We recently had a family photo session with a dad and two boys to create a birthday present for the mom. The dad was not interested in the standard poses and just documenting what they look like. Instead he really wanted to capture the expressions and exuberance of his two boys and show the relationships between all three of them.

Scott took tons of photos while the kids took turns doing silly poses, funny faces and generally acted their ages. And as siblings will, there were moments when the other brother jumped into view. Scott pulled back so the boys could literally jump in their photos. And out came the fluorescent hats. With more goofing. Finally the dad got into frame with both boys. This wasn’t a staid family photo session. It was way too much fun. There was lots of laughing and the love was ridiculously easy to see.

In post-production, Scott found that the hats were so bright that they kept catching his eye. But he really wanted the viewer’s attention to be on the faces. Shifting the images into black a white allowed the hats to be fun props, but not the point of the images.

Thankfully the threat of snow here and the storm in the Northeast did not affect our ability to deliver beautiful prints in time for the birthday celebration.  As a mom and wife, I know I treasure family photos that portray my kids and husband so well. What a terrific idea for a birthday gift!