20 years ago

One of my favorite photographs of my daughter Ashley (now a senior in collage) was made about 20 years ago when she was about two years old. This image (used film) was made while spending time at Buggs Island Lake in the southern most part of Virginia. Ashley spent a lot of time "cruising" the yard in her pink Barbie Corvette. The keys in Ashley's hand (skeleton key) were attached to a key ring with my Grandfather's logo of his past business, "E.H. Harris Oil Corp." It was a nice addition to add another layer of memories to appreciate in the photograph.
The photograph was planned down to Ashley's foot visible below the open door as well as the keys. Her expression however is totally spontaneous. I like to use the phrase; "planned spontaneity" I use this technique all the time when planning a portrait session. The photograph is designed to bring out elements within the photograph that are meaningful to the subject. The key (no pun intended) is to allow expressions to be spontaneous during the moment the photograph is made. When all of the elements come together (expression, design, lighting) the image is made to be appreciated even decades later.