One of the most adorable and happiest little girls I’ve have every met.  I photographed her in Birmingham, AL and she really put me to work.  Annabelle had her own idea of how our photosession should go and not even the big bad photographer was going to tell her otherwise.  So what was I to do? Well, the only thing I could do.  Let Annabelle be Annabelle and capture her in the process.

Some people jokingly ask me as I’ve photographed their children,  ”Are you sure you want to do this?”  I have to admit its rough sometimes.  It’s a challenge and when I make it home and I look over the images I captured, I say to myself, “yea, I’m sure!”  Sometimes the best images are the one you aren’t trying to capture.

She’s so much fun to be around.  Just a bag full of giggles.  She’s learning to reach for things now.  If its close and she can get to it, it’s hers.  She’s such an explorer.  She’s discovering new things everyday and even though she’s only 5 months old.  She knows more than she lets on.

It’s somewhat surreal to know that I am responsible for this human being.  Her development, her “first” views on life and this world will come from me.  It’s my job to teach her how to be a responsible person, a kind-hearted, friendly, hard working, God-fearing young lady and woman who understands that the needs of others are greater than her own.  I have to teach her that in helping others, she helps herself.  I have to explain to her while there are still some people who will hold the color of her skin against her, that not every white person is her enemy and not every black person is her friend.  People are people and everyone needs to feel loved, respected, and valued. Not just those who look like her. I need to help her build self esteem so that she can see through the games men play. I have to, more than anything else, reinforce in her mind that God loves her and through that love she will find strength. Through that love there is nothing she can’t accomplish.

I’m fearful at times that I might drop the ball somewhere and she pays the price for it.  It’s a real fear.  I’ve suddenly become someone’s life coach (and what the heck do I know?)  Its stranger still that every time I think of what I have to teach Rachel I’m always reminded of what she has taught me in just 5 short months.

1. When life hurts, its okay to cry or show emotion.
2. Smile every chance you get.  The heaviest burden becomes lighter when you do.
3. Its okay to sing and not care who is listening,  It just might put a song in their heart.
4. Explore new things and learn new things, You’re never to old.
5. Be friendly to people you don’t know.  Contrary to popular belief, respect shouldn’t have to be earned…respect should be freely given.

I want to be the best example and the best Dad that I can be.  She deserves that. Every child deserves that.  This has been on my mind lately until this morning when I held her on my knee.  She smiled at me with that one little dimple and that wide grin with the curled up tongue accompanied by a tiny giggle and I knew then that while I’ve been worried about being the best father that I can be for her, in her mind, I already am.  

This is my daughter, Rachel.  She’s something else.