Sweet Sixteen

My oldest niece

I spent last weekend with my matriarchal family, gathered in Phoenix. My mother had only girls; three of four (and their children) met up at my mother’s palace. And the missing sister had an excuse, living in Melbourne with her husband, a little far for a weekend trip.

I photographed all the niblings (nieces and nephew) one afternoon while the little ones were in the swimming pool. I practically felt naked with only one lens and no flash. A la Harley, we improvised a reflector with the windshield sun protector. This niece is a junior in high school. What’s not in the picture is her ankle cast, torn ligament, which is putting a crimp on the varsity softball season. She’s a great hitter, so she’ll get her spot back. Even so, it wasn’t so hard to coax a smile out of her. I’m angling for a senior portrait gig. They can’t beat the price.