Every time I see a beautiful portrait of a newborn I sigh. I missed out on that. I have a lot of lovely photos of my tiny boys, but it’s not like I got them in front of that lady who stuffs babies in flower pots and sacks (I can’t think of her name).
Every time I see how much a real photographer charges to take those portraits, I sigh again.
But the boys aren’t going to stop growing and Sears isn’t going to cut it.
I was reminiscing last night about that time when Alden was a baby and I was still struggling to process this new, intense love. I used to say, “I just wish I could kill somebody for him.” Not, like, an innocent bystander. Somebody bad. Maybe the old go-back-in-time-and-kill-Hitler cliche. I could do it as a tribute.
I couldn’t think of anything big enough to express how I felt.
Another element of that intensity was the way I would weep at the evidence of his aging. When he was X weeks old instead of X days old I was crushed. I hated it when he went up a month. That’s all settled down now, although heaven help Damon if he promotes Elliot to the next month one day before it’s official.
I need to document these kids and I want the picture to be beautiful like they are. I’d also be awfully excited to have a photo of all of us together where my part doesn’t make me cringe a little.
My favorite family portrait so far was taken by my cousin Joella at the Central Park carousel nearly two years ago:
Stacey Bode shot my friend Sarah’s wedding. Among the many, many gorgeous photos she took were these of Alden:
The last two times we’ve been to Atlanta Stacey hasn’t had any time for a booking. So today I sent her an email asking if she’s free either of the next two weekends. I’m willing to drive down for it. These babies won’t wait.
jaysaint 
Posted by trope on May 23, 2010 at 1:56 am
Anne Geddes. And flowerpots are all well and good, but Alden is pretty darn cute even without such adornment.
Posted by trope on May 23, 2010 at 1:56 am
Anne Geddes. And flowerpots are all well and good, but Alden is pretty darn cute even without such adornment.
Posted by jaysaint on May 23, 2010 at 2:35 am
Thank you! I knew I could Google it, but sometimes I just don’t want to take the easy way.
And thanks for the compliment as well. Do you have a favorite family photo?
Posted by trope on May 23, 2010 at 2:39 am
Ooh, thanks for asking! I’ll have to dig one out. 🙂
Posted by jaysaint on May 23, 2010 at 2:35 am
Thank you! I knew I could Google it, but sometimes I just don’t want to take the easy way.
And thanks for the compliment as well. Do you have a favorite family photo?
Posted by trope on May 23, 2010 at 2:39 am
Ooh, thanks for asking! I’ll have to dig one out. 🙂
Posted by bramey on May 24, 2010 at 4:40 pm
I’m waiting for the opportunity for a perfect portrait, too. Portrait Innovations is just so humdrum.
The pro photogs around here are so expensive, though, it makes me choke a little.
Alden’s beautiful in those photos…
And I remember that intense feeling after Samuel was born. I’d just look at him and cry, he was so beautiful. It’s a little addicting for me, I’m afraid.
Posted by bramey on May 24, 2010 at 4:40 pm
I’m waiting for the opportunity for a perfect portrait, too. Portrait Innovations is just so humdrum.
The pro photogs around here are so expensive, though, it makes me choke a little.
Alden’s beautiful in those photos…
And I remember that intense feeling after Samuel was born. I’d just look at him and cry, he was so beautiful. It’s a little addicting for me, I’m afraid.
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