I’ll admit it — I get nervous before each of my sessions. What if they don’t like me? What if I can’t think of anything to talk about? What if my tricks/poses don’t work? What if I forget how to use my camera? It’s silly, but it’s true. I get nervous. But I was extra nervous about this family session. Wynter is also a Birmingham wedding and family photographer — a really good one. Maybe it’s just me, but it’s a nerve-wracking thing to photograph another photographer. And even though Wynter and I are photo friends (she shot all of the photos of me on my blog and portfolio site, and I shot a couple of weddings with her in the fall), I was definitely internalizing the pressure of making sure her family photography experience lived up to those that she gives so many others.
All the nerves completely melted away the moment Maddie jumped out of the car and cheerfully reminded me that we had met. Four times. Maddie is a bundle of pure joy. And cuuute. My goodness is she cute. Her sideways ponytail and black leggings had me from the get-go.
Brian Scott is a sweet soul. Wynter and I have talked before about his artistic eye and interest in photography, so I thought it was great that he took a few minutes at the start of the session to find the perfect spot for us to shoot.
Although we focused on family portraits that included Wynter (since she can’t take those herself!), I couldn’t help taking a few dozen shots of each of the kiddos. These first two are so representative of our session. Maddie — cheerful and smiley, eyes on the camera. Brian Scott — serious and contemplative, about to bust a smile at any second.
Wynter’s mom, Kathy, was a big part of the shoot as well. At first she hung back letting Wynter and the kids take center stage. I was starting to think we may have to work a bribe to get her in front of the camera. But once we starting shooting the whole family, she warmed right up. Although we had been together for nearly an hour, it wasn’t until I had them alone in front of the camera that I really took note of the striking resemblance. This one is a framer!
We couldn’t have Wynter in front of the camera without grabbing a few headshots too. The girl knows how to work it out. For real.
The wind was really picking up and the temperature was dropping as we headed back to the car. We made a quick pit stop on the street corner to get a few pictures of Maddie and Brian Scott with “Lolly”. Wynter jumped in to snuggle and get warm and these ended up being some of favorites of the day. Genuine smiles and real family moments are as good as it gets.
I love that Wynter took the time to have her own family photography session. As photographers, we’re so busy capturing these moments for other families that we often neglect our own. It is for that reason, I added updating my own family photos on my 2010 to do list. Who’s with me!?
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by Amanda
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