Friday, August 26, 2011

PHOTOGRAPHING CANDID CHILDREN'S PHOTOS

We had a great time visiting our family and friends last week in Massachusetts. One night, our families met at one of our favorite restaurants for dinner. As always, I had my camera with me! As I was sitting there enjoying the food and mostly the company, I could not help but think of how many times over the years this scene had played out. 


As with many families a meal in our family is more than just food. It is a social event especially on those special occasions. I looked around and remembered some members who are no longer with us but are still with us in our hearts enriched by our memories of them. Those memories shine brightly in the faces of their children who now sit before us as adults. 


As I looked at my nephews and nieces, I thought of when they were young children and their parents had brought them to our family gatherings. They were so young, brimming with hope and vitality. Their futures were bright with promises of their own successes and their own families. I felt a warm excitement inside of me from the knowledge that they are well on their way to fulfilling those promises. Now as they become adults, they bring wives, future spouses and their children with them to the table. We have young faces at our table once again and it is wonderful to see the new faces of promise.  


I picked up my camera and fulfilled the time honored tradition of capturing memories and as I did, I smiled from deep inside: a smile of hope and promise reflecting from their precious faces through my lens into our collective memories! 

I photographed little Lillian, whose eyes capture your hearts; her parents Pete and Laura never too far away!


 That is our niece, Dayna, Lillian's loving aunt, helping her brother  
 Pete with Lillian's shoes!



I can tell Lillian is a Brandano because she's talking and socializing while trying to eat!!!





As we were eating our meal Laura began feeding Lillian her dinner. Lillian enjoyed eating and wearing her food!!





I think Lillian was telling her uncle what she thought of me taking her picture while she was eating!!




                           I just love those blue eyes!!!



I'm not sure what she does better; eat or wear her food but she looks really great doing it!!!



 I also took pictures of future Rock Star, Joel!! This young guy is a 
 lover already.



        That is my beautiful niece, Alexis playing with Joel!




Joel's granddad, my brother Vin is helping Joel take show off his shirt!! That writing on the shirt states,  'Lock Up Your Daughters!!'



We can see why his shirt has that written on it!!! Joel was smitten with Lillian. Well, the kid has great taste!!!!




I think Lillian would rather have her food!!!


You just can't help wanting to kiss Lillian. Everyone  followed Joel's lead!!
My brother, Rick is giving Lillian a kiss!


                    AHHH, safe in mom's embrace!!!



         Lillian, Joel and their mothers; Laura and Andrea.



Have you noticed how Joel isn't taking his eyes off of Lillian???



           You could just tell this was going to happen lol!!!





You might ask if these were all truly candids? Well, maybe not all were, not in the strictest interpretation of candids. When I started with Lillian they were but she caught on to what I was doing and started playing to the camera. To be honest, she was just too damn cute not to include all the images. As for Joel? Did he seem interested in me or the camera? Especially when Lillian came around!!! I don't think so!!!


I know we all wish for lives full of love and prosperity for all the children!! Look at these faces! How could you not???












30 comments:

alejandro guzman said...

Absolutely gorgeous. They are beautiful images Jim

A

Rimly said...

Jim , Lillian is gorgeous and those beautiful blue eyes. I think her mother has the same eyes. Joel is going to break a few hearts. It must have been so much fun being with family. Your pictures express the joy and happiness.


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Nelieta said...

This is way beyond gorgeous! She does have the most beautiful blue eyes and those lips are kissable! Meal time with your family does look like a lot of fun Jim!

Pete Brandano said...

Uncle Jim, these are truly priceless. Thank you so much!

Walter said...

Lillian's eyes are absolutely mesmerizing and her smile is absolutely adorable!

Alpana Jaiswal said...

I love the pictures Jim,Lillian is so beautiful...and so is Joel...missed u around....but I am glad u had a nice time.

Mari Sterling Wilbur said...

Photo 6 from the top is my favorite! What a great capture. They are all wonderful of course. You have a beautiful loving family that enjoys each others company. I bet it's truly a magic time when you are together.

Martha Jane Orlando said...

Darling children and simply awesome photos, Jim! I'm partial to the blue eyes as I share them with my granddaughter. :)
Thanks for sharing!

JIM said...

Thank You everyone it was a great night and lots of fun seeing everyone after nearly a year. Lillian is really cute and seemed to love the camera as did Joel!

