As photographers, one of the biggest compliments we get is when another photographer wants us to take their picture. I admit, my reaction to the request is always the same…a combination of humbling awe, excitement and a good dose of boot-shaking fear.
Don’t get me wrong…Andy & I feel pretty confident that the work we do makes our clients happy, and we don’t expect the reaction to be any different when our subject is another photographer…it’s just that knowing our subject is a photographer themselves does somehow turn the heat up a bit.
As intimidating as it can be, it’s also really flattering, and especially so when the photographer is willing to trust you with the thing they value most in the world…their family…particularly when the photographer has been in the business longer than you and has a very solid reputation for being one of the best in the industry.
Yes, the heat was turned up pretty high two weeks ago, when we photographed Brewster photographer extraordinaire, Amy Dykens, at her beautiful home and with her two gorgeous boys, Charlie & James. It was especially nice that it was Charlie’s birthday and we got to celebrate that with him and his family.
Amy was interested in getting some portraits of herself, which we think is wonderful and something we really need to do ourselves. It’s quite pitiful how few photos we have of the two of us…like a landscaper with a bare lawn.
Amy’s home studio is gorgeous and offered beautiful window light….exactly how we like it. Here are a few of our favorite pics of this sweet, unassuming, talented, beautiful lady…
Slightly more serious….still oh so pretty.
The birthday boy, Charlie, with his momma & little bro, James. Are they cute or what?
With their land abutting Nickerson State Park, Amy & her boys often go for long walks in the woods…so we decided to join them, but before we left, James gets playful with his brother’s super cool hat.
The beech trees were in full bloom. The color was spectacular.
James, Amy & Charlie prepare to jump off a fallen tree limb for a more candid family portrait. Love the giggles!
Way to catch some air, birthday boy!
With my sisters and so many of my friends now mothers, I have a much more profound appreciation for just how special the bond of mother & child is….when I see moms with their children my heart beats a little stronger. I hope these next couple of photos of Amy with her boys do the same for her…
Not only are they super close, but they’re also super cool!
Love, love, love this next candid moment as James snuggles with his mom and watches as his big brother gets his moment in the spotlight. Having spent just a little time with him, it is obvious that James is an incredibly sweet boy and I can’t help but think that just comes shining through in this next shot…
This next one is what was happening while James & Amy were looking on. I just looooove the colors of the leaves and the sunlight peeking through, providing a dramatic spotlight on Charley’s handsome 14-year-old face! Model scouters sit up & take notice…this boy has got a face that was made to be photographed.
Next, Amy & James had their turn in the spotlight. Oh, the joyful smiles…how they are contagious!
Something a bit more dramatic. Charley is learning to play the guitar and James plays piano…should Amy ever decide to trade in her camera for a microphone and start a band, I’m thinking this would make a great album cover, no?
Or perhaps this moodier version in black & white…
Amy has the most amazing collection of rocks. I’ve never thought much about rocks, but Amy has tons of beautiful heart shaped and striped rocks that force you to sit up and take notice. As does Charley, in this next portrait with his cool cap and piercing green eyes. This boy puts the cool in cucumber.
Playing with leaves….love the joyful expressions!
And these too….so fun!
But these next couple take the cake as my personal favorites of the day…without prompting, they all just grabbed onto one another….Aaaahhhhh, be still my momma-lovin’ heart!
Love, love, love this next one of sweet baby James and his soulful blue eyes!
Snuggling doesn’t get much better than this…
Amy, thank you so very much for entrusting us to capture this special time in your lives, for sharing your beautiful boys with us and for making us feel so completely at ease! It was so great spending this quality time with all of you! We hope you love these photos as much as we loved our time together. Special thanks too to Charley . We really appreciate you taking time out of your b-day celebration to humor us (and your mom) with some more photos…oh, the trials of being the child of a photographer! Thanks too to James for sticking with us longer than you probably would have liked. We really appreciate all of you and feel so honored that you called on us, Amy! We hope we lived up to your expectations. With love & hugs, Christine & Andy xo