All that aside, it’s the families that really get me—that beautiful
and dynamic bond that they share. Each of them is so different—none of them
have ever been the same—and each of them brings me a different kind of child
and a different kind of feeling. I have never thought out a shoot ahead of time.
I simply meet you, get to know you, and go with my gut. Some of it works and
some of it doesn’t, such is life. I recently had one of my favorite family
sessions. I say favorite because they were a challenge but the end result made
me smile through the entire editing process. This sweet couple, their two
daughters, and their young dog met me on a Saturday evening for some fun on the
beach. I had met the mom a few times and she had raved about my work so when
she finally booked a session, I was nervous. I felt like she had studied my
photos for so long and had seen so many of her friends that I had done that I
had no idea how I would ever live up to her expectations. The first five
minutes were amazing—the dog sat, the children smiled, the dog even looked
right at me as I howled at him. The next thing I know, we’re changing directions
and the whole thing turned into this crazy chaotic fiasco. The dog wouldn’t
stay, the kids were getting stepped on and crabby and I wondered how on Earth I
was going to turn this ship around. So I did the only thing I know to do with
kids and families who are getting anxious that their session isn’t playing out
the way it had in their heads—we changed directions. We walked through the sand
and I worked with the parents while the girls played in the sand. As I would
ask their children to do some things, I noticed they were visibly coming back
to me. I saw it in their expressions, their interactions, and their general
moods.
As I began to finish their session, their attention spans
were fading but I hadn’t gotten that shot yet—you know—the one that you know is
in them but you just haven’t gotten there quite yet. I asked each parent to
take a child and love on them, gave some pointers and direction, and got
exactly what I was hoping for—that photo that you’re going to blow up and put
on every wall in your home. This photo still makes my heart so happy.
On top of that, we
still weren’t finished with their session. I still had one last idea. The sun
was just over the trees and I remember looking at them and asking how
adventurous they were. Quickly, both parents responded that their family was
brave and loved adventures. I asked them what I’d never asked a family to do before—please,
run in the lake. I also feel like it is
important to mention how brave I was since I cannot swim and getting in any
large body of water with a piece of equipment that is like another appendage
scares me to death. When the girls heard about it, one began to cry, the other
was not on board at all and after much coaxing, they were holding hands,
promising their parents they would at least give it a try. I counted to three
and they began to ran and before I knew it, these two little girls who we were
trying to bribe and convince that they would really be okay were asking to do
it again. I didn’t get what I wanted the first time so we tried again…the girls
excitement and joy came out in these loud shrill cries that made my whole face
light up. The end result is below:
These are the moments that give me clarity and remind myself
why I do what I do. This piece of time will never again happen for them and
they will never be able to replicate this moment or the way the sun came
through the trees or that their girls jumped into Lake Michigan in their
beautiful dresses. I look at that photo and it is like a slice of Heaven. This
family, imperfections and all, is made up of this unconditional love that you
don’t find just anywhere. It is created with mistakes and honesty…good
intentions and failed attempts. This bond is woven together with hugs and
kisses and dreams that you only get when you can be your true self with the
people you love and I can’t think of a single thing that could be better than
that.
