the young girl at the office who is my go-to model brought her son to the office this afternoon, all dressed up and spiffy! he will have his first communion and she wanted to have a photograph of him for the frames she will give to her guests for the occasion as souvenirs. she asked if i can take a photo of him in his suit.
oh, heavens, the boy is gorgeous. he is a goof but heck once he realizes that the camera is about to take his picture, he just puts on that killer smile. but i suck at portraits. i don't know why, but i get keyed up, especially at one point when the boy got tired of smiling. all he wanted to do was play and goof around. in his suit. so of about 80 shots, i have 10 that are good for the purpose.
this shot shows the closeness of parent and child. he is a very articulate boy, he speaks like an adult and a very astute observer. he adores his mother and she, unquestionably, adores him more than anything. sometimes posed shots don't work and candid moments like this captured forever are priceless.
must remember, if and when there's a next time, to use the nifty-fifty. or maybe get another 365er to do the job.
I like this, the moments when the subjects are wrapped up in each other and almost lose track of the fact that you have a camera are always my favorite
10 out of 80 are great odds, you are being too harsh n yourself. She only needs one good shot after all and you have given choice. This is a lovely shot, so tender. Having said all this I am not keen on taking portrait shots myself;0)
Portrait photography is so hard, I agree! I try not to fiddle too much with my camera and controls, but in the quest to get it right it is a bit unsettling for the posers! I think you've done a great job here, it's relaxed and informal and am sure Mum will love it!
If I was the mom this would be the shot I picked- even if there were 80 out of 80 that were nice of him alone. You can't plan the way they are looking at each other. So I agree with the others- you're being too tough on yourself. This is wonderful!
@claireuk - at least you get to practice with the pretty annabelle sometimes! and tito. i only have partner and he's not cute anymore. hahahaha! thank you, claire.
@salza - thank you, sally. he likes to be photographed but he preferred to goof off more like little boys always do.
@roddy - thank you, suze. i was peeking into the viewfinder waiting for them to settle down but at the same time i kept pressing the shutter.
this is really really beautifully done Vikki... srsly! i suck at portraits to, and can really relate to everything you wrote about it... but this came out fabulously! (and frankly, shooting kids is hard anyway... a one to eight ratio sounds just about right :D)
it's good getting out of your comfort zone, though.....and i think 10 out of 80 is pretty damn good odds - - i'm sure the mother was thrilled with this final shot...it DOES convey the close bond. nice work!
@pandorasecho - thank you, dixie.
@fullcircle - thank you, cindy.
@claireuk - at least you get to practice with the pretty annabelle sometimes! and tito. i only have partner and he's not cute anymore. hahahaha! thank you, claire.
@salza - thank you, sally. he likes to be photographed but he preferred to goof off more like little boys always do.
@roddy - thank you, suze. i was peeking into the viewfinder waiting for them to settle down but at the same time i kept pressing the shutter.
@brav - thank you, richard.
@helstor - shooting water crowns or smoke is a lot easier, i tell you. thank you, erik.
@denisedaly - thank you, denise.
@atooner - practice. i want to have as many back-ups as i can. hahaha! thank you, amy.
@lafish - thank you, laurie.
@cottoncandy - thank you, mischell.
@catsmeowb - thank you, camille.
@jackie8 - thank you, jackie. as i said above, water crowns and smoke are a lot easier to capture despite their unpredictability. portraits. ack!
@quietpurplehaze - thank you, hazel.
@olivetreeann - thank you, ann. but i think i'd stick to still life shots. thank goodness it's a month of flowers.
@gooner46 - thank you, chris. i think she will.
everyone, the encouragement makes me feel quite good and i sincerely appreciate it. but my personal view is still that i suck at portraits. hahaha!