Hope everyone is having a great bunch of holidays. We had a houseful of people Christmas Day. 20 folks, all hungry. Annie did an amazing meal, and I didn’t blow the barbecue end of the deal, thankfully. That was ’cause my sister Rosemary ran the grill basically, and I just did what she told me to do. (Thus proving that a knuckle dragger like me can listen even when standing at the grill, where usually the sheer raging din of testosterone drowns out all rational thought and conversation and all that is heard is a series of hoots, clicks and grunts.)
We had lots and lots of family over, including my niece Michelle, fairly recently married to her husband, Mark. When she was born in ’75, she was a first in many ways. First for my sister Kathy, first new baby in the McNally clan for a long time, and for me, my first baby photo subject. (My kids came later.) On vacations, summers, visits, her nutty Uncle Joe always had a camera in his hands. She was young enough to think it was fun, and thus tolerated me. And over her early years, I built up enough imagery of Michelle’s moods and mysteries that for my ’78 Christmas gifts, I printed a calendar of 1979 according to Michelle.
It’s showing wear and tear now, yellowed with age, but the prints have stood the test of time really well. Which is a good thing, ’cause the negs on all these pix have vanished. This was not a one click, send it to Apple deal back then. Made the prints in the Daily News lab, where I was a studio apprentice, a way station on the path to being a shooter at a union shop like The News. As a boy in the studio (you weren’t classified as a man in newspaper parlance until you were on the street as a shooter) I used newspaper printing paper and chemistry, which was a pretty good perk of being back there in the fumes, and then dry mounted the prints on boards. (Obviously not archival board, if you look above.) Then I did Kodaliths of calendar sheets, and printed those. Made 6 calendars, so there were a lot of long nights in the lab after work. It was cool, though, ’cause I was back printing again, something I had always enjoyed at school. The B&W negs were all run through a Versamat machine, state of the art dry to dry processing at the time. I viewed those monsters as high powered mulching machines that you dumped your roll into one and end of and said novenas till it came out the other.
So in January, Michelle proved her mettle as Nikon shooter, F2 in hand.
But, come February, she proved to be more thoughtful, pensive, even. I guess I would be too, if I were wearing a hat like that:-)
By Easter things were definitely more lighthearted. Shot this, believe it or not, with a 500mm mirror lens. Nikon made a couple catadioptric lenses, which were short, stubby, incredibly difficult to focus accurately, and, in the case of the 500, a fixed f8. Needless to say, they don’t make these anymore. God knows why I was shooting that lens for this, but it did make the Daily News centerfold for Easter Sunday, 1978.
Then came summer, and my favorite shot of her, hair so blond it disappeared in the sun.
By September she had once again grown pensive, even a tad mysterious. It might have been that milk mustache disguise.
Outdoors for October. Is there a photographer in the world who has not thrown leaves in the air to get a fall picture of a kid?
Then of course, there were turkey insides to investigate for November.
And at the end of the year, Santa’s visit.
Turns out these were just the beginning of Michelle’s adventures in front of the camera. She grew up so tall and beautiful she took a hiatus from college at one point to make a tour of the NY fashion agencies. Did some work in the Big Apple, and then made the model’s traditional winter trek south to Miami Beach. Down there on the sand, 12′ silks and frames on highboys bloom everywhere as the swimsuit and summer wear catalogs are shot while most of us freeze our butts off up north. It so happened that I had a big job to shoot for Nikon, and I had some budget, and an open ticket to shoot anywhere I wanted. We headed for Miami. It was around the introduction of the SB26 and the new fangled device of a built in sensor panel that would enable it to trigger off other flashes. This was big news at that time. So, I shot this….
But I also got Michelle in front of the lens. I had no particular yen to shoot in Miami, but I thought I could throw Michelle some work, and at the same time let her mom know about how things were going. Michelle could always handle herself, but she was a like a sweet, easy going guppy who just jumped into the shark pool of the Miami fashion scene, and her booker wasn’t sending her out all that often for work. So I played the role of the NY asshole fashion photog with a budget and made calls to her agent, jumped up and down and threw a hissy fit about why wasn’t I seeing the portfolio of this fabulous girl I have heard about? I might have even used a French accent, I can’t remember.
While shooting this, I kept saying ridiculous stuff at camera, like, “That’s good sweetie, yeah, that’s really pretty!” My assistants were chuckling, shaking their heads and looking at me like I just fell off the turnip truck. “Dude, she’s not sweet, she’s hot!” “Yeah, well, I’m her uncle, so don’t even think about it!” It was a long way from playing in the leaves.
She’s married now, and of course I showed up with a D3 to make a few snaps. She spent some time with Cassie, the family pooch in the midst of pre-wedding craziness.
And indulged me in post wedding, “What just happened?” silliness at the reception room bar.
I consider myself very lucky to have a beautiful niece who smiled at a photog relative all these years. She allowed me to write a little piece of our family history with a lens and a camera. As I look at that calendar now, Christmas 2009, I realize I remember precisely nothing of Christmas 1978. Virtually everything about that day and that calendar, for instance, is gone. Michelle’s all grown up, the F2 is a museum piece, and film has been replaced. (Who could have imagined?)
What remains? The pictures. And, now that she’s married, maybe, someday in the future, there might be another little blond photo subject. And, with any luck, I’ll be there, with a camera. More tk….
Richard Cave says
Some really good photos and memories there, You have some timeless ones, I never had any photos taken of me when I was a kid.
I have a face for radio, thanks for another inspiring post, and Happy New Year to you, your family and friends
Rich
Rusty Bryant says
WOW Joe. That’s good stuff. Thanks for sharing.
