the music within.

One of my good friends from highschool, justin, asked me to take his senior pictures a couple weekends ago. Now those of you who know justin will understand, but those of you who don't, you should be aware that he is a little bit of a mix between Urkel off of Family Matters and Shia LaBeouf from Even Stevens. Yeah... dorky, crazy, but you just have to laugh.

As we took his pictures I got to relive all our fun times and I hadn't laughed that hard in weeks. But then Justin took out his guitar, his chosen prop, and revealed to me a sensitive side that I didn't know of. As he played a beautiful song I snapped some shots, and I really don't think he could tell I was even there.
And at that second I knew why I loved my job so much.
Sometimes I have the opportunity, if the person is willing enough, to see the music within their souls; whether it be sadness, joy, regret, bliss or complacency. Even if it is for a split-second. But if you can catch that emotion in a photograph, then you can forever see that person for who, deep down, they truly are.
I am so blessed to be able to see this and to give the same gift to others. Who knows.. maybe someone, 10 years down the road, who has lost their way, will see an old photograph of themselves and remember who they used to be.