I have been thinking a lot lately about why people choose me as their photographer. A family often arrives at a session and tells me they love my work because I don’t make them pose. But, the reality of it is that I actually pose my clients pretty much the whole time. I tell you to walk out into the middle of the field and throw your daughter up in the air, I tell you all to sit on a blanket and a read a book to your baby. I ask you all to stand and look at the camera. So yes, I am a photographer that poses people.

BUT, I think when people tell me they like my work because I don’t pose my families, what they are really saying is that they like the genuine emotion and connection that they can feel in my photography. I would rather have a family photo (like the one below) where they are all laughing and looking in different directions rather than one in which everyone is wearing false smiles and looking at the camera. Wouldn’t you? Don’t you want to remember your family as it was-happy, carefree, laughing, loving each other, snuggling-whatever-rather than a picture where you are all dressed in your Sunday best and you are pinching your kid from behind to make him smile? I am NOT that kind of photographer, and have only ever had one or two clients that did want photos like that.

Instead, I think people like that I somehow get them to really connect with each other and THAT is what I capture. I think it is what matters. And I will always choose to show you a photo that might not be technically correct (maybe the exposure was a bit off, or I cut you off at the waist) that has genuine emotion rather than one that is technically perfect but where you are all looking a little bored.

So, I am not actually a lifestyle photographer. Someday I would love to do that. I would love to come to your home one morning while you make waffles. Follow you on a walk, capture your kids brushing their teeth, watch you read them bed time stories. I keep meaning to try a “day in the life” session. And I will. Soon. Maybe with my own kids first (so keep a look out, once an idea starts to brew in my mind I must make it a reality).

Anyways, back to this beautiful family. they are clearly expecting a new baby. It is a boy, and his name is Sock. Yes, that is his name. I live in Boulder, you know,  where lots of people are named Sunflower and Vajra, so I went with it. Sock, I could get used to it. My son’s middle name is Sirius, and my daughter’s middle name is Padma, so we are on the Unusual Name Boat.  Sock is actually what his big sister named him, when she heard the name “Scott.” But personally, I am all in for Sock and may be calling him that here in a few weeks when I do his newborn photos. So keep a lookout for baby boy Sock, if he is as beautiful as the rest of his family, I will be posting some amazing newborn photos soon:)

Riley is three, and FULL of life. I talked to no end with her parents about how similar she is to my Amelia. My son, who is 5 now, was a calm little buddha baby. Low-stress and easy to please. Amelia, on the other hand, came out screaming. She is a little firecracker, but in this really good way. She is just full of lungta (unlimited energy). She is always on the move, climbing and exploring and getting into things. And she is stubborn, has her own personalty and will NOT back down from it. Not ever. A neighbor recently said she is going to break all the glass ceilings (is that the right expression?) and it was so right on. She will. And so will Riley.

Riley is just full of life and has her own ideas. And that is just the kind of daughter I would like to raise, wouldn’t you? Riley will live the kind of life we always admire in other women.  I mean, look at that first picture. Look at her expression. She is saying “This is my moment, I own it, you better watch out.” I just love it!

This whole family is just gorgeous.