Portraits of a Family

By definition a portrait is:  a painting, drawing, photograph, or engraving of a person, especially one depicting only the face or head and shoulders.  A portrait is also usually considered more "formal" than other photographs.

Who would have expected to run into someone you know, so far away from home?
This is Allison, a young lady who grew up in our town, our families went to the same church,
she was in band with my daughter,  and here she is working as a Park Ranger in Arches National Park!
What a stroke of luck it was that I decided to wear my Michigan t-shirt that day.
 It initiated the conversation that lead to our reacquaintance!

As a photographer, I have been asked to shoot senior photos, business photos, weddings and special events. And I have done all those things.  However, I do not enjoy that process as much as I do creating portraits which show personality, and a sense of time and place.

These portraits provide a visual storytelling element that a traditional portrait does not.  Don't get me wrong - there is still a place for those more formal shots.  But when I review the photographs of our kids and grandkids that I have taken the last couple of weeks, I see each as a piece which makes up the puzzle which is our family.  

I would love to hear what YOU think of my interpretation of what a portrait is.  Enjoy!