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« eyes on the road | Main | fashion over function »
Tuesday
Aug192008

Enchanted

DateTuesday, August 19, 2008 by AuthorTracey Clark

It is true that the magic of childhood is for the most part intangible however, as a professional photographer and a mother I know that the perfect moment in time captured in a picture can tell a pretty grand tale of the enchantment.

What is it exactly that makes us swoon at the sight of a sleeping baby or melt when we feel the motion of uninhibited play and total freedom of being?

Do the eyes have it? It is a gesture? Or something about the context of the shot that makes it irresistible?

Even after all these years, and many clients later, I’m not sure I can put my finger on it exactly. I guess I just know it when I see it, just as I’m sure you do.

Share with us in a photo what kind of kid stuff stops your grown-up heart in reverie.

Comment57 Comments

References (1)

References allow you to track sources for this article, as well as articles that were written in response to this article.
  • Response
    Response: A Dream Come True
    by Debbie Schinker at Schinker's Shutterbug Site on August 19, 2008
    This is the face of utter incredulity. This is the face of joy so complete she had no words. This is what it looks like when a dream comes true.

Reader Comments (57)

This picture of my daughter playing dress-up really captured my heart.

http://www.owlhaven.net/2008/08/19/how-many-pictures/

Mary, mom to many
August 19, 2008 | Unregistered Commenterowlhaven
what a pretty picture! her eyes are mesmerizing.

http://s28.photobucket.com/albums/c218/PRIS-CILLA/?action=view&current=HPIM2205.jpg (not sure if this will pull up...)

originally posted at http://angryasian12.blogspot.com/2008/07/inner-harbor-madness.html

the father and daughter, hand in hand.
August 19, 2008 | Unregistered CommenterLan
The way that they still know how to love, love, love their friends:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/apartmentlife/2777639597/
August 19, 2008 | Unregistered CommenterMelanie
this is my youngest grandson, pinchas daniel, pinky for short, or danny for short. taken this past weekend at the cottage. the photo is the bottom photo in the post called "money shots". and i think in this photo, it is his mouth that says it all.

http://3yrplan.typepad.com/soeursdujour/2008/08/money-shots.html
August 19, 2008 | Unregistered Commentermargie
this was SO easy. one pic has stood out all summer. defines my summer memory for 2008. freedom, glee, abandon, bravery, love, dreams, all in one shot.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/14811117@N02/2763011289/
August 19, 2008 | Unregistered Commenterkristin
http://www.flickr.com/photos/jesspunky/2731172307/in/set-72157606538520345/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/jesspunky/2725142993

I think that even when they are 45 years old, I will still think of them this way, passed out cold, exhausted from a busy day.
August 19, 2008 | Unregistered CommenterJess
the boy in our bed at about a month old
http://flickr.com/photos/59735955@N00/354058820/in/set-72157603841785678/

something in his eyes and the seriousness in them. i know this won't be the last time i see this look.
http://flickr.com/photos/59735955@N00/2773134906/in/set-72157603845082673/

one of the funnier nursing moments (such a boy)
http://flickr.com/photos/59735955@N00/2239620092/in/set-72157603841785678/
August 19, 2008 | Unregistered Commentergonzomama
http://www.flickr.com/photos/secretagentmama/2770252293/

Capturing children has always been a favorite type of photography, for me. There's just something about their innocent smiles!
August 19, 2008 | Unregistered CommenterSecret Agent Mama
Have you ever looked at a child (assuming you don't have children at this point) and thought to yourself 'That child looks like it could be my own'? When I see my husband play with this little darling I get that thought everytime. Let your heart melt on this.

http://stephwiese.squarespace.com/display/ShowGallery?moduleId=2513434&galleryId=109089&SSScrollPosition=0

or here...

http://www.flickr.com/photos/stephwiese/2777672841/
August 19, 2008 | Unregistered CommenterSteph Wiese
How 'bout some nature kids???
http://bravo.unisonplatform.com/~marciesc/index.php?showimage=493
http://bravo.unisonplatform.com/~marciesc/index.php?showimage=492
Not sure what the best order is to look at these....
August 19, 2008 | Unregistered CommenterMarcie
her laughter...her smile.
from the first moment I held her in my arms-my heart melted, she owned me then and there-and she is only just my niece.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/edarcy/2136855949/in/set-72157600746388045/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/edarcy/2134144367/in/set-72157600746388045/
August 19, 2008 | Unregistered Commentererin.darcy
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3042/2444636870_9c6414d217_b.jpg

An old one, for sure, but it captures her playing. In that moment my heart melted and I never will forget watching her play in that dollhouse.

