The Relaxed Family Portrait

Well, the Christmas/Hanukah season is upon us, and everyone's calling for gifts, even if we did the session this summer. I must say, I really love the family that likes a relaxed photograph. This one from July was taken on the beach near my house. I love it. I mean, I just love this photograph. This is the kinda stuff I want to create.

We went to the beach after sunset, great light, nice and soft, the best time of day to make photographs. We spent about half an hour, walking, talking, doing images, the family, the daughters. Then I just had them walk toward me, Stop, ok lean on each other, lean more, fall on each other, they just did this cool relaxed hug. I could see it in the camera. This image really communicates what this family is all about. It helps that I know them really well, and that's a key in photography, and in life. I've almost thought of making sure that I meet with people before I do any portraits, just so we can develop a repore. But even if we don't meet, I guess I think it's one of the things I do well. I'm able to put people at ease and develop trust fairly quickly.

"The camera looks both ways" Rick Samon.