understated elegance

 

The first time I photographed Marissa was five years ago. At only four she already exhibited the most serene and elegant demeanor I’ve yet to witness in a child, and this immediately drew me to her. Since that first meeting, each time I’ve photographed her has been as if we’ve been old friends forever, where superficialities are passed over and we instantly engage in this poetic and fluid dance together. Two people who need no instruction on how to connect with one another……..it’s there already in place, available to be savored like the rare and brilliant jewel it is. Needless to say, she has remained a favorite of mine to photograph.

When her family moved a thousand miles away I worried I’d never have the opportunity to photograph her again. So it was a special treat when her mother contacted me recently, saying they would be briefly visiting my area and would like to squeeze in a photo session while here.

Since the beginning, Marissa’s little brother has always made me work very hard for his portraits, and as a result Marissa has had to spend a good portion of each session waiting patiently for him to “come around”. She has done this always without a hint of irritation or complaining, happily engaged in whatever was in front of her, and glancing over at me periodically to check on my progress with her brother. Sometimes, I’m lucky enough to quickly turn my camera in her direction during these glances, and sneak in a frame of her understated elegance.

It seems that each time I’ve finally been able to concentrate solely on her has been the end of the session, when we’re pushed for time because of either quickly changing light, her not-so-patient little brother deciding the shoot needs to be finished, or as in the case of this last session, their having to soon be someplace else. The shoot concludes with me greedily trying to grab as many final images as possible, and always left wanting for more.

Why is it that so often it feels there isn’t time enough to do the things we really want to do, or be with the people we really want to be with? When in a more enlightened and generous mood I can say that this just makes the moments of connection we do have all the more meaningful and special. But I don’t know if I trust that theory entirely. I think sometimes we’re all so busy rushing about that we delude ourselves into thinking that there will always be time for the things we love in the future. We forget that the most important moment……the only one that we can fully embrace and delight in……is right here…….right now…….this moment.

Are you relishing it?

 

~Cynthia