This is Jack & Whit! This session was actually photographed a few weeks ago. I haven't blogged about it yet because quite honestly I hadn't really looked at the portraits yet. See, this was not a super session...and I really get upset when that happens! I feel responsible as the photographer and so I was a bit disappointed after the session. For this reason I hadn't really been anxious to look at the portraits until recently. As a matter of fact, the mom and I had already decided to reschedule the portrait session so I wasn't even sure if I was going to blog about the first session. But after I looked at the portraits I was pleasantly surprised to find quite a few that were precious, and one shot in particular that I absolutely love. Okay, so the story... Jack & Whit's mom had called me to schedule their session a few months ago. I knew both Jack & Whit but I wasn't sure that they knew me so I had them come over prior to the session so we could meet. All went well and I was super excited about the session because these boys' eyes are captivating! The day of the session arrived and the weather was a bit questionable. We decided to go forward because coordinating the mom & dad's schedule was sort of tricky. We got there and Jack (the older boy) was on! What a dream he was... so laid back and cooperative and did I mention how beautiful his eyes were! But precious little Whit, well, let's just say he wasn't haven't a great day. Oftentimes sessions with children Whit's age can start out a little slow just to get them to feel totally at ease. But Whit didn't get easier throughout the session but instead a little harder. He would not let go of his dad, and even then he wasn't particularly amused with the fact that I was following him around. By the end of the session, I felt like we had a ton of great portraits of Jack but not so much of Whit, and none of them together (which was something in particular every mom wants). So, I broke the news to the mom that I really thought we needed to reschedule another session. We both were a bit at a loss...was Whit hungry, was he sleepy, what could it be? As they left I off-handedly mentioned that sessions like this had occurred before and the next day the child woke up sick. In any instance, I really wanted to try again another day. So the mom, dad, & I all left that day confused and bummed. I even called my photographer friend on the way home and told her how disappointed I was because these boys were so darn cute but I just couldn't get anything. She eased my mind reminding me that sometimes that just happens. UGH...I just hate it when that happens. Why couldn't I figure out the magic trick to make him giggle? to make him laugh? to make him just crack a smile?! Eureka, the next morning his mom called to let me know that Whit had woken up sick the next day! Bless his little heart, he didn't FEEL good! And there I was trying to make him be happy and follow him around trying to get just anything I could and he was probably thinking, "Good grief, would this lady just leave me alone! Can't she see I don't feel good?!" I am sorry Whit! So I should have known something was up! The only thing that made me feel just a bit better was both Whit's parents are pediatricians and they didn't see it coming either! But like I said, I was pleasantly surprised with many of the portraits but this last one of Whit and his dad is one of my favorites. Knowing the story behind the portrait however makes it more impactful. As we were going through the session and Whit was becoming more and more unhappy, his dad was who he really wanted to keep him from crying. As we were walking along I half-heartedly joked that Whit's age is one of the most challenging as a parent because they are so on the go but really have no means of effective communication to tell you what they want (or how they feel!). The dad's response reminded me of how precious every stage is. He said that he had been in Iraq in the service during his oldest son's second year of life and so this stage was all new to him. Oh my, I have always had a respect for the men and women who protect our country and knew they made lots of sacrifices to do that. But I guess I had never really thought through the fact that there are moms and dads missing entire stages of their children's lives so they can serve their country. So when I saw this last portrait of Whit & his dad I was reminded of how lucky/fortunate/blessed I am to live in this country. But that circumstance is not without sacrifice from many brave men and women who are also moms and dads...and seeing the dad's wedding ring reminds me that those men and women who fight for my freedom leave behind husbands and wives as well. What emotion that last portrait stirs inside me because the dad is savoring these 'challenging' times and thanking God for every minute of it. Thank you Matt & Nicole, Jack & Whit for the sacrifices you made to defend me and my country!
This is Jack & Whit! This session was actually photographed a few weeks ago. I haven't blogged about it yet because quite honestly I hadn't really looked at the portraits yet. See, this was not a super session...and I really get upset when that happens! I feel responsible as the photographer and so I was a bit disappointed after the session. For this reason I hadn't really been anxious to look at the portraits until recently. As a matter of fact, the mom and I had already decided to reschedule the portrait session so I wasn't even sure if I was going to blog about the first session. But after I looked at the portraits I was pleasantly surprised to find quite a few that were precious, and one shot in particular that I absolutely love. Okay, so the story... Jack & Whit's mom had called me to schedule their session a few months ago. I knew both Jack & Whit but I wasn't sure that they knew me so I had them come over prior to the session so we could meet. All went well and I was super excited about the session because these boys' eyes are captivating! The day of the session arrived and the weather was a bit questionable. We decided to go forward because coordinating the mom & dad's schedule was sort of tricky. We got there and Jack (the older boy) was on! What a dream he was... so laid back and cooperative and did I mention how beautiful his eyes were! But precious little Whit, well, let's just say he wasn't haven't a great day. Oftentimes sessions with children Whit's age can start out a little slow just to get them to feel totally at ease. But Whit didn't get easier throughout the session but instead a little harder. He would not let go of his dad, and even then he wasn't particularly amused with the fact that I was following him around. By the end of the session, I felt like we had a ton of great portraits of Jack but not so much of Whit, and none of them together (which was something in particular every mom wants). So, I broke the news to the mom that I really thought we needed to reschedule another session. We both were a bit at a loss...was Whit hungry, was he sleepy, what could it be? As they left I off-handedly mentioned that sessions like this had occurred before and the next day the child woke up sick. In any instance, I really wanted to try again another day. So the mom, dad, & I all left that day confused and bummed. I even called my photographer friend on the way home and told her how disappointed I was because these boys were so darn cute but I just couldn't get anything. She eased my mind reminding me that sometimes that just happens. UGH...I just hate it when that happens. Why couldn't I figure out the magic trick to make him giggle? to make him laugh? to make him just crack a smile?! Eureka, the next morning his mom called to let me know that Whit had woken up sick the next day! Bless his little heart, he didn't FEEL good! And there I was trying to make him be happy and follow him around trying to get just anything I could and he was probably thinking, "Good grief, would this lady just leave me alone! Can't she see I don't feel good?!" I am sorry Whit! So I should have known something was up! The only thing that made me feel just a bit better was both Whit's parents are pediatricians and they didn't see it coming either! But like I said, I was pleasantly surprised with many of the portraits but this last one of Whit and his dad is one of my favorites. Knowing the story behind the portrait however makes it more impactful. As we were going through the session and Whit was becoming more and more unhappy, his dad was who he really wanted to keep him from crying. As we were walking along I half-heartedly joked that Whit's age is one of the most challenging as a parent because they are so on the go but really have no means of effective communication to tell you what they want (or how they feel!). The dad's response reminded me of how precious every stage is. He said that he had been in Iraq in the service during his oldest son's second year of life and so this stage was all new to him. Oh my, I have always had a respect for the men and women who protect our country and knew they made lots of sacrifices to do that. But I guess I had never really thought through the fact that there are moms and dads missing entire stages of their children's lives so they can serve their country. So when I saw this last portrait of Whit & his dad I was reminded of how lucky/fortunate/blessed I am to live in this country. But that circumstance is not without sacrifice from many brave men and women who are also moms and dads...and seeing the dad's wedding ring reminds me that those men and women who fight for my freedom leave behind husbands and wives as well. What emotion that last portrait stirs inside me because the dad is savoring these 'challenging' times and thanking God for every minute of it. Thank you Matt & Nicole, Jack & Whit for the sacrifices you made to defend me and my country!
