Bay Area Family Life Photography Blog

Photographing small children is a bit like interval training. I’m either dashing around trying to keep up with quick little legs, or I’m sitting on the ground waiting for the next thing to happen.  The younger the kids, the more I seem to wait.

Little ones have their own agenda, and they really don’t care what we have in mind.  When it’s time to eat, it’s time to eat.  And the world will have to stop until this new project is complete.   It’s not like they’re suddenly going to say , “hey, I forgot you were trying to photograph me being awesome… let me finish this one last Cheerio so we can get back to business!”   Nope.  That never happens.  And I’m grateful.

Their slowing down forces me to slow down.  To pause.  To look around while I wait.  I take these lulls in my sessions to find that one photo…. the magical, layered photo that reveals a little more the longer you look at it.  

Here is this Palo Alto Family’s One Photo:

The feet are where the crux of the magic lies.  Both children have their signature pose.  On the left, she has one foot up and one down.  On mom’s right, he has his feet crossed.  Two positions they seem to hold at all times throughout the day… no matter what they’re doing.

Now, layer on Dad working in the adjacent room – even though he’s not physically in the picture, he’s involved because this is what he sees when he walks out of his office.   His wife, mother of his two wonderous children, is sitting in-between them, turning side to side as she alternates between helping each of them with their snacks.  If we look at the floor we see the remaining evidence of their hunger.  Which was soon lapped up by their two very loving, and mildly skittish, rescue dogs… yet another layer in the deeper story this picture tells.

This more than just a photo of cute, dangling feet.  This is history.  Their history.   So much is said in one photo.  So much to recall and remember.  I’m happy to sit and wait for children to finish eating, if I am granted access to moments like this.  My heart is happy.  :)

P.S. My Beginning Photography for Moms class for the San Francisco Bay Area was fantastic!  I’ll be doing another one Saturday, June 15th.  Email me if you have questions or register HERE. (Only 8 spots!)

A few weeks ago, I posted a lovely Danville Saturday Morning photo session that somehow morphed into a Family Life session.  This happened because, when talking with this mama, it became quite clear that her sentimental heart was barely being contained in her petite frame.  She told me beautiful, moving stories of her daughter, husband and distant relatives.  With each story I asked myself, “does she know what her love looks like?”  It’s radiating off of her, and her eyes brightly shine when she speaks of her family.  I wondered,  ”does she see what I see?”

And that is the very core of my photography and how I view my families.  I’m constantly searching for the moments that move their hearts, and I ask myself – what makes them love the way they do?  I want, nay, need to show them what their feelings look like.

Our love for our families is dynamic.  And since we can’t step outside of ourselves to see this, I’ve made it my mission to show you what your love looks like… statically.  

Curling up on a couch reading a story about a Greek lamb has a completely differently meaning when the couch you’re sitting on was the very same couch you crawled upon as a child.  Walking around her home and hearing the stories about her furniture’s history was a special treat for me.  I believe family heirlooms should be enjoyed and not tucked away upon a shelf left to gather dust.  And this mom has taken that same philosophy to a whole new level.  She inspires me.

They sit in front of this giant mirror and practice yoga together.  Today, her daughter wasn’t in the mood for it.  She was struggling with putting on her socks and was insistent on doing it by herself.  But ultimately, her struggle ended with tears.  And like magic, Mom was quickly able to restore the balance and quell the bubbling storm that is a toddler who just lost the battle with a sock.

The rustic rope swing is tied high up in one of the many towering, old oak trees that cover their property.  A lot of time is spent outdoors, and the swing provides entertainment for daughter and dad – mom was a little less enthusiastic about going for a ride on it.  (Understandably so… I would leave that to the kids and dads, too!)   But she watches with excitement and beams with the love of a mother.   When I got home and saw that there was a rainbow in this picture, I sighed.  It so fitting since this little girl is their angel.  She’s the light of their lives and seeing her floating over a rainbow couldn’t be more fitting.

 Whether they’re being pensive or playful, children are honest.  And sometimes we have to just ride the emotion waves and let them feel what they’re feeling.  I think that’s one of the most beautiful things about children… they know no other way than to express themselves authentically.

 And then there is the bathtub… She  reminds me of a little princess that doesn’t know she’s a princess.  And it makes my heart smile.

I’ll leave you with this one last image.  I’ve said it before, and it’s worth saying again, mom and dad are where family started. Honor it.

Thank you my sweet Danville family for an awe inspiring morning.  I left happier and lighter.  And these pictures take me right back to that place every time I look at them.  xoxoxo!

P.S. This little girl is the inspiration behind my next article about embracing the emotion.  Be sure to check back or join me over on Facebook.  :)