intimacy

    

The thing I remember loving the most about my years as a portrait photographer was the ability to capture moments rarely noticed by anyone else. Moments of connection, family life, love, laughter. I made it my mission to seek out the nuances that often got overlooked; the things, that when distilled through my lens felt like magic.

Of all the wonderful things I've been privileged to witness, the ones I feel most honored to share have been the moments of intimacy. The pauses in between the expected shots. The quick glance, the exhale, the gentle touch, the subtle gesture, the contemplative expression, the comfort, the ease.

Perhaps this is why I like to get in close to my subjects. Getting in close means you have to deliberately choose only a few  details amongst the bigger picture that you want to frame in your shot.  It means you're really looking, noticing, honoring that person, that moment, that intimate view into something or someone as if somehow been allowed in to be a part of something rare and wonderful.

Today, show us your version of getting up-close and personal with your subject, whatever or whoever it may be.

Comments

[rakusribut]

Omigod Tracey i know exactly what you mean....! Last monday i took these shots of my sister in law's daughter. Talk about coincidence/ serendipity...:-() Such a nice touch of grace

http://exploringwithmycamera.blogspot.com/2012/02/getting-in-close-last-monday-nadine.html

[Barbara (mthoodmama)]

http://www.flickr.com/photos/50654891@N07/6832703919/

My son, taken outside just a few days ago....I love him so.

[kristin]

your girls lashes! wow.
today i got up close to the nape of my little one's neck. i love that strawberry birthmark i can spy peeking through her hair... and the sun, oh the sun...
http://www.flickr.com/photos/14811117@N02/6849105055/in/photostream

[Kathy Marciante]

I just love capturing the obsured moments...to me they are the most natural shots.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/30217647@N08/6204648089/in/photostream

[Summer]

I, too, am learning that up close and personal is by far the best.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/runningchatter/6757931145/in/photostream

[Debbie Ealer]

my kitty, I have so many of her,but nothing close up,caught her the other day squinting from the sun and so happy I zoomed in for once

http://www.flickr.com/photos/debbsga/6825201299/in/photostream

[Ana Eugenio]

http://anaeye.blogspot.com/2012/01/find-my-eye-inspirational-file.html a different kind of close-up :)

[WorthIt!]

These are my favorite moments as well - harder to capture and so very worth the effort. I really like the perspective getting up close with my pup provides!

http://www.flickr.com/photos/52055227@N07/6851462295/in/photostream

[LeAnne]

I had the occasion of witnessing many emotional moments when my son returned home from Afghanistan. http://www.photosbyleanne.net/2012/02/its-new-day.html