By Jonathan Ment
It has been said “Good things come in threes.” When it comes to booking photography sessions, I’d add or twos or fours or ‘mores’ … Recently I photographed a pair of 90th Birthday celebrations, first at a rental house in Prattsville, NY and soon after another at a resort in Round Top near Cairo, NY.
These added to the 90th birthdays I’d captured a few months earlier. Perhaps five in a 10 month period! Guess I can add this to my hard-to-define niche or list of specialties.
These occasions have a few things in common; someone is or has recently reached 90, they’re surrounded by loving family and sometimes friends, there’s a fun chaotic energy to the sessions and there’s often an element of family reunion involved – in fact the session that followed was booked as a reunion and birthday celebration for the get together. What is better than families making time for each other and creating the opportunity to acknowledge a birthday!
Folks are always in a great mood for these family events. They’re excited to see me. The photographs are part of the celebration. They’re getting together and their time will be captured in pictures.
This is a bit different at weddings, where the photographs are an essential component but far from a focus. As wedding photographer, the highest praise I receive is along the lines of ‘you captured every moment, didn’t miss a thing and I never noticed you.’
Of course, though not the wedding couple, there is a guest of honor for a 90th birthday celebration but at 90, many folks prefer the focus be on others so while there are certain ‘must have photos’ often a large group shot, or generational gatherings. Think: mom or dad, children and grandchildren’ there’s also plenty of opportunity to photograph everyone else.
When a guest at any party, be it a wedding, birthday, bar mitzvah or reunion asks “Can you take my picture?,” I answer without hesitation, “That’s what I’m here for!”
Of course there’s always food and drink involved and while I sometimes sample the former I always pass on the latter – but it seems everyone always offers, encourages even.
“Please eat something,” they say.
It’s hard to turn down an offer like that from someone who’s been feeding others for 70 years or more.
But a photographer also needs to move quickly on their feet. I try to avoid getting bogged down with anything more on my plate than the task at hand: capture the photos that will help you remember the event, so you don’t have to.
Who’s got who in a loving embrace?
Can you tell whose kids are whose?
And what were those kids up to, anyway?
These sessions are less about venue than weddings might be, but food is almost always a factor. On that subject, Is there a cake? Often, but not always.
(Note to self: Wife loves cake. Never turn down the pressing offer to ‘take a slice home.’)
This family was warm and welcoming. After the session, her daughter (my client, technically) posted a review to Google saying the whole family was “so glad we decided on Jonathan to help us celebrate.” It’s enough to make you blush…
Let me help you celebrate. I’ll bring the cameras and take the pictures so your hands will be free to hug your family members and friends!
Email or text or text 845 430 4030 to get started, or simply dial that phone to chat.
Jonathan Ment Photography
You can find, follow and like Jonathan Ment Photography on Facebook and at www.catskillsphotographer.com
Jonathan Ment Photography 