I have been itching to get out and do more street shooting after my last attempt. The pull has been especially strong since reading the amazing guest posts we have had this month. But, it hasn’t (really) happened.
Street photography + kids in tow = a bad idea
Hmmm, maybe when they are older.
Maybe when it isn’t like herding a cat and a squirrel hopped up on honey-nut cheerios and maple syrup, I can take them out shooting in the streets with me. For now, I will reserve this style of work for when I am flying solo mio. The only street photography I have been able to do in the past couple of weeks has been on our walks to the neighborhood park. I’m cool with that, I am. And you know why? Spending all day, almost every day with the kids means they see me in “the creative zone”. I am pretty sure they can tell it in my body language, the glimmer in my eye. I like that my kids witness me with a camera in my hand all the time. Scratch that, I LOVE that my kids see me with my camera in hand all the time.
One of the most important things to me as a mom is to encourage them to be and do what moves them deep down inside. I don’t want them to have to feel like they should hush a part of themselves to please me (or anyone for that matter). I want for them to notice the beauty in the little things around them, to be stopped in their tracks when the light hits the mountains or the ponytails of their own daughter one day flutters in the breeze, shimmering and asking to be photographed, painted, written about.
And guess what, I think it’s working.
Awhile back, I was playing around with the Yashica. This camera was once my grandfather’s, then my mom’s and now it is mine. As I was fiddling with the knobs, my son, O. asked if he could try shooting with it. I hesitated and then realized the camera’s history was exactly the reason I should and did say, “Yes”. Four generations have now photographed with this camera. How cool is that? Not only did he click the shutter, but he captured a moment of motherhood I don’t think I could re-create if I tried really, really hard. The triple exposure he managed to get speaks volumes about those moments of parenthood where the white flag is all you can wave (or the umbrella in your drink notifying the pool boy that you need a refill. I don’t have a pool, so that option is out… but I digress. ).
How else do I know my lessons of creativity are getting across? Lately, I have been asking O. to pose for me. He is 3 months shy of 5 years old, but I truly believe he gets what I am up to when I want to create an image. Or at least, he knows that my photography is important to me. He is sweet enough to support me in my adventures by following my, “stand this way or that.” (most of the time, anyway). I don’t know if he (or his sister) will grow up to be a photographer, an artist, an astronaut, an engineer or a janitor, that part doesn’t matter.
What does matter is up to them, not me. What is up to me however, is to have them both grow to be adults who know that every time their mama stuck a camera in their face growing up, it was because not only did (does) she love them, but because she wanted to teach them how to really see.
Such beautiful words (and the triple exposure is rad!). I hope to be able to teach my kids the same one day….
Isn’t that one great? I might have to get it enlarged!
love this post, Vanessa, and your way of collaboratiing with your little ones
they make my day and help me keep things silly!
“I want for them to notice the beauty in the little things around them, to be stopped in their tracks when the light hits the mountains…” I loved this line, Vanessa, because this is what I want for my kids, too. Stop, look, listen, smell, taste, touch….notice the world around you. xo, Barbara
yes, yes, yes.
So eloquent and moving, Vanessa. Man, I want to buy O a Hassalblad. This is lovely. I’m very grateful to read your words. Keep on musing…
Pam, it’s because of you that I am (we are) shooting with that camera again- the film you sent was such a great kick starter!
I love this post! I am forever dragging out E and M to see the light, or look at patterns. But most of all, I want them to know how it feels to have that overpowering excitement about something. And I want them to remember that and then share it with their kids too.
yes, you said it exactly- the overpowering excitement. I get totally anxious if I see something and don’t have a camera on me (rare, but it happens!)
this post is beautiful. thank you for sharing your words. so lovely!
Thank you!
I don’t always know what my son thinks of me dragging my camera out all the time, or spending so much time doing my creative thing but I do know that I get what you are saying…I’ve always hoped that he would learn to “see” the everyday things that are so often extraordinary. Thank you for sharing your story.
I am sure you are teaching him more than you know.
Beautiful post! Yes! My daughter just bought a holga. It is fun to shoot with her and watch her find the light.
Your family is going to bring back film at this rate! so awesome.
Vanessa, Really lovely post and yes, the triple exposure O captured is stellar. I have the same wish for my kids. My 5 year old has a little digital camera but has grown to love snapping photos on the iPhone. I know what you mean about street photography, I reserve my outings for solo adventures too…
O loves the ipod touch that we have and I love finding all the little gems he has captured on there. Seeing the world from their pov is so good.
this post is wonderful. thank you so much. really touching and thought provoking. so glad you are a muse!
well said, Vanessa, well said.
Wonderful images. Encouraging your children to be part of your creativity and express their own is one of the greatest gifts we can give them. Another way to explore their senses and experiences.
like you, street photography is out for now in this house as well 😉
and i so appreciated your perpsective on working within your current frame/life. and so beautiful…the wishes for your children to learn to see beauty around them, to get stopped in their tracks.
yes…
This post gave me the chills. Your kids are lucky indeed to learn the lesson of truly seeing from their Mama.