Yesterday, I had an idea for my five grand nieces and nephew. I asked them to pick out their favorite “thing” and photographed them holding it. Years from now, I told them, when they have their own families, they can show their kids what their favorite thing was when they were 11, 8, 5, 3, and four months old. Ok, I let the baby off the hook.
My eight year old grand nephew’s favorite thing is his elephant stuffed animal. After I took the portrait shot outside his house, on the way inside, he decided to show me how elephants sound when they are riled up–he pushed his animal down his neck, turned and roared like a an elephant. Then, he just hugged it and looked like an angel.
Although, I feel sure he’ll want the portrait of him roaring, one of my favorite things is this angelic eight year old elephant lover. The power of the camera to capture sweetness never ceases to amaze me.
©Pat Coakley 2008
PHOTOGRAPHS CANNOT BE USED WITHOUT WRITTEN PERMISSION
I love the muted lighting – beautiful portrait.
This is stunning. Do these kids know how lucky they are to have you documenting their growth and changes and tender moments such as this?
I agree with Magnum – the light/dark contrast in this makes it even more arresting. Hope you had a good Thanksgiving yesterday! Lots of turkey for Pappy.
Very nice photo. Well done, in both the idea of the photos and this shot it’s self.
All our generation had, if we were lucky, was an old dusty shoebox with faded photos and no date stamp or identification of place.
Your family is blessed to have permanence captured by your photos and your thoughtful, subtle direction.
Love the soft light and how he just emerges from the background.
See- it’s your direction.
lovely, makes my heart sing, thankyou pat
Lovely tones.