Living in the moment

Research has shown that those who are happier live longer. How can we be happy when there is so much weighing on our shoulders? I’ve decided to take a lesson from this 7 yr old young lady. When I was photographing her, I asked her to show me how she would react when faced with different situations. After giving me various expressions, I asked her to show me how she responds when she feels happy. She tossed herself back and allowed the moment to encapsulate her.

The next time I am feeling stressed I am going to remember this – it looks like it would feel wonderful.

Trista

Missing Teeth

When I was a young child, my maternal grandpa took our portraits every year. He was an amazing professional baby photographer and loved to capture the fleeting moments of childhood. My mom made sure that when we were missing teeth that we smiled really big to show off the gaping hole in our row of pearly whites. I remember feeling somewhat proud and grinning very widely. I felt like I was growing up because I was getting my “adult” teeth. Now, looking back at those photos, I can’t help but remember those emotions as if they were yesterday.

Now, as I photograph de-toothed children around the ages of 5-10, I love to get at least one or two photos of the breezy smile. I want the child to grow up and to look at those photos and remember exactly when in their life it was taken. I want them to feel like they are still connected to that time when being an adult was simply equated with a missing tooth.

Here is one I took recently of a little six year old -who could whistle better than a steaming locomotive.

 Trista

Possibilities

Childhood is all about tree forts becoming castles and cardboard boxes becoming the winning vehicle in the Daytona 500. As adults, we often times brush off the imaginations of young children not realizing how valuable such lessons are. When we can allow ourselves to daydream we no longer are stuck within a walled off area; we can reach for previous unimaginable places. I was once that way, I felt that it was no use to dream. Then I had children. They opened my eyes to the possiblities in front of me. They made me realize I didn’t have to “settle.” And that was the start of a whole new chapter, no, a whole new book on my life.

Here is my younger daughter. She wants to be a fairy princess, so when I found this outfit I just had to get it for her.

Trista

Patience

I won’t lie, newborn photo sessions are my most difficult shooting challenge. It takes a lot of sweat and patience to get the gorgeous curled up photos that we all love. Patience, a virtue gone the way of the dinosaur in this microwave meal, maxed-out credit card world. Taking the time to just let the baby go through his/her cycle of eating, sleeping, awake, and irritability. Letting the baby set the schedule and taking the camera along for the ride. This little girl took us for a wild ride today, but along the way we captured some great moments. Here is one of those moments.

Trista

Twins

If there ever was a case argument against biology being responsible for personality, the Taylor identical twins would be it. These 4 yr old boys are the sons of Frank and Jane Taylor, owners of The Global Grill. We had a session yesterday and I was able to really see their differences emerging.

Koby is the easy-going type. He was the one to come up and smile into the camera.

Fisher, on the other hand, is the joker type. He was always looking for a way to be funny and always had a crazy expression that looked like he had something up his sleeve.

When they got together with their daddy, they couldn't help but giggle.

You will see a couple of photos from this session unveiled on Gallery Night next month at The Global Grill. Of course, you can say you saw it here first.

Trista

Overcoming fear

On Saturday, I photographed a little 4 yr old boy with his parents out at Pensacola Beach. Before even getting out of his carseat he said, "Ms. Trista, are there jellyfish in the water?" I could tell that the water was a scary, ominous place for him. I wanted him to try the water out with his parents so that they could be there to reassure him.

His parents encouraged him to see what the sea held. Here dad is pointing out a beautiful little school of fish swimming by. Notice how his feet are submerged without the slightest worry.

Finally, I was able to take some photos of him alone. You can see the complete ecstasy he feels over discovering the amazing wonders of the sea. His parents were so happy to see his excitment, that they decided to bring him back before they flew home (they live up in Boston).

What a great attitude to have towards life. Use caution when you first venture into something new, but once you are comfortable, jump in with complete abandon.

Trista

Figuring it out

When I initially interviewed this family, the mom told me that her 8-year-old son loved to "figure things out." One of the things he'd figured out was tennis. He loves tennis. When we scheduled the session, I wanted to be near a tennis court because I wanted to see his expressions as he focused on the ball.

As I photographed him in an overhand serve, I captured a look of resolve in his eyes. I have a sneaking suspicion that this young man will be able to figure out whatever life presents to him – his determination will guarantee it.

Trista

Summer is here

Growing up in MN, we had seasons, I mean extreme seasons. Now living in Pensacola, FL I get to have "summer" 7-8 months of the year. I am able to photograph children in the most natural of settings for the majority of the year. Yesterday was the "official" first day of summer in the northern hemisphere. The temperature was a beautiful 92ºF. My two young daughters enjoyed the day as any other summer day, climbing ropes and trees and swinging, skipping around our big backyard. Yesterday evening when I got home, I took out my camera and photographed them enjoying themselves. I realized we don't need a calendar to tell us when summer is here, we simply need to look into our children's eyes and see the reflection of the puffy summer clouds floating by.

Trista

Nurture

I photographed this little 6 lb. peanut this week. When he was born just shy of one month ago he weighed only 4 1/2 lbs. Seeing him with his parents for the 2 1/2 hrs I was there, I was struck with the unbelievable amount of love they put into his care. He was never left to cry or fuss but gently rocked and soothed throughout the session. Is it any wonder that he has blossomed so quickly?

Trista

Leader

We all carry our attitudes on our faces. I photographed a man last week who had leader written all over his. Dale Knee, President and CEO of Covenant Hospice is quite an accomplished individual. I knew little about him before we met for the shoot. I just knew that he needed a photo for an article in a national magazine ASAP. But in the little time I spent with him I could tell that he was a kind-hearted man who could, at the same time as being as gentle as a kitten, demand the attention of an entire room with his presence. This photo states this unequivocally.

Trista