I have never done an engagement session for a family member before.
First time.
My brother Ryan absolutely melted me when he told me that he wanted me to photograph his engagement session, but for his wedding he just wanted me to be his sister. No photos. It made me feel so good to know that he respected my work enough to want it, but also knew that he didn't just want my photos, he wanted... me. That meant so much. It's a tough one.... the subject of photographing family and friends. On one end, I would be kind of sad if they didn't want my images, and on the other.... it's tricky to do two things at once.
So, I did their engagement session, and it blew me away.
I had never seen my brother in this particular way.
For me, photography opens up my eyes in ways that aren't possible through anything else. The visual language is a beautiful thing. Communicating with images does something that conversation can't.
My favorite thing that they said during our time together was that they don't take themselves too seriously. They've been dating for more than three years, and they just like to play. After having a battle with the branches in my street, Ryan made sure to let me know that they actually do play with sticks in their real lives. This was normal. I then had this weird jealousy come up: why don't I have fake (real) battles with branches? Probably because I'm the oldest and he's the 2nd.
Love you Ry,
okay and this face right here?
this is my brother. i have memories of this face from childhood.
(makes me hope that i capture these types of expressions out of my
clients. the ones where only their closest people will know how real it
is.)
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Comments
fab session!
(04.05.11 @ 05:04 PM)dear shannon,
you are grossly talented .
!
(04.05.11 @ 05:23 PM)i love it...isn't it wonderful + disarming to photograph someone you know well + see them in an entirely new way? so glad i found you again. i snagged one of your leftover polaroids after you offered them up to your readers from your exhibit a few years ago. i lost track for a while, but then i saw the post on tara whitney's blog today...beautiful images! anyway, so glad to reconnect!
(04.05.11 @ 05:45 PM)Shannon....these are fabulous and edgy.....love them, and you!
(04.05.11 @ 06:53 PM)Hey just thought I'd stop in and say HI! I LOVE these images of your brother. I too have a little brother and the idea of him one day being this happy makes my heart swell... Thanks!
(04.06.11 @ 01:06 PM)If you could make anyone look better in a photo, it would be you, Shannon. The great thing about this is that you don't even need to make them look better. They both look GREAT, but you still did a good job! love ya
(04.06.11 @ 01:51 PM)Took me awhile to realize why the first picture was included. Now I see the tug of war with the branch - Ryan and Paige. Cute! Thanks for making two beautiful people look even more so. Everyone had fun and it shows
(04.06.11 @ 01:54 PM)Ohhh good heavens. Their joy is radiant.
(04.08.11 @ 06:44 AM)Oh good heavens. Your last little thought. YES YES YES.
"the one where only their closest people will no how real it is."
Those faces are the best.
(04.14.11 @ 12:07 AM)