I met this family last year for family photos in Prospect Park, when we had a wonderful time rolling around in the fall leaves. Their little boy was a few weeks away from walking solo back then, and it’s so neat to see how much he’s grown – and gotten mobile! Thankfully he still has that same sweet face and friendly disposition.
We met exactly one year later and took some family photos in Park Slope starting in their apartment, walking slowly down the street in the meandering way that only toddlers can pull off (“Look at this! Look at this! A rock! A stick! Dad hold me! Dad put me down! A dog! I’m sitting! I’m getting up! Paper!), and ending in my home studio a few blocks away. (I don’t do a lot of studio portraits outside of head shots for doctors, lawyers, and other professionals, but this is likely coming in the new year and we tried some stuff out on this day.)
The photo of this little guy squishing his bear Gigi makes my heart melt. She is clearly a favorite, and cheerfully endured being tossed on the sidewalk, swung by the arm, and carried about in his mouth by her nose. I was reminded of the Velveteen Rabbit contemplating becoming Real. Gigi, you are on your way.
“Real isn’t how you are made,” said the Skin Horse. “It’s a thing that happens to you. When a child loves you for a long, long time, not just to play with, but REALLY loves you, then you become Real.”
“Does it hurt?” asked the Rabbit.
“Sometimes,” said the Skin Horse, for he was always truthful. “When you are Real you don’t mind being hurt.”
She deserved her own photo, I thought, so I propped her on a stool and she smiled for me for a few moments of calm before being hastily collected again by her boy.
There will be another family member added to the mix soon – a little girl! I took a few modest maternity photos of Allison’s expanding belly.
This family got a discount on their photography session, because repeat customers receive a (non transferable) photo discount of 10% for all subsequent shoots for life. It’s my way of saying thank you for trusting me again with your memories.
If you would like family photos in Park Slope, too, get in touch by calling 424-226-2378 or using my handy contact form.
