CHARLIE TURNS "THIS MANY" (THREE)

Well, another weekend of fun, travel, and photography.  
Portraits and catching up with friends in old stomping grounds!  Squirrel's Tavern, Interzone Coffee, and hanging with Ralph = Good times!





Went over to Corvallis to visit with my friend Jackie who has recently returned from a long stint in Australia.  During this trip I spent time with another friend, Sarah, who asked me to take some portraits of her son, Charlie.  Charlie is just a few days shy of his third birthday and was very stoked about his mom and dad planing a birthday party at the fire station for him.  This was an interesting shoot, as the subject was amped to be in his natural surroundings (playground) and did not really want to slow down, smile for the camera, or even stop!! 

Eventually, after letting him play himself out, he decided that he would "pose" for a few shots..especially since there was some ice cream in his future (thanks Sarah!!)  We had a good time and after some editing, I was able to present Sarah and her husband, Jay, with a decent collection of images.  Lighting was tough as the playground was quite shady and dark in areas or in the annoying dappled light that comes from late in the day sunshine through trees.  

I was running around after Charlie trying to catch his attention but at the same time be unobtrusive enough that he didn't really register that I was there and get all stressed out or self-conscious.  It is definitely a balance to maintain working with kids, particularly little ones.  But, when you can relax and let yourself be goofy as well, great things can happen!  Pretty fun 45 minutes!!

I had a great time doing this shoot, learning how to deal with lots of variables... lighting issues, onlookers, juggling gear, and managing an energetic subject who just wanted to have a good time and couldn't care less if his mom was worried about how his hair looked....LOL!