The Gift of Being Seen
© 2009 she saw things : jen downer
There is a certain vulnerability that goes along with letting someone into your home to be a witness to your existence.
This past weekend we were blessed with an opportunity to be seen. We welcomed someone new into our home to document us: the subtleties, the connections, the support, the silliness, the four of us.
© 2009 she saw things : jen downer
I first met Jen Downer a few years back through some random online
connections. We had dinner together in Portland and talked about life and creating and kids and special needs and photography. We talked about having her take photos of our family at
some point in the future. Fast forward a couple years and the addition
of a new family member seemed like a really good time to be seen.
To be honest, my first thought about having someone take our photos was this: we take so many photos already; we capture each other as we go about our daily routines; Chris and I are quick to grab the camera before moments pass by - why do we need someone else to take more?
Those first two photos are the reason why.
There is really something amazing about having someone else come into your home with a camera in hand who is willing to casually interact, blend in, and document us as we are. Jen captured things that we just can't do on our own, with a sensitivity to the dynamics of our family that was truly appreciated.
© 2009 she saw things : jen downer (butterfly mobile from Royal Buffet)
When she emailed these first few images to me yesterday my immediate response was that these images were my heart.
© 2009 she saw things : jen downer
Jen and Simon hit it off from the start. I had prepped him this past week that my friend was going to be coming over to take photos of our family. She even got to witness his full production/reading/acting of Green Eggs & Ham. He got to hold her camera and take a few shots.
© 2009 she saw things : jen downer
What a gift.
Thank you Jen, for seeing us.
Thank you for giving me the opportunity to tell some new stories.
I can't wait to see the rest of the photos.
These pictures are truly priceless. You have such a beautiful family!!!
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I want her to come to my house now. Seriously though this is an excellent idea. It occurs to me that there are very few photos of my husband and I together and even fewer of our whole family and it pretty much all of them we are posing and not engaged in actual life. Now to find a photographer friend nearby....
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Absolutely gorgeous. These are a true treasure! And thanks for the reminder of what a gift it is to be seen.
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Simply wonderful.
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Asbolutely beautiful and yes, its amazing to have someone come to your home and "see" you. I have noticed this for a while and have to comment. Anna is such a wise soul. I suspect she will teach you things you never expected. It really comes through in all the photos. Wishing you an enjoyable summer!
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Wow, so beautiful! So glad you took advantage of this opportunity and that everyone got along so well.
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I LOVE the picture of Anna in the all white w/ white background. That is beautiful! What a great gift to give you!
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these are lovely, ali! i am so drawn to the one with the butterfly mobile. such a unique perspective.
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Your photos gave me goosebumps! Thanks for sharing your family and your life with most of us who are strangers. I open your blog first thing every day.
Betsey
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Beautiful photos! Also, what a great eye -- she really does see things (such a great business name!). Love how grown-up Simon is getting, love the beautiful interactions she captured, love that amazing shot of your beautiful little girl -- AWESOME!
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What an amazing insight into your happy home and family, thank you for sharing! Of course the pure happiness on your face in the first photo is breath-taking!
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Beautiful...just beautiful.
You are truly blessed!
:) Tessa Ann*
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Oh Ali....that first picture..gorgeous. The pure bliss that is showing on your face! Thank you for sharing the pictures and your story.
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ali, your family is beautiful, sweet, REAL, and warm. I love each of you, and feel so honored to have been the person that you welcomed in to SEE you. so honored. thank you for you kind words, and i'm so glad that we made it happen! can't wait for the next time and the time after that too! xoxo, jen
ps --- for folks who are looking for photographers near them, i have a wonderful network of amazing family & child photographers all over! please feel free to email me if you'd like help finding one.
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these are beautiful. you will love and treasure these the rest of your life.
what a gift. xo
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These are BREATHTAKING!!!
They totally moved my heart and inspired me today.
Thank you for reminding me why photos are so important.
:)
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Beautiful! I especially love the one of you nursing (at least I think that's what you're doing)with the butterflies in the focused area. What a great way to show something beautiful without compromising privacy. I really to start playing with depth of field on my camera!
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Beautiful shots and what a great idea I often find myself wishing there was another person here to take random photos of us interacting.
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simply gorgeous.
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There is truly a God-given gift in photographers who are able to capture the soul in a photo. I can see why you love the first 2....when I see them, I feel as if I can see your heart itself. Wonderful idea. Anna is one of the most beautiful baby girls I have ever seen (they are so different, aren't they?). I have always said that it seemed Grace had a soft focus filter in front of her...there is a softness to a baby girls face. She's just lovely. Simon is so grownup now! Oh, and love the coverlet/quilt Anna is on...do you have a source?
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i'm in awe of these pictures. they are so heartfelt and warm. your little one is growing up so fast! she is definately a cutie.
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Hey Kris - thank you :). The coverlet is from Pottery Barn (purchased last December I think). We love it.
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I love that one too (and yep, that's what we are doing).
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Such a fabulous capture of your family! Truly beautiful!
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This is an awesome idea! I am glad you were able to get someone to do this for you! All of the pics are great!
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