Mini Portrait Session Higgins Beach -3
Last but not least is Heather's family session of the "Norsworthy" Presque Isle sister's family mini sessions at Higgins Beach.
I just want to pause for a moment before I share the story to have you look over the photos.
I think this shoot came out great. It started off rather rocky as Heather's oldest son Joshua, was very upset over not getting to light a sparkler from the previous shoot. ( I had asked him to go to the house and get the sparklers because a) he wanted to help and b) I needed him to not be in all the shot with Bre's family all the time and I didn't want to hurt his feelings. But somewhere on his return from the house with the sparklers and lighter he got told he could not light a sparkler and he TANKED! Poor Joshua.
Days with cousins at the beach, lots of things going on can ware anyone done. Well, Joshua got pretty upset, teared up and felt overwhelmed for a few. And now on the scene, last to have her shoot and eager to get that one epic shot like we did years before, is Mom, Heather. She was a little stressed all day over the shoot. She had worried about clothes and people being dirty and happy.
Heather was about to loose her mind because Josh never gets upset and now at her very moment to be photographed... Josh is out of commission. To top it off, all Heather had in her mind was having a duplicate family photo like we did 4 years prior at the beach. Emotions were high and gathering all together seemed like it might not happen.
Do we throw in the towel or just try? Do you know that moment?
But here is the tricky part...trying means letting go of the outcome because intense emotions met with intense emotions usually means more tears! John, her husband and I kept telling her let's give it time and give him space, he will come around. Most kids usually do. And sure enough he did. In the meantime I got what I wanted anyway which is beautiful candid moments of everyone. The time spent waiting for Josh wasn't wasted at all. There was great moments between Heather and her daughter, Heather and John, while he tried to hug her and make her feel better. It wasn't all group photos all the time, but it can't be nor should it be. What we got was even better than had Josh not needed his time alone, because when he did come back around, the emotions captured between him and his mom say so much. he like many boys really want to please their moms. I also really appreciate the photo of Heather with Jayden and her son Isiaah in the front showing off his manly belly and being a crazy 4 year old (aka himself) and then Josh still pouting but coming around. That photo years from now will spark a story and his parents can share with him what he got so upset over should he forget.
The moral of this story is be patient and show love towards everyone and the situation.
John putting his arms around his daughter and his wife are great moments, because while one kid is off having time alone, he showed love to the others and they felt loved even though there were tense moments. Be content, be patient and have faith that everything comes out in the end.
Mini session info for August coming soon on FB and in via email.
3 Comments
Jul 25, 2017, 3:41:43 PM
Heather - What a crazy shoot. I should have known better than to stress out and have an expectation that every child would pose exactly right with perfect expressions...truth be known I actually prefer candids and impulsive style photos that capture true emotion. For some reason I still had the expectation that we would all be in at least one photo so when my kids started to drop off the grid just as our "turn" came I was stressed. After looking at the shots I would do it all again. Sharyn doesn't stop shooting so the inbetween moments that are the best ones she doesn't miss. There is one portrait of my 8 yr old shy son and I would do it all again for that one shot. He was explaining something to her and in the only moment that he made eye contact she snapped it. Lesson learned by this momma who knows better than to try to fit her crazy family into a box. We are best unbridled...next time I think I will allow each child to pick out their own funky outfit and accessories. We will all be happy and "real". That is what is most important when you look back on these wonderful times. Sweet freckles and ocean soaked shorts. Maybe even a tantrum picture to enlarge and laugh at later down the road.
Thanks so much Sharyn for somehow pulling out some beautiful shots of a SUPER difficult crew.
Warmly,
Heather
Jul 24, 2017, 4:00:08 PM
Sharyn Peavey - Hi Jo! Thank you for response! Sometimes knowing the story so well it's hard to tell what others can see or not. I also think tears and frustration are more common at photoshoots than anyone wants to admit , but really it's ok. :)
Sharyn
Jul 24, 2017, 1:59:29 PM
Jo Peavey - No one would suspect there was any drama going on during these picture. You have such an eye for capturing emotions! And then to write about the back story with such compassion shows why you are such a talented photographer!