Family – Page 2 – A Photo A Day (Squarespace)

06-14-16 Inside Looking Out

Glenny enjoys the view from her tiny, tiny house. . . . (read more)

By Scott Shephard

For her third birthday, Glenyce Jane S. got a new house complete with sink, stove, cordless phone. The house is somewhere in size between an oversized doll’s house and a downsized tiny house of the kind you see on TV these days.

She likes her new house, of course, and has no trouble sharing the space with family members, me included. Though I have found it is easier to get in to the house than out.

Canon 5DIII 1/250s f/6.7 ISO320 67mm

A few more. . . (photos by Katie Shephard and Deb Shephard)

06-13-16 Ibby

Here’s looking at you, kid. . . (read more)

By Scott Shephard

My wife, Deb, asked me yesterday if I remembered that I had a photo blog that I used to post to once a day. And, yes, I did remember. She pointed out that I had plenty of good photos to share. And, I guess she’s right. So I’m back! At least for a day. . . .

It seems appropriate that I should return after close to a six week absence with a picture of the youngest member of the extended Shephard family. We know her these days as “Ibby,” though her full name is Irene Bernice.

And what can I say except that I think she’s beautiful. But what grandparent wouldn’t say that about one of their grandchildren?

Canon 5DIII 1/180s f/4.0 ISO640 102mm

05-01-16 No Worry

By Scott Shephard

Deb told me that if I posted this, I couldn’t post another of us the two of us for the rest of the trip “because,” she said, “people can post too many selfies.” So be it. Tomorrow, if I have an Internet connection, it’s back to animals, places and things.

Canon 5DIII

04-04-16 Mike & Scott

Simon, set the Wayback Machine to 1955″ . . . (read more)

By Scott Shephard

In 1955 I was 2 years old and my brother, Mike, was about 5. My mom was a stay-at-home mom (as most were back then) and my dad, who was 37, was working at L.A. McKean Auto Company in Sioux Falls. Money was tight for the Shephard family back then. And yet, here my brother and I are in the brand new clothes our mom got us. We are getting our portraits taken at a high-end portrait studio – Harold’s Photography of Sioux Falls.

Our family wasn’t unique. Getting good portraits at good studios was very much part of the American culture back then. And, for the most part, it still is – many parents get professional portraits made of their young children. After a few years, though, for most it becomes a “do-it-yourself” enterprise. It certainly did for the Shephards in the 1950s and beyond.

In fact, as far as I know, this was the last professional portrait done of my brother and me together. I don’t feel sad but I can’t help but imagining a series of high quality portraits of me, my brother and my sister, Barb, as we got older. Instead we have a scattering of average quality pictures taken by the amateur photographer we loved the most – my mother.

Photos are very much a part of our personal and shared history. I have no recollection of the moment this photo was taken. In fact I have have no recollection of most of the moments of my life. So a photo like this brings at least 1/60th of second of my life into sharp focus: on this day we got dressed up, my brother put his arm around me and we smiled. I’d like to think we are looking at our mother, who is very much part of this photo, even if you can’t see her.

(Add 51 years to our lives, dress us much more casually, put us in a beer garden in Berlin and here’s what you get:)

03-29-16 Cousins

Here’s a flashback to several years ago. . . (read more)

By Scott Shephard

I have posted plants and birds for the last few days. So today I went looking for people and this one jumped out at me. It was taken in Mexico.

From left to right are Matt D, Jon S, Brian S and Derek D. At the time, I don’t think any one of them was married but today three are and one will be soon. And the four cousins now have a total of 7 children. Will I be around the get the next generation strolling down the beach? I hope so.

Canon 5D 1/320s f/10.0 ISO400 50mm

03-15-16 Too Cute!

She has me and several others wrapped around her little finger. . . (read more)

By Scott Shephard

I’ve never met grandparents who thought their grandchildren were anything but cute. And I’m one of them.

Irene Bernice has been plagued with ear problems that have kept her parents up most nights since she was born. And yet, during the day, and perhaps most importantly, when I’m around her, she is always charming. And cute. Of course!

Canon 5DIII 1/125s f/8.0 ISO200 102mm

02-18-16 Trio

Thanks, Katie, for keeping this tradition going. . .

By Scott Shephard

How about a composite of three of my favorite people: Glenyce Jane, Deb DeGeest and Irene Bernice. All at around 6 months. All in the vintage dress that Deb wore 60 some years ago.

I wouldn’t have this photo if Katie hadn’t suggested that we needed to get a 6th month photo of Irene B, aka Ibby.

Canon 5DIII for two and Who Knows? for the one in the middle.

01-31-16 Winter Sports

There are a few good things about Minnesota snow. (Read More)

By Scott Shephard

People in warm climates sometimes ask why people live in cold places like Minnesota, where this photo was taken. There are many answers, most of which are convincing to someone like me. First, it’s home and that’s generally where family is. Second, if everyone moved to warm climates, place like Honolulu, San Diego and Cancun would be more crowded than they already are. Third, I am concerned that the cold weather apparel and tool industries would collapse. (China’s economy is already a bit unsettled!)

A less convincing reason is that we have snow and warm places don’t. Yesterday, when I was watching Brian and Glenyce sled down the hill at Minnesota State Fair Grounds, I was thinking that they can’t do that in Hawaii. And sometimes, when I walk on freshly fallen snow and hear the crunch under my shoes, I think that someone who has lived in southern California their whole lives has no idea of what they’re missing.

And the good thing about snow in the upper plains states is that it will melt away sooner or later. Maybe in May . . . .

Canon 5DIII 1/250s f/6.7 ISO200 102mm

01-28-16 Don’t Forget Glenyce Jane!

The equal time rule suggests that I should post one of Glenny J.

By Scott Shephard

If Glenyce Jane has looked at my photo blog recently, she might notice that the score for 2016 is sister Irene 2, Glenyce 0. That could lead to all kinds of things, including sibling rivalry. And I wouldn’t want to be party to that.

The problem was than on the day we were set up for the studio photos you’ve seen recently, Glenyce was not exactly cooperative. If I had been a better photographer, I’m sure that I could have done better than I did. But this photo works. It was my idea to bring in another “member” of the family. The Cabbage Patch doll was a willing and relaxed subject. Glenyce, on the other hand, wasn’t interested in my camera. She did smile once but not at me. That’s OK because sometimes it’s better if the subject is unaware of the camera.

Canon 5DIII 1/125s f/8.0 ISO100 58mm

Glenyce Jane

Sep 26, 2016

Blog, Family, people

Glenyce Jane Shephard, Irene Bernice Shephard, children, grandchildren, black and white, b&w