Photoshoot at the Park

Last week I had an idea for a picture book (though if it will ever be accomplished is another story), and needed some reference photos for the positions. Stephanie let me take three of her kids (Dallin was in the shower after a muddy accident) to Candlelight Park by their house to play and take pictures. Most photos the kids pretended to be talking to imaginary friends but some were just them playing. Sophie didn't exactly understand my concept and kept posing and smiling straight at the camera (adorable), but McKay seemed to understand, though he was his usual quirky self, and even came up with some ideas of his own. Parker had lots of ideas and was really excited to do anything. It was a really fun experience and I hope to do it again.

Here are some of my favorite pictures. We didn't get out of the house till about 5:30pm so my lighting is funny and sometimes dark but if you zoom in you can see the adorableness.

Parker wanted to pretend to push someone on the swing.

Parker started climbing up the slide, McKay was sliding down, a collision in the middle was resolved with a twisted exchange of positions.

I told him to pretend he was driving with a friend... I'm not sure why he got angry...

Aw the far-off look.

McKay's idea: digging at the park.

I asked Parker to go catch an imaginary football, he did great - TOUCHDOWN! Even McKay joined in. Sophie is that pink speck in the sand pretending to be a dog.

My idea is "Dinosaurs at the Park." Here is an example piece that I did earlier this week with a picture I took of Parker a long time ago. Back then I took it for my high school AP Studio art class as an image of children with the imaginary friends. Now Parker whispers a secret to the dinosaur. After I digitally sketch in the various dinosaurs, I plan to convert them into pencil sketches and then color them with watercolor or marker; that part still isn't completely done.