... AND a dance party? What a day! If it didn't have something to do with a stick (or a green bean, "mato" or wild blackberry for that matter) my handsome little buddy here didn't want much to do with IT. Unless we wanted huge, crocodile tears these photos would be laden with sticks and random vegetation. But you know what? That actually suited me just fine. Reason being? It is really my goal to capture you and your family exactly as you are. I don't mean the second you roll out of bed in the morning or anything - but I want your photos to be a reflection of YOU - not who I think you should be. Hopefully a flattering version of yourselves, but definitely real. If that makes me NOT the photographer for some people who may want perfect looking people standing in a row all smiling at the camera in every shot, I'm ok with that. Frankly, it's just not what I do. And to be completely honest, any of the photographer's that I admire most? It's just not what they do either. The genuine interactions are what I crave. The grubby little berry fingers. The dance party that you have to your families favourite iPhone tune, and the subsequent giggles (yes, they did that.) Or perhaps it's the smiles that emerge as the crazy photographer lady decides to do the running man (running woman!) on a whim, to spice things up. (Yes, I did that.) It's that soulful gaze that I only manage to capture once I've earned a child's attention and trust. Those sweet little fingers grabbing mama's face as he goes in for the smooch. The proud and tender embrace of grandma and grandpa. The deep belly laughs from getting tickled by dad. The best photos of ourselves -- whether professional or otherwise -- should, in my opinion, contribute at least a little something to the story of who we are at the time.
The reality is, one day it will be the story of who we were. Picture yourself sitting in your rocker, when you are 90 years old. What is likely going to make you smile more than anything else as you reflect upon your life? I would venture to guess it will be the moments and memories that you have collected - not the stuff. As George Carlin put it: "Trying to be happy by accumulating possessions is like trying to satisfy hunger by taping sandwiches all over your body." We really need to take stock from time to time of what we are striving to accumulate. Should it not be moments, memories and meaningful relationships, accomplishments, and experiences? Not to discount the value of the memories that live on solely in our minds, but the ones that you can hold a piece of in your hands -- the tangible reminders -- they are the only ones we can guarantee won't slip through the cracks. Memories fade. It's just the unfortunate truth. I can assure you that the possessions you will one day treasure the most, will be the simplest things. Photos, videos, letters, cards, mementos - something that lends a glimpse into your world, mind, heart, and soul... LIFE and the worlds, minds, hearts, souls and LIVES of those you hold dear. In fact, they are probably some of your most treasured possessions already, if you think about it. I can say without question that they are for me, and it's a major reason why I do what I do.
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