The Quinn Family: Mini Session
When I was 13 years old, I picked up a disposable camera from CVS.
I fell wholly, deeply, in love, and I have remained in love with film photography for nearly 20 years.
Shot on a Holga Camera
Last month, I had the opportunity to photograph something that has been on my heart for years now: a Day in the Life Session, on Film.
Film has a way of Mimicking our memory much better than digital photography can. The imperfections, film grain, and whimsical outcomes fit perfectly for a candid photoshoot with young kids, especially during a hot summer day like this one.
“The photograph is not meant to be an exact replica.
The memory doesn’t exist that way,
Why should the proof?”
When I approached the Quinn Family with this idea, I wasn’t really sure if they would enjoy the outcome. Shooting this way is unconventional, and setting the expectation that this afternoon is not meant to be choreographed in any way is actually fairly difficult, especially in an age of hyperrealism.
“I just want them to play,” I said. “They can wear whatever they want.”
Having been a professional photographer for nearly half my life, those words were as freeing for me to say as they were to be heard, I imagine.
I consider myself a fairly relaxed person, and I have always worked to bring that relaxed energy to my sessions- it’s what I’ve become known for.
When I shoot film, I sink Further into that relaxed state- everyone does.
The goal is not to create something perfect, but to create something nostalgic.
And that, my friends, is what I’m after.
Encaustic Painting
While in college, I learned how to turn my photographs into encaustic paintings.
The painting you see here fits inside the palm of my hand (3x5), and was created with one of the photographs from this session. The Miniature figure within the frame speaks to the fragility of childhood, in my opinion. The purpose of this piece is to make the viewer stop, look, and consider the imaginary world of a child.
