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The Smith Family:
A Three Generation Story-In-Portraits
Charles Seymour, Jr., Photographer

Who knows what the next phone call will bring?

Little did I know that the simple request to chat about Family Portraits would turn out to be the beginning of a warm, emotional story of love in three generations.

Nancy Smith, the Jamison (Bucks County), PA mother and grandmother, asked to arrange a Christmas-break photography session at the home of her daughter, Kimber. Kimber's family and Nancy's son, Aaron and his family, would be there.

But why me?

What had Nancy seen on my web site to get her to call me?

"As I looked through the web sites of children's photographers, yours caught my eye for a number of reasons. First the pictures I saw seemed to catch the personalities of the children and had a unique perspective I didn't see in the work of many other photographers I looked at.

"I also liked that fact that while you obviously took your work seriously, you didn't seem to take yourself too seriously. You seemed to have a playful personality that would quickly put children at ease. These traits were confirmed as I spoke with you."

And then she said something that told me she was the right person for me!

"This is the first time I have done something like this, but I am hoping the resulting portraits will have that indefinable quality that reminds us not only what the boys looked like, but who they were at this age."

There it was. Someone who shared my vision of what great photography should DO and not just LOOK like.

“I, like most people, have many pictures that remind me of how my family looked at various points in time. You stressed that I wanted pictures that showed the spirit, personalities, and loving connections among my children and grandchildren.

"I'll rely on you to decide where in the house is best, but as I mentioned, there is plenty of open, unfurnished space. I would like to include:

"1) My daughter with her youngest. He is their last baby and I often see her tender wistfulness as she holds him and kisses his head.

"2) My daughter and son-in-law reading to their younger children on their bed. Reading to and with the children has always been a big part of all our lives.

"3) Luke is the first child of my son and his wife. I'd like them to have a portrait that allows them to see the special way in which they interact with him.

"4) The boys interacting in a variety of ways.

"5) Braden, the two year old, has a unique spirit that keeps us all laughing, and

"6) My oldest grandson has a wonderful, tender heart. He's reaching the age where he often hides it, but it would be wonderful to catch a glimpse of it."

And when December 29th arrived, my design associate, Cheryl, and I were at Kimber's beautiful new home by 8:30 AM . The Christmas tree was decorated and some opened packages were still proudly displayed.

Having visited Kimber's home before to prepare for this day, I chatted with Kimber and Nancy to be sure we still agreed about our locations. We gathered the adults to share our mutual expectations before the actual photography began.

At least the way I work, most of the time is chatting, setting up, agreeing with the family about our goals and then the photography is really rather simple, short, and MUCH easier to do.

So though I had some lights to set up, I never overwhelm my clients with tons of equipment.

And by traveling “light” (whoops, sorry for the pun), I can keep my attention on the family, especially on the children.

Photographing children for more than 20 years has taught me to “be ready.” You can’t pose little children, you just have to be prepared for THEM when THEY are ready. And hope that their parents and grandparents will trust them (and you) enough and NOT look at them.

But the emotional images, the on-the-bed-reading images, or the grandmother-holding-the-toddler images are all about giving space, watching, being ready. When the family is enjoying itself the most is when the most precious images are created, and the experienced photographer knows to wait to let them happen.

It was all over in less than ninety minutes – in the living room, in the master bedroom on the bed, on the landing.

Groups of twos, threes, and more.

And as we hugged goodbye and wished each other a Happy New Year, I knew in my heart that magic had just been created.

“I’ll be back to you soon,” I whispered to Nancy. We both looked forward to that with great anticipation.

And in the new year, Nancy and Kimber visited my studio twice. They knew that we were creating family memories, heirlooms even. And they asked me to take their favorites and keep my energy flowing and my creativity growing.

Then, within a few weeks, we met again in Kimber’s home. I always like to take my finished work directly to the client’s home. They are more comfortable there. They can see where the portrait will be displayed. And I know that when I leave, they will still be excited about what they have (and they won’t have a drive home ahead of them!).

When I arrived, Kimber and Ben were still at the kitchen table feeding two-year old Braden. Strawberries and Kiwi… they looked good AND are good for him! And in bite-size pieces, they fit so well in his hands.

He perked up immediately and wondered what was in the box I was carrying.

