Erin Wallis Photography Blog

Maybe a pretty person makes a pretty photo. Maybe the outfit or the hair or the colors makes the photo appealing. At first.

In the initial glance at an image, what do you see.
Perhaps there are fun props, quirky poses, something beautiful. Maybe you don’t know why you like the photo. You just do. I’m not really one for fuss. I don’t really like using a lot of props or things in photographs. I like spirit. I thrive on emotion. I love seeing behind the image, what is really in that photo. Because really, there isn’t much chance in any single moment of seeing nothing in life. If you are seeing nothing… it is my humble opinion that you are missing a whole lot.

There is substance in everything. There is a story everywhere, in everything. In every molecule, every moment, there was something before it. Or some path that lead it to right now. You have a story, and many of them. I may not know what it is when I first set out to photograph you, but I’ll see it somewhere along the process. Or I’d like to think that its possible to catch a glimpse of your story in your eyes, in your silence, in your movements on your own and then how you move with your man/lady/child/mother/sister. We are all full of tightly woven sinews, all connecting us together inside ourselves as well as those stories fusing every single one of us all in a closely knit and intricate labyrinth.

I am somehow connected to you. Right now, you reading my watery words… me typing them from my laptop, feet up, reclined… baby wiggling away inside my belly. Listening to nothing but the wind howl through our fireplace, I contemplate what’s behind an image. You, wherever you are, which ever screen you are perched at in whatever part of the world. Reading these words. Maybe there are ten of you. Maybe only one. But somehow, something has brought us together. Be it only in the vast world of cyberspace, for this moment. Our stories have met.

When I look back at a few of these photos from the past, I see what I saw in that moment. In whatever fleeting moment was occuring, I am right back there. What I find most interesting, is to wonder.. what you see? Is it different from what stories I see, or feel or wish to feel. Do you see behind the image? Or is it just a nice photo. Is there anything compelling about it to you? What is it? I’ll likely never know. But I will leave you with a few of the images that I truly love. Mainly because of what lies behind the photo. Maybe you see it too?

“Each second we live is a new and unique moment of the universe, a moment that will never be again. And what do we teach our children? We teach them that two and two make four, and that Paris is the capital of France. When will we also teach them what they are? We should say to each of them: Do you know what you are? You are a marvel. You are unique. In all the years that have passed, there has never been another child like you. Your legs, your arms, your clever fingers, the way you move. You may become a Shakespeare, a Michelangelo, a Beethoven. You have the capacity for anything. Yes, you are a marvel. And when you grow up, can you then harm another who is, like you, a marvel? You must work, we must all work, to make the world worthy of its children.”
-Pablo Picasso

Hannah is the eldest of three amazingly fascinating souls. Hannah is kind, caring, and has a purity to her that is like childlike innocence and gold all in one. You always know where things are at with Hannah, she’s an open book. Her soul seeps out of her pours, in plain view for the world. In Hannah’s eyes it’s easy to see love.

Ella Ireland is the middle child. Full of mischevious wit, boundless humor, and endless creativity. She is quirky, somewhat unpredictable and always true to herself. She is the surprising one. When you least expect it, she will throw her arms around you and say something that melts you into instantly. Like “Auntie Erin… you are sooooo special” She is also the one that will not just shed one or two small tears over something, but will BURST into a flurry of crocodile tears, suddenly, without warning. She doesn’t give up her love to just anyone. But once you have it, you are filled up entirely.

Elijah is highly spirited to say the very, very least. He has an inability to sit still. He is alive. He is full of life, energy and full of all sorts of quirks. His report card names him as one of the most popular little dudes in school. He calls it “famous”. He is charismatic, moody, charming and irresistibly sweet. He has a bad temper, and a sharp mind. My time with him as a baby was spent perfecting the art of the baby dance, as he was terribly hard to calm down. He makes you want to know him forever.

Its no secret that I’ve loved this family from the beginning of time. I’ve been through it all. Witnessed each of them as a brand new baby, been woken up by their little peepers staring at me, grinning… whispering.. “Auntie Erin, are you awake?”. They’ve irritated me, inspired me, lifted me and quite honestly served as a very happy place for me. Time spent with them feels profound. Meaningful. Well spent. I am blessed with their love and friendship. Through good times and hardship, through tragedy, happiness, strength, and many changes… one thing remains the same. I am better with these people in my life.

A mothers love for her children is magnificent.

****Remember until December 10th 2009, your comments= cans of food being donated to our local food bank… so be sure to leave a comment! Its an awesome way to give a little blog love and in return, I’ll give a little food bank love. A wonderful thing!****

Carrying on with the Best of 2009 series… I bring you, my twelve favorite family images of 2009. (I can barely believe that I could narrow it down to twelve)
In any case, here they are. All bursting with love, laughter and joy. Beautiful.

Tis the season for fabulous families.
It was cold, so cold that little Ayla wasn’t having so much fun. Her little hands were so cold! Poor thing! Emmitt however, was all smiles!
Such a great bunch and another fabulous addition to my last sessions in 2009.
Enjoy the last few days of November, before you know it, it’s Christmas… then New Years… then wedding season again… (oh wait… and NEW BABY somewhere in there too!)
Here is a few of my favorites from such a sweet little session.

Meet sweet Ayla

And her poor little cold hands.

Here’s adorable Emmitt

Look at these perfect colors!

And these beautiful people!

I’ll leave you with this sweet little image.

At times, when you least expect it… the sun will surprise you on the west coast, and shine. Out of nowhere, out of what seems like a never ending sea of dark clouds, the sun is hiding somewhere. Occasionally it will tease you with a ray here or there, and sometimes, if you’re really lucky… it will just up and burst through the clouds. Seemingly reminding you that it was there all along.

Boys will surprise you too. They are like the sun. Their smiles can be just as elusive, their moments in front of the camera are certainly as fleeting as the west coast sunshine. And every bit as beautiful. Oh, Matthew and Liam, you gave me a run for my money… but I caught you still.