This session was such a joy for me. One of the things I enjoy most about what I do is the chance to photograph kids in their own environment, where they feel happy and relaxed. This can be anywhere. This session led me to a park that they visit often as a family. I not only found a new favorite location to shoot, but I got to shoot there with what has to be the three most adorably beautiful little sisters on the planet! All of whom adored each other and were so great to work with!
I recently had a session with another set of twins. I still find that amazing… two sets of twins in my first year of official business? That seems more like a blessing! They were both so completely different and both just simply adorable. They were such a very relaxed family. I absolutely love that! The boys melted my heart at the end of our session as I left them at the playground, *thanking* me for taking their pictures and telling me they should buy me a present for doing so!! How cute is that?? From a set of 4 year olds!!
A quick share from the session.
Gosh, July was a whirlwind for me! I had a couple sessions a week and amidst all the editing and ordering and everyday life, I let a few blog peeks slide by. So here I am, playing catch up.
This session was for a friend of mine who I guess I’ve known for close to 5 years. We still keep in contact via message boards but because she now lives a couple cities over, I don’t see her as often. It was great to see her and the kids and I just marveled at how big they have gotten! Funny what a shock it is when you don’t watch them growing on a daily basis!
Little Regan was a pleasant surprise. She is the same age as my own daughter and I really have a hard time getting her to smile when she sees me with camera in hand. It’s the dreaded PCS…. photographer’s child syndrome. But this little girl had no problems turning it on for the camera. She was a natural!
We were concerned ahead of time however about her big brother. It’s not often you will find a 9 year old boy who is willing to spend his Saturday morning in such a fashion. I was told by my friend prior to the session that she hoped Riley would cooperate better for me than he does for her. This hope was due to a recent interest in modeling. Now, Riley is all boy. He’s quite into motorcross racing and is always looking through various racing magazines. He told her one day that he thought could do that, pose with the bikes and clothes etc, like the boys in the magazines do. I’m not really sure what he thought he was doing out at the park with me this day but at one point he turned around and asked me “How much are you paying my mom to do this?” Priceless!!
My first several sessions as a professional photographer, I’ll admit this (only once, so listen up…) that I was quite nervous. For someone who had spent the previous year with her camera always attached to her person, I was suddenly uneasy about my work. After some discussions with two different photographer friends, I learned that after many years of working in the field, they too were still nervous before each and every shoot.
Fabulous!
I came to terms with this. Occupational hazards right? After all, it’s not like working as an accountant, heading to your office every day, knowing what you are going to get! For a photographer, each and every session contains a new element. A new set of challenges. A new personality. A new mood. But, after several sessions, I seemed to find my groove. I was able to drive to meet my clients without feeling those butterflies. Up until this most recent session, I spent my working hours running after kidlets under the age of 5! A look, or even a sideways glance would have me giddy. Childhood expression can be truly uplifting. Their innocence and purity. And I truly adored capturing those moments!
When I received the call from my most recent session for a 6 and 9 year old, the flutters came rushing back. What will I do? These are small people who will actually listen to me and need me to tell them what to do! Children. Over. Five. Listen! Wha? What would we chat about, I wondered? How would I engage them? Boy was I pleasantly surprised! These kids were just amazing! They were both just gorgeous and we had a great time wandering about the park and chatting it up about preteen things! (Yes, I now know which Jonas Brother is cutest and when the new High School Musical flick will be coming out!)
So besides my obvious intention here, which is to provide mom a sneek peek of her session… I’m making note to myself to re-read this post the next time I feel those flutters. Challenges are good and every session is a learning experience!
Here is my new favorite image. Aren’t they stunning children?
And I’ll hand it to Oreo, he was quite cute too.