Nancy was there too and magically appeared when I re-entered with a second load in my arms… and another white box.

As soon as Braden finished his dinner, he and Ben reclined in the chaise and Nancy and Kimber settled in the sofa. Nancy opened her box while Ben helped Braden with theirs.

“COOKIES!”

Gourmet biscuits and crackers and all things delicious, actually. Just my way of thanking this warm family for being so delightful to work with.

And just like a child, full of wonder and delight, Braden wanted a cookie right away (and thoroughly enjoy tossing the packing ‘peanuts’ all over the floor).

But soon our attention focused on the portrait I delivered. We wound up on the floor… partly to be on Braden’s level and partly to keep Braden from touching the images of himself and his family.

I began one by one. First Braden: highlighted, looking at “Thomas The Tank Engine” with Ben faintly in the background.

This image has particular importance because Nancy really discovered it. Oh, sure… I created it, but Nancy saw the possibilities INSIDE a larger portrait. She wanted just Braden and a hint of Ben.

She loved Braden’s pose – so pensive, so adorable, so just like him (in his quiet moments). And I was thrilled that she “knew” that this would be such an important image to her, and she wasn’t disappointed seeing it for the first time.

Then Nancy cuddling baby Owen in a high-key portrait that shows this Grandmother’s love. (Nancy, Kimber, and I had previously discussed that getting THIS portrait was a “brave” choice for Nancy – focusing on her and Owen and then fading to white along the gently-flowing border was unlike any image she had – and it will be remembered by all her friends and family the instant they see it!)

Oops… where had Braden rushed off to? Ben dashed after him. And when they reappeared from upstairs, Braden was holding his “Thomas The Tank Engine” book, so prominently featured in several of the portraits.

Life imitating art imitating life.

How poignant that Braden wanted to hold his book, just as he was in the portraits. He will never forget his love of this little engine now that it’s been preserved forever.

When our attention focused back on the portraits, we looked at Ben on the bed with Braden: tender, loving, being “observed” in the portrait while they were reading together. Being a dad myself I know how important the bond are that we have with our children.

And then Kieran, their oldest child whose bright blue eyes captivate instantly, holding Owen. And there it was – the wonderful, tender heart that Nancy wanted to see in Kieran. He’s such a great young guy, with a bit of Ricky Nelson’s dashing good looks!

Finally, Kimber on the bed reading with Braden and Owen. Such warmth. Such love. Such a beautiful moment, captured for all time.

We also looked at a group portrait, Kimber and Ben’s family together, Aaron and his wife, Lisa, each holding their toddler, Luke.

And then we just sat there.

Sat there chatting softly about what he had just experienced together and what it felt like back on December 29^th.

“I had no concept how wonderful this would turn out,” said Kimber. “And when you left that day, I really wondered what you had captured.”

(It had been a bit of a circus. And though Cheryl and I often tease at a time like that that “we only need ONE” really great portrait, we created several.)

But Nancy knew.

She had a feeling. She remembered our conversation early on and just “knew” that she’d have precious portraits and memories captured forever.

“I’m thrilled with what you have done,” she told me. “I know you spent many hours working on these and you have given us exactly what I was looking for – you made our possibilities into realities.

“As I mentioned, my most vivid memory of my father is one of sitting on his lap while he read to me. I wish I had a picture of that! You also talked about my wanting pictures of my family that show that special connection created when reading together, and now we have them!”

I left Kimber and Ben’s home that night really pumped up. The Smith Family loved their new portraits and they were thrilled with the whole experience.

But more than that I knew that the love Nancy has for her family will be visible for all to see. And when little Owen is ready to get married, he can look back and say, “Look how beautiful my Nana was when I was a baby.” And Braden will always have Thomas The Tank Engine as a wonderful childhood memory. And Kieran will know that as the oldest, he could take care of his siblings “even back then.”

What started with a few words on the phone resulted in deeply touching memories on canvas.

Memories the Smith Family
will have forever.

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What Was So Special?

"There's not much more I can say than the story the Smith Family wrote. They are loving people. Please take a few moments to get to know them by reading the story in the left column. You will be glad you did.

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Braden, Thomas The Tank Engine, with Daddy Ben behind.

Oldest Brother, Kieran, holding baby Owen.

Aaron with Luke, and Lisa with Luke