We took a field trip this month to a farm so my niece could see a pig in real life. Along the way, I got this shot of my nephew. Normally, this wouldn't be anything super exciting, except that this kid really doesn't go in for sitting in front of the camera. But on this day, he was all about the pose...and he did great!
One of the things that I always struggle with, especially as a photographer, are boundary lines. As in, where are they so I can make sure not to cross them. Unfortunately, that means that a lot of times I'm not really in place to get the best shot. I'd seen a photograph that someone amazing took of the captains of a football team walking out to mid field from a perspective that I'd never thought I could get. I mean, seriously? On the field? While they're walking out? But why not? If I'm not supposed to be there, surely the refs will tell me to get lost. So, I thought I'd give it a try. It's a one ticket, one ride kind of shot, too. They're not walking slowly and if you miss the moment, they're too close. And you can't back up to try again because the opposing captains are coming out from the other side. You've got to wait for the frame, focus and get out quick. Turns out, this is, hands down, my favorite shot of the entire season.
I did a family portrait session this month with a family I had photographed last year. But this time, Mom wanted Dad to be there so he could be part of the fun. We got the family shots. We got the kid shots. And I really wanted to get some that were just vintage "couple". Something that didn't look like Mom & Dad sitting together for a portrait. Something that would speak to the two of them together before they became "Mom & Dad". I asked her to lay down and then I asked him to lay on top of her. I thought they were going to be slightly put off by the idea, seeing as how we were in a public park, but they were game. I asked him to kiss her cheek, and there they were....just Drew and Sarah.
We hadn't been to the beach since Labor Day. School and sports had taken over our fall schedule, but we managed to squeeze in a quick trip one weekend. It was supposed to rain, and it did back at home, but the shore was beautiful! Blue sky and sunshine. The waves, however, spoke of the storms that had been raging, and the water was pretty tumultuous. My kids wanted to run across the current, so Daddy had to help them. I loved the light coming behind them, outlining them as they ran through the spray...in short sleeves, for probably the last time this year....
I love this soccer shot. The boys had been chasing the ball, kicking it around, when someone really gave it a ride. I was watching through my lens. I saw that boy fall down. I saw the ball coming. My instinct was to move out of the way, but the camera held me there for just a moment longer, and I got this image of the ball flying towards me....or at least flying toward the guy standing next to me.
There are some sports shots that I get that I know I got. I know it the minute I take it. And then there are some that make me shake my head, shrug my shoulders and say, "Yeah....no clue." This is one of those shots. I know I was down behind the goal. I know he was charging toward it. But how it got framed and focused in this perfect way is a mystery to me. It was just a lucky shot.
I did a portrait session this month for a young woman will celebrate her 21st birthday soon. I had gone early in the morning of the shoot to gather some fall leaves to use with her. I knew I wanted to have her laying in them for a few shots. I had really envisioned it with her on her stomach, chin in hand, leaves scattered around. And I got that shot, but then I thought I might want to get some of the leaves in her hair. So I asked her to flip over and put her head down. As I moved around her, I saw those lashes jumping out at me. I couldn't miss capturing those eyes and the rest of that perfect face surround by all of that bright fall color. It became one of my favorite shots of the session.
When I was a kid I thought pumpkins came from a box outside the grocery store. It wasn't until I was a teacher that I visited my first pumpkin patch. Now, the idea of pulling a pumpkin out of one of those boxes makes me want to hang it up and go home. This patch is down the hill from our house. It just proves why the patch is the happiest place to be in October.
I shot this portrait of a boy on my son's soccer team during half time of one of their games this month. Kids usually aren't so willing to have their picture taken by someone they don't know very well. They usually see my camera and look away. Even the high school guys are like that. Unsure sometimes. But this boy looked right at me. It was almost like he could see his reflection in the lens....maybe he could. 'Cause he just kept looking.....
I was commissioned this month to take a series of portraits of the varsity senior football players. I showed up at the practice field one afternoon and one by one they each came over and had their time in front of the lens. Having photographed these guys for two seasons, I kind of know who they are. At least, I know their names and numbers. Some of them have become a little more real to me, like this guy. He is always polite to me and is very nice to my kids. He says hello and smiles. He gives high-5's. He is a leader both on the field and off. Not to say that he isn't a force to be reckoned with, especially come game time. He is a formidable presence, and I wanted his portrait to convey both the good guy and the tough guy at the same time. I wanted him to come across as the Superman that I always think of him as being.
This was another in the series of football portraits. I love photographing this kid. Some of my favorite shots from the sport have been of him. He got hurt in the game before these images were taken, so he wasn't there when I first went photograph the guys. I had to come back and get his later. We took this in the locker room. He's the guy that loves to bring down his opponent. All the guys do, but I mean, he really lives for it. I wanted to really capture that daunting viciousness that comes out of him when he puts on that helmet, so I asked him to give me his game face. I certainly wouldn't want to see that guy coming at me across the field. Would you?
I'm never sure about photographing players when they get hurt. Their defenses are down. It's a private moment. Is it really a time to have a camera pointed at them? But, in the interest of telling the story of the game, those images must be captured. This image was shot during a blowout game. We were way ahead and the other team just couldn't keep up. There is so much going on in this picture. I love that it's the medics from our team that are helping him. I love the way the players from our team are slightly blurred out in the background, but still very visible on their knees, showing respect to the fallen player. The guy with "Renton Staff" on his back is an employee of the stadium. He came out to the field to oversee what was going on. I'm not sure that he really needed to be there at that moment, but he had to be a part of what was happening. This kid did make it off the field under his own power, but the game was eventually called with six minutes to go in the 3rd quarter. Too many points to make it worth the continual injuries that were racking up on the opposing sidelines.
And now we come to my favorite part of October.....HALLOWEEN! We went to a party the weekend before the holiday. The kids, of course, came in costume, but the adults were asked to come "in the spirit", as well. These two gruesome faces were haunting the festivities and I had to capture them. When I emailed these images to their family members the next day, a couple of them actually didn't recognize the handsome faces hiding behind the gore. In fact, it wasn't until one brother saw the other brother sitting with his wife and kids that he actually believed it was him. Halloween isn't just for kids, you know....
This last image, captured during the trick-or treat festivities, is just my favorite. I love the anticipation in it. The boy, standing and waiting, while the girl anxiously peeks through the window to see if someone is going to answer the door. I remember being that excited. I remember that anticipation. I loved it...and I love Halloween!
Truly great October behind the lens...great shots and commentary!
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