March 4, 2011
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Unbreakable Bond
If you have a brother or sister, I am sure that growing up you had your share of fun, drama and at times the thought of putting the pillow over your siblings head to shut them up! It is truly a love/hate relationship as they grow. Best of friends one day and who knows the next. I used to say to my husband, "Is it a full moon out there?" Now that my kids are off in their own nest, I would give anything to hear them in the back yard working on their "fort". The back door opening and closing about a hundred times in an hour while they prepare their home made "fort" for the afternoon. Food would disappear, blankets, sofa cushions and at one time, the dog disappeared. All for the sake of building a "Fort '94" as they called it. This sort of play was fresh and usually was early on in the summer. By mid to late summer, the story was different. The pool was boring, the library was "smelly" and mom was outta money to take them places. So, we were stuck at home and I had to come up with entertaining ways to make the remaining part of their summer vacation.
As I look back to those years, I remember them sitting there, eating breakfast with their eyes so sad as I couldn't come up with a game plan to amuse them on one of many hot days in August. At that very moment, I just felt I was looking right into their soul across that table. For it is that "look" that has made get the word out about photographing children in a more serious look rather than the "cheesy" stuff you may get elsewhere.
Here is a wonderful example of what I mean. Two sisters, Sam & Nicole, both under age 5. It is such a powerful photograph that I always refer back to it. Timeless is a word that comes to mind. I had worked with these girls for about 45 minutes. They were at an age where they were a little annoyed with each other. Then all of a sudden, the older one put her arms around the younger one. With no encouragement what so ever from me! Bam! There is the bond... an unbreakable bond. Hopefully, as they grow into adults, they will continue to overcome the drama and give each other a squeeze when needed.
As a photographer, I feel I captured some of their spirt. But more importantly, I captured their soul. That's what it's all about isn't it?
