Vision.

This is a first sketch storyboard. Start one with each and every client I book. I use their personalities and the look they want to achieve as my inspiration and I just start doodling from there.

Sometimes I use words. Sometimes I draw (and usually so poorly that only I can understand the vision), or sometimes I just watercolor colors on a background for a particular location I find.

So, this is how it all starts.

Once I create the storyboard, I place the shots in an order that makes sense once the session starts. Usually I try and get the entire family first, while the kids are fresh, and then subtract from there.

The problem with all of this, is I am like this for my own family, too. I don't just follow the kids around and shoot as much as I used to. I don't know if it's because I am picky with lighting, or the composition, or that they have dirty faces? All I know, is I want to be better about capturing everyday, and let the perfectionist side go. I'll save that for my clients...

And give the best to my kids.

Which means me being playful (and not preoccupied by the million things on my mind), engaging, and fun. The best pictures I have of the kids (especially Caeden) are when I was more of a Mom and LESS of a photographer.

Caeden ... 7 months old. No idea what I was doing with a camera at this point. But a 'snapshot' perfect because of that face. Oh my. That face.

And this one where Caeden stopped looking at the camera. Over it. Still is. But I love his chubby arms and how he is carrying that red truck (his favorite toy for over a year at one point).

And sadly, I have hardly any of Claire (well I do, but not nearly like I do of Caeden) because she was 7 months old when Wayne was diagnosed with cancer. Nothing like that to put a damper on my urge to shoot with my camera.

But a friend gently reminded me that I need to keep at it. Keep going with it because someday the effort I make will pay dividends, and that, I agree with. Thanks T.

So today. Camera out of bag. Leaving iPhone at home (use it too much for pictures that usually disappoint me!) and taking pictures of whatever unfolds today.

And, that. That is a vision.