I’ve been photographing BK for awhile now. His mom and I are friends who hail from the same hometown of Hampton, Virginia and both chose the valley of the sun in Arizona to lay roots. I love BK’s attitude, especially as complemented by his mom’s penchant for dressing him like an old man.
We do 2 shoots a year. One for BK’s birthday and the other for holiday pics that his mom sends out of them both. I look forward to these shoots to commemorate the milestones BK has reached and to capture the growing love that they have for each other.
We’ve shot at Freestone Park, downtown Gilbert, a Chandler greenbelt, downtown Chandler, downtown Scottsdale, and North Scottsdale. BK is an easy going kid who likes to look good so he takes my coaching like a pro.
His mom always looks good so when they are photographed together, they are always coordinated and not matchy matchy – super stylish!
Taking kids pictures can be tricky. Here’s what makes photographing BK a breeze:
- He is interested in having a good time so he tells me jokes and he humors me when I tell the one joke I know during each and every shoot.
- He is interested in looking his best so he takes my coaching for posing exceptionally well. When I tell him to do a serious face, he knows to look softly at the camera with the slightest of smiles. When he’s having a hard time giving me the real smile, I tell him NOT to smile or to chuckle and the authentic pull at the corners of his mouth go up like clockwork.
- He is a great sport so he wears the looks his mother has selected with confidence and pride. If I ask him to sit, to kneel, to jump, to squat, to lean, and/or to stand on one leg (!) he does so willingly and happily.
- He and his mother trust me and my choices. If I say I want to shoot at 5:30 in the morning, they don’t bat an eye. They know I wouldn’t choose anything but the best light if I get my way.
I look forward to documenting the marvel that is this kid for years to come!
