Jack, Heather, Maggie, and Paul
      Reston, Virginia
      April, 2007

      This was my third photo shoot with Heather and Paul’s family, and I couldn’t believe how much the kids had grown! The last time I saw Maggie, she was a newborn, and now she’s a lively and adorable two-year-old. Jack was a toddler the last time I saw him, and now he’s five and a half and already a skillful soccer player. It has been so fun to see this wonderful family grow over the years.

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      thank you for taking the time to reply to my endless questions! πŸ™‚

      what a gorgeous family! they made some good looking kids!

      nice captures. the grass is sooooo green! i like that they chose blue to wear.

      Re: hi there, michelle

      good to get back in touch with you.

      Michelle is a funny connection. I used to work with her, but have a couple completely unrelated other connections to her. Pretty bizarre.

      LJ can finally help me write out all the thoughts on fatherhood that have been knocking around in my head. it’s a great exercise. maybe someone will even find it useful.

      Give my best to Bill and Brady.

      Re: hi there, michelle

      I saw these photos yesterday when I was just scrolling through my friends list! I was so thrilled!! Your family is so beautiful–I can’t believe how big Jack is now, and I can’t decide who your kids look like, they look like both of you! Jack is such a gorgeous boy!! Maggie is a little heart stealer! And Heather looks forever gorgeous, I love how she stays so fit, she can give me a lesson!

      I added you to my friends list too, I’m very happy to see you on LJ!! And it’s so fun that you know michellew!! Small world indeed!!! πŸ™‚

      Me neither! She’s totally adorable, but more importantly, really sweet and lots of fun.

      Re: Thank you, Charlotte

      You’re so welcome, Paul! They are just wonderful kids, and so much fun to be with. I’m really glad you are happy with the photos.

      For this family, I asked them what sorts of things they like to do together. For example, I asked Jack and his dad what the two of them like to do together, and Jack said that he likes to play soccer with his dad. So I sent Jack off to the garage to get a soccer ball, and then I took pictures of the two of them doing their thing.

      For the more posed pictures, I observe people to see how they interact when the camera isn’t on them, and then I try to say things that prompt that sort of natural interaction. I wouldn’t say “act natural,” because there is nothing genuine about that, but I would try to get people talking and acting the way that brings out their personalities.

      For group shots, I typically focus on a promient person whose eyes are near one of the Canon lens focus points. For the first one, I probably used the top right focus point, and focused on Heather’s eyes.

      Thanks!

      For those photos of Maggie, she was sitting on the ground, and I was leaning over her.

      I do, too! I hope our future children will inherit Mike’s curls.

      Re: Adorable kids…

      Thanks very much! It’s great to have you here. πŸ™‚

      heeyyyy. Paul just told me who YOU are! lol the world gets smaller. I friended you.
      -mishka

      hi there, michelle

      hey there. you can send email to pablotest at spamex dot com.

      he’s rather tall for his age–will turn 6 at the end of July.

      Cute kids, great photos. You are an amazing photographer!
      That last picture is so sweet! Father and daughter. πŸ™‚

      The little boy looks older than 5, at least to me.

      Great pics, and cute kids. I love the little girl’s ringlets!

      Haaaa! Hey, I know Paul!

      Glad to see they’re doing well. Could you pass Paul’s contact info along to me, please? I think I have something he might be interested in…

      What a beautiful family! These are wonderful as always!

      Thank you, Charlotte

      These photos are great. Thank you so much for capturing Maggie and Jack’s spirit. It takes a special photographer to capture such special kids.

      Their kids are so beautiful! I wouldn’t mind a baby girl like her any day! πŸ™‚

      oh my god that little girl is SO cute- those eyes! charlotte, i’m curious how you motivate your clients to do what they do in order for you to get your shots? do you say, “go run around, act normal”… it seems like the harder one tries to get someone to act “natural” in front of the camera, the more stiff they become…

      AND- when you are doing your group shots, ie the first one. where do you focus? i’m just curious if you focus on the eyes, press 1/2 way down, reframe, shoot. i’m sure you have a much more professional approach, but the group shots and everyone in focus is something i’d like to practice myself. πŸ™‚

      thank you & sorry to be such a perster with every post. :p

      These are all just gorgeous. I love looking at your photos πŸ™‚
      I’m curious- in the pictures where Maggie is looking up, were you standing, looking down at her, or did you get higher somehow?

      I WANT THOSE BOING BOING CURLS!! πŸ™‚

      OH my gosh… the little girl is precious!

      wonderful photos, as always!

      Adorable kids…

      The little girl has beautiful eyes! πŸ™‚ I’ve been reading reading your journal for a couple weeks now and these are my favorite photos so far that I’ve seen from you!

      Charlotte Geary

      CHARLOTTE GEARY

      Lifestyle, event, and portrait photographer with a vibrant, joyful style and 17 years of professional experience.

      Located in Reston, Virginia near Washington, D.C. and available for travel.

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