Deceased Childs Family Photo Session

ingesphotography · Jan 20, 2013

I am totally new to this challenge but very excited at the same time! I have been asked by a wonderful family that has a new baby and they want family pics done. No, thats not my challenge, thats the easy part! They had a 2 year old child that was hit by a car just last year and killed instantly. In this photo session they want this child to be a part of it. Heres what Ive come up with: 1. pic of familys shoes, while wearing them, with the deceased childs empty shoes sitting in line with them. 2. Let loose a bunch of balloons and photo them all looking up at the balloons as they descend to heaven to their deceased. 3. family around a photo of the child. Well, thats as far as Ive gotten! Not enough!! Any help or ideas are GREATLY appreciated!!!

Majeed Badizadegan · Jan 20, 2013

This post instantly depressed me

ale:

mishele · Jan 20, 2013

Tough shoot! I like the shoe idea. I have to wrap my head around this. I might post again later.

ingesphotography · Jan 20, 2013

absolutely!! Im afraid that Im gonna cry the whole time, but they are such a SPECTACULAR family and I cannot disappoint them. I feel so honored to even be chosen in the first place. I want this to be a happy photo shoot, but am still thinking hard about how to make it that way!!

amolitor · Jan 20, 2013

There is a long tradition of portraits of people holding portraits of deceased relatives. It's maybe a bit blunt and simple, but it's a thing that's been done a lot?

MK3Brent · Jan 20, 2013

You could do something with a shadow also... for example, setup the camera on a tripod, get the family all standing in profile, shot into the sun (or something), and get the shadows of all the family members, then move a child of similar height to the missing location of the dead child. Then in PS, remove the stand-in and leave the shadow.

ingesphotography · Jan 20, 2013

Oh that sounds awesome!! Thanks!!

MK3Brent · Jan 20, 2013

Have any more information about the kid?

Maybe something personal about them?

Some more details can get people thinking a bit more creative about the photo.

ingesphotography · Jan 20, 2013

all I know for sure is she was 2....beautiful little red head...... her mom is a dance instructor, ex. ballet, tap etc...they had pics done in the past with her at the dance studio, and on top of tutus.....loves the color pink and had a special blanket, which I am including in one of the pics.

ingesphotography · Jan 20, 2013

They own their own dance studio, shes not just an instructor....

mishele · Jan 20, 2013

What keeps coming to mind to me is "happy times". I would want to focus on that. I also find my self leaning towards more subtle ideas. Things that the family will pick up on but maybe not everyone else. (don't know if that is what the family wants) If you haven't yet, maybe try to learn as much as you can about the child. What was their favorite color, toy, place, activity?

ingesphotography · Jan 20, 2013

Yeah, Im trying to concentrate on "happy times" too. Dont want anything depressing for them nor for the other children that are old enough to remember her.