sun-kissed

 

It seems that within every large family grouping I’m hired to photograph there is one member that I secretly wish I could have a solo session with. Thirteen year old Crystal was purely a joy to photograph, she and I connecting so quickly and deeply that I actually felt sadness at her leaving when the shoot was complete. I would have definitely asked her to return if not for the fact that her family happened to be visiting from another country.

This image makes me feel warm because of the tranquility of the moment it brings back to my mind. The rather stressful requirements of a family session that cannot be re-shot had been met, and I was sitting on the ground feeling the relief of that, across from an engaging young girl from a remote island in British Columbia that I would likely never meet again. Sun falling on both our shoulders, the chaos of the earlier morning had slipped away, allowing us both to bask in a golden moment of quiet repose.

There is a beautiful Italian proverb I learned of while in college that for some odd reason I’ve never forgotten. It is on a sundial near Venice. How I’d love to see that one day.

Horus non numero nisi serenas.

“I count only the hours that are serene.”

I’m so grateful to have added this moment spent with Crystal to my hours of serenity.

 

~Cynthia