So many of my clients say that there are too many great shots from their portrait session that it’s difficult to choose which ones they want to print and frame! That’s such a compliment, and something that warms my heart. To me, a photograph, as in the physical object, is such a treasure, and something that just doesn’t translate on an iPad or iPhone. Although it’s a wonderful thing to be able to “carry around” your family with you, there is nothing like sitting in a room surrounded by the presence of your loved ones.
One of my clients this year loved all the photos so much that she chose to make a collage out of her favorite images, gathering the family together, if you will, in one big wall portrait.
It’s important to me that my people feel comfortable in front of my camera, and that they feel free enough to be themselves. There is such an openness and vulnerability in children that they often let me in to capture their true personalities. Look at the difference in the kids above, for example: their ages, their genders, and their own personalities shine through.
So as the holidays approach, why not gather the family together and consider giving a wonderful memory to your loved ones? More information will be coming shortly about purchasing framed prints!
It is full-on summer now and I’m shooting at least one family session per day. I love it! I also love seeing families come back year after year and seeing the children change – physically and otherwise. Sometimes they kids don’t look at the camera, but I think that’s awesome: you will get a photo of the real child at that particular age. Maybe they’re at that age when “no” is the magic word and there’s no way they are going to look into the lens (even when I tell them that Elmo or Dora or Snoopy are in the camera and can they see them). Maybe they’re at the age where they love the camera and want to be the center of attention in every photo. Maybe they’re into throwing rocks in the water or playing with sand or holding shells. It’s all okay with me, and I hope to be able to convey that to the parents: these are your kids and they are adorable no matter what. It’s not particularly a normal situation to be dressed up, sitting on a beach and looking at the photographer with a very large camera, but the kids acting as they do is normal, right?
So here are some of my favorites of the season so far:
Wow, how did it get to be June 21st so quickly?? I find it so interesting how the winters seem to both crawl and fly by and the same time and when you look up it’s July 4th…and then it’s October.
The summers are crazy here on the Vineyard (or they can be), and some people wish them away, looking toward the slower fall months to be able to enjoy the island and relax, but I sincerely hope that time will slow down a bit and that I can savor the experiences that the coming months will bring: new faces, new clients, beach time, dog walks (taken in shorts, not jackets and pants, though checking for tics of course!), spending quiet nights in the office editing, cookouts, listening to the waves, watching the boats in the harbor…all of it. This is the best time of year to get your family portrait done: when you’re tan and relaxed and chilling out from the stress of the rest of your year…
So here’s to lemonades, and sunsets on porches and peace and long, lovely days.
Happy Summer one and all – look forward to seeing you on the other side of the camera.
Julie and Ross and their adorable children found me a number of years ago, and this past year we did their family portrait for the third time, though I think it was Mia’s second. By this point, we’re good friends, and their girls are becoming more and more beautiful every time I see them.
Part of it is their eyes. All of them: Mom, Dad, Lily, Talia and Mia.
Each of the girls has their own special beauty and distinct personality. I love capturing that aspect of kids…
Julie is a yoga teacher in Montclair, New Jersey, when she’s not deliriously happy being on vacation here on the Vineyard, and she’s asked to use this photo as her professional portrait. Wow, what a compliment for me.
I look forward to next summer, as Julie’s already given me the dates of their stay, and am so happy that they love this photo, as it is one of my all-time favorites:
The prints are on their way, Julie, and I hope that the photos bring you the joy and warmth of your 2009 vacation throughout of the year until your next visit!!!!
I think what makes you a very special photographer is that you make everyone comfortable while you stand behind the lenses. And that’s probably why each shot is filled with happiness.