Gratitude: November 4th

Found this as I was going through the shots from my special needs school shoot yesterday. The owner of these chucks was one of the toughest kids to photograph this year. She is beautiful ...but she likes to be on the move...and while I don't think she is really sad...her face and her voice seemed pretty sad when it came time for photos. The first time in particular she seemed tortured to be there…and she was having none of it. We agreed to give her a break and try again. The second time, she seemed mildly less upset to be there, but hardly thrilled...we tried walking her around and trying to grab a shot as she crossed in front of the backdrop, but it didn't work out. So off they went again. The third time, the staff member with her brought many of her favorite things, and her favorite chair and she was the only one in the room...better yet, I had no one after her so we just let her "be" we didn't try to make her smile, we just hung out. She was amazing. Don’t get me wrong, she was still a mover and not at all interested in me or my stupid camera, but she was calm...and happy...and that made me calm and happy. I captured images of her beautiful face that are quite possibly some of my favorite photos I've ever taken. (I'm not going to share them here without permission from her parents). But while we were hanging out I couldn't help but grab a shot of those purple Chucks and her cute flower jeans. Today I am grateful those split second moments of connection and the power of photography to harness them.

Comments

[dave]

You have my permission to post the pics....thanks for such kind words. Her nickname is Godjilla.

Dave

[Jen]

We're thankful for you and your amazing patience to capture beautiful moments of our little girl when she's happy :) I still have last year's shots up on my desk facing me - I love them. Thank you!