Family Photography | Patrick Rogers Photography

May 23
The Photographer gets Photographed!

Yesterday, I had a second family shoot with two little boys, their mom, dad, and grandma. They are an energetic and fun bunch, and it was great to work with them again. As usual, I got out my camera and sat on the floor to start photographing the boys, the oldest of which was running around the house yelling: “Take my picture! Take my picture!” followed by “Can I see it?!”

The younger one had other plans, though. Within moments of me sitting cross legged on the floor, he ran right up to me, flopped on my lap, curled up, and got cozy. It was so awesome to feel like I made such a connection with him, and that he was so comfortable with me. He kept doing that throughout the day, then as the session was about over, his bigger brother joined in. They were crawling and climbing and giggling all over me! Their mother, caught up in the laughter, picked up my camera, which I could not use because I was tickling and wrangling her boys, took a few shots of us having fun. This is not the first time this has happened, and it feels so good when it does!!

Just figured I would share my joy. Happy Monday!

May 18
Childlike Curiosity

There was a post on Boston Mamas this morning called A Penny For Your Walk. That post talked about how curiosity can motivate a granddaughter to take a walk with her grandmother, and it got me thinking about the power of curiosity.

Each child I have met has wonder and excitement in their eyes. Seeing that is so rewarding and life-affirming! I mean, I spend time with them and their families in their own home, but they still see most everything around them as if it was for the first time. It is in these moments that I am reminded about how exciting the unknown can be to children.

For years, it was that unknown that I was constantly preparing for, believing that getting the next thing (be it a flash or lens or camera or whatever) will ensure that I get good results, but great photographers like Henri Cartier Bresson wandered around the streets of Paris with one camera and one lens (can you believe it?!?!). It was that childlike wonder and that presence in the moment that allowed him to be open to the moments happening all around him.

The chance to be around the energy of children has saved me from the trap of wanting the next thing. I am constantly challenged by a variety of issues, but keeping curiosity and excitement in my heart that I have learned from so many kids gives me the perspective I need.

May 17
Communicating Your Vision

I read a blog post this morning from Real Maine Weddings called emailing with your vendors(excerpted below), and it reminded me of the power of a clear idea.

Crafting a clear vision for your gathering, be it a first birthday party, a wedding, or somewhere in-between, can be difficult, but will pay huge dividends in the end. For example, Knowing that you want a Dora The Explorer themed birthday party makes choosing the birthday cake simple. Or, as the Real Maine Wedding blog said, “For me, it was “laid back white wedding on the coast of Maine.” Not only did my vendors appreciate the clear direction, it also helped me stay focused. Yes, those aquamarine stilettos are killer, but they come nowhere close to being ‘laid back’–or white for that matter. And while a taco bar would certainly be laid back, unfortunately nothing about tacos says ‘Maine.’ “

The vendors you hire are there to support your vision, so talking with them about it helps them turn your words into a stronger vision so that they can craft the event to match your mood. When I have a consultation with a client, I like to ask them “Could you tell me five words that describe the feel of your event?” That really helps define the look people are going for, and it helps me look more closely at the details that help support their vision.

Not only does a clear vision help you make decisions, but it helps your vendors support that vision, and most importantly, it really helps your guests appreciate all the little touches, and gets them in the mood that you were trying to convey.

May 16
The Power of Wonder

NOVA is one of the programs I set my DVR to record, and thanks to a lazy Sunday, I was able to catch up on some past episodes while getting my knitting project started.

I watched the episode about Stonehenge; the way it was built, the technology perhaps used to build it, and new theories on the purpose of it.

It moved me. Stonehenge has always been intriguing to me, but I always felt like it was something that was studied and understood, and the mysteries had been figured out. However, there was someone on there that was trying to understand how they moved such heavy stones. After working on this question, he had an “ah ha!” moment, and postulated that stones formed into uniform spheres (seemingly common around that time) were actually used as a type of ball bearings to help move these stones, sometimes weighing tens of tons.

For me, this spoke to the power of wonder, and how seeing things in new ways exposes me to the magic of the world. On a good day, it is that wonder that moves me, and that magic that compels me to be a photographer.

I found this photo of Colin Ashley’s, and wanted to share a view of Stonehenge that I don’t normally see.

May 11
Jen and Brian’s Maternity Session

I can’t say enough about this couple, and this photo session! They had requested that we do it at Regeneration Tattoo in Allston (where he works), and that made me so happy! I love tattoos, both collecting them, and seeing what others have gotten, so this couple and this space just fit with everything I have been looking for recently.

Jen and Brian are a great couple, and I hope to work with them again!