Child's Definition of LOVE.
{all photos are from the tml flickr pool}
A group of professional people posed this question to a group of 4 to 8 year-olds, "What does love mean?" The answers they got were broader and deeper than anyone could have imagined. See what you think:
"When my grandmother got arthritis, she couldn't bend over and paint her toenails anymore. So my grandfather does it for her all the time, even when his hands got arthritis too. That's love." Rebecca - age 8
When someone loves you, the way they say your name is different. You know that your name is safe in their mouth." Billy - age 4
"Love is when a girl puts on perfume and a boy puts on shaving cologne and they go out and smell each other." Karl - age 5
"Love is when you go out to eat and give somebody most of your French fries without making them give you any of theirs." Chrissy - age 6
"Love is what makes you smile when you're tired." Terri - age 4
"Love is when you kiss all the time. Then when you get tired of kissing, you still want to be together and you talk more. My Mommy and Daddy are like that. They look gross when they kiss" Emily - age 8
"Love is what's in the room with you at Christmas if you stop opening presents and listen," Bobby - age 7 (Wow!)
"If you want to learn to love better, you should start with a friend who you hate," Nikka - age 6
"There are two kinds of love. Our love. God's love. But God makes both kinds of them." Jenny - age 8
"Love is when you tell a guy you like his shirt, then he wears it everyday." Noelle - age 7
"Love is like a little old woman and a little old man who are still friends even after they know each other so well." Tommy - age 6
"During my piano recital, I was on a stage and I was scared. I looked at all the people watching me and saw my daddy waving and smiling. He was the only one doing that. I wasn't scared anymore," Cindy - age 8
"My mommy loves me more than anybody. You don't see anyone else kissing me to sleep at night." Clare - age 6
"Love is when Mommy gives Daddy the best piece of chicken." Elaine -age 5
"Love is when Mommy sees Daddy smelly and sweaty and still says he is handsomer than Robert Redford." Chris - age 7
"Love is when your puppy licks your face even after you left him alone all day." Mary Ann - age 4
"I know my older sister loves me because she gives me all her old clothes and has to go out and buy new ones." Lauren - age 4
"When you love somebody, your eyelashes go up and down and little stars come out of you." Karen - age 7
"Love is when Mommy sees Daddy on the toilet and she doesn't think it's gross." Mark - age 6
"You really shouldn't say 'I love you' unless you mean it. But if you mean it, you should say it a lot. People forget," Jessica - age 8
Author and lecturer Leo Buscaglia once talked about a contest he was asked to judge. The purpose of the contest was to find the most caring child. The winner was a four year old child whose next door neighbor was an elderly gentleman who had recently lost his wife. Upon seeing the man cry, the little boy went into the old gentleman's yard, climbed onto his lap, and just sat there. When his Mother asked him what he had said to the neighbor, the little boy said, "Nothing, I just helped him cry."
I am a fan of both on FB! :) I really need one of these adorable dresses for my 3-year-old!
Name: Skye Hardwick Edmonds
Business name: Work of Heart Photography
Location: Southern California
Website/blog: http://www.workofheartphoto.com & http://www.workofheartphoto.com/blog
Tell us one sentence to describe your photography:
Oh I’ve been avoiding answering this type of question for years! {wink}
What's one thing that everyone should know about you?:
I’m an introvert. Introverts are so misunderstood. (Yep) I am a lot more quiet and reserved than people expect (no swinging from the chandeliers), but when it’s time to teach, etc. I bring it.
Introverts are my absolute favorite to photograph as I find they are the most soulful. Perhaps it is because I speak their language.
How long have you been doing photography and how did you get started:
This April will be my seventh year in business. Holy cow! Time flies.
Like many photographers, I have always loved photography, but it was never something I thought I could do as a career. As a matter of fact, I was in my second year of college pursuing a degree in writing when I finally had my wake up moment of "this is what I am supposed to be doing". I have never looked back.
If they made a movie about your life, what would it be titled and who would play you?
Unsure on the title, but I’d love Amy Adams to play me – even though we look nothing alike!
What change are you looking most forward to in 2011...both professionally and personally?
Professionally, I look forward to finally taking the leap and launching into the commercial photography market.
