The Children Project - Michigan Photographer

Lately I have been missing shooting with film, more specifically b&w film. I no longer have a film camera (will be investing in one) There is something about shooting with film that forces you to look at things differently, to double, triple check lighting, angles, background. Forcing the best out of you. After all there is no "delete" button when it comes to film. Don't get me wrong, I love digital and I don't think I ever would go back to strictly film...though never say never. I miss the developing of film as well, the smell and feel of exclusion in the dark room. Alone with your own thoughts and visions. I was big into b&w imagery for a very long time. You can't replicate the drama and mood in color. I kind of faded away from that for the last several years, but thinking of film made me once again want to envelope myself with b&w.

I decided to start a project, to get me back in touch with what it is that made me fall passionately in love with photographic art. This is a project just for me, one to reach down into my soul. I love to share so will share some of the photos I create. To start with, I will be using my own children as my subjects. I want to capture their mood and the way they are daily. Where I will go next remains to be seen. I want to look at the world with fresh eyes again, just for me. Light, shadows...how they dance together. I will go back to taking my camera with me everywhere. That way if I see something just driving to the store I can stop and make a picture.

My first in this project is my 6 yr old. She is always topless, she prefers the freedom of no clothes, so that is just how I wanted her. She had PBJ stains on her face, but insisted on washing them off, I wanted her to leave them...but I have to give a little sometimes when convincing my children to model for me. There is old pile of rubble way back on our property. It is the remnants of a bridge that crossed the PM River (locals will know the river) Its' been back there for a couple years now and knew before they came to clear it out I really wanted to incorporate it into some images...this project was perfect! Crumbling rock and re-bar with a beautiful innocent child...how amazing!

So here are some of the photos I made last night. It was about 8:30 when we headed out, great light, deep shadows...perfect!

Thanks for sharing in this with me. Promise yourself you will never loose sight of your passions in life and will go after them with vigor!

-Kristen Marie