This is the post you all have been waiting for….well some of you. I have been waiting this week for inspiration to find me, and today finally brought the magic. This week’s blog is going to focus on me for a change. For those of you that have met me, you know that I love nothing more than helping others feel as comfortable as possible in front of the camera, but I really don't like talking about myself. To get a better understanding, let’s go all the way back to the beginning to my interest in photography.
I was about five or six years old (I think, lol). My uncle was attending OIP&T, a local photography and technology school. Through his studies he had many assignments featuring different elements of photography. He contacted my mom and asked if I would be available to “model” for him for his project. My mother agreed and I WAS OVER THE MOON!!!! I had in my head that I was going to wear some amazing dress and walk the runway like I thought all “models” did. Much to my dismay, when we showed up to “the appointment” at my grandma’s house I was very confused. My mom primped me (where was my hair and makeup team?!?!) and she dressed me in my Easter dress from that year (No, mom, it’s already been worn, I can’t be seen wearing this again. All the people in Hollywood only wear a dress once!!!) Apparently, I was quite the Diva, at least in my head, lol. My uncle had this vision of me standing in front of a large window and looking out into the yard with rain drips running down the window. I was to look sad as if I was upset that I couldn’t go outside and play. Just as he got me into the perfect position, the rain stopped and the sun came out. I was so MAD!!!!! Wait, you mean I am going to have to go through this all again when the rain comes back???????? This is when the creative process started. He proclaimed he had an idea, he was going to get this shot! He called on a friend across the street to come and hold the garden hose on the window to create the droplets he needed for “the look”.
That was it, in that moment, I was hooked. I couldn’t wrap my mind around the fact that photos are often a story that the artist is trying to tell, and that may not always be reality. Weeks passed and when he finally gave a printed copy of the image (it was on film!!!) to my mom, she was delighted! It showcased a sad little girl in a sunshine yellow dress, with perfectly primped hair, standing in a window. She had a halo of soft sunlight highlighting her honey colored hair, a longing look in her eye, and tack sharp droplets of rain cascading down the window. It was the perfect depiction of emotion that he was trying to relay to the viewer. Thirty(ish) years later this photo still hangs in my mother’s living room, and I believe it is the only copy of this photo. My mother looks at it everyday and remembers how little I was, how creative I am, and all the joyful memories of the day it was taken. I feel that way when I see it too. I feel that way when I look at images of my kiddos. I remember the fun, sadness, crazy, joy, and silliness of the moment when that photo was taken.
All of this backstory illustrates one main point, why I do what I do. I know what it feels like to be on both sides of the camera, to be a child that is impatient, to be the mom that just wants one great shot of her family. I know, because I have been there. That is why I have a heart for what I do. I love my clients and feel as if they are all friends. I am so honored to be a part of their lives and honestly am touched every time they call me. I NEVER take for granted how hard it is to be in front of the camera. If it is baby photos, and you are trusting me to handle your newborn like mine. Wedding day, and you are trusting me to not miss one single moment of the biggest day of your life. Senior photos when kids are not “into” it, and we wind up giggling and being silly just to get that genuine smile. Family photos and your husband is grumbling the entire time (he is probably just hungry, I’ll bring snacks). Or any and every moment in between. There is no bigger compliment than when a friend invites me to capture part of their life. I commit to taking every one of those compliments and using that to fuel my delivery of the most beautiful images possible. They are your moments, captured with my heart, wrapped in joy, before they pass by.
