| There is nothing like introducing a child to nature | | | | beautiful, and memorable.Children give us the best |
| and getting photographs of that child's discoveries. | | | | photo opportunities when they are relaxed. Places |
| The natural joy of a young one when he | | | | for new discovery are wonderful. However, some |
| examines bugs, smells flowers, climbs trees, and | | | | children are most comfortable with what they |
| rolls down hills makes great pictures and | | | | know. With young children especially, it may be |
| memories. Dress up or dress down and wait for | | | | best to stick to your own backyard or the local |
| the smiles.When the weather first warmed this | | | | park. This way, you don't need to be concerned |
| spring, I took my daughter out to play | | | | with feeding and nap times. The wonderful thing |
| hide-and-go seek behind the tall bushes at a local | | | | about children is that what is old hat to us old |
| park. We picked the dried wildflowers left over | | | | folks is likely new to them in some way. One of |
| from last season. We rolled down the tall hills and | | | | my favorite tricks is to hand a young child a |
| lied on our backs staring at the blue sky. I like to | | | | bouquet of flowers and let him go to town. Some |
| play while I take photographs. It makes the child | | | | of my very best images come from little kids |
| with me comfortable and willing to cooperate | | | | picking flower petals or trying to eat them!I never |
| more than she normally might for a formally | | | | go into a session knowing how I will pose a child. |
| posed shot.In one photo shoot last year, I | | | | An hour long session gives me time to learn |
| photographed an extremely cute brother and | | | | about a child's behavior and to create a series of |
| sister. The children were dressed up, but that did | | | | photographs that reflects that particular individual's |
| not stop us from climbing trees and having fun. | | | | personality. Whether in play clothes or formal |
| The little girl wore a beautiful hat that provided a | | | | wear, at home or in a brand new location, we |
| focal point for many of my shots of her. The hat | | | | always get smiles and special memories when we |
| provided a frame for her gorgeous smile and long | | | | just relax and enjoy the process.Award winning |
| lashes. We were photographing at a well-known | | | | photographer Melissa Mannon specializes in garden |
| local park with a remarkable tree that served as | | | | and nature photography. Melissa's photographs |
| a focal point. It gave us a place to interact with | | | | show a special sensitivity for her subjects. She |
| nature and to show kids just being kids. | | | | aims to portray the beauty, innocence, and power |
| The local duck pond is another great location for | | | | of nature standing alone or with human interaction. |
| photographing children interacting with nature. | | | | The strong bond between humans and the |
| Children feeding ducks, finding branches on the | | | | environment is the focus of her portrait work. |
| ground in the green fields, and running among | | | | Her childhood portraits capture the playfulness, |
| apple blossoms make for bright colorful images. | | | | innocence, and thoughtfulness of children |
| Children don't necessarily need to be in formal | | | | interacting with their surroundings with a gentle |
| dress for beautiful pictures. A pair of overalls | | | | and humorous style. |
| among the farms hills is quite appropriate, | | | | |