I came across a quote last year and I immediately invsioned a shoot of a family and children painting on an easel in a field, as it were in real time. While this session did not exactly end up with just that one concept, it became more…. It became, an evolution of a family portrait. As I began to research and store notes in my little “inspiration folder thank… you Joy!”. I started to realize that with such an explosion of ideas I had no family in the books to photograph and play that special role. I wanted to get started before the vision got lost in my sea of things to do. Then came M and her family (which you might have already seen them plastered all over my branding… I’m a little not suttle when I REALLY love something ;). As If I couldn’t have asked for a more perfect and delightfully adorable bunch to join the mhp family, she let me have at it with the theme for her session. We combined not only the painting aspect I had originally only dreamt of, but also incorporated one of my favorite Disney movies “UP”. This lifestyle session came at a time where I decided to break out of the monotony of my shooting style and immerse myself into more of what I felt made my heart tick. As a photographer, it’s not often you get to look back on a session and be 100% happy. You are constantly critiquing yourself and your technique and in the very early stages even possibly comparing yourself to other photographers (hopefully no more than that, as it will put a damper on you moving foward). All in all, that’s how we grow in good faith and come the next session we end up just one step closer. It’s hard to deny that sudden burst of happiness when you know you’re taking steps forward without really going back. We did have a few hiccups and I’m not going to lie.. this is far from technically correct. But I left feeling accomplished, fulfilled and with a new friend to boot. My photographer heart became full. While I don’t shoot too many “posed” family portraits and how I know my photography style may not be for everyone, there are those that can appreciate the beauty and the emotion of what I try to convey. There is just something about capturing life in the moment that you just can’t get out of a family grouping where everyone is looking into the camera………
check out these really cute hairbows mom makes, I had her make me a couple for my big girl too ;)
I had to add this out take.. it just makes me giggle a little [sigh] family….
The family is one of nature’s masterpieces.~ George Santayana