Honesty is the best policy!

It was hot!  And I don't mean kind of hot, I mean HOT HOT!  I am a very cold natured person so for me to complain about the heat means it was REALLY hot!  But this session was one of those "Must Do's."  Like many of my other sessions this spring, it had to rescheduled for rain on several occasions.  Camille had turned one a couple of months ago so as soon as we had a nice day that we could both meet on, we were going ahead with the session...no matter WHAT the temperature!  As a secondary urgency, Camille's mom wanted to get a portrait of their dog Sidney to give to her husband for his birthday.  So while it was hot for us, I can only imagine what it felt like to a black lab in a fur coat (literally!).  But Camille and Sidney both did fabulous despite the heat!  I'll be honest with you, as everyone knows I LOVE children's photography- I've read a lot about pet photography but can't say that it has ever really interested me as much as what I already do.  However, after this session I must admit I have been changed.  See what I love most about children's photography is the honesty in it...kids don't really care about the portrait itself and don't have a preconceived idea of what a portrait should look like...and who would have guessed but animals are the same way!  When you get the lighting right and the angle perfect, the animal does the rest to make an awesome portrait.  And like children, an animal's eyes tell such a story!  Sidney is an old dog...a very relaxed dog from what I saw.  I love his eyes in this first portrait...they say, "I'm old and tired and hot but I will do this for my owner because of love...So, here you go lady, take the portrait so I can get back in the air-conditioned car!"  Ha!  And indeed we did!  And these portraits of Camille- I love those little legs!  She was one and on the go for sure, but catching her peeking over that fence with just her bloomers on...oh, you gotta love that!  Lastly, her smile...her smile with the light warmly on her face.  Like Sidney, pure honesty!  Pure joy, despite the heat!  Yes, that is what I love about photography...when you can capture the honesty! Honesty IS the best policy both in life AND photography! And indeed we got honesty today!