The most beautiful thing in the world to me is the connection between people. Witnessing an act of kindness or compassion. Seeing an openness come alive in someone when it wasn't there before. Beauty to me is having the ability and desire to bring out the best in others. Being able to help or show someone how to believe in themselves. Those are all beautiful things.
When I am behind my camera, my favorite beautiful thing to capture are those unexpected moments between a couple or a family group. That unexpected laugh (the one that's REAL, the head is thrown back the eyes are almost closed and the mouth is wide in a moment of joy). The tender moment when a couple is looking at each other deep into each others eyes and feeling that connection that only they have to one another. The joy a child feels when Mom or Dad is holding them or tickling or running with them. The peace a mother feels when she is holding or nursing her newborn baby.
I'm not really big on "posed" photoshoots for this very reason, because I can create a nice portrait of just about anyone, but I would rather "paint" a portrait of someone with feeling and essence and maybe I'll get just lucky enough to snap a few that show their personality.
One of my favorite photoshoots was of my two homeless friends Del and Moses. They are originally from Alaska and they lived in the parking lot next the to dumpster by my work. These guys stuck together. They were buddies, they were pals and I've taken several walks with them and sat and talked and asked them about their lives and where they've been. I asked if I could take pictures of them and they happily obliged. During one of my favorite sessions with them, they were a little tipsy on beer and just lovin each other and being buddies and Del put his arm around Moses and I could see the contentment and appreciation that each of them had for one another. To be there together to look after and help one another.
It's that connection between people that gets me. Every time.