be dust? Impossible.
I’ve definitely become a believer now.
Thanks so much for visiting and commenting Jean.