Family Photos for Father’s 75th in Windham New York

By Jonathan Ment Photography

Grace reached out like others do, through the contact link at catskillsphotographer.com, to ask if I take family portraits.

Of course I photograph families.

Her family would be gathering in Windham for a little fun and fall foliage planned around her father’s 75th birthday and they wanted some photos to remember the weekend by. I always like to know about how many people to expect. It helps me to prepare when I know whether I’ll be photographing guests at a wedding of 75, a party with 175, or a 75th birthday celebration with fewer than a dozen attending.

This was the latter and, I soon learned, ages would range from 75 years to two, to just over 75 days. The youngest members of the family and the dog were also preparing to mug for the camera.

Lots of families find their way to the mountains for the fall season. Those reds and oranges make for a nice backdrop.

With the proliferation of ‘airbnbs’ there’s greater privacy than was the case when hotels were the norm. That’s a nice thing.

There is also more diversity. Every short-term rental offers it’s own character and potential. The downside which is another positive, is I haven’t found myself returning to the same ‘venue.’ I’m not generally prone to falling into routine, using the same backgrounds each time I take photos in a given location, but there is always the potential for things to become routine.

When I arrive at a new spot, from the moment I pull in the driveway my photographer’s eye and other senses start scoping the potential.

What are the unique features of this new site?

Where’s the color? What’s the ground cover? Where are the wires? What’s the weather? Will babies catch a chill, or anyone else for that matter?

If it’s been raining a lot that day or the days leading up to the session, how’s the grass? Will high heels be sinking in? Will dogs (surprising how often they’re in the mix!) be muddy when we’re through?

It was a cloudy day for this session, Windham Mountain was somewhat visible in the background.

In this case, we found a sturdy stone wall to dress the background to the rear of the rental and a splash of fall foliage to the front. We have pleanty of stone walls in this area – they certainly add a sense of place to the photographs.

We worked inside, on the couch and outside on the deck. There were more than enough options for posed photos. Every session provides the opportunity to capture some candids, too

Rain was expected, but held off for time we spent together. The birthday boy, smiled through the entire session, clearly enjoying the weekend away with three generations of family, the baby stayed warm and the pup remained mud-free.

Photographing weddings is fun and challenging and I’ve had the honor to photograph several this year. Proposals are exciting to capture, waiting for that moment to arrive when one asks and the other answers – invariably, through tears of joy “yes.’ I’ve watched this exchange many times this year in all settings and all seasons.

Family portraits are another subject I’m personally always happy to say ‘yes’ to.

What are you celebrating? Want to make sure the photos will be more than simply snapshots on your cell?

Years ago, a Greyhound bus line marketing campaign put it very well; “Call Greyhound and leave the driving to us!” In other words, enjoy the journey.

Sometimes it’s good to think about photography the same way…

Let’s chat about photography for your special moment, big weekend or most important day!

Thanks for reading.

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