Back Porch Fundraiser...May 26th

My gosh...have I learned a lot this month! I've learned that children are best photographed in the first 10 minutes they get in front of the camera. I've learned that something doesn't have to be perfect to be beautiful. I've learned that frowns can be cute too. I've learned that white should not be worn when you plan to photograph children in their natural habitat. I've learned that I love what I can do with a camera when crawling around on my belly (hence the last "I've learned"). I've learned that love is more powerful than style, that interaction is more important than clothing. I've learned that children are simply smaller versions of us big people and if you get on their level...you just might start to see the world the way they do.

I was fortunate enough to grow up with a dad who enjoyed photography as a hobby. My sisters and I were constantly bombarded with a camera...but in a way that made sense, that didn't make us hate being in front of it. He captured us best by just being there with camera in hand as we lived our lives. The older I get the more precious these photos become to me, especially since I've realized that not everyone has this luxury of having a talented photographer in the family. In all honesty, it's those photos from my childhood that inspire my family lifestyle shoots. It only seems natural to photograph kids being kids, and families being families. It's definitely not perfect, but there's something so imperfectly beautiful about it. I hope you see in the photos below what I felt when I was taking them. If I manage to forward even a small part of that feeling I will be happy with that accomplishment. Because what is a photo if it does not capture the essence of the subject?...and his mommy...and daddy.