these are the days we remember

I went to my parents’ house a few weeks ago and saw these yellow flowers.  I decided that day to take this mom and her baby out there- it didn’t matter that the baby was a “he”.  Overall, it was good idea, since I think things turned out nicely.   That’s not saying we didn’t have trouble.  One bit of trouble came in the form of two slightly overfed canines.    My parents have a yellow lab, Bella, who loves people in general.  They also have Sally Biter- a pleasantly plump basset hound who generally loves me.  That dog has an intense fondness for Shanna.  She will knock over anything in her path padding her way out to greet me, ears and flaps of fur bouncing around.   She’s not a compact dog at all- she must be at least 70 pounds and 4 feet long.   So, I spent the majority of this shoot with that dog rolling over on me, trying to use those short little legs to jump on me or just shooting around her wagging tail.  I learned my lesson about shooting where the animals are familiar with me.  

I also asked my mom to help me out with getting this baby’s attention: he was intent on studying the varying types of grass growing around him.   I never mind that, but I know moms are suckers for a nice smile.  My mother, in particular, has the uncanny ability to make all babies smile.   So I asked if she minded helping.  While she was behind me trying to coax a smile from this child, she started doing the unthinkable:  talking about me.  Oh lord….   me as a baby, silly stories about my childhood or how difficult I can be.  (I am paying my dues now, by the way.)  Doesn’t she know I have to be a bit professional?  Make a good impression? I was embarassed wondering how this mom was reacting- wondering  “why” my mom was talking about all that.   But,  it’s how we relate to other mothers.  No matter how old I am, I am her baby.   She was looking at herself decades ago-  this young woman with a baby, and sharing her own experiences- she wasn’t trying to embarass me.  We have our children, our babies and we never forget.   The father was supposed to join his family, but in the end had to work. I know it was disappointing.  However, I also know this mom will never regret having pictures made with just the two of them.. since 30 years from now, she’ll be telling the stories she’s living today.