Knowing I get that way, I took my daughter, son, and her boyfriend to Galveston for a relaxing day trip waaaay back in October when there was no graduation pressure. We went to her favorite places by the water, she was genuinely laughing and smiling all day and it was okay with everyone if I paused to use my land camera. No pressure.
We wanted to see what we'd get on a natural weekend trip, not a photo shoot with a pro. Intentional portraiture is just not my thing. I want to capture people, moments, memories. I like a running conversation in my photos, not staged, Pinterest inspired shots so much. I like it when they don't notice and I don't always care about composition. So I had to get over that. Then there's my love affair with blur and darkness or blinding light. I also had to get over that. I wanted her to have a recorded memory of a real time with family and friends, one that was like so many other times in her youth. I think we accomplished that.
For the sentimental take on this event see this post from a few months ago where I shared some of my favorite shots before final edits. At this point I'm racing to address invitations, planning prom, thank you notes, end of the year concerts, and generally running around with my hair on fire. Sentimentality will have to wait.
some more on my flickr
Michelle, you did a beautiful job! I'm the same as you, I get all panicky in situations where portraits are expected. I like to let things flow naturally. Staging portraits is not my thing, but I think maybe one day it could be if I could just relax. Anyway, congrats to your beautiful daughter and blessings for the next chapter of her life. You really did an incredible job on the photos. :)
ReplyDeleteWow, you did great!! Your daughter is a beautiful young woman, she has a gorgeous smile.
ReplyDeleteWhen I have kids some day, I'm gonna try my hardest to take nice pictures of them all the time; and not the crappy, digital, red-eyed snapshots people take of their kids nowadays. And I really, really hope that when I'll be a mother, they will still develop film. :)
I think they turned out beautifully! These are truly timeless portraits.
ReplyDeleteOh, thank you Gail! You know, I did last minute pictures for one of her friends and it was so much faster and easier to get what I wanted just because I'd done it once before.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Severien! I'm sure you will take great family photos. I can see your eye for unique little details in your blog photos. I agree about film photos- they're just so special. It's funny how we have all of these digital options these days, but many of us still yearn for film.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Jennifer! I am so glad I could take them for her. It's my little graduation gift.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Evelyn. You completely know how busy this time is! I hope you find many moments of peace and special time with your son in the midst of all the graduation chaos.
ReplyDeleteThey all came out great, and your daughter is a beauty. :)
ReplyDeleteYour daughter is so lovely! Good luck to her (and you!) on end of the year fun and craziness, graduation, and her next chapter.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Diane. I always say she's beautiful inside and out, but I really believe it.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Katie! We are so gonna need summer vacation.
ReplyDeleteThese are BEAUTIFUL photos!
ReplyDeleteThank you so much, Vanessa.
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