Family Portraits / Legacy Shoot

This year, my eldest child took flight from the home nest to begin a new journey all on her own. When Rachel left for university this past September for her first year of university, I felt the space left empty by her absence. Instead of 5 at the dinner table, there was now 4. While Rachel and I would frequently text each other or faceTime or skype, we still missed her. I remember vividly her birth, her infancy, her childhood and her teenage years. While each child is unique in their own way with their own personalities and character traits, there is an unique bond with the first born, the daughter, the one who you try to do everything ‘right by the parenting book’ as a mother since you have no prior experience. I’ve always loved my role as a mother and spent many hours just mesmerized by the children, watching them, observing them, cultivating them, guiding them and simply loving them.

When I saw your video ad on facebook, I was guided to click on it for more information. This was unusual, as I usually just scroll through the hundreds of business ads every once in a while. I seem to recall what caught my eye was your video ad for a Mother and Daughter portrait. It immediately made me think of Rachel and I as it was coming up to Christmas and the fact that I have never done a professional portrait session with my daughter, and that I also needed a business portrait, I was intrigued to know more about you. I found you on facebook and I could tell by what intrigues you, is also what intrigues me i.e. the secret, spirituality, self development. I knew then that this session would not be just about taking a picture but much deeper than that and that is exactly what I was looking for. From the moment that I talked to you on the phone the first time, I knew that you understood people at that deeper level. When Rachel and I walked into your studio, we were immediately greeted with friendliness, a genuine caring and interest by you & your team. We could talk at the same level and I could see that what mattered to your family is also what matters to my family.

I do remember being hesitant of getting my picture taken without glasses as I’ve never taken off my glasses for a photograph since my wedding day 22 years ago! You and your team, reassured me that the pictures would be beautiful without the glasses as well and so I decided to just let go and put my trust into your hands. I’m so glad I did because you were able to bring out an inner and outer beauty that I had never thought I had. I’ve always been told that I see the beauty in others, that my strength is to see the gift and inner pilot light in others, but when the spotlight shines on me, I tend to shy away from it. Well, for so many hours during the shoot, the spotlight shone on me! At first, I felt giggly and a bit uncomfortable, but I very quickly became comfortable in front of the lens. All throughout the photoshoot, you explained what you were looking for. It was a fun experience! Watching my daughter go through the experience was also a highlight for me because she is so beautiful both inside and out! You were very patient, and took such care of us in every such way. Even when your back was hurting you plowed on, though I was worried about you as a health care provider!

When we came today to look at the photographs, it exceeded my expectations! We looked stunning! I have to say, I’ve never said that before: ) and even without the glasses : )) What I noticed was the sparkle in the eye, the natural look, the lighting, the softness, the smile! I realized I was looking within me and I could see the glow of the inner pilot light shining! As psychology, medical science, health, coaching, creative design are all my areas of interest, I felt you captured all the aspects of me in the photos.

The entire experience exceeded beyond my expectations for my daughter and I. It was a special moment that allowed both my daughter and I to carve away time to step into who we are fully, and to embrace it in front of the camera. Looking at the portraits, I see how much my daughter resembles me not just in personality, outlook but also our outer appearance. I guess the apple really doesn’t fall far from the tree! You have the ability to capture both the softness and the strength of who we are. That moment in time was captured for many years forward, and it was worth every penny.

You are right - our portrait folio box is a Heirloom box. It’s a box of Connection, a box of Inner Pilot Light, a box of Beauty and a box of Love. Thank you Puja and your team for putting everything in this box that I will treasure forever!!

Karen

Family Portraits / Legacy Shoot