When I walked into the stable, there sat Sophie. She was in a gorgeous dress and her hair was beautiful with a flower wreath crowning the top of her head. Though she looked amazing, I could tell that she was dying to get off the bench and get her hands on her horse, Dani. She was sitting on the bench to stay “unwrinkled” and “clean”. That is a tough thing for a young lady to do when the object of her affection is white, has four legs, a long tail, a great disposition and is currently standing behind a stable door.
Once we began the portrait session of Sophie and Dani, we watched Sophie’s face glow, her eyes come alive and her body move with ease and in complete control of this beautiful and large horse. It was as if the horse could read her mind and knew that this was going to be an important day for both of them. As Kevin and I photographed them, it was if we were not there. We watched Sophie and Dani and saw a relationship displayed that few people understand. It was magic.
After about an hour and a half, the session was finished. For me, it actually ended too soon. To watch this girl and her horse was a beautiful thing to behold. To think that there were going to be portraits to document this special love was and is a great thing for she, her Mom, her Grandparents and us.
I love being part of Sophie’s story. I love watching her grow. I love her sweet and kind spirit. Ours is an incredible calling…..capturing a moment in time and allowing our clients to freeze that moment forever. Shannon and Sophie will have this moment forever.
We have been photographing Sophie since she was about three months old. It has been our privilege to watch her grow from a baby, to a toddler, then a little girl, a big girl and now a sweet young lady. This is the first portrait that we created for Shannon of baby Sophie:
Masterpiece Portrait of a Baby
As we began our photography session with Sophie and Dani, I thought back to all of those portraits that we have created for her Mom and Grandparents in the past. Every one different, but every one perfect for each age. Each time we photograph her, I think to myself, “This is my favorite portrait of Sophie”, but, that thought only lasts until the next session with her. Each session different than the last, each time the new one becomes my favorite.
I asked Sophie’s Mom, Shannon to send me a picture of her portrait hanging in her office. This is what she sent to me and here it is:
Sophie is beautiful, smart, sweet and fun. She and her Mom are an amazing pair. They love each other to the moon and back and their relationship is one to admire. To Shannon I say, “What a sweet young lady you are pouring your life into. Thank you for allowing us to be part of your lives.
Carolyn Whitaker