The Sweet Life

A few weeks ago I was able to experience life on the OTHER side of the lens.

At my sessions I am cognizant of the work that goes on behind the scenes as families prepare for their session. I offer a few tips on coordinating clothes, make suggestions as to snacks and the timing of the naps. I know that parents sometimes fight the urge to stare lasers into their child’s soul until they stop clowning around and ACT NORMAL ALREADY. I see my little families leave their session, shaking their heads, telling each other “She didn’t get anything good. I just know she didn’t get anything.”. Then I see the sniffles and happy tears at viewing sessions, the heart clutching, happy swoony sighs of adoration at seeing your babies, your loves, captured exactly as you wanted.

All of that. ALL. OF. THAT. Was what we went through a few weeks ago. Carefully orchestrated clothing coordination became a mad dash to The Gap at the last minute (because hi, I procrastinate). Perfectly well-behaved darlings became Crazy Heathens of Mischief once they realized they could pretty much get away with anything during the session. We left the park and I called a friend, promptly reporting “He didn’t get anything. I know he didn’t get ANYTHING. They were NUTS!”. Then I sat in Matt Nicolosi’s office yesterday, watched the first slide of our session appear on his screen, and immediately began to cry (let’s not even mention the fact that the first slide simply said “The Weintraubs”).

This session began to formulate late last year, which he describes in his blog, and needless to say, to see my children whole and happy, and the joy and we-ARE-going-to-be-okay-ness that emanates from these images, I am reminded of WHY photography is so important to us as photographers, but also? To the parents. Who want to capture their babies looking just the way we KNOW they are. To be able to point to a photograph and tell your child “See? Do you SEE how beautiful you are?”. I watched my littles beam with pride as I scrolled through Matt’s blog today, and I am so thankful for the gift of photography. To be able to give it, and now to receive it…it is indescribable.

I cannot WAIT to have these hanging in my home, evidence of our happiness and joy, that which has been found at the end of a very long and emotional process. Matt, from one photographer of relationships, moments, new lives and old loves to another, I thank you.

We photographers are a lucky breed. And I know so many that have spent as many years as I have, photographing others and simply snapping our own as we go. But after this, I am a convert. We know the photographer side so well…the lighting, the setting, the tricks and post-processing. If you haven’t had been photographed with your children in a few years, I urge you to find a photographer who’s style you love (and in my case, a style that is very different from my own), and give yourself, your children, your family this gift.

And I dare you not to cry at that first slide