On a chilly January Saturday, with the thermometer at 1 degree Fahrenheit, I embraced the warmth of candid family photography in Kalamazoo, Michigan. A winter lifestyle photography session is a yearly tradition for this family, and this year, their youngest turned 1—just like the thermometer outside.
Look at how she's grown! Just a year ago, she was a squishy newborn held in her family's arms in this post about capturing everyday moments in lifestyle photography.
Two years ago I shared her big brother E's one-year birthday session while exploring perspective in storytelling through photography.
This year, as I tell the story of another in-home documentary session and this special milestone birthday, let's dive deep into the power of detail in photography and how details convey intimacy.
A high angle view of a cozy sibling reading session gives us a unique perspective...
yet, it's the intricacies of little toes peeking beneath the book that truly evoke a cozy feel.
A wide angle shot of the living room sets the scene...
However, it's the play of sunlight, painting rainbows and casting a warm glow on the baby's face...
while warming big brother's shoulder as he reads his I Spy book that gives us a sensory experience reminiscent of our own childhood.
Details extend to the symmetrical expressions of shared joy between mother and child...
to the loose straps awaiting a mother's hand...
And the contagious laughter ignited by dad's playful tickles.
Capturing details involves noticing the genuine applause of a one-year-old, reveling in pure joy...
and the look of pride on a child's face when they get their build just right.
Documenting details involves keen observation...
It's about zooming out to grasp the broader perspective of a scene...
and then zooming in to the small details like the little hands placing blocks in father's hands ---because those hands won't be little forever...
it's the two bottom teeth in a gummy grin, the spongy texture of the birthday cake and the way a messy spoon fits into a child's hand...
Details are found in the delicate grace of eyelashes...
and the discovery of a new toy in a window adorned with a child's playful use of scotch tape.
Details matter because we are much more than our portraits. While portraits capture our physical features, they don't tell the story of who we are.
As we look back on our lives, we'll seek out the details, much like a child paging through a beloved I Spy book. It's these details— the exchanges with family members, the joy of immersing ourselves in beloved books, the sharing of celebrations, and the playfulness with cherished toys—that truly narrate our story.
Ready to tell your story? Let's chat