A bigger-time-than-me photographer, Storey Wilkins, says part of the honor of photographing a wedding is that each one marks the birth of a new family. I suppose that privilege is multiplied when one gets the chance to photograph the first child of former wedding clients. Such was the case when I got a call from Marcy, a 2006 bride, to photograph her and her strapping husband Brian’s brand-spankin’ new baby girl, Aubrey.
I know what you’re saying, “Mark, you photograph babies?!” I’m debating whether to pursue this formidable path. There are so many exemplary baby photogs, I want to feel like I can bring something worthwhile to the table. I have to at least attempt to satisfy the beret-wearing, clove-smoking artist within. In addition to the creative dilemma, and you may not know this, babies are wildly unpredictable. At least with adults, you can usually make them do things at least long enough to make a decent image. Babies, not so much. Armed with relentless optimism and a bagful of Jedi mind tricks, I entered Aubrey’s world with an agenda to make the greatest baby images ever. Aubrey pooped on my agenda (in the cutest way possible). This leads any desperate photographer to only one possible conclusion, Anne Geddes is a witch.
Seriously, despite the dirty diapers, spitting up, crying and general lack of cooperation, I had fun with Aubrey. I hope I get another opportunity to photograph her, perhaps at her own wedding someday. By then, I’ll be in diapers and wildly unpredictable and once again, I’ll be the master.
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