After a downright disastrous experience at a local portrait studio (with TERRIBLE customer service), my soon-to-be sister-in-law, Cory, asked if I wouldn’t mind taking a few photos of her nearly three-year-old daughter (my soon-to-be niece) — I was happy to oblige. And I laughed when she said I was in for challenge AND workout, and that she’d be happy with just ONE good photo of the little one in her Easter dress (yes, we’re a bit behind schedule). But people, CORY WAS NOT KIDDING. However, even with all the running, jumping, swinging, weeding (yes), lawn mowing, cloud watching, panting, etc., we DID manage more than one good photo. Success!
So, ladies and gentlemen, allow me to introduce you to my little spitfire of a niece: Miss Reese Suzanne.
But please, don’t let these idyllic scenes and adorable smiles fool you. This child is a roughly three-foot tall block of solid opinion with a will of steel to match. Don’t get me wrong, despite her habit of doing the exact — I mean complete, 100%, 180º — opposite of anything you ask her to do (I believe her grandmother refers to her as a “contrarian”), I love her. And I admit it, when she looks at me with those blue eyes and says, “Mowwy, I neeeeeed you,” I can’t help but melt juuuust a little bit.
This might be my most favorite “kid” photo I’ve ever taken. This is her, in a nutshell.
But can I tell you the greatest thing about this shoot? I don’t want to make too big a deal of it, lest I inadvertently spook him, but Glen assisted me for the first time that day. (!!!!!!!!!!) He actually volunteered without any prompting on my part (cue: triumphant trumpet music), and asked me to teach him some basics. (!!!!!!!!!!) And while he may have filled an entire 8GB CF card in the time I took about 80 photos, he snapped some of THE BEST images of Reese. Case in point:
I didn’t do too bad, myself, though. Witness! The SPLIT SECOND she sat still and looked directly at my camera! Ignore the rock in her hands! (Second favorite.)
Big fan of that rock.
You wouldn’t know it from Reese’s attire or disposition, but it was about 55º, overcast and windy that day. I guess when you never stop moving, you never have a chance to get cold. :)
Me: Right. Glen: Left. It’s kind of fun to have someone else with me shooting from another angle. Don’t tell Glen this, BUT I COULD GET USED TO IT. Though we would benefit from a bit more practice. :)
Lastly, I’ll end with my absolute favorite of Glen’s. He was literally RUNNING backward through the grass (with a 70-200mm, no less!), baiting her to put that grass in her hand on top of his shoe. It doesn’t sound like my idea of a good time, but she LOVED it. I mean, look at that smile?
Cory, we did a pretty good job, right? Really, it was a lot of fun — thanks for asking. Plus, when I wanted to take a break from running, I got to pawn off the work onto your brother! Not a bad deal, all things considered. ;) I hope you enjoy these pictures; I think they capture her personality better than that crummy portrait studio ever could. Love, Mowwy
by Molly
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