Last weekend, Brian came down from upstairs and said the kids really wanted me to say goodnight before naps. I was a little annoyed because I didn’t want to come upstairs. I was enjoying my first bits of time alone. But Brian wouldn’t let it go.

I walked into their bedroom to find them both in Pascaline’s bed, comfy and snug as two bugs. (Now you have to remember Pascaline DOES NOT like to be touched.) She was hugging and snuggling Blaze saying, (I kid you not) “I LOVE having a baby brother! Blaze is the best!” You can guess my reaction!

“BRIAN, GET THE CAMERA AND VIDEO CAMERA!”

But seriously, the light was beautiful (a soft, late afternoon light). So I forgot about my afternoon plans and grabbed the camera. And I’m so glad I did. It’s these unexpected moments that sometimes provide the most wonderful images.

Pascaline working the camera!

She knows exactly what she’s doing!

Sweet baby bear…can you ever imagine him dumping a pitcher of water over his sister’s head? Me neither! And yet he did!

As the kids scooted up on the bed, they moved out of the window light. So Brian, my partner in crime, jumped in and got them to move back down on the bed so mom could have her window light back. These shots turned out to be some of my favorites!

Photographing your kids is always a bit “unexpected” because you never know when the moment will come that you want to shoot something they’re doing. And yet, I find more and more how I enjoy setting up the moments…helping them happen. Brian and I often do this with our bride and groom.

The couple sees our portfolio, and they want natural shots too. But they’re not used to being in front of the camera and need some coaching along the way to help them relax. Kids are the same way. We almost need to teach them how to be at ease with the camera, otherwise we’ll always be getting those “say cheese” shots.

But there are also the moments that happen unexpectedly. I almost miss them because I don’t want to be interrupted, or I’m finally getting a moment to myself. As moms, we get so task oriented with cleaning up lunch, thinking about dinner, returning emails, starting nap time… that when we finally get a break we want the break. (Doesn’t it seem like holidays raise this intensity even higher? )

The exercise for “Unexpected Shots” is simple and low stress.

Just be open to unexpected moments.

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To learn more about me visit About Me Ra.

To find out more information on our photography workshops, visit “Documenting a Child’s Life.” We have 2 spots left for our March 10th 2007 workshop!

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