So I met this family, by chance, through a friend. My friend who introduced me to this family is an art teacher. The mom I was introduced to is an art teacher. By the way, of my numerous degrees, that did not lead to any doctor or law degree...I too am an art teacher. Capturing art is what I do. But, when I get to shoot for another artist, there is an understood visual language about what we're trying to capture.
I love shooting with this family ~ there is always a beautiful color palette in which mom has put together in their clothing. She styles the shoot with her own career. Colors always pop and it seems as though she knows the photographic art will happen with patience and natural smiles.
This shoot was no different, except we were in and out of rain storms. We wavered on whether to reschedule and wait for that perfect sunny day. But, I reminded them that cloudy days are natures best filter in our light. We went for it.
The chance I was given to shoot while raining ~ lead to some pure magic with smiles and the kiddos. When I'm shooting, I'm not only checking my lighting, background and focus, but I'm always looking at my subjects face, especially dad. I know when to end a shoot based on dads smile or concerned look as to "how long is this really going to take".
I knew with the rain and the chill in the air, I had limited time. But, dad kept smiling through it all. He kept playing naturally with his kiddos and letting nature take over the shoot. (Thanks Brad). I know it's never easy getting the entire family out the door, dressed up, on time, and then into rain ~ and smile for a long time! But, this family ~ this family ~ they do it all. They do it all so naturally and it's so obvious why. They just love each other and love what's important to each other. Pictures, colors, art are so important to mom. And dad let her have her moments, captured.
Look at this little moment of magic captured. The kiddos were playing in the rain. Naturally kids want to splash. But, naturally they don't usually wear fancy shoes. With a little encouragement from big brother, little Estelle made some happy splashed of her own ~ and then the JOY! How simple, puddles! Puddles and toddlers go hand in hand. Typically I'd fret about the rain on a shoot day, but not this day. We got to make art and capture JOY!