My first baby just turned eight years old. Before long, he’ll be 18. Each year seems to go faster than the last.
I’ve been bouncing around ideas and plans for his Eight Year Portraits in my head for weeks. I’ve changed the location at least four times. I’ve bought and returned a few outfits, even shoes. I strategically timed his recent haircut. I’ve watched the weather forecast and marked appointed times on my calendar. And still, something just wasn’t clicking for me. I was thinking like a photographer, not like a mom. And goodness knows, I have no shortage of portraits of my kids. I wanted these to be different.
I realized that I didn’t want these to be planned portraits. I didn’t want new clothes, perfect hair, or a carefully chosen setting … though all of those things are just wonderful for a portrait. I wanted these images to be all about Matthew. I wanted to tell the story of who Matthew is at eight years old. His joys, his home, his heart.
Thus, I have three sessions in mind, each to capture images for an album all about Matthew at age 8. Today was the first, in his room, wearing his favorite jeans and t-shirt, with bare feet, of course! I asked him what two things in his room he loved the most, and he answered his bear, Ojo, and his Star Wars book. He’s a bookworm.
This first image is my favorite and it brings tears to my eyes. It is the first photograph I captured today, before Matthew even realized I had camera in hand. I love that he is still young enough to love his teddy bear. He had just jumped on the bed, and grabbed Ojo for a quick hug. A single moment in his year of being eight, totally unposed, totally unplanned. Totally Matthew. Oh, how I love this child!
But this one I just had to share. This will be a 24×30 Gallery Wrapped Canvas sitting on my mantel very soon. I’ve had a large canvas there for about a year, an image of my kids on the beach. I love the shot so much, but the light blue colors of the sky and the sea just don’t work well in my living room. The rich jewel tones of autumn are a much better match for the decor. I can’t wait to see the new canvas there. Merry Christmas to me!
