When I write a post, I try to bring into the post something unique about the session and the experience. Being and artist, like a musician, or poet, or any other creative element also brings with it a certain element of wearing a part of that side of you out in the open for all to either embrace or tear down. Possessing this sensitive side of yourself, can be at times a vulnerable side, as well as side that can bring a sense of connectedness to those around you. As a photographer, I experience both. It comes with the territory. As does music, I am sure to Decker. Decker is a genius musically and on his trombone. It is his gift to the world. When his mother and I spoke on the telephone, we connected immediately. (This is going to be a long post). Michelle is one of those people who is great at communicating what she wants, and she also knows what she wants. She had done her research…and it was my work that she found the connection as the photographer to capture her son.  As a mother who has a daughter just less than two years away from becomming a Senior herself, I understand that Senior Pictures are both for the teenager and for the parent. As we talked about creating Deckers session, it was then that I realized this is why I do photography…to capture one’s soul. As the session approached, I was looking forward to meeting both Decker and Michele. It was a quite a moment when during the session a train went by in the background and Decker was holding his horn. As the train connected him to his childhood, his horn connected him to his merging into adulthood. It was perfect. And as Decker played his trombone, while I was given the honor to create the images that would preserve the moment, I was inspired to remember  the gifts we are given and the joy and beauty and responsibility we are given to share our gifts. Thank you Decker and Michelle for sharing  with me…and allowing me to give back. Most Sincerely…Heather