An Uncommon Gift
I’ve taken literally tens of thousands of photos of people over the years. I promise you that's not an exaggeration. My newest camera currently sits at 20,000 shutter releases, which boggles my mind since I've only had it about a year.
As I think about my work, I never would have said that I was taking "portraits" of people until the last few years. But that’s exactly what I have been doing.
So often it's the case where I'll be watching someone from a distance and their eyes light up or their nose catches the sunlight or their smile fills their face. And almost as if I have an automatic reflex, I want to grab my camera because inside of me something shoves me saying "Oh man, that would be a beautiful picture of them."
Sometimes I have my camera handy so I get the honour to capture that shot. And regardless of whether that person knows I'm taking their picture or whether I get a sneaky shot of them, a portrait is a true gift. It’s not fleeting. It’s not superficial. It's a gift to a soul, giving proof that this person is worthy to be captured.
Intrinsically I think we all know this, but I felt it deep shortly after launching my studio.
Let me tell you a story...
One day I had a client come to do a portrait session, but after I sent their images they didn't respond at all. I questioned the whole thing, convinced the must hate the entire gallery.
The next time I saw this person I braced myself, but when they approached me they broke down and opened up. They said they'd been struggling in their personal life, and had gone through a really dark season. When they saw their images they could barely look at them, feeling completely overwhelmed. They said it took a while for them to see themselves again, and these images were a big part of that.
In fact, they had sent their images to some close friends who immediately responded with emotional support about how they were so glad to finally see their friend's light again.
My client thanked me over and over because the portraits represented a turn and they could finally look forward and see hope in their future.
I had alway sensed the power of a portrait, but in that moment I truly felt it in my soul. I felt honoured to have been able to add to this persons growth.
The matriarchs of my family
In our world of incessant selfies and snapshots, there’s something profoundly different about having someone take your picture with intention. It used to be that unless you had the luxury of disposable wealth, having your portrait taken was probably a once-in-a-lifetime experience. These images became legacy pieces hung in wallpaperd living rooms in antique frames.
Now though, I am encouraged that we are seeing our culture turn back to that time - to valuing portraits that outlast trends and become a part of your family’s story, passed down through generations.
I've taken a few images that, in my mind, aim to one day be those honoured specimens. These images aren't award-winning by any stretch of the imagination, but that's not the point. It's about seeing - and pausing this moment - and in these cases, capturing the matriarchs of my family.
This is my great grandmother enjoying the sunset over her family farm during the last months that she was able to live in her home. Soon after I took this image she was moved into a retirement centre.
Below is my grinning Grandma Vi surrounded by the fall colours at her home. When I took this photo she was in the early stages of dementia which quickly took over her mind. She too moved into a seniors home.
My mom who is not a fan of getting her picture taken let me convince her to do a shoot last year. The last professional portrait she'd had done was when she was 20! In the end she had a great time, and now I have a legacy image of her.
There is no doubt that putting yourself in front of a camera is a vulnerable position, but I can tell you that on the other side is empowerment, seeing yourself through someone else’s eyes and witnessing your own beauty and strength.
If you’ve ever hesitated to have your portrait taken, I say this to you now: You are worthy of being seen and celebrated. Please don’t wait for the “right” time, because that never comes.
Whether I take your portrait or someone else does, the point is the same. Embrace it. Settle into it. Above all else, recognize the value for yourself and for those who love you.
Need a Gift Idea?
If the idea of giving someone a random gift card to a big box store makes you cringe, think about gifting a portrait session instead!
You can gift a whole session or a credit towards a session, so depending on your budget we can make your gift be truly life-giving!
Curious about my portrait style?
Have a browse through these images,
and don't forget there's also a bonus KIDS section!
