A Portrait With Alice

Most kids are total naturals when it comes to modeling—and they sure know a good location when they see one, too. As we moved around Jacksonville’s Friendship Fountain, right downtown on the river, little Alice took in the whole scene. In between hugs with her mom and races around the park, she would stop and gaze out at the waterfront skyline. Checking her lighting, perhaps? With an occasional glance towards me, she moved around the camera as if the hard work of a portrait session were as easy as a day in the park.

Childhood portraits don’t get any more authentic than this. Thirty seconds later, it’s on to the next emotion. It’s so much fun just keeping up.

Merry Christmas 2013

Have a safe and happy holiday season with your family! Take lots of photos, and I'll see you in 2014! 

Behind The Scenes Christmas Session

As Christmas nears, I wanted to share this little video. I’ve known Dave and Leonie since I moved to Jacksonville. They are great friends, and it’s been a privilege photographing their family over the years. I could go on about the fun we’ve had making great pictures together, but the images speak for themselves—a wonderful family ready for Christmas! Enjoy the video.

The Photographer Must be Photographed

Are you the designated family photographer in your house? It’s a title that comes with great responsibility—even though it may also come with the occasional eye-roll from your kids. You are the family archivist! You’re responsible for making great images, selecting the annual Christmas card photo, and putting some captivating family portraits on your walls or mantle. It’s no small task.

But through all this selfless service, there’s one more detail you might forget: you!

You must get in front of the camera from time to time! This is just as important in those little everyday moments as it is for those bigger family events. Years from now, you’ll want it documented that you were actually on that fabulous family vacation, or even at your child’s cozy little birthday party.

It’s so easy to grab your camera or iPhone and just assume your role. But next time, make the effort to hand the camera to someone else. Your spouse, your parents, or even your kids (some training required). First, you’ll get to see the scene from someone else’s perspective (a child’s point of view often makes for great and unexpected photographs).  But more importantly, you’ll have images in the collection of you at the event, whatever it might be. For extra credit, make a print at Costco or Target. Decades from now, your children and grandchildren will be so glad you did.

My daughter, just 4 years old at the time, captured this image right in our driveway. It’s not going to win any awards for technique—the lighting isn’t perfect, the focus is a bit soft. But life takes many unexpected turns. And you never know when a technically mediocre photograph will become the one you love the most.

Childhood Wonder

The gaze of a child, captured in a photograph, is fascinating. So much goes on inside these little growing minds, and we struggle to understand just a fraction of it.

One thing we know: in a few short weeks, this expression of wonder and curiosity will turn to pure joy when she discovers gifts around the tree in the company of a loving family.