I love to shoot portraits in the tall grass that covers the landscape of Northern California this time of year. All those beautiful wildflowers, soft green grass, rolling hills and oak trees just inspire me! So when Kathy called me to take some pictures of her adorable children, I was stoked to take them to Folsom Lake to capture some of what our area has to offer this time of year.
We started down this beautiful path that leads to the Lake. I planned to stop at several places along the way to capture the landscape before we hit the water and rocks that surround Folsom Lake. I took a few shots of the kids together, then moved on to individual poses. I really wanted to get the grass in front and behind them, and if you’ve ever shot with me before, you know I’m all about angles. So I was kneeling on the ground with my head about 3 inches from the grass when I saw something move out of the corner of my eye. I turned my head and about a foot away was a huge snake slithering through the grass right next to me!!
Now I know what you are thinking, lots of screaming and running, right? Well mother mode must have kicked in because I very calmly stood up, ushered Ethan by the arm back to the path and proceeded to inform Mom that we wouldn’t be doing anymore shoots in the grass because of our run in with the local wildlife! Luckily, Kathy didn’t freak out and we moved on to the next location.
So, I’ve got to wonder how many people have experienced this. It has really made me more cautious, but maybe too much? There was a beautiful oak tree I wanted to photograph the kids under, but I was afraid to take them to it because I thought that the log by the tree might be a good place for a snake. YIKES. Now I’m paranoid. I think it’s going to be a little while before I venture out into the tall grass again.
As for the shoot.. well Ethan, Hannah and their lovely mom Kathy were great sports and we pressed on. We got some really great stuff while managing to put the snake incident behind us. It was a fun afternoon.
The only setting in the grass (before the snake)
Check out more in the slideshow!
Teresa,
That snake story just freaks me out. I had trouble looking at the picture you took of the snake recently. And I was thinking maybe you liked them since you took the pic of that one.
I love your blog and all your photos. I had a shoot with a one year old this weekend, and we considered doing the field thing since there are so many pretty wildflowers. Glad we didn’t now. That was my main concern when considering it and I kept telling myself it would NEVER happen.
Keep blogging and posting!!
♡, debbie
OK Offically Freaking out!!!!!
these are fantastic!!
As always, great job Teresa! Good job keeping your composure with the snake run-in! I would have been the one running and screaming! I always get scared when I’m out in a field and hear noises, I always assume some critter wants to make a meal out of me! I keep at it though, and so should you!