I haven't been very satisfied with a family session in a while now (mostly due to bad advertising/pricing/branding on my part, getting families who don't really want what I try to offer). So it was quite refreshing to finally be happy with one. I've never just shot one kid and one parent, and was a bit nervous, but it worked out.
It's more "lifestyle" than "documentary" (which I normally like), and I'm okay with that. Especially seeing the props (which I NEVER use, and usually think silly) were thing they cherished and loved, and the park was somewhere they hang out often, making it more of a memory than just a "we dressed up in clothes we never wear, and took photos in a place we never go" type of imagery (which is what my last few sessions were).
No need for shooting less.... these are great and she is going to cherish them forever. I do hope you put a book together for them... awesome job!
Hatch
I don't think a set of pictures on this site has evoked more emotion from me than this one. Though there were some issues with some of them, the raw story that these paint about a mom and her boy and the genuineness and purity of their relationship was just a joy to behold.
I thoroughly enjoyed going through these. I felt them. This is photography at some of its finest.
p.1 #11 · A Boy and his Momma // Lifestyle Session
Inspiring and touching work. All film, right? Not going to pick a favorite but #30 calls my name. The light - sun - and emotion. Superb. And I note it is soft by digital standards. Love it.
p.1 #16 · A Boy and his Momma // Lifestyle Session
As a set, I get it. It tells a nice story and suggests a loving relationship. IMO, all but a few of the shots are significantly flawed on their own - blurring, out of focus, blown highlights, hidden faces, poor cropping, contrast issues, poor composition, etc. etc. To me this looks quite amateurish, although, again, I can see that it has some impact as a photo essay.
p.1 #20 · A Boy and his Momma // Lifestyle Session
Thanks benee, John, and dmacmilllan!
Elliot, are you checking off a list of things that you've read are important to photography, or do these things really bother you, and if they weren't there would create more important/better images?
The kid liked it and that's really all that matters