It seems there is a particular age when kids approach the camera with a sense of wonderment. No conditioned response, acting or that thing we refer to as “free will” that sends them running in the opposite direction. Capturing this remarkably uncomplicated moment gives me a very deep sense of satisfaction as a photographer. Children are just so natural, yet we seem to lose that ability as we age and develop well rehearsed reactions over time.
There are photographers who spend their life in pursuit of capturing the inner soul of adults while kids give it away so freely. Children, if you are willing, can serve as inspiration to those of us that have moved well past those early years. Perhaps most of what we need to know or feel appears before us in the face of a child.
Embrace the world. Be curious. Be ourselves – always.
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.
With the approaching Halloween, my daughter has asked me to forewarn anyone who may be scared of little green monsters with bright eyes and sharp teeth to please remain indoors from exactly 6:05PM to 6:47PM. This is the time it takes this hideous creature to make it to the end of our block and back with her share of monster treats.
She would also like to inform all frightened that she will return back to a sweet little girl just in time for some warm milk, books and a soft blanket before bedtime.
You have all been warned. Have a Happy Halloween!!
Syrie and I woke early on Saturday to make sure our bread at the bakery was “just from the oven” fresh – the way we like it. Let it be known that we are bread-a-holics. In my next life I am certain that I WILL be a true coffee drinking/bread eating Frenchman. I have the qualifications.
On this morning I wanted to bring my camera, which can sometimes be met with a comment from my daughter such as “We don’t really need to take any pictures today papa.”
As a parent I try to be a good listener. On many occasions, I acquiesce and leave the camera home. But I had an itchy shutter finger. The camera spent too many days in the bag, on the shelf, all alone in the dark… ok, you get the point. So, I brought it.
I am thankful I did. I got the perfect picture of the morning sunshine.
There are moments when all humans in the house are done getting their picture taken, but I still have all my gear set up and I DON’T want to put it away yet! Ahh yes… the family dog! A photographer’s best friend.
Our dog is a sweet golden doodle named Henry. He is smart, well behaved, gentle and best of all a “willing” model in front of the camera. He’s a pretty sensitive fella, so at first I wasn’t sure the bright flashes wouldn’t send him out the door in a dazed and confused state. To my delight he could have cared less and seemed to be focused instead on whatever treat awaited him for his amateur modeling efforts.
After a few minutes (and some model/pose coaching) I wrapped up the shoot. The bone in this photo and a few others were immediately eaten as a thank you to our family’s best four legged friend.
I invite you to take a close look at this picture. It’s obvious really. You can just SEE it in her eyes and the expression on her face. Syrie is thinking “I don’t mind this cold and wet weather. Me? I’m happy. But my papa is really not happy with the weather!”
She took the words right out of my mouth. Seriously, when can we put the rain coats away?
I hope the answer is not “the day before it snows!”
Some things are difficult to explain or understand – such as the good fortune of having the right person come into your life. This has certainly been the case for me. Doug and I became friends many years ago. In fact, it has been nearly 25 years. At our beginning, I was not the slightest bit aware of the impact this soul would have on my life and who I am as a person today. His friendship made an indelible impression on how I perceive life and what we do with the time we are given.
To understand Doug, you need to let go of conventional expectations about life, work, money, etc. Doug never set a goal to make large sums of money. First impressions did not involve expensive clothes or cars, rather a smile and humble nature that made you feel accepted and comfortable. He never made it a goal to do something that he did not enjoy. His priorities in life were to help others, be a good person and enjoy life. After 25 years of knowing Doug, I really think that is the sum total of his life plan. His simple priorities seem overly simplistic in a complex world, and therein lies the genius. I should mention that Doug is a very bright person, not lacking in the slightest of intellectual capabilities.
At this point you may believe this is another opportunity for me to showcase a few images of a friend. I wish, but it isn’t. Like I said in the beginning, some things are difficult to explain or understand. Doug is terminally ill and has less than two years left.
That makes me feel cold inside.
Because of this, I have struggled with the concept of fairness. The fairness of having Doug as a friend, the fairness of knowing him for nearly 25 years, the fairness of his illness, the fairness of being a better person because of him, the fairness of his limited time, and the fairness of having to say goodbye.
In the end, it seems best to set aside the notion of fairness and approach it with the graceful style and simplicity typical of Doug. He would ask me not to worry and to enjoy what we have now.
Time and friendship.
I admit the the last attempt with Syrie and bubbles didn’t go exactly as hoped. You can’t just give up, right? I am not an easily deterred person, therefore I decided to try something a bit different.
READ: Something Syrie was willing to do. I was no longer in charge of this photography stuff.
Syrie wanted to float on her back in the tub with her face out of the water. OK, works for me. After adding the required bubbles, Syrie assumed her “froggy” position and I quickly hovered over her with the camera. Clicked off about 10 pictures and was please to see the results. The elusive soap frog has been photographed.
Bubble picture of Finn – Done
Bubble picture of Syrie – Done
On to the next adventure….
I had such good luck with the previous bubble shot I decided to apply the same process and technique with my daughter, Syrie. Things were going really well for the first 34.7 seconds. Then she decided to change my production schedule (aka – “when are we gonna be DONE papa?”).
Yea, I know it when I see it… the END. It sometimes happens fast during evening baths so I popped a few pictures to prove that at least I made the attempt. Risking the violation of Rule #1, I decided to discontinue the effort and proceed directly to a dry towel and soft pajamas.
Sometimes you get what you get. In this case, I had a clean and warm little girl in my arms as we read books before bedtime. I’d call that a success by any measure.
Finn and I were able to spend a few minutes “prepping” by making approximately 13,849,395,254 bubbles required for this picture. By the time I brought a 45″ umbrella and strobe into the bathroom things were getting pretty crowded. But hey, this is a sophisticated production and there was no time to waste. Bubbles are impatient by nature and disappear without any proper notice.
After applying and shaping the remaining 13,849,393,100 bubbles carefully (2,154 already popped), I quickly grabbed my camera for a few quick shots.
Finn thought it was really cool that this activity counted as “washing” his hair, so you see, life works out in really neat ways sometimes.
Please note that each bubble was set free after this photo session.
Sometimes you get in front of a subject that has a very compelling and intense camera presence about them. Yes, I admit that this “full on” portrait might make you scramble to lock the doors, but no need… really. Ken is a very harmless, and I might go so far as to say, a really nice person. Truly, one of the good ones among us.
So please, enjoy the portrait. And by all means, feel free to unlock the doors and go outside again.
Ken, you’re going to get me for this aren’t you? I better lock the doors to be safe…..
Having kids mean that Halloween preparations can begin early, last many days and can typically include countless discussions and acting rehearsals. We are beginning all this 30 days in advance so I think we are right on schedule.
Does the lion costume fit? Yes.
Does the lion know how to roar? Yes!
Will she actually wear the costume on Halloween?
Maybe.
I think we are all set!
