GrandPortraits by Jess Dewes

On Saturday, Jess Dewes, my dear and talented photographer friend, made the journey out to parent's place for one of her newest ventures, a GrandPortraits session. Her husband Mike, and sweet daughter Sylvie joined her and we made a day of it. My dad took the girls on golf cart rides through the woods, we toured the workshop, played with the fifty new chicks, had peach cobbler, and shared lots of stories.

I should preface all of this by letting you know, my parents are sort of no nonsense people. Posing for photos is not something they are typically comfortable with or would make time for. But I told them that Mike and Jess had been wanting to come out and see their place and that they wouldn't have to pose, per se...that Jess would just kind of follow us around as we did stuff. They didn't know what to expect and were really good sports about the whole thing.

So that's how it went down. The magic of Jess is how well she connects with people. She makes you feel comfortable. Before you know it, you are joking around, swapping stories and barely realize your picture is being taken. My mom and Jess were joking about "smizing" when she snapped this one. 

It is hard for me to look at this picture of my dad without getting emotional. It captures so much about him and then there is just a lot about this face that reminds me of my grandma.

I saw a few of the snaps on her camera before leaving and got teary-eyed. The shots above are just a few that she shared on Facebook--I haven't seen the finished collection. I can't tell you what a powerful, wonderful, and emotional experience this was. My parents mean the world to me. To have really great photos of them in their own environment, wearing clothes they usually wear, looking how they really look,  and to have the memories of that afternoon will be something I will cherish forever.

Jess is launching this new facet of her portraiture business after a recent experience she had producing work for a group show in St. Louis called Air.  I highly recommend you read this very touching piece. And I also emphatically encourage you to have photos made of your own parents or grandparents. Again, it was a wonderful experience. Jess made it so. You will not regret it. My only regret is that I don't have pictures like these of my own grandparents.

Here are some extra shots I took of the girls on the go-carts and my brother, Tony. Such a fun day. Thanks Jess, Mike, Sylvie, Mom, Dad, Tony, Lindsey, and Audrey. Love to all.
xoa