JFP Blog

Are you tired of this game yet?  Today you are getting my favorite “portrait” images of the kiddos…I guess I just mean individual shots that tell a little more about their personalities than about the trip itself.  These are the kind of images that make my heart happy.  I do like the action shots for their storytelling and everything but these ones, these are the kids I love….

 

This kid.  She’s a keeper.  I saw this beautiful light and I just wanted to take someone’s picture in it.  And guess who my only volunteer was.  What an agreeable sort.  Don’t you just want to hug her?  I know that is my overwhelming response every time I see her smiling face.

This little charmer has reached the age where when he sees my camera he tries so hard to be good and smile for me but it is that funny fake five year old smile so anytime I can sneak up on him and get a real smile I am a happy girl.  Sometimes it helps if they are super busy doing something fun, like digging in the sand, then I can sneak up on him like the ninja that I wish I was.

 

See what I mean…this one leans a little towards his little fake smile BUT is it not the cutest thing ever?  And with the sand on his sweet face and his hair all sticking up and his cute little baby teeth….sigh.  5 year olds are awesome.

 

On other end of that spectrum is the teenage boy.  For the most part they want nothing to do with having their picture taken so again my ninja skills are essential(and yes, I may have waded a little farther into the surf than I thought was good for my camera, but look at that grin.  Totally worth it.).  It helps if they are doing something they love too as it is totally distracting and they aren’t thinking about me and my camera.  Can you tell this is his new happy place?

 

Ahhh, the tween girl.  I find they waffle between not wanting anything to do with having their picture taken to totally posing for the camera.  This one, for the most part, wants nothing to do with it (that is partly due to her PCS…photographer’s child syndrome).  So again, distraction is key.  This is the beauty of the tropical vacation.  So many other things to do and some many happy thoughts in your head.  Makes it easy for me to catch a real grin….

 

Now this shot definitely tells a little something about this kid.  He’s a giant and he’s only getting bigger.  Yes, it is a little exaggerated since I was lounging on my beach towel and he was looming over me but now you know how I feel everyday now that he is taller than I am.  (PS shooting at the beach  at midday = uber-challenging lighting conditions…must practice more, must take more trips to tropical beaches.  Yeah, that’s the ticket.)

 

Sigh.  The agreeable nine year old returns.  So tolerant of me and so darn cute.

 

The grin returns.  This time she was totally posing for me and it was cracking her up.  LOVE!  Plus I adore her hair framing her face (best hair EVER!).

Recap of photography lessons learned here today:  distraction is the key to a more authentic expression and the tropical vacation provides loads of it and ample opportunity to capture some fantastic grins.  Therefore, do not hesitate to invite me along on your family vacations to all tropical destinations.  Fiji anyone?