These three.

Sometimes I don’t know how to start a post. This happens most often when it’s something I really care about, and I fear I won’t do justice with my commentary. So I sit and stare at a blinking cursor, flashing on and off as if to challenge me to live up to its purpose. Sometimes I figure it out. Sometimes I don’t. But then I remember the advice I received as a student, and have mentioned here before:  “Write what you know.”

These boys are close to my heart. They are the children of my younger sister. (Younger is relative- she’s 16 months my junior.) When you take photos of the children of your sister, it’s a little different than photographing a new client. Because I have more to live up to in my own eyes, and have to work a little harder to make the photos represent what I see in them. When I have a new client, I don’t have the history of knowing the quirks and little nuances about the child. I hope that I can make them comfortable enough to finally bring it out for the camera, but I am not ever completely sure that I caught him or her as their family sees them. I have to hope that it’s there- and I am always thrilled and a little relieved when I get an email from a mother, so happy over the moments we were able to grab of her child.

See, my nephews know me. They have my little bag of tricks all figured out. So when Colleen mentioned just staying at her house to do the photos, I figured it would be good– the boys would probably be comfortable, in their element, and easily amused. Colleen was right– It worked.

Here is what I know:

This little man is Anderson Kenneth. He’s on his way to the big 2 next month. He is adorable, and mischievous, and not all that impressed by his Aunt Betsy. Nope, he would rather be with his mother, thankyouverymuch. But he’s warming up, and likes to have his photo taken. Which is a good thing.

And, for an almost-two-year-old, he can sport cowboy boots like nobody’s business.

He’s all-boy–

And thinks that the word for stick is ‘gun’– which may have something to do with older siblings? :)

But for all his ‘gun’-toting ways, sometimes he can look like an innocent little cherub:

Plus, he has some spiffy eyelashes to add to the cherub column:

He likes his older brothers. (Ok, some of the time.)  It’s fun to watch him with Wade and Landon.

I love these goobers.

This is Landon Joseph. The middle child. The one who I understand the most, who I feel an affinity for, being a middle child myself. He can maybe act like a naughty middle child, but I don’t always see that. It’s just that his mother is my sister, so I have privileged information here. He is sensitive, and thoughtful, and intuitive. Landon is very aware of his surroundings, and watches everyone. Everything. He aims to please, and watches your reaction. I love to watch him back. Because, really? Look at his face. This is his ‘just-checking-in’ face– the “Mom, can you see how good of a job I’m doing?” face. He likes his mom- can you tell? He’s looking right at her in this photo. And I like it. A lot.

It’s said that middle children crave attention in the midst of the center. I’m no expert on that, but I have my reservations in regards to that theory. Because this guy just loves to be loved. Forget attention, he just wants you to like him. Which is pretty easy to do when he looks at you like this:

He’s got this great little streak of fiery mischief. It’s funny to see.

(Was it a goal of Aunt Betz to get a photo of each boys’ eyelashes? Maybe.)

Landon has this thing about him:  he giggles with abandon. Cutest sound ever.

He giggles when an adult with a camera acts like a goober:

Really giggles. I like that about him.

This is Wade Christian. Firstborn. Busy. Intelligent, always thinking. Analyzing, expressing. I’m not going to pretend that I understand the firstborn thing; I don’t- just ask Joel. I’m still trying to figure it out, but I enjoy observing. Wade is contemplative, and knows he is the oldest. Okay, that sounds like stating the obvious. But he is aware of the fact that he has a job to do as firstborn, and he knows that his brothers watch him. Which is good.

He’s a thinker. Full of questions. And, according to my sister, plenty of answers.

He’s easy to take a picture of- has a great ‘photo’ smile. I told Colleen that he can “fake-smile” like a pro. I mean it. His camera smile is really nice:

So it’s rewarding when you finally get the real deal:

Wade has moments of quiet and reserve-

But he can ham it up, too:

These three are fun, and gregarious, and have great little twinkles in their eyes. They are cute. (Is it okay that I said you were cute, Wade? I know, it’s not cool now that you’re getting older. Sorry.)

This is what I know:  These three boys are loved.

And that is the best knowledge of all.

October 11, 2010 - 8:22 am

Cheryl - Really nice, Betsy, and you captured their personalities to a T.

October 11, 2010 - 8:49 am

Minna - Awesome Awesome Pictures!!! Those three are so cute Love the little cowboy boots Anderson :)

October 11, 2010 - 1:24 pm

Aunt Mo - The eigth picture down is Colleen (Landon) looking at the other two!! Great pictures BETZ!!

October 12, 2010 - 6:00 am

Colleen - Thanks so much again Betsy- I am so pleased with how you were able to get who they are. I love the way the tree fort worked. So glad that we used it. Thanks for your time!

October 12, 2010 - 8:10 pm

Donna - These kids are just sooooo cute!!! Great shots!

October 29, 2010 - 11:45 pm

Trisha - I absolutely love the pictures Betsy! Makes me miss all of you guys so much.

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