Today I had a photoshoot with The M Brothers!
You met Ryan (8 1/2 years old) from last Sunday’s model shoot. This morning was a lifestyle shoot that focused on Ryan’s brother, Ian (3 years old), and Ryan and Ian together!
It was great that I had just shot Ryan 6 days ago because the moment we reunited, we just continued our conversation like it was an extension of last Sunday! “Rat trap!” he’d yell to try to scare me. Ha ha. (That is an inside joke between me and my 8-years old friend!)
Our photoshoot lasted an hour. And in that hour, the boys hiked, threw rocks into the creek, raced, jumped, climbed, played catch, played with toy cars and sticks, and laughed.
Here are a few of my favorites…
A Reflective Moment
Ryan and Ian were contemplating the meaning of life. Nah! They were looking for rocks to throw! (My photo title threw you off, didn’t it?!!) 😉
Ian and His Curls
What a sucker I am for a head full of curls! I love them. I found myself touching his curls once in awhile.
Can’t…. resist… Must… touch. (Now I sound like a crazy person, huh?!!)
Sunlit Morning
It was a gorgeous morning for a photoshoot. Low 70s, hazy sun, light breeze.
I love this photo of the boys hiking into unknown territory.
Susan (their mom) went back to the car to get something. So, this was me: “RYAAAN! IAAAAN! COME BAAAAAAACK!!!”
Behind the Grass
I crouched down behind the long straw-like grass to get this shot.
Brotherly Love
I have photos of The M Brothers playing ball and sitting or standing while looking at me. But this one — oh, this one — I find absolutely precious because it captures an authentic interaction between them.
Ian gave his brother a big hug while still wearing his baseball glove. Ryan let his body lean into the hug and wore a tender smile. All that with the background of trees, the bridge and the dancing light made this a winning shot in my book!
“The Sweet Spot”
Especially with young children (I’d say 3 and under), there is a “sweet spot” during a shoot — at the end — when I capture some brilliant moments on camera!
My theory is that young children feel uninhibited at the end because they feel the photoshoot is over and thus, they no longer need to “perform” or are asked to do things (ie, look over here, wear this, sit here, don’t run ahead)!
Here are some shots I took as Susan was loading up her car in the packed parking lot…
And this is my absolute FAVORITE shot of the day….
Wait for it…
Wait for it…
The framing, the perspective, the contrast, the way Ian is looking at me, the way the light hits one side of his face and infuses sparkles in his eyes, the textures of Ian’s hair and the shiny metal car…
As a photographer, I am in love (with this shot).