As children are born and grow into adulthood,
There are specific seasons in their lives that are meant to be preserved.
For you.
For them.
For their children…and their children. We created this guide with that in mind. tim & bev
“Babies are bits of stardust blown from the hand of God.”
Babies are full of promise. As we hold and cuddle them, we realize how completely they depend on us for their very existence.
Each moment of each day brings new experiences and new levels of both joy and exhaustion, and we see how quickly they change, seemingly from minute to minute.
And we long to preserve every moment to savor.
Between the first few days and throughout their first year, there are many drastic changes that take place.
We recommend doing our black & white “Relationship” style during the Age of Innocence season so that babies can be held in mom or dad’s arms where they are the most comfortable.
Babies adore looking at mom and dad at this age. We encourage hugs, snuggling, kisses and giggles while we focus on baby as the main subject. Mom and dad are simply props here.
“The fundamental job of a toddler is to rule the universe.”
Toddlers can best be described as a bundle of surprise and delight.
Unpredictable behavior marks the typical toddler that walks through our door.
Will they be shy? Quiet? Rambunctious? Or all of these…and in the same session?
With no pretense, these little ones are a joy to photograph as they are always true to who they really are.
Toddlers need to be close to mom and dad at this age, allowing us to create intimate portraits that celebrate the family and tell their unique stories.
Depending on their personality, we can include parents in the portrait or photograph the toddler alone.
We often us our window light which is simple, timeless and wonderful at capturing the pensive expressions of this age.
We often recommend doing our black & white “Relationship” style during this season, especially for the younger children as they find comfort being held close to mom or dad.
For the older children in this age group, we often do windowlight to capture their sweet innocence.
“Magical moments are highly perishable.”
“Childhood is the most beautiful of all of life’s seasons.”
These ages are seeking to find their place in the family the the world around them.
It is hard to let them make their own way…but it is necerssary.
School opens new vistas as teachers and friends start playing a bigger role in their lives.
Searching and discovering for their where they fit in, they still need reassurance from mom and dad as they begin to stand on their own.
We often recommend doing a Beau Visage mixed media painting (above) at the age of FIVE as that is when they start losing their teeth which changes their face shape into a more mature look. This is a SIGNIFICANT milestone.
So many changes take place in a child’s life, but none so drastic as losing their teeth around the age of five. Faces lose their babyish look and elongates as you realize that your toddler is now a child.
Beau Visage mixed media painting.
Everything is an adventure at this age. The sentiment below is so true.
“We didn’t know we were making memories. We just knew we were having fun.”
At these ages and with more control, we add the option of Color Studies.
At these ages, children are searching for and discovering their place, where they fit in and they need reassurance from their family that they are part of a “tribe” who will always be there for support and encouragement.
Parents become chauffeurs as schedules get busy with sports and school…dinner is often on the run.
Suspended between child and adult, this age is one of the most amazing to photograph.
Portraits at this age are often neglected due to busy schedules, braces, their opinions…and LIFE! Don’t miss this critical opportunity to reassure your child that he is part of the family and is important.
This is a wonderful portrait opportunity before your child hits the sixteen year milestone. This portrait will highlight the final salute to the early teen years.
What a perfect time to do a family portrait too:-)
Sixteen to eighteen years. “ I am a teen. I have a messy room. I am moody.”
This it the time for your child to establish who they are as they mature more each day.
These are their final years in the home.
They are both ready to go and wanting to stay.
This is one of the biggest milestones in life as so much change is getting ready to happen.
This is such a pivotal age. It’s not called “sweet sixteen” for nothing! One of our favorite portraits of our youngest daughter was when she was sixteen and we suddenly saw the woman she would later become as we were photographing her.
It brought tears to our eyes.
What a special season for your teenager! This is the perfect time to celebrate them with portraits that will remain a cornerstone for their entire life.
Whether it is their “senior” portrait or simply a time for updating your family portrait, it is important to schedule and not miss.
Years ago, when we first decided to implement how to write a letter to your children as an addition to our portraits, I wanted to write to our girls first so I could explain it to you, our clients.
So I did.
And it was so touching. We then created a process that allows you to easily do the same for your children.
There will never be a more meaningful gift you can give your child. Here is how it works: We provide the paper and instructions in a POUCH attached to the back of your framed portrait.
When you get home and have a quiet moment, remove the blank paper and write your love letter. Replace it in the pouch when you are done.
This letter can stay hidden util you give the portrait to them with its hidden secret at the time you pre-determined to let that portrait go.
We are giving you the MATERIALS and MOTIVE to write these priceless letters to each of your children.
Watch a video about writing a love letter…
The pouch is attached to the back of your portrait. https://youtu.be/vzL5-4dP3zQ
Today, Tim is a “print artist” extraordinaire.
Q: Who knows what they want to grow up to be when they are still a child?
A: Tim WaldenTim with his first camera and Rosie.
Tim’s father, Bob, was a professional photographer for the Army when he was paralyzed due to a freak accident. But that didn’t stop him.
He mentored Tim all during high school and eventually, after Tim and Bev married, sold them the business.
Today, Tim does the photography while Bev creates the Beau Visage mixed media paintings.
Bob passed on more than a profession. He passed on passion, excellence and a “no excuse” way of living and doing business.
“Photography is a way of feeling, of touching, of loving. What you have caught on film is captured forever… it remembers little things, long after you have forgotten everything.”
Aaron Siskind
