De Smitjes 2013

The importance of capturing memories

I have not posted in a while. This year has been very exciting for my business but for me personally it was a year of enormous loss. I had a very unique assignment this spring to photograph a family of 10 siblings.

Now I photography families and groups all the time but never one like this. This family was all brothers and one little sister. What made this family different was that they were not celebrating childhood milestones but rather celebrating a life well lived. The oldest sibling was 80 and the youngest was 63.

We arranged to go back to their childhood home. Where the current owners were generous enough to let them go inside and visit the home where they were all born. I took images of them and shared in all their childhood memories. I was very honored to take part in this with them.

Shortly after photographing this unique family my mother died. She had been ill but her death took me and my family by surprise. The last memory I have of my mom is an iPhone photo my brother sent me of her in the hospital. She looks great. It’s her eyes and her smile and I miss them so very much. This photo of my mom surrounded by hospital equipment has become one of my most treasured possessions. It evokes in me such a flurry of emotions. I want to look at her face and remember happy times, different times, but its so hard to get past the other things in the picture.

I look back and wish that I had an portrait of my mother. A memory of her and I together in a place that meant something to us. I think back on that family I photographed in the spring and I wish I had what they had. I want that memory of my mom. As parents we celebrate the milestones in our children’s lives but do we ever think about leaving memories for them of ourselves.

Summer Fun

I cannot remember when I laughed so hard! This was such a fun family and I had a blast photographing them. These two sisters wanted a family portrait to give to their parents for their wedding anniversary. They were vacationing together so I agreed to meet them on location and crash their holiday!! Woo Hoo some days; I have the best job ever!

One done and one in the oven

I love sessions like these, high energy, wonderful weather, and tons of laughs. It’s a really great that feeling when you get clients who get it. They have picked you because they like your style and creativity and they are eager to be a part of it. We had such a blast. Damian their son quickly became my 2^nd shooter for the day. He captured some great shots of his parents and some rather embarrassing ones of me! I cannot wait to catch up with them again when their little bump arrives.

The more the merrier

This was the first time I have worked with twins. I am somewhat fascinated by them. The thought of having to share everything with someone is comforting and at the same time a bit daunting. I think I would never sleep, not only from having to do double the work but also from just wanting to watch how these two little boys interact with each other.

Over in the meadow, where the green grass grows

What do you get if you mix sunshine, high wild grass and a handful of boys… a whole lot of fun! It was hard work to keep up with these bouncing boys but they had to slow down to give hugs to mama. Whoa what a fun day!