Local Beach

I had some time on my hands this past weekend and I took a trip out to the closest beach to my house...an hour away. I had planed on testing my 2x TC. I managed to get some decent shots of some birds with it. But I'll post those in the birds section (Link).


My trip ended up taking a more emotional turn.

As it turns out, I'm a giver. My time, energy, money (no, you can't have what I can't give lol). The short story. I see a girl taking some 'beach selfies'. She was there with, who I guess as her sister (turns out it was her mom), was trying to help her.

Normally, I will take some cute candid couples shot(s). Catching people in the moment where they are the only two in the world. Then I'll casually introduce myself and give them the run down on what I do, and I show them the photo. Then ask if they would like a copy. I try to read the situation and I play it by ear. I have a 100% success rate (means I haven't been doing it long enough, right?).

Anyway.

I see these two and I walk up to the mother and I introduce myself and I just ask, "are yall here on vacation?". The mother says she lives here, but her daughter is down from collage in SC. So I asked if she would like some portraits for her, on her vacation. Mom seems flattered and excited. So she ask's her daughter. The excitement that came over the daughter was immense. We ended up chatting for 10 minutes before any shots were even taken. After we get started, I asked about her tattoo. Turns out, she is afflicted with anxiety. This is something I can very much relate two. It was at that moment I realized that this chance meet was by no accident. It hit me hard. This is probably one of the most meaningful images, for me, that I've ever captured. We wrapped up the shoot and I wished her well. Then I spent another 15 minutes talking with her mother. She is very proud of her daughter. And with good reason. Turns out, momma had gotten fixed after her last child. Then on that childs 16th birthday, momma found out she was pregnant.

Later on, my friend Susan, whos seen all the photos from the shoot, told me I made this girls whole vacation. I'm starting to believe her.