Kids, Kids, Kids

Moms:  It doesn't matter how much sleep they get, how much they eat or how relax you made them before you entered the studio.  Babies have a mind of their own.  They will cry for no reason, they well refuse to let you put them down and they will not smile.   I used to be a electronics salesman at Sears department store, and every now and then I would duck over to the portrait studio and watch the manager (and parents) make faces, beg, and plead for the babies stop crying and smile for the camera.  I have spent many days and many nights trying to figure out the magic formula to solve this problem.  Hec, I've even contemplated hypnosis!  But lately; what has usually helped are my own kids, they seem to know how to bond with their peers (I guess you could say).  But baring that, kids and babies cry in front of my camera as if I've stole their bottles!  But like any good photographer, I stick it out, keep shooting, keep tickling, keep cracking jokes, and I usually always, always capture a smile.

The Kissing Bridge

It was a regular Sunday afternoon, and I was photographing an engagement session last summer. We were at Belle Isle in Detroit MI and I was waiting for the future bride and groom to walk towards me holding hands, laughing, and kissing all the way so I could photograph them.  Right when we were about to start, a 60-something-year old couple walked slowly on the bridge, went towards the middle and just started tongue kissing.  It was the strangest thing. I stood there, couldn't help but stare and just wasn't quite sure what to make of it, so I just waited until they were through.  A few seconds later they turned to me and told me that this was the "kissing bridge" and they used to come to the bridge 40 years ago, and talk and kiss.

Mrs. Davison

I meet so many clients who only have one or two pictures of their mothers.  This amazes me because my mother (and father) passed away when I was 15 months old, but yet I have over 100 pictures of us together.  I mean they just always took pictures.  A few weeks ago I decided to pull out my parents big 8x10 wedding album and I came across a picture that was almost identical to a picture of my wife that I took before our wedding in Jamaica.  I was shocked that it took me so long to see this because I swear I've looked at their album at least 500 times. Now, not a day goes by in which I don't take a good look at both pictures.  For me: this is a small miracle, a reason to smile every day, a constant reminder why I decided to pick up a camera in the first place.

Wanda Davison my mother taken in 1974

Latasha Davison my wife taken in 2006

Making the Band

People always ask what do I photograph when I'm not shooting weddings.  Well, since you asked (lol) - I do senior portraits, babies, and a lot of aspiring artists.  Last weekend I photographed the band 1OH1.  I photographed several bands in the past but this was the first time I've every photographed a band that didn't bring their instruments!  But we all had a great time, and they got some great photographs that will be used for their website, press, and album artwork.

    

First Time for Everything!!

    Ok, so here I go!  I've decided to through my hat into the BLOGGING arena.  Don't get worried, there will be no political commentary, weight loss tips, or advice on internet dating.  Nope, none of that stuff.  This is just people and pictures talk. This blog is about moments, and memories I've been blessed to capture.  Some will be mine, some will be my clients, but all will be more valuable than words can express.

    So in saying that, I've decided to kick my new "Blog" off with my most recent and favorite collection of photos from my own children.  I took these about a month ago. I gave them various cameras and just told them to be themselves.  I also gave the photos a 70's look. Kind of like that long thin Kodak my grandfather use to have.-Lol.  Surprisingly enough, my children aren't tired of me shooting them yet -Lol!