Allow One Hour on The Front and The Back
By Snell Jackie
10 July 2008
Allow One Hour on the Front and the Back
(Explanation to Follow)
By
Jackie R. Snell
Mind you; we set this appointment at the minimum of two weeks previous to these actual events. I'm sorry let me introduce myself; my name is Jackie R. Snell-Photographer. No! I am not hyphenating; this is what I do, this is who I see myself as; so I shall be.
As I was saying: Naturally when I walked In at the appointed time no one was dressed, some were not awake, and there was a video contest going on where I assumed to be the logical place to set up my backdrop, lights, etc. A little peeved? No. A little disappointed? Not even!
Out ran the five of the cutest, rambunctious, inquisitive kids that I had met in my entire life, as far as I could tell, not a bad apple in the bunch. Their eyes sparkled, curious as to whom this person was lugging all of these bags, a couple were a bit apprehensive at first; but soon came around.
They ranged in age from nine to one year old. There was Danastasia; 9 years old; already showcasing her signing skills, I was very impressed. Davanta 7, who you will was quite the entertainer. J-Marie 3, who as you can see from photo never found her shoes. You had to love Cordell 2 years old; who thought my equipment case was the ideal place to sit, and Jackson 1 year old; the baby of the bunch with the most serene disposition of any one year old that I had ever met.
These five children were the offspring of Sherry Murdock/Lucas who works in the Special Needs Disability Access Center here at Kennedy-King College. Sherry contracted me to photograph her lovely family after attending a presentation of students of Art Professor Samuel Akainyah's Oil Painting Techniques class here at Kennedy-King College. I was the photographer chronicling the narration of each individual student, family members, and prospective buyers of the students art work. Sherry was a guest of one of the students. Sherry purchased photos from that night and expressed a need of family photos. We set up a time, agreed upon a price, and we were all set.
Mrs. Murdock/Lucas assists the hearing impaired in articulating through their individual classes here at the college. Sitting in one of her classes; a classmate of Sherry's approached her and called her attention to another classmate who was having a hard time hearing. Sherrie jumped right in and started signing for the student. Ms Brown (Sherry's English Professor) assured Sherry that she could get paid for her skills; directed her to Dean Jackie Martin; who heads the Career Services Program here at Kennedy King-College. Dean Martin immediately sent her to Derrick Smith who is the director of the Special Needs Disability Access Center. She was signed up virtually on the spot.
There was another family member who took part in this photo shoot; Sherry's Mother. Earnestine Murdock. Sherry's mother is hearing impaired. You see; Sherry has been signing since she was a young girl. She developed her skills naturally as a part of growing up; I imagine it to be parallel to learning how to talk, walk, and any of the other abilities that we take for granted growing up in our respective households.
Her daughter Danastasia showcased her communication skills for me; she has already started on the path of being marketable, productive, and an asset to the Englewood community. Yes! Sherry Is a resident of Englewood, who now works, resides, raises her children, and is being educated all in walking distance from her home.
Now back to these beautiful babies. As things started to fall into place (I had long given up on being on any kind of schedule; as I had decided to enjoy this experience since it was the first time I had ventured into this segment of my profession.) I found the perfect place to set up, proceeded to take a few test shots of little J-Marie and Cordell. Baby Jackson finally woke up; a little shy at first but soon got right into the swing of things.
J-Marie had been on this futile search for her shoes since before I arrived; I assured Sherry that it would give insight into J-Maries personality if she did not wear shoes; everyone knows that children are not perfect and it would just add to the picture. Heads were combed children were dressed in their Easter outfits, and we were finally ready to start.
I started with an En Vogue session; to loosen up the subjects, the children started posing, posturing, and just having fun. The smiles broke on their faces and they really got into the swing of things.
By the time we had finished I fell love with J-Marie; ready to take her home with me, she seemed ready to dessert the family but mind you she still could not find her shoes. I could have picked any of the children as they were all so amicable, articulate, and just plain kids.
I write of this experience because I was in awe of Mrs. Murdock/Lucas; I had to give credit where it was due. I was given insight into a part of life that is never mention in reference to the residents of my new found community; Mrs. Murdoch/Lucas exemplifies all that is right in this world. She has stepped up to the plate; she volunteers at her children's school, provides a valuable service for her College family.
I have been a resident for little more than a year in the Village of Englewood; reluctantly at first but I have since embraced my new community, my block, I even became the block captain. There are softball games to be viewed out my kitchen window while I am washing dishes, a inexhaustible array of ethnic places to shop, and the usual assortment of undesirables to be found in just about every neighborhood in the city.
I don't know how long I will be a part of this community but even if I relocate somewhere else, this experience will be forever be considered one of the stellar experience's of the last year.
From now on when I book a photography shoot at a clients house I will always
Allow one hour on the Front and the Back
Jackie R. Snell -Photographer
