one year of photographing the ngo family
when i moved to colorado a year ago, i left behind more than just a place. i left the familiar faces, predictable patterns, and the comfort of being where people know you. i worried about the typical things; establishing myself in unfamiliar territory, forming new friendships as an adult, and emotionally attaching myself to a favorite grocery store.
but, as a photographer, i worried about building a new client base. what i didn't expect was that my most meaningful client would be waiting for me when i arrived—my baby nephew, who would quickly become a highlight of my portfolio.
the ngos, with their newborn baby boy, eren, just a month old when i arrived, have become my favorite subjects. while most of my work comes from various musicians across colorado, it's this family—particularly their baby son—who have captured my heart and lens.
most babies look at faces, at moving objects, at bright colors. but this little boy, he looks at my lenses. even when my camera sits next to me outside of my hands, his eyes dart towards it. it’s as if he can sense its ability to freeze moments. i sometimes wonder if he understands more about photography than my adult-sized clients—the way he tilts his chin up, and how he pauses mid-gesture the same moment i hold my breath before the shutter snaps.
he loves me, i'm sure, but he loves the camera even more.
then came eren's first birthday party where i was tasked to capture candid photos throughout the day—an easy gig compared to the fast-paced events i’m typically hired for. the house was thoughtfully decorated (safari themed) and filled with family and close friends. the air was sweet with excitement and brightly colored cakes. as we all gathered to sing "happy birthday," i lifted my camera to frame the scene as i’ve done countless times before.
and then—magic.
when we reached the midpoint of the song, eren swiftly turned his head, and looking directly into my lens, began to clap, his eyes brimming with delight and his tiny hands colliding in joyful applause.
this was it—a perfect confluence of timing, emotion, and light. my heart swelled as i hit the shutter, knowing i had captured something authentic and precious. it wasn't just a photo; it was evidence that in this new place, with family and friends rather than clients, i belonged behind the camera telling stories that matter.
my favorite client doesn't pay me in dollars but in moments—in the way eren reaches for my camera with curious, chubby fingers and his delighted squeals when i happily praise him for being the perfect little subject. his payment is the reminder that sometimes, the most meaningful work happens at the intersection of profession and family.
photography for me has always been about three things: creating authentic art, fostering relationships with beautiful people, and the authority to be up-close to capture moments that would otherwise be lost to time. the camera is a tool, and the art is in seeing people. with eren and the ngos, i'm learning to see in novel ways, through the eyes of my own family experiencing the wonder of new life.
a year after moving to colorado, i actually have more clients than i did back in michigan. but, the ones who matter most are my cousin's family, and my adorable nephew eren, who has made photography a joy simply by being himself. and as he grows, i'll be there, camera in hand, documenting milestones, ordinary tuesdays, all moments that make this life worth remembering.
