We were so busy back in the late 1990's but I never neglected to spend as much time as possible with my son, Ben. I'd come home from a morning shoot on a bright Summer day and corral Ben and his mom, Belinda, into my old, green BMW and we'd head out for a lunch adventure. To this day Ben doesn't get that other dads don't take time for a long, lingering lunches with family. On this particular day is was in the 90's already by noon. We were all in the mood for burgers so we headed to Hilbert's on north Lamar Blvd.
We ordered our burgers and fries and grabbed seats at the counter. The bright sun diffused itself thru a yellowed sun barrier on the floor to ceiling windows that looked out over the picnic tables and the parking lot. Ben was eating french fries and his mom and I were talking about vacation. Where we'd go and what we'd do. I looked down at Ben and he looked at me with such love and adoration it almost made me cry right there on my vinyl covered stool, in the run down burger joint. I lifted up the camera that accompanied me everywhere, like an oxygen tank on the surface of Mars, and snapped one or two frames. I've cherished the memory of that warm and ultimately happy day ever since.
Ben has grown up to be a wonderful 15 year old. He still gives me a warm and happy look from time to time. We still go out for burgers when he's not at school. I look forward to summers in Austin. We each have our own activities but we come together at lunch and dinner to catch up and just exist together. I'm grateful for photography because it captures these wonderful moments for me and sticks them in my face to repudiate times of self pity or narcissism.
Kodachrome 64. Scanned. No lighting. No tricks. No layers. Only unconditional love in both directions. That's the reason for photography.
20 comments:
These are the truly priceless photographs. The kind that keep on getting more valuable as time passes. This is one of the reasons I like photography. Not too many things in the world appreciate with age.
Absolutely adorable.
I give up. I feel like a filmmaker trying to compete with Spielberg, Disney and Huston all wrapped into one. Do you just post to taunt us? These are masterpieces. Both this photo and the one in the blog before it.
Want a funny story? Here I am mr. super serious photo wannabe and one of the best family shots in our house was taken by my wife on a 35mm drug store box camera. It really is the memory and feeling that matters and when we go back to look at those old shots it just melts your heart. Great shot!
What a wonderful and perfect light - just like it's wrapped around them/him. And his expression towards you - time- and priceless. Just wonderful.
Thanks - as always - for sharing your thoughts, Kirk. This is really really appreciated.
Your love of your family and photography never cease to emanate from your postings.
I love that you can see the love in these photographs of your wife (yesterday) and your son today. These are the photos that get treasured over a lifetime.
I appreciate learning the technical stuff that photographers like you share to improve my skills but I started out (and will end up) as a photographer who wants most of all to capture my own memories and loved ones. If I can give someone else a treasured view of their loved ones when I photograph them, so much the better.
March 28, 2011 11:31 PM
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Great post Kirk. I've spent many a (thousand) hour with my two sons, eating maccas (sorry, McDonalds for you Americans), playing cricket or rugby league in the backyard. Those memories are indeed precious.
You have captured one such memory with a sublimely simple yet poignant image.
Regards from Oz.
Max
You have a really chute kid:)
Wow. Really hit it on the head.
That's exactly how I felt, but couldn't articulate, this weekend.
Interesting, it took just one second and the word Kodachrome popped up in my head. About a month ago I received my last--and sadly final--couple of rolls back from Dwayne's. I was more than just a little disappointed. One roll was completely black and I am stumped at why. The other about 80% of all frames are out of focus.
I marvel at the colors and I am also glad for you that you did not get a black frame and nailed the focus.
An amazing image, Kirk!
Does anyone else see the strong resemblance to Kirk's profile picture?
Kirk...God bless you. Your post brought tears of emotion to my eyes.
You remind us of what real values really are.
A great moment captured. Ben looks so much like you!
I read the first sentence of this post then promptly went and spent the next 3 hours with my son.
Good times.
Great timing. I just scanned some negs from 17 years ago of my older kids, B+W and some great soft light. Forgotten how cute they were and the fun we used to have. I worked nights at a commercial studio as the night crew and stayed home with them during the day. We had a lot of great photo shoots and good memories
I wouldn't have it any other way now that our 4 are teens. I do miss those uncomplicated very happy to share the love moments without all the teenage embarrassment of it now seeming 'uncool'.
once again a beautiful image
When I have kids, I want it to be like that: time for long lunches, flexible schedules. 9 to 5? No thanks!
People work to hard, accomplish too little and don't have enough fun. Family first. Photography second. Everything else can have the left over time. If any.
Wonderful slice of time captured!
It makes me wonder that in order to be ready to capture moments like these, with no notice, one needs to carry a camera, always. And that's something I'm afraid myself from time to time, to be "the guy with the camera". Not anymore.
Thanks for sharing such special moments with us!
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