The year was 1979 when I first started taking photography more seriously. It was on a trip home to visit my parents. The family would always stop by and these were my nieces and nephew. Capturing this real authentic moment - this photograph later went on to become a poster. It was sold around the world and today I still get calls from people who may have seen it and want one for themselves. It can be found in ice cream parlors that enjoy displaying it on their walls including the Candy Kitchen in Bridgehampton. Today my niece on the left and my nephew on the right are married and have their own children which I now photograph. It is a stroll down memory lane and to really digest that I am lucky enough to photograph their children who will one day be viewing both their parents as a child and themselves when they get older and appreciate those special moments.
Now, we all know that photos are taken to freeze a moment in time, but just how long does a photograph last? 200 years? 500? Forever? Some people believe that since we now have the advanced interconnectivity of the web and social media, that our life’s stories are automatically curated with perfection and made easy to read or understand. Others believe that all we need today is a smartphone that comes equipped with a bunch of storage and a 12MP (megapixel) camera, and the perfect 45º head tilt (on your good side, of course!) for endless selfies and group shots every day. The truth however, is that although it may be much easier to snap a moment on a per-whim basis, the fact that we can take and upload as many images as we want, without thought for truth and quality, can easily take away from the power of photography as a means of documenting the significance of our experiences on this earth.
I love the action and the real interaction of this photograph. It is so authentic and alive! The kids are really having fun!
Take this image for example. “Kids Being Kids” is an image of fun and happiness. It captures a youthful and pure energy in the truth of a moment where the children are being playful and really enjoying themselves. All too often we lose this effect with the effort of “serial selfies”, or otherwise posed moments, and I am certain that each of us can think of a time where this has happened. Even I caught myself in the act earlier this year! I was trying to snap a selfie for one of my influencer threads, and when I found myself becoming more focused on the shot than the truth of the moment, I had to stop. When we force ourselves and our children to hold a great big cheese so we can create something that never really existed, or we place so much emphasis on the fact that there is a camera present that our focus is no longer on living in the moment as much as it is on “looking nice,” we take away from the truth of our story and weaken the power of photography. That is why the art of professional photography is still so relevant (and vital!) to this day. The love, the care, and the truth that exists with each photograph curated by teams such as the one at Lucille Khornak Studios is an invaluable investment in the stories of our lives.
The above image is from my collection of my personal work - girls being girls and posing!
Whenever I am working on a photo session with children, I am always careful to engage them in a way that brings out feelings of happiness and positive energy. I understand how important it is to document real goodness, and I want to be sure to document even their most whimsical of moments because, as they grow up, they will always be reminded of these special moments which were photographed and displayed as fine art prints on the walls or in photo albums on the coffee tables and nightstands of the home. When I am photographing adults, I make it my mission to center their attention on the moment at hand. Many of us are extremely busy and feel as though we are allowed very little time to enjoy ourselves (especially when there are cameras around), however, I believe in being fully present and enjoying each moment granted as much as you can- especially when there is a camera present! If you are truly enjoying the special moments that are being documented for you to cherish, then you will automatically give yourself a recurring opportunity to remember those feelings of happiness, love and positivity every time you walk down that staircase or hallway, every time you open that photo album, and every time you step into your office and literally see your best self in print!!
From my personal collection of children I photographed.
Take a minute with me now to think. Think of a time when nothing was posed or prepared, and all you did was live in the moment. Remember that most recent event where you felt the purest sense of joy, and wished you could bottle it up and enjoy it again? Perhaps it was a holiday memory with the whole family gathered in celebration, or maybe it was a recent birthday or vacation. Whatever it was, you know that when you felt that sense of joy, that it was the only thing that mattered in the moment. It was a “source or cause of delight” that words often fail to define, and when it is captured with the power of photography (not just a snapshot or a selfie) it offers a tangible opportunity for you to instantly reconnect with that exact feeling- an unadulterated and unfiltered reality of joy.
Alfred Eisenstaedt “Kids at a Puppet Show,” Paris, 1963
This photograph taken by Alfred Eisenstaedt is one of my favorite photos of all time. Even after over 50 years, it remains a powerful image, a window into a special moment in time.
The above photo is a very whimsical moment that I captured.
How long does a photograph last? Well, how far into the future can you dream? Thanks to the art of photography, many beautiful stories have lived, and will continue to live on for generations to come. Many photo exhibitions can be found at museums throughout the world showcasing powerful photography captured in the early years by famous photographers. I am still so happy when I receive new requests about my photograph of the children eating ice cream. It serves as a reminder to me that the world is in need of more love and happiness, and it makes me hopeful to know that they are finding a bit of it in such a way as this. As you consider your own life’s story, I do hope that you will think about the power of photography, and as you realize the impact your story could have on the future of your own family, give me a call today so we can set an appointment for your next photography session.
212.593.0933 | office@lucillekhornak.com
Wishing you a new year that is energetic, soulful, and whimsical! Keep smiling!
*snap you soon*
Love, LK