Abhisek said...

The face of a child is the face of God.Every time I see a child's face I feel happy...I mean real peace of mind..They both are so cute that one will hardly complain about life.They are source of happiness.The real treasure lies in a child's smile.Great pics Jim.Thanks for sharing. :)

photos by jan said...

Beautiful family, what memories you have made.My family always catches the camera and starts mugging for it. Thank you for sharing your wonderful moments with us. wonderful shots and those kids are adorable! And welcome back!!

Melissa Tandoc said...

Oh you know just how much I adore children...they are lovely!

And the best part is you've taken most of them zooming in their faces... I could see their facial expressions and wow those eyes :)

I could see how strong you connect with your family. It's a beautiful thing you have get togethers and reunions to nurture your relationship and get to see the younger generation growing :)

I focused on the depth and quality of the images... I gave Lilian, Joel and your family virtual embrace...

Thanks for sharing your family with us :)

sheril benedict said...

Fantastic Jim ..A kid with blue eyes this is the first time i m seeing in my life and She is cute...Every pic looks great ,its nice to see family pics ..Its really nice to see back these pics when she grows up,this shows the important of photography ..Thx u Jim for this wonderful post ,May God bless you and your family :)

Bec Oowen said...

How generous you are Jim, to include all of us in your beautiful family's gathering! I just loved looking through these photos; yes, children really are so full of life and promise, and it is wonderful to see them fulfill that. Your family are all gorgeous...and the small ones are adorable!

Thank you so much :)

Anonymous said...

Such lovely photos. Makes me yearn for my family and the gatherings we had when I was a child. A lot of the family too now gone and it's amazing to look at the younger generation and see their parents glimmer in their eyes.
Glad you had a nice time and didn't go out there this weekend. May your family stay safe during the hurricane.

fantasy in practicality said...

hugs and kisses to the two wonderful babies lillian and joe. lillian is very attractive with her sparkling blue eyes. joe can overpower any one by his smartness and charm.

the unity and bonding of a family is the most happiest possessions of life. your pictures reflect them all.

as always loved your presentation with all the reality that was well collaborated with the lovely pictures of the family members, specially the future generation.

Vaisakhi said...

they r so cute....big hugs to them....lovely clicks...:)

Unknown said...

I really love kids! You know, I always play with them, kiss them and hug them! Gosh, they're sooooooo adorable!! This post is one of my favorites. :) Muah. :)

sulekkha said...

Jim, absolutely loved Lillian, she is a real beauty and Joel is a Brandano boy :). Honestly, the kids look adorable in the photographs, great work grand uncle...

cathy jones said...

The innocence of children, you capture it so well. Every time I look at my grandchildren, I see the future, and that something of me will remain on earth when I am gone.

Gorgeous family photos Jim. A family to love and be proud of. Thanks for sharing.

~cath xo

Leah Griffith said...

Jim, you have a beautiful family. Those little ones always steal the show. Love the photos!
My family is in MA and I am in Florida. It's been way too long since our last visit. Viewing this made me a bit home sick;)

Tameka said...

What precious children! It's so nice to see kids showing affection toward one another. Too cute. I could sense all of the joy in the room just from the photos. Thanks for sharing your family's tender moments Jim!

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Kerrie said...

Precious moments. I am sure these children will treasure the photos when they grow up.

David said...

Great pics and a bunch of cute kids..you certainly captured the festive moood of the gathering. Fortune cookies are a big hit with children :)

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sHoNa said...

awesome pic.those blue ocean eyes Lillian is so beautiful..realy cute.

Unknown said...

Jim, of everything in the world that we have available to us for taking photos, I think family photos are, by far, the best. To make and capture these memories on film are moments in time you can keep alive through your photos. A fabulous array of photos. I enjoyed my visit today :)

JIM said...

WOW Everyone loves Lillian's Blue Eyes lol including us!!!

Thank You for the wonderful comments everyone, both children were so much fun to photograph...
The Pete Brandano who commented is my nephew and Lillian's proud dad!!!
I have a great family and love them all!!!

Adriene Joyce said...

Beautiful family, gorgeous children! Your loving descriptions were just as priceless. God bless, Jim! <3

Bongo said...

I love your eye....you see things others might not....Beautiful talent.....XOXOXOXOXOX

ابراهيم زكاغ said...

cute ;)
may god bless him :)