When you take pictures just for you, what are they of?
I’d venture to say the images I take “just for me” are about the same kind of images I take for my portrait clients, only they are usually of my son. When I photograph clients I am tuned into what they hope to get out of our session together, but all in all I (almost) always shoot “for me”.
If you were given $500 today, what would be the first thing you would do?:
Save it as there are a few lenses I have my eye on. Of most interest -- the new Nikon 85mm 1.4G
Where do you go to find inspiration?:
I find inspiration in so many places. I love to be inspired, crave it. Inspiration is something I must actively pursue; it won't hunt you down (usually). Funny thing is I don’t go to other photographer websites or blogs for inspiration. I find heaps of inspiration on Etsy or prop shopping at antique stores. Something about the elements (props) that can be used in a session just floods my mind with ideas. Even color palettes can inspire me with new ideas.
What is your best post processing tip?
Start with a good image (in focus, good exposure, etc.) as your foundation and build from there. Photoshop is like makeup on a naturally beautiful face -- you apply it to bring out even more of the beauty that is already there. Yes, from time to time we all "fix" an oops in Photoshop, but that shouldn't be the norm.
What would you tell someone who is just starting up a photography business?
Wait until you are consistently getting good results before launching a business. Counting on "lucky shots" or a few good ones in the mix isn't enough. When you are consistently getting good exposure, good variety of expressions, nailing the focus, etc. then look into the next step.
What color paint is your bedroom? Why? What about your bathroom?
Ugh, white and white. I'm in a transition house -- we are looking to buy our first house in 2011.
What equipment do you use and if you had only one lens to use...what would it be?:
I shoot with the Nikon D700 and my favorite lens is the 50mm 1.4G -- it rarely leaves my camera. Although I'd make room for the 85mm I referenced above.
Do you have a hidden talent? Or a stupid human trick?
No stupid human trick, I’m afraid. As for hidden talent, I love to sing.
What was your first paid session like? Were you nervous? Did it turn out how you wanted?
Oh that first paid session. {Laughs} I believe that was the first and last session where I offered a complimentary print with the session. That’s all she ended up walking away with.
Should I mention she dressed her son in a Hawaiian printed shirt AND shorts. If that wasn’t bad enough, she also pulled out a stuffed Mickey Mouse holding a surf -board. Yes, I have pictures to prove it, however, they are somewhere in storage (thankfully).
What music do you love? Do you have a favorite song of all time?
I like music that is more uplifting and positive. I don’t care for songs that describe other people’s sex or party life. No thanks.
Favorite song? Right now it’s, "Make You Feel my Love" - Bob Dylan (love Adele's version) My husband sang this to me at our wedding this past October.
What is at the top of your wish list right now?:
A new house with a yard.
Tell us the best advice that you have ever received (photography related or life in general):
Read your manual. Keep it simple. Keep tabs on the late night editing. Learn to say no. Always be teachable. Know who you are. Stay who you are, at the same time be open to the right kind of change. Master lighting. Don't wear low-rise jeans on a shoot (I've learned this one on my own).
If you had an entire Saturday to do whatever you wanted...what would you do?
Prop shopping in Santa Monica.
When you look back at your life, what are you most proud of?
My son, and how far God has taken me from where I thought I was headed or worth.
How do you get a connection between you and your client?
First things first, I connect with the parents. Children pick up on the cues and feelings of their parents, and if their parents are comfortable and feeling good about our session, that plays a role in how the children may feel. Plus, I feel it is important to give a child room to size me up and see I’m there for fun.
If I rush a child into anything but a basic introduction, I will have to work harder to connect with them. When I chat with their parents first, the child and I can exchange smiles and glances; then I’ll stoop down on their level, introduce them to my camera, and ask questions about themselves.
Kids love to talk about themselves. Ask them what their hobbies and favorite things are, what they watch on television, and create further conversation off their answers. A child can always sense when you are talking at them, rather than to them, so don’t be afraid to put the camera down and talk, face to face.
Where do you see yourself in 10 years?
Living in the country with a big organic garden, a slew of farm animals, and plenty of land to do my sessions.
And lastly.....when we started the maternal lens, all of us filled out this questionnaire and shared our answers....now it's your turn :)
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