No matter what kind of portrait session I find myself at, I am always amazed by the dynamics between family members, couples, or friends.  Honestly, unless I’ve seen the individuals interact previously, I don’t know what I will get, but I am more than ready to work with it!  In a recent family portrait session, I was excited to see the firm bonds between the children and their parents.  As a matter of fact, these elementary-aged children enjoyed being photographed with their parents (and readily did the activities that I proposed).  As I processed through the photographs last night, I reflected on why this was so significant.  Now, I do not have any children of my own, but the more and more I “live” I see the sacrifices that parents make for their children.  I see the price that working adults pay as they get up in the morning to go to jobs that may not be as exciting just to be able to provide a better life for their legacy.  Then occasionally, I run across one of those ungrateful children that feels entitled to the fruits of their parents’ labor.  Or worst yet, I remember my own days in middle school and high school when I had the nerve to think I dressed better than my parents, the same people that purchased the very clothes I wore.  I had the nerve to be embarrassed to be seen in the school hallways or the mall with my parents, even though I expected them to cover the bill of our shopping exploits.  I say all of this to share the beauty of the exchanges between mother and son and father and daughter.  They were truly precious moments, moments that I hope last, moments that I hope can be reflected upon with a smile!  I don’t imagine that too many children read this blog (because I can get a little lengthy), but to the parents, I say, remember that no matter what your children do, they really do still love you!  When they get to those teenage years, remember that it is just a phase, and soon enough, they will be on their own working and will start to value the sacrifices you made for them!

Below are images from a recent family portrait session in Glen Burnie, MD.  By the way, if you see something you like, please do not hesitate to leave a comment below!

For those of you who have been with me since the beginning of this blog, you will remember this beautiful Virginia couple that I photographed during a maternity session back in February (I think that was blog post #2, “She’s Having a Baby”).  Well, six months ago, little Mark Jr. graced the world with his presence, and a few weeks ago, I had the pleasure of capturing him and his parents in a family portrait session.  The highlight of the afternoon for me was the moment that I knew which image was going to be my favorite image from the entire session!  This happened when I was getting a photograph of Dad and baby on the ground, and I was trying to capture their natural interaction.  Well just like in the portrait session in February, Dad knew exactly what to do to get a smile, laugh, and priceless expression from one of the loves of his life!  The end result was as my Granddad would say, “Beautiful!”

Check out images below from this Virginia Family Portrait Session. Side Note:  If you see something you like, PLEASE don’t hesitate to leave a comment!

When photographing people, I often times get to direct the session.  I tell this person to tilt their head to the right, and then tell that person to put her hand on his shoulder.  Well, I am normally the one calling the shots, but when there are children… When there are children, there is no formula.  You may try something and it just doesn’t work.  Or you may encounter a child with their own agenda… Whatever situation you have, you just have to be flexible, and let the kids be kids!  In order to let the children be themselves, I will often incorporate the things they like into the set.  For example, we used a toy guitar with one boy today, and in another session, we used candy.  I often like to let children run and jump and take a couple of pictures with their silliest faces.  I will work with them in exchange for their cooperation with me!

Interestingly enough I have to employ some of these same approaches when I am in the classroom.  I found something that a child identifies with, and then I use that thing to help them grasp a concept or do what I need them to do.  Just this past week, I was observing in a Pre-K class where a little boy was not eating a Lunchable that his mother packed.  I had already observed that he had some fascination with Spiderman because Spiderman was on his backpack, his lunch bag, and his jacket.  So I started speaking with the little boy, and I let him know that in order for Spiderman to be able to jump from building to building, he has to eat his food so that he could get strong.  Thankfully this approach worked for the 3-year old, and I later used the same Spiderman appeal to help him stop crying after he got the “books” sticker when he wanted the “basketball” sticker.

Back to Photography :: Recently, I had the opportunity to photograph a mother and her son in Maryland, and let me tell you, her son was full of all the zeal and energy that little boys have!  My favorite shot from the session was when we used the candy that he was eating in the photos.  I had he and his mother throw the candy up in the air and then try to catch it.  Again, I did not use a formula!  I just let the boy do what boys do! … and that’s play!  See select photographs below.

By the way, if you see something you like, PLEASE leave a comment below!