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2048/2420150698_10975e9833_o.jpg

And the same girl today playing hide and seek.
August 19, 2008 | Unregistered CommenterBridge
Always the little things.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/toyfoto/2739467758/
August 19, 2008 | Unregistered Commentertoyfoto
This one is of my friend's daughter at a park. It cracks me up every time.

http://flickr.com/photos/blazeyphotography/2669943276/in/set-72157606059217017/
August 19, 2008 | Unregistered CommenterBlazey
For me it's the sheer, untempered joy: http://www.flickr.com/photos/tonyadoughty/2435958597/
Gets me every time.

or something so classically "childish": http://www.flickr.com/photos/tonyadoughty/2606757084/
August 19, 2008 | Unregistered Commentertonya
...all see
the intangible
through eyes
of the heart.
a common thread
we share.
August 19, 2008 | Unregistered Commenterjfrancis
I've posted this one before, but it makes me smile every time I see it.

View larger here: http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3233/2665668407_47b66e268b_o.jpg

Blogged here: http://aphotomom.blogspot.com/2008/07/randomness.html
August 19, 2008 | Unregistered CommenterMelissa (Photomom86)
As your children get older...they still stop your heart
(in a good way!)

http://flickr.com/photos/sammymom/2777866729/
August 19, 2008 | Unregistered CommenterELK
Having a pretty noisy household, I feel the enchantment of my kids' childhood when we're out walking. I love the way my daughter looks like she's going to blow away.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/onwaterstreet/2739737204/
August 19, 2008 | Unregistered CommenterKim M
being sassy in the sun!

http://flickr.com/photos/23558661@N03/2752714223/
August 19, 2008 | Unregistered Commentermaya
I'd already posted this but it fits. She knew I wanted something more than a snapshot and a smile.

http://appletree.typepad.com/fourrooms/2008/08/my-wild-child.html
August 19, 2008 | Unregistered CommenterJo
What I love about children is that everything they do takes the form of play. Even sitting in a chair is playing:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/sh_photography/2742600266/

And in the water, of course. You can't go wrong there:
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3178/2556008329_51f7e4b5bc_o.jpg
August 19, 2008 | Unregistered CommenterSH
Those blue eyes on that baby is just TOO adorable! Taking photos of children is such a wonderful way to see the world through their big, clear eyes. Thank you for the fun post today!

My niece, in the garden:

http://flickr.com/photos/tangobaby2/2778025155/
http://flickr.com/photos/tangobaby2/2778030533/
August 19, 2008 | Unregistered Commentertangobaby
Thanks for the props up there. ;-)

Kid stuff stopping my heart? Letting them break the rules once in awhile. It makes them so happy: http://www.flickr.com/photos/hipmommatexas/2778932910/
August 19, 2008 | Unregistered CommenterMelodyA.
Love the cool aqua tone in your photo Tracey!

I love photos of kids doing what they do best... being kids! Seeing them in their element, just being them is the cutest thing ever.

http://www.dolcepics.com/dailypic/mine/
August 19, 2008 | Unregistered Commenterlaura - dolcepics
My favorite thing to do when I was little was to splash in puddles. Now when I see my own children doing the same it makes my heart melt. Here are two different photos of two of my children splashing around.

http://flickr.com/photos/7914841@N08/2220962197/in/set-72157603801459227/

http://flickr.com/photos/7914841@N08/2472894270/in/set-72157603801459227/
August 19, 2008 | Unregistered CommenterCocoa
My son and I just returned from visiting his uncle and new cousin in Colorado. I'll never forget the trip and all the firsts that Aidan had - most of all, flying on an airplane. But I think the whole trip opened his little eyes to so many things.

