Saffron's Birthday Shoot

It was one epic birthday shoot for Saffron. I’ve been shooting a bit since the quarantine protocols of the city were shifted to modified general community quarantine. But this shoot made me feel closer to normal. My fear of contracting covid again slept quietly in a corner of my mind but the fear of taking my mask off just to drink water was still there. I was thirsty the whole time but was too afraid to drink. Please don’t laugh! I know we were in a much safer area. It was an open space with free-flowing air. This fear I have to battle with reason!

Saffron and her family gave us all a great time. Saffron gamely posed. She was such a joy to photograph. We had cheerleaders! She was so game. The outfit change didn’t bother her at all. When it was time to smash her cake, she didn’t cry. Most kids do when their hand feels sticky and icky with icing but Saffron carried on. She grabbed a piece of the cake and ate it too.

First Of April did the setup and styling. It was a breath of fresh air to finally have time with a fellow supplier. We are all worried about our businesses. We talked about how we coped and the adjustments we had to make. We also talked about food and many more in between sets.

I am grateful to shoot again. Slowly! Like how I’ve always wanted it. I used to dream of filling my calendar with photoshoots. Because that would mean a good income flow. But all those changed when Covid happened. It brought me to the realization that the essentials matter more. Not money and stream of photoshoots. It made me realize that I should value the simple things in life – family, good health, food on the table, and shelter. Covid, I think, ripped us off the non-essential and materialistic things that we wanted to have. We were so busy elsewhere. We forgot about the heart of our being.

I have learned my lesson WELL. The year twenty-twenty taught me well. As I move forward and face another year, I shall look back and remember.

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Styling: First Of Apri