February Newsletter - Three Stories . . .
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THREE STORIES
I thought I'd try something different with this month's newsletter, so here goes . . .
STORY 1
A few years ago - maybe more? was it four, five? so hard to say - I photographed a family who had two sons - one in grade school and one in high school. This was one of my first times photographing a teenager (though I’ve had several since) and I remember trying to capture the family's happiness, while not making the oldest child look silly. It’s a delicate balance and one I don’t encounter with younger children, where being silly is the point of it all.
Anyways, they were such a nice, kind family and I loved how they interacted with each other, but since the kids were older everything was more subtle. Truth be told, I’m not sure I got it right. The kids were both on the cusp of things - puberty for the youngest, adulthood for the oldest - which made me think about my own family and I kept saying to myself, “not yet, I’m not ready for this yet.”
But now my youngest daughter is in high school and as way leads on to way, we somehow discovered that the younger boy has become one of her good friends, which seemed impossible at first, as he still exists in my mind as child.
Yet it all happens so fast - my son (my youngest) is now much taller than me. I can no longer say “not yet”. And I love that we can go to concerts together (yay Bleachers!) and debate politics and climb mountains.
But still . . . but still . . .
STORY 2
This summer I photographed a wedding at Tides Inn (have you been? I’m obsessed with this place) and Dan and I spent the weekend there. The waterfront of the hotel is under construction and for a moment in time a huge digger was outside our balcony.
I said to my husband, “it’s such a shame Trout isn’t here - he’d love it.” Dan looked back at my confused, “why?” And I quickly realized that the child I was talking about no longer existed. Well, of course, he still exists. But he’s a teenager now and would only be annoyed by the noise of the construction. And for a minute these two images seemed impossible to reconcile - but what about the child who loves diggers? Where has he gone?
STORY 3
Another wedding story (after all, this is how I spend my weekends). “Granny” (yes, that’s what they all called her) turned 100 the summer of her granddaughter’s wedding, so of course everyone wanted photos of them together.
I expected to see an old lady, looking exhausted, who was trying her best. Instead, I encountered a smiling pretty face, full of wrinkles and happiness, and not just for the family portraits - I have so many candids of her laughing. So many. And then, later, another grandmother appeared (this time from the groom’s side). She had red hair and a gold dress. She laughed. A lot.
“What are your secrets?” I wanted to ask these old beautiful women. But I had a job to do, so I photographed them across rooms, I tried to pay attention.
IN SUMMARY . . .
How are all these stories connected? I’m not sure. Why am I telling them? Also unclear. Maybe this is just a sales pitch (but at least it is heartfelt).
It all goes so fast. Too fast. You’re never ready. For any of it.
Protect your memories. And then move forward. Take photos. Go on vacation. Tell everyone you love how much you love them. And watch for smiling centenarians, I’m convinced they have something to tell us.
HAVE A GREAT MONTH!!!
WOULD YOU LIKE TO SEE MORE FAMILY SESSIONS? Then please click below.
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Darcy Troutman Photography is a Northern VA/Washington DC/Maryland documentary-style family photographer, who believes in capturing real moments. Interested in learning more? Please click here to sign up for my newsletter or schedule a session.