My Best Friend's Children

One of the perks of having a best friend with children of varying ages and stages is the unlimited opportunity for practice. If you look through other posts on this portrait blog, my website, or new facebook page (currently under construction), you will see numerous photos of them. But will you really see THEM? For example, looking at this photo one would say "what beautiful children". And they are. Are they close knit little angels as they appear? Some would argue not.

And while they may appear to be picture perfect...

There is certainly much more to this picture... like Dylan's devilish grin. And the looks to the side he does just to tease me when I want him to face the camera.

And Brooke's excited face as she shows the 2 missing teeth she has been waiting a long time to lose. Right before she celebrates her birthday tomorrow (or today depending on the speed of my dial-up tonight)! Can you guess from this picture that this child often times has me almost doing cartwheels just to get a smile?

Finally, there is this beautiful pre-teen that I have a difficult time remembering not knowing. She has been part of my family since she and my son Luc met as toddlers at a Church function. Bethany has always had a wonderful smile... but would you know that today's smile has been thousands of dollars in the making?

Taking pictures of children I don't know is fun, but taking pictures of children whose expressions and mannerisms are totally familiar to me is very rewarding. Especially when I manage to capture their spirit.