Between Eye Contact and Smiles
While it wasn't originally intended to become an annual event, Alexis' daisy photo shoot has evolved into a tradition that can't be missed. Each summer, we wander into the garden and pick a few dozen daisies. They are the same daisies that I've had since we lived in Ohio during college -- I have divided them and moved them every time we have relocated.
So, you know, they're kind of special and stuff.
Once the daisies are gathered, we grab the white dress that was selected for the occasion and get all fancied up for a few photos. For years, those photos were taken at the place in the mall because it's super easy to walk in, get a couple of photos, and walk out with some prints.
In theory, that is. In theory it's easy.
In reality it was a freakin' nightmare every single year because that place in the mall is where happiness goes to die. Between long waits, a lack of attention to detail, and a OMG THE WAITING, there came a point where I had to admit that I own a good camera and am completely capable of using it well.
That's how it came to be that I take the daisy photos every summer.
Now that Mila is a real live person who is full of awesome, I knew I wanted to do the daisy photos with her. The photos with Alexis are always taken in the middle of the summer, or around her half-birthday. I figured I should do the same for Mila. The only problem is that Mila's half birthday comes in December and my garden looks like Mother Nature crapped all over it every December. So, I had to figure out something else to use in the photos with her.
It turns out that Alexis has opinions about these things, by the way. When I went to buy some daisies to use with Mila, Alexis got all sorts of huffy and hurt because daisies are her thing. I asked her what "Mila's thing" might be and she said roses.
So.
Roses it is. Every winter Mila will don a white dress and get a photo or ten with some roses. Alexis declared it so.
This weekend the stars aligned and FINALLY it was time to take the Mila's rose photos. HOORAY! They turned out fantastic and I will post them, but first let me just tell you about this thing that happens when I grab my camera and point it at Mila.
Alexis appears.
Alexis. The child who politely requested that I stop sharing photos of her here because she was over it. Alexis. The child who said she didn't want her picture taken anymore. Alexis. THE KID WHO VIRTUALLY DISAPPEARED FROM PHOTOS.
She shows up and she parks herself in the photo. Sometimes she crashes the party and then takes off, but other times she goes digging in her closet and then makes herself at home in my studio, as if she was supposed to be there all along.
That's the dress that was acquired for her 2015 daisy photos. I usually buy them well in advance because clearance sales make me very happy. Not desperately searching for the perfect dress when I need it right that second makes me happy as well.
So, Alexis went digging in her closet and crashed Mila's photo shoot in spectacular fashion. Not only did she wiggle herself in front of the camera, she acted as creative director then told me which photos I should post here.
::eyeroll::
But, honestly, the best part of the whole thing is that since I'm the one taking the photos, I happen to have the outtakes. The place in the mall doesn't let you see what happens between eye contact and smiles.
It's a shame, really. All the fun happens between eye contact and smiles.
Sunday, January 18, 2015
Reader Comments (7)
AW! THERE's the love! No doubt it is evident in every picture of those two, but Oh. My. Goodness, these pictures! So much pure fun, joy, and love! That's so awesome.
The last one is so perfect.
Everything in me melted with that amazing last shot. Great job all y'all.
::Sigh:: Thank you for sharing them with us.
That last one says everything and then some!
Awe. Love, love, love.
this may possibly be my most favoritest post you have ever posted. fabulous. and beautiful. and fun. and LOVE!