Syrie has exceeded any optimistic wear estimate for her leotard with countless hours of imaginative play. Her toes finally emerged – perhaps in an attempt to escape for a much needed rest. The leotard should be considered “de rigueur” for any little girl with even the slightest wisp of imagination.
And now ladies and gentlemen, the show will continue…….
I held these two babies the moment each were born. Then I blinked. And now I see these two growing into the people they were meant to be. I rub my eyes in disbelief and ask “Why does this seem to go so fast?”
I don’t dare rub my eyes for long. Things happen too quickly, and I dare not miss a thing along the way!
Our perennial garden is again past it’s summer glory, only after giving us another spectacular show of colors, textures and that constant amazement that such beautiful things grow from the dirt. Not to let the last bundle of Black Eyed Susans disappear without a last show, Syrie and I decided this was a fitting tribute to all the flowers that color this earth with such effortless splendor.
Our modest garden has been planted and despite a recent close call with a plant-eating frost, things are popping up nicely. There is great anticipation for this organic produce to be picked (and eaten) fresh from our very own yard. Sometimes I forget how little of our food is actually fresh. (Don’t get me started on all of this…) I happened to notice Finn was sitting in the garden pretending to be some sort of interesting creature o’ the day.
“Hey Finn – hang on! I want to get my camera!!” Two minutes later – mission accomplished.
The best things come from our own garden. Especially those with blue eyes and a sweet smile.
I find myself [frequently] feeling that when I look into the eyes of my children, I am looking into myself. I am really not referencing what is obvious; genetics and their associated physical similarities. Rather, the quiet and intense sense that we are connected to each other in unexplainable ways. These are moments that serve to justify and validate the human experience. It is real and it transcends us in ways only our hearts understand and that a camera could only hope to capture.
As a portrait photographer I am always seeking to capture what I call “In Between” time during photo shoots. Kids and adults spend energy “doing something” with their facial expression, especially when facing a camera. I presume we could call it acting, entertaining, self-consciousness to name a few. These expressions and emotions are indeed part of what makes each of us unique. However, there are brief moments when we are transitioning from one expression/emotion to another or we are momentarily distracted. It is these “in between” moments that can provide some of the most honest and authentic images. Take for example this portrait of Syrie. I have many images before and after this particular one. They are filled with all sorts of 3 year old craziness. But for a brief second the show stopped – and I had my finger on the shutter.
Some of your best images will emanate from “in between” moments. Provide space for it to happen and be ready.
This image was created with two bare speed lights, one white reflector and a 4×8 sheet of white latex board to act as a nearly 360 degree circular light reflector with the white reflector placed over the top. This essentially created a completely white “cylinder” for the strobe lights to reflect internally.
[Think of it as photographing your subject inside a white soup can.]
This ultimately produced a nearly shadowless effect. Of course Syrie was excited about entering this cool lighting contraption!
As usual, I got my 4 minutes of cooperation and this was the result. Nice big/even light from the most unlikely source.
Finally, a 2009 holiday picture!
Wishing you all happy holidays and a wonderful new year!
For the full month of November someone was sick in this family. To put it a different way, no one wanted their picture taken and no one wanted to take any pictures. Thankfully, we are past that and are very much looking forward to Christmas and all that surrounds it – such as decorating. Why not combine decorating with a quick holiday portrait? The kids sure seemed to think it was a good idea. (Syrie warmed up to the idea after a minute.)
Happy holidays to all. Big and little – with or without lights.
The long awaited appearance of the Praying Mantis and lion has brought Halloween 2009 to a successful close. All FIVE days were filled with anticipation, non-stop chatter, candy and the opportunity to run through the neighborhood – in the dark – way ahead of your papa (Finn – STOP!!), completely unaware that fingers went numb 20 minutes earlier only to push a bag into otherwise perfect stranger’s doorways to receive the most desired things imaginable to a 3 and 4 year old. Once back home, attention quickly turned to stuffing the bags of all the little creatures that were descending upon our front door.
After our treat supply was depleted we closed the door and turned out the lights. Then both kids began to survey the entire contents of their evening’s efforts. Then the Praying Mantis and lion began the attack. The candy didn’t stand a chance.
Halloween 2009 was another reminder for me how much things change in just one year. Last year I carried Syrie to a few homes and purposefully avoided all the scary stuff.
This year she was on her own… and I watched. Quietly, I was pining for the earlier days when she needed my help, when I could see the expression of her face in my arms as we experienced the evening’s delights, and when she would pull me a bit closer if things got a bit too unfamiliar or scary. She is growing up fast, and I know it. Now, she takes on the world with confidence and independence.
Finn and Syrie, you are my favorite little creatures on Halloween and every day in between.
This is a recent portrait of Finn taken with an Alien Bees (ABR800) ring flash. Note the circular catch light in each eye. While I am still trying to make friends with this lighting device it proves to be extremely proficient at drawing out the detail of the eyes – simply revealing what is there. As a photographer, the eyes are the point I instinctively seek in a photograph. Eyes are unique, expressive and captivating. Capturing the eyes properly can make for a very compelling portrait and give a viewer a sense of connection with the subject.
I had this great idea to set up this cool (nearly) 360 degree lighting contraption with a pair of goggles thrown in for good measure. To my delight, this combination resulted in something slightly out of this world. It appears that my daughter is preparing to be “beamed up” to an awaiting spaceship.
Wait, scratch that last comment. Judging from the look on Syrie’s face she may actually be thinking “I cannot believe the ideas my papa comes up with sometimes, but we are really good friends anyway.”
Frankly, she’s right and I feel the EXACT same way.
