I've photographed a few family groups lately and it has been the love that has stood out, more than what they wore, where they were.
It's all about the love.
Sometimes ...
Sometimes you look up, just in time to see someone out there is about to photograph you ...
Meet the lovely creature I was photographing on the occasion of her First Communion.
John Szarkowski, a quote
In the past decade a new generation of photographers has directed the documentary approach toward more personal ends. Their aim has been not to reform life, but to know it.
John Szarkowski, photographer, curator, historian, and critic.
To know life. I thought, 'Yes! That describes how I approach photography. To know life, to attempt to capture slices of it, with my camera.
To slip into the midst of it, to disappear, and to come away with images where my presence was forgotten.
The day was all about him ...
I'm a minimalist when it comes to photo-editing however this series require nothing.
They are as they are. He is as he is.
Steven
I photographed a first communion celebration yesterday, out on Flanders Fields and I'm delighted with what I captured. I blame the family. They're entirely inspirational.
When I photograph any kind of family event, my objective is to tell the story of the people involved, to capture them as they are, interacting, loving, simply being themselves.
This is Steven, one of the nicest Belgian's I know. And he has a most beautiful family.
Last night, as I downloaded and viewed the images captured from a day where his son's milestone was celebrated, my soul sang. It was a good day.
Today ... and some other days too.
We shopped for our monthly supplies, Colruyt and Makro. Later, we slipped away to our favourite secondhand shop by the airport and voila, found the beautiful orange bicycle for Miss 'Almost' 9 ... it has flowers. It is a little early, as her birthday is actually 4th of July but it was meant for her. We're sure.
Then I slept.
Last night I was out with Lucy and Ruth, there was some red wine involved, much laughter and many conversations. And then, cycling home after midnight, I learned that using my phone while riding a bike is to be avoided. Only my finger was hurting this morning. I was lucky.
Tomorrow I'm off to the Westhoek, really really early, to photograph a special moment in the lives of one of my favourite Belgian families. I love this kind of photo-shoot, the kind that involves extended family. I love attempting to capture not just the day but the emotions and connections too.
Let's see how it goes. Meanwhile, there was this poppy in Piedmont and I was there photographing it, just a few days ago.
