Donut Headshots: Old Town Alexandria Blogger Photography

When Megan from Session Spiels contacted me about headshots, I had a feeling it would be a good time.  The first thing I read about her was that she loves donuts, and after one rain reschedule, we set up a photography session in Old Town Alexandria.  She grabbed some Sugar Shack donuts en route, and we had a great time laughing and capturing her fun personality!

Old Town Alexandria features the BEST colors, even on a cloud February day!  Looking for some headshots that showcase the real you?  Contact me to get on my schedule!

This Good Gift.

Today's blog post is a little different.  I don't have photos from a recent session to show you.  I'm working on some projects and tons of editing and photos of my kids, but I'm not sharing them right now.

This photography thing is a gift.

Professional photographers, semi-pros, hobbyists, however you identify yourselves: USE that gift.

Yes, it's important to have photos of your children.

Yes, it's important to print them.

But it's even more important to give back.  2018 has started a bit rough personally.  We have my car under recall and are driving a loaner.  We are dealing with a new specialist for one of our kids.  We had another nightmare car experience.  (I started writing this a couple weeks ago.  With yet another school shooting, those challenges hardly seem mentioning.)

I've been able to do some fun sessions as gifts.  But I've also been able to provide some less fun sessions as gifts.  

Photographers, say yes.  If no one is asking, find someone who needs photos.

It's worth it.

Go.

Save the Date {Old Town Mini Session}

I rarely offer mini sessions, but for any time of announcement, I'm usually game.  What could be more fun to announce than an upcoming wedding?!  E and R were fun and we laughed a ton, and were amazed that this session happened!  We had indoor plans, moved to another indoor location, figured that it was open, figured wrong, and spent about 45 minutes outside during the only non-rainy portion of the weekend!

Kinder than is Necessary

I first read Wonder shortly after it was published.

Quick note: If you're not familiar with the book or movie, go read/watch.  It's the fictional story of August Pullman, a fifth grade boy with Treacher Collins Syndrome, which causes him to have very obvious facial differences.  In the story, he starts middle school, which is his first foray into school after a lifetime of being homeschooled.  The story is told from the perspectives of various people in Auggie's life - his sister and new classmates, as well as Auggie himself.  Now go get the book.  Seriously.

Not surprisingly, as the parent of a child with a visible disability, Auggie's story stood out to me. Watching the movie several years later, now as the parent to a child with a disability and a typically developing child, Via caught my attention more than she had previously. The summer before the movie came out, I took a picture of Ellie in an astronaut helmet at the Children's Museum of Naples. I thought of Auggie and his helmet. A few months later, after seeing the movie, this idea was born. Photos of kids with and without disabilities, some with visible disabilities and some not, wearing a helmet and with their own beautiful faces showing. Although these portraits were gifts to the families, they were really a gift to me.

“You were wearing that helmet all the time. And the real, real, real, real truth is: I missed seeing your face, Auggie. I know you don’t always love it, but you have to understand … I love it. I love this face of yours, Auggie, completely and passionately. And it kind of broke my heart that you were always covering it up.” - Auggie's dad, Wonder by R.J. Palacio

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Included in this collage is my daughter's first friend, the first child who loved her for her without parental involvement.  He has been her person and her rock more than he will ever know.  The fact that he is not verbal has never mattered to her.  He makes her feel loved.  

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Included in this collage are kids who have given me perspective for my youngest, as she grows up with a big sister with a disability.  She may have a slightly different sibling experience than some of her friends, but I know having Ellie as a sister will make her life better.

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Pictured here are kids whose disabilities are visible. There are kids whose disabilities are invisible.  There are siblings who have sat through therapy sessions.  There are kids who, like the fictional Auggie Pullman, are well acquainted with doctor's offices and surgical procedures.  And like Auggie, they all deserve a standing ovation - we all do, we have all overcometh the world.

 

 

“If every person in this room made it a rule that wherever you are, whenever you can, you will try to act a little kinder than is necessary - the world really would be a better place. And if you do this, if you act just a little kinder than is necessary, someone else, somewhere, someday, may recognize in you, in every single one of you, the face of God.”
― R.J. Palacio, Wonder

The photograph from summer that inspired this project.

The photograph from summer that inspired this project.

Choose kind.