Catherine, a local San Diegan with some changes coming her way, is someone who truly sees the value in and importance of photography, and it was a delight to work with her from the moment she contacted me about a session. When I asked her to write me a few words to go with her images, she went above and beyond, and I was so touched by the things she said! Her words were a big encouragement in the midst of a busy summer season. Here’s the story of Catherine’s session in her own words:
Since my son is a very energetic, ocean obsessed four-year-old boy, I was extremely concerned he would immediately submerge into the water. The day of the shoot, he skipped his nap, so I just knew that it would be a trying experience. As soon as we arrived at the lifeguard tower, toes in the sand, we hit the ground RUNNING . . . and then there was Amy. Aside from her absolute professionalism, her magic not only with the camera but with children, she consistently comforted me throughout our session. Afterward, I was concerned that despite the thousand-plus photos she took, maybe there weren’t any quality captures due to my son’s behavior . . . that maybe his oversized shirt and the difficulties I experienced controlling my beautiful wrap dress in the wind (bought from XIXPalms.com) were going to diminish the quality of shots taken . . . I could not have been more wrong.
During the session, my son actually became incorrigible. He refused to take direction, and he did not want to do anything if it did not include playing in the water. I was approaching my wits’ end when Miss Amy asked my son to come to speak with her. She quietly and gently talked to him. What was said, I do not know. However, when he returned to me, he was a changed child; soft and sweet. It was at this moment that I knew, Amy was not only an amazing family photographer, person, and mother, but she would be irreplaceable.
It’s very hard to choose a favorite image from our session because there are so many I favor. My favorite photo of my son is the image of him placing the sail boat into the water – as well as the one, shirt off, hands in the air, happy and free as can be.
Favorite photo of him and myself is that of which we are sitting on the rocks, me leaning in to give my wild child a kiss on the cheek, as well as us standing in the water, nose to nose, gracefully taking in a moments peace together.
As for the photos of myself, the spinning shots were absolutely stunning.
Amy Gray is not only one of the BEST family photographers in the country, but she is an artist. From capturing the sand flowing out of my son’s shovel, the droplets of water flying from my son’s foot, our reflections mirrored in the sand, and the draping of my dress (www.XIXPalms.com), all while observing artistic perspective. Amy was able to photograph beautiful moments.
These images will be cherished infinitely in our little family of two. My entire objective of this session was to capture meaningful, beautiful shots of my son and me as a way to honor our time lived in San Diego (we move soon). Since I am a single mother (since pregnancy), I felt as though Caylen and I didn’t have many quality photos together – not only while living here, but period. With that said, from canvas wall displays to a bound album, from holiday cards to framed photos on my desk, from Instagram to to Caylen’s (my son) future graduation announcements, these photos have become far more than just a mark of time and place, they have become a boundless moment that will forever live on. For this, I can not be more grateful.
P.S. – XIX Palms is where I bought my dress!! I feel as though they provide many gorgeous, scene-appropriate options for women completing sessions with Amy Gray!
