holding on tight

Sam pleaded as we got started with the portrait session, "I don't want to be in the pictures."

It's bound to happen time and again; the kids, that for one reason or another don't want to perform for the camera. I know how it goes and I totally understand. I have a daughter who is by far, my most fickle of my photo subjects. Sam's duress didn't worry me one bit. I know in times like that you just have to wait it out, until he starts to have some real fun and forgets we're at the park to shoot pictures. His mother and I catch up and laugh together (we only see each other a few times a year at best, one of which is for our annual family portrait session) and are just enjoying being there marveling at how time flies and how fast our children grow.  We're on no time schedule.

What I love about working with Sam's family each year is that they are a pleasure to spend time with. And they so appreciate the things that make their boys special. So much so that they want me to capture these things in the photos I take. Last year Sam's companion was a BIG truck and this year it's his Dino. Needless to say Dino was in a great many of the pictures this year just as the truck was last year. And that's just how Sam's parents like it. Meanwhile, his brother Jack smiles with his attention turned toward all the small miracles of life (the intricacies of leaves, flowers and the sky) as his parents let him explore and allow me to capture him in his element. Each boy being loved and adored for who they are in this world and me there to witness it. I might add that they both share a passion for MnMs (their mom's secret weapon in holding their attention and keeping them still for me).

I soak up the love from this family like a sponge. I am grateful for the honor of capturing such authenticity year after year. When most of the world is too busy and life is flying by at warp speed, this family of four holds on tight to the moments they spend together, to each other and to love.

What are you holding onto today?

Comments

[Vanessa]

me? i'm letting go of this year and the inertia i have been feeling over its fleeting months, and i'm holding onto my hopes for a fresh new year, beginning to feel its possibilities with giddy anticipation.

on that note, sisters, I’m having a <a href="http://risingtothechallenge.blogspot.com/2009/11/calendar-girl-my-first-ever-giveaway.html"> giveaway</a> on my blog this week. i'd love you to drop by and enter. Shutter Sisters has been a huge inspiration to me this year... and I am so grateful!

[Vanessa]

so sorry about the bad link!!

here's the giveaway: http://risingtothechallenge.blogspot.com/2009/11/calendar-girl-my-first-ever-giveaway.html

Vx

[kristin]

like your friend, i too LOVE portraits that are slices of real life, who the kids are in the moment. not only will you love he photo but it will flood you with memories of that time and what was going on in that time. i once had professional shots taken and i took my son's constant companion to have in the shot, his purple blanket. the photographer was dismissive at best about my request for shots with "purple" i insisted and they are my some of me faves from that day and needless to say that was the last "professional" shot i had taken.

[melissa]

lovely post! I am savoring the holiday excitement as I get ready to attend a preschool thanksgiving feast with my youngest.

[Christian at Modobject at Home]

This shot of my boys a few days ago stirred a "holding on" in my heart. When did the three year old's legs get so long? And, how is it that the seven year old is old enough to savor a week out of school? Oh, how the days are the long but the years so very short.

http://www.modobjectathome.com/2009/11/at-creek.html

[djbeat]

we definitely have not reach that stage of shyness yet - in fact bb boy loves having his picture taken sooo much it is almost impossible to take a candid of him : )

http://www.flickr.com/photos/djbeat/4126621303/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/djbeat/4127262964/

.

[Dani]

I'm holding on to my little brother until he is deployed December 6th.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/36197392@N06/4131909064/

[Samantha]

We are holding on to each other and holding on to the sunshine.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/48975751@N00/4132105684/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/48975751@N00/4131350667/

[Jade Sheldon]

I am holding onto the idea of better things to come...

[Kathleen]

Here's what I'm holding onto...as we head into this magical, delightful, frenzied, sometimes frustrating time of year...
http://www.flickr.com/photos/ko2008/4131707551/

[Leanne]

What a simple yet meaningful photo. Although you included only 1/3rd of the boy’s body, it still tells a story. The boys tightly closed fist shows his dislike of his photo being taken. I can tell the boy loves his dinosaur, yet his hand isn’t grasping the dinosaur like a boy never wanting it let it go. I’m not sure if this is because he is growing up and getting to the point where he no longer needs his "security blanket." It could also be the boy couldn’t get his small hands around the dinosaur enough to grasp it like i want. The photo has a very nice composition and it’s very pleasing to the eye having the boy be in focus and background completely blurry.

[melody]

Actually, I'm holding onto everything that happens...appreciating that every thing, big little good not-good, is meant to be and I will learn from it. I will grow because of it.

http://slurpinglife.typepad.com/slurping_life/2009/11/all-events-are-blessings.html

Love this photo and this family's love for "now".

[david]

Great blog. Informative and some lovely shots. I teach on a few <a href="http://www.frui.co.uk" target="_blank">Photography Holidays</a> around the world and I'll definitely be recommending this blog to my students who are always asking me about good photography websites!

[keri]

ahhhhh.......miss tracey clark. what more can i say about you? you are truly an amazing photographer but also mother, woman and friend. i so enjoy you and your company and wonder why we only seem to see one another once a year or so.
this article about my sweet sam and our family made me cry and gave me chills up my arms. in the chaos of every day and the grief i am always thankful you are every year able to capture the soul of our family in these pictures every year. and every year when i ponder over whether we should spend the $$$ on them every year we get them and i realize it is one of the best purchases i have made all year and one that will be with me a lifetime. thank you! keri
whoever melody is i love your post!

[Aimee Greeblemonkey]

You are gonna laugh... But... Mamwiches. We had no time and made Mameiches tonight and sat down together for dinner which we haven't done in over a week with the holiday, and were all in goofy moods so we just totally laughed our way through dinner... So, yeah... Mamwiches.