February 5-on-5 Documenting the Dancer

Getting ready for dance class has been a weekly routine of ours for five years.  Last week I realized that she has taken over almost all of her dance preparations herself.

I used to help her struggle into her tights (dislike is not a strong enough word for how she feels about those things.)  I would hold her leotard as she stepped into it. I would gather all her dance gear, a snack, and a bottle of water.  We would end our routine with me brushing her hair and pulling it back into a ponytail or bun.

This year things have changed.  She does everything by herself except her hair.  However, of late, she has even taken that job on.

I watched last week and realized rather abruptly of the changes that have so subtly taken place.  Her independence is shining through.  I adore her for it.  And although a part of me misses the days when she needed me a bit more, I wouldn't trade this time for anything.

5-on-5 with a 6th photo as an added bonus, because it was a big part of the story.

 For more amazing documentary photography about life, love, memories, and family head on over to Melissa Kayser: A St. Charles, MO Documentary Family Photographer.

Details

Detail:

1. extended treatment of or attention to particular items
2. a part of a whole: such as the small elements that collectively constitute a work of art 
3. in photography:  the small elements of an image corresponding to those of the subject  

To see the other artists rendition of the word detail visit our website;

Smith Family- Hillsdale Michigan Family Photographer

Rejoice with your family in the beautiful land of life! ~Albert Einstein

I have fantastic news for you!  Family photographs do not have to be stressful.

If you have small children you know how important this tidbit of information is.  All too often family photographs can quickly become a bribe and threaten theatrical production.

When I take photos of families I am very clear that:

• it is okay if not everyone is looking at the camera for every single photo.
• it is acceptable if your boys have the wiggles.
• it is fantastic if your baby wants to nurse.
• it is reality if your teenage son is not thrilled to have his picture taken (I have three boys. I can work a bit of magic).
• it is authentic if your toddler needs to run, or taste the dirt, or just lay on the ground in an act of pure rebellion.

I want my clients to understand this important truth, the photos that you will treasure are not the ones of everyone looking perfectly at the camera. They will be the ones where you are interacting as a family.

Let me tell you the boys in the session below were not thrilled to have their photos taken. They thought it was going to be BORING and LONG and that they would have to sit VERY still.

NOT TRUE!

I had them hoofin' it all over the property we were on.  And I kept them moving and laughing and gave them things to do.  At the end of our time together they were ready to move on, but for the hour I worked with them they did fantastic!

Painless, it's what I'm all about!

52 WORDS. 4 PERSPECTIVES.

At the beginning of the year I joined a group of fantastically talented photographers.  Together, Eboni, Danielle, Jessica, and I set a goal for ourselves.  Each week for 52 weeks we would take a photo that aligned with a randomly chosen word.

The end product of this joint venture is to strengthen and broaden our photography skills, to help us see detail, light, and life more effectively, and to encourage us to shoot from the heart.

For the month of January we had the following words: Wood, Art, Ice, Shadows

January 5- Wood

January 12- Art

January 19- Ice

January 26- Shadows

Join us each week on Friday to see how we individually interpreted the word set before us. Click on the photo below to see the whole month of January as seen through the eyes of four unique and wildly creative photographers.