The story:

The year was 1999 and nobody was doing portraits in a black and white format. Color was king at this time.

This was our first Relationship portrait, an entirely new vision for our black and white work which was new and not defined at this point.

This pivotal incident that birthed the Relationship style... Emily, 1 year old, was the youngest daughter of dear friends, Brian and Kristin. 

She became critically ill one night without warning and Kristen called Tim to come to the hospital to pray for her. 

When he arrived, Dad was in the room with little Emily and Kristen was in the next room, in the dark, praying alone. 

When Tim got home later that night, he envisioned a new way to do portraits; telling an entire story through symbolism, pose and expression...and all in one, singular image.

After she was released from the hospital, we booked this portrait.

The symbolism explained:

Emily was dressed in white, the color of innocence and childhood.

Dad was the foundation of the portrait as he tightly holds onto Emily. He is in shadow to allow Emily to be the center of interest.

Kristin is in shadow with her back turned away, yet she is leaning into her husband for strength and connection.

All eyes are closed except for Emily who looks directly into the camera, not smiling, and with her ordeal vividly etched on her face. Dark bags under her eyes complete the story.

Today, Emily is a vibrant young woman with an infectious personality as she brightens every place she walks into.