When I was a teacher, I managed to learn the names of the students I used to teach in less than two weeks. All of the 500 plus of them. That was until I got pregnant and I still didn’t know who was who for a whole academic year. Thankfully no grudges were held…
Knowing names is one thing but getting to know personalities, what makes people tick etc… is a bit of a lifetime task, especially as people evolve with the different experiences that shape them. When I look at the clients I have had in the past 3 years, I can’t say that I got to really “know” them. But in these 3 years (and still learning), I have learnt to pay more attention, to ask more pertinent questions, to observe more and maybe this comes as a surprise, to let go a bit more; so that I let people be, to aim to capture moments that mean a lot more.
When I get to shoot both maternity and newborn for a same family, which are pretty massive moments in one’s life, I get the bonus of getting to know people a little bit more than usual. I definitely feel a difference when I come back to do the new-born shoots. Parents, in spite of very little sleep, are definitely more relaxed. I have been inside the house already, I have seen the light already, they have already offered me some pretty intimate moments, we have had the initial chats already and I feel like I come and see the new bundle of joy like a “normal” visitor would.
Naz and Oscar had a vision, a love for beauty and things well done, an absolute sacred and precious attachement to family values and I couldn’t wait to get started and give my very best. I got treated to delicious turkish coffee made by Oscar, lovely conversations with very gorgeous Naz, cuddles from the most affectionate dog ever, Oliver, and been a witness to the most fabulous thing of all, unconditional love for beautiful smily Lena!
As they will be leaving Kuala Lumpur next week, it felt appropriate to say a little goodbye here, to thank them so very much for their trust, for opening their home to me and wish them all the joy and love in the world.
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