squinty

 
It’s always a challenge to photograph subjects with light eyes at the beach on sunny days. Even though I position them with their backs against the sun, all that sand reflecting the strong rays back into their faces means I get lots of squinty and often pained looking expressions. This guy was no exception, the complications only compounded by the fact that he’d have much rather been surfing than taking part of a family portrait session. His eyes are so pale that I knew he’d never be able to keep them wide open and soft in this light, so was resigned to a more squinty eyed tough guy look that perhaps suits him fine at 15. He really was quite sweet and patient with me though!

As I was editing this shoot I realized something kind of interesting to me. As a light eyed person myself, who must wear sunglasses at all times when outdoors just to navigate successfully, I am in fact facing the sun during these beach shoots. And without benefit of sunglasses. How do I even do this?!? What’s fascinating is that I function just fine in these situations when otherwise I’d be head down and needing to look away. Of course the camera shields me in some way, but certainly not altogether so. Perhaps when one is doing something they love, and looking for evidence of the divine, keeping eyes wide open comes naturally and without effort, despite the conditions.

~Cynthia