Oh, how I giggle when I look at professional photographs of my family. As if my brothers and I weren’t already identical, my mom wanted us all to be matching, I mean “coordinating”. (read: she made us brush our hair and wear what everyone and their dog wore in their family pictures, khakis and a white shirt. But that family picture can’t top the one in denim jackets…) Too bad we didn’t make it to the beach for a sunset back drop. Here’s a picture of me with my little brothers Jonathan (left) and Max that should have made the Christmas card, Mom! 
Modern and hip, a “real life” portrait showing every wrinkle or uneven freckle is much more personal than a flash of pressed pleated pant. A true portrait catches its subjects when they are doing things that make them them. Catching quirks in a print is the best part of aging.
A NWAland photographer , Chris Stinson, doesn’t miss a beat when it comes to making memories. He prides himself on a good eye and his ability to capture a “just so” shot. I work with Chris as somewhat of an office assistant so I get to see all of the work that he does! Kids are his favorite subject. Whether it’s his new baby boy Liam wrinkling his lip up in confusion or a hazel-eyed-8-year-old looking over at her mother right as the flash goes off, Stinson’s poses, or lack thereof, are completely inimitable upon request. But after having a photo session with Stinson, parents begin to notice the simple, signature quirks that this artist is able to capture in a printed form.
Working with Stinson is relaxed and I get to sit in an uber-comfortable chair while I edit material for his Web site. We work together on keeping his brand fresh and youthful. It’s a lot of fun and I get to work on building a brand! His photo sessions are just as comfortable. He’s learned to be flexible while working with kids. “As unpredictable as they are, you don’t have the option of being inflexible,” said Stinson, “but with unpredictability comes day-to-day reactions and quirks and that’s the whole style of my photos.”
Stinson started taking interest in photography when he realized he despised redundancy. “I love how things are never the same,” said Stinson, ” I have a new face and a new feel in front of my camera every time I shoot.” Personal meaning is an aspect of photography that Stinson says he just wouldn’t get out of any other job.
Whether it’s at a shoot or sitting next to the mom-mobile in traffic, Stinson’s work is inspired by kids. “Kids are pure and don’t worry about how their hair looks or how straight their smile is. They just open up and are themselves,” Stinson (below) said.
Stinson has had no formal training but has acquired his knowledge with a “grab-and-go” technique. “Most jobs require some sort of thought process but I just find a moment and shoot. It just flows,” he said.
Here’s a picture of Ms. Stella enjoying a book (and the breeze!)
You can see the rest of Stinson’s portfolio here!
For the future of Stinson Photography, a cool staff and its own building are on the wish list. “I’m pretty cool with where I’m at right now but I would really like to expand into music/concert photography,” Stinson said.
This isn’t Stinson’s job; it’s his hobby. If you want memories to be tangible, Stinson is a great artist to have in your phone book. If you just want smiles, go get some whitening toothpaste and your white shirt and khakis from the dry cleaner. Don’t forget the plane ticket to your beach background!