Here my brother is pushing him on a swing - one of his favorite pastimes. I'll treasure these photos forever.

http://web.mac.com/pabis/Mama_of_Letters/Blog/Entries/2008/8/17_Colorado.html
August 19, 2008 | Unregistered Commentershelli
The pure joy on their faces from something as simple as running in the yard with a bubble wand.
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3228/2721460069_8ef470caeb.jpg

or running through the spray from the hose as you wash the car
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3133/2528105717_16c01ee3df.jpg

Because they truly do dance as if no one was watching and even if someone is... they don't care. They just enjoy!
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2151/2528870700_15e84fced4.jpg
August 19, 2008 | Unregistered CommenterBet
Ah, childhood...I love taking photos of Cadence and her best friend Rudden together. The innocence and playfulness make my heart full:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/sierraromeo/2758157721/in/set-72157604744240241/
August 19, 2008 | Unregistered CommenterSarah - Ji
GOOD HEAVENS! let the tears roll. You picked some stellar photos to feature in this post. i didn't expect to CRY. thanks. =)

Here's my daily enchantment:

in sleep:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/28987938@N00/2341354066/in/set-72157603851001638/

in love:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/28987938@N00/2310263756/in/set-72157603851001638/

in viewing his world from a tree branch:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/28987938@N00/2242332315/in/set-72157603851001638/

I am enchanted. =)
August 19, 2008 | Unregistered Commenterlora
Pudgy, little hands playing with toys. :o)
http://www.flickr.com/photos/fanglord2/2737083963/in/set-72157606524148014/
August 19, 2008 | Unregistered CommenterJenny Rebecca
Gorgeous photo you've posted...the eyes, the dress, the backdrop - its all perfect.

Though I also take a lot of portraits of kids my favourite at the moment is one I just finished working on today...
http://starrybluesky.files.wordpress.com/2008/08/girl2.jpg
August 19, 2008 | Unregistered CommenterRhiannon
these days it's all about what he's learning and what he's drawn to. finding his own way in his world, finding his own loves.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/camerashymomma/2769989144/
August 19, 2008 | Unregistered Commentercamerashymomma
Oh. My aching ovaries!

I have loved perusing the pics in the comments. So fun.
August 19, 2008 | Unregistered Commenteremily
http://www.flickr.com/photos/carrielouise/2772336928/

it IS hard to define! But you do know it when you see it!
August 19, 2008 | Unregistered Commentercarrie
My youngest son's fascination with the outdoors and his constantly changing expressions have me in a never-ending click fest. His curiousity is inspiring, as is your site. Thank you for challenging my talents and helping me to stretch my wings.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/naturemama/2722138849/in/set-72157605952816701/

My daughter's freedom of spirit also inspires...

http://www.flickr.com/photos/naturemama/2722780704/in/set-72157605938827422/

... as does my son's zest for life.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/naturemama/2780098526/in/set-72157605948350432/
August 19, 2008 | Unregistered CommenterNatureMama
I agree, not sure what it is exactly, but I see it here in my Syl:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/52187819@N00/2780363652/

And it always breaks my heart a little when I catch a glimpse of what is to come in their gestures, like my four year old going on fourteen here:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/52187819@N00/2779510731/

I have to add this one even though it was taken with a shaky hand, nothing sweeter than that first wave to their reflection:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/52187819@N00/2780367570/
August 19, 2008 | Unregistered Commenterkatie
This one for sure of my little guy...
http://www.flickr.com/photos/iheartjimmyhank/2441232649/

Discovering new things here:
http://mamabelly.blogspot.com/2008/08/down-by-riverside.html

and any other pic of him on my blog:)
http://mamabelly.blogspot.com/
August 19, 2008 | Unregistered CommenterBridget
I'm so late on this -- but one just melts my heart!

http://www.flickr.com/photos/11439752@N04/2675617833/in/set-72157605201836768/
August 20, 2008 | Unregistered Commenterdr lyn
Your photo is absolutely stunning!

My little one, showing me a stick. She has been sticking her tongue out as in this photo since she was born. It makes me smile:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/jeanamarie31/2776467590/
August 20, 2008 | Unregistered CommenterJeana
this one totally captures my adventurous little Livie in a moment of "uninhibited play"....
http://www.flickr.com/photos/mandaroo/2741909528/
August 20, 2008 | Unregistered CommenterMandy
LOVE this photo, tracey. so great.
August 20, 2008 | Unregistered CommenterSheri
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