Project 365 d-186

     A really busy day found me without a photo as the evening hours approached. To say the least, I have many irons in the fire and today was just one of those days where my juggling could have used an extra hand. Perhaps on last item to juggle would also work. Thankfully I had two wonderful, and willing little helpers to assist me in finding an image. At about 9:30 p.m.; I knew that I would have to try and create something in the studio with some mood lighting. I wasn't sure what I was going to do, but I was trusting that something would present itself like it usually does. After retrieving a work light from my workshop; I set it on the floor and began to try and direct some light at a chair to see what kind of silhouette it would create. Standing right behind me and peppering me with questions were my two assistants. "Can I sit in the chair Papa" my oldest begged? "Me too, me too" protested my youngest! "You will both have a chance to be in the shot", I reassured them as best as I could. Should I expect anything less from them? They want to create non stop and they see all of this as not only an excuse to stay up late, but to work on an Art project too.

     Starting with my oldest first, I asked her to sit in the chair and turn sideways. My goal was to get a definitive side profile of her and to show some of her personality. It was mildly frustrating as the little starlet kept wanting to turn her head and stare at her projected shadow upon the backdrop. "Sweetheart, please look straight ahead", I told her repeatedly. Shot after shot was taken, and I still wasn't getting what I wanted. Finally she shifted in the chair by bringing her knees up and resting her elbow on the arm rest and putting her hand against her head. "Just like that" I shouted! "Don't move honey, stay just like that" , I implored her. Well to all of you that parents, you might as well say "Go ahead and move all you want". Fortunately, I released the shutter quick enough that I captured the gestalt of her silhouette before she started squirming. Confirming the image on the LCD allowed a wave of relief to wash over me as my Midnight deadline was fast approaching. This made me a little more relaxed as I let my youngest take a swing at sitting in the chair.

     She sat there just as determined as she could to be just like her big Sis. Trying to act older than she was, straightening her back, and raising he chin up as looked of into an imaginary ring of Paparazzi photographers. These comical looks kept crossing her face as she tried to emulate all that she had ever seen on TV of those so-called fabulous, fashion minded Diva's. That sort of thing was not going to show up in her silhouette; however, I wanted her moment in the spotlight to be special, so I just played my part. "You're beautiful", I told her. "Hold that pose", I encouraged. "Perfect", I said! "You're going to be a star", I promised her. It was the best cheesy photographer jargon that I could think of. She didn't seem to mind and just soaked it all up. In the end, my oldest had a more distinct silhouette, and I went with her image. Surprisingly, my youngest took it it stride and seemed happy to have just been a part of what I was doing. Looking at my watch; I saw the little hand was between twelve and one, and hurried them off to bed. "Thanks a bunch for your help girls" I said as they were tucked into bed. Heading back out to the studio, I was happy about the whole experience. Glad that I was able to combine Project 365 and spending time with them. It occurred to me that I had helped nurture this love of creating in them, and it made me happy to know that they were trying to be like me. No matter how this project turns out in the end; they will always be my greatest works of art.

Happy Shooting.