John A. says
Awesome post Joe! This is one of the things that appeal to me the most about photography, the ability to capture time so it can be remembered at a later (sometimes much later) date. Lord knows I need all of the memory jogging tools I can get.
Thanks for sharing your memories!
john jackson says
Great calendar Joe seems like you had a great Christmas. Look forward to more posts in the new year
Chris Klug says
Just a wonderful heartfelt piece of writing, Joe.
Tina Blum says
Oh, Joe! How is it you manage to bring a tear to my eye on such a regular basis! Thank you for the beautiful story. You just defined why I take pictures.
Paul says
Great story and images Joe!
That calendar is a treasure.
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year. Can’t wait to see what you give us in 2010.
christina hornack says
Hi Joe – Great photos as always. I feel like I’ve been talking about you for the whole week – getting together with family, they inevitably ask what I’ve been up to – learning photography. And when they ask about photography, I tell them I’m mostly taking a lot of pictures and reading a lot.
You are one of my favorite photography blogs because you spend a lot of time composing the shot with the camera, and not just “fixing it in post.” Additionally, I really enjoy how humble you are – talking about how it never comes on the first shot, and you just have to keep adjusting. It’s inspiring and encouraging to someone still figuring out …well… everything.
Lesser photographers are not as humble, as I have read, whereas when I’m reading you, it’s like I’ve run into one of my favorite self-deprecating cousins who’s talking about composing a vacation shot…
wishing you and yours the very best in the new year –
christina
Kathy Chin says
Wow Joe,
What a precious look back in time…guess it’s why we like to document people and things. And it’s so special that you’ve got a lovely niece to show us and talk about.
Continue with your wonderful holidays, and keep those pics and stories coming!
Giacomo says
…that was moving, I feel it so much. Thank you Joe.
Best wishes from Italy.
Mike Morgan says
I don’t know which I like the most about your blog—the photography and techniques, or the special talent you have to tell a story such as this one. Thanks for sharing.
Lance Cheung says
That’s what I love about photography. The images are both a bookmark in time and a point from which to look forward.
Mike Doran says
Thanks for sharing Joe I also have a niece photographed since
she was born in 1992. She just turned 17 and is beautiful as
well and I have shot photos of her as well. Although intially
wanted to be a model she has decided she would rather be
a fashion photographer instead. If you are interested you can check out
the web address I have provided. Mariah has turned into a great
student and assistant she is a natural in front of the lens as well
as behind. Thanks again for sharing it brings back many memories
of Mariah growing up.
Mike Doran
Doran Creatives
415-606-9171
Monte Stevens says
A wonderful heart warming story. Thanks for sharing and looking forward to the great niece photos tk….
Rick Moreland says
Well put! This pretty much nails the reason I shoot in the first place. Our memories fade so much faster than the prints.
Thanks for the reminder of what matters.
Don Wells says
Very touching post. Thank you for sharing a moment of your families life.
Tom Peterson says
Great story telling as usual. I’ve been documenting my granddaughters growth (12 years old now) in a similar way. I think I can remember every click of the shutter. Not the why of what was going on, just her beautiful face. Thanks for reminding me.
Gary Kieffer says
Lovely post of the past and present all wrapped together. Haven’t thought of a CAT lens in awhile…I seem to remember having a Vivitar Series 1 600mm F/8. But then that was years ago and may more brain cells intact back then. Thanks as always for fantastic memories and imagery.
Terry Wheeler says
Wonderful pictures that are well framed by your graceful and captivating writing skills!
Lloyd Eldredge says
One of your best posts yet, and once again proof, I think, that the most important images we will ever make as photographers are those of the people we love.
Nasir Hamid says
Thanks very much for sharing your memories. As I build up a library of images of my daughter growing up I just hope I can still do something with my RAW files in 30 years time! Maybe the lesson here is to make prints while you can.
Tom says
Two things….
MY GOODNESS, this is no doubt my fav blog post of yours yet. Felt the heart via your fingers on that one.
Two, your blog is having trouble with the new firefox release, 3.5.6, everything is smoutched togeather.
Harry Pocius says
Great post Joe, always look forward to reading them. My kids stopped letting me take pictures of them until I bought a polaroid pogo printer that prints business card size stickies. Now whenever they see the camera out they yell “I want a sticker!”
Just one thing tho, seems like you’ve celebrated Christmas 2010 a year too early lol.
Howard says
I can still remember the many hours in the darkroom of the PJ I used to work for, breathing the stabilization print processor chemicals and cleaning those rollers…….ahhhhhhh what great memories! The perks of printing my own images was definitely worth the exposure to the fumes!
John Leonard says
Great post. All we ever have are our memories, maybe that’s why we shoot when it all comes down to it. I guess that is also why I’m drawn to wedding photography; just making memories for people to look back at and say “How great was that day”. It’s also cool that your family is right there in the middle of things with you. No kids for me but I do drag my wife out in front of the camera. She tolerates me, but I love taking her picture. I got this on Christmas day while we were at the beach. I have to admit I really pinched your style here 😉
http://www.flickr.com/photos/enigma1977/4214821202/
Have a Happy New Year! And thanks for all of your insight and willingness to teach and share.
John
Drew Gurian says
Hey Tom,
Thanks for the post, and sorry to hear that. Just checked out the situation on two of our computers using Firefox 3.5.6, and it seems to be coming up fine here…odd. Try emptying your browser cache and reloading….hopefully that’ll set it straight.
Tommy Eriksen says
Hey Joe,
Thanks for another great post. Your posts always inspire to go out and capture something 🙂
Mike Hodos says
If I would put my camera down and learn how to tell a story like Joe does, my photography would improve dramatically.
Thanks, Joe. Great story.
Mike
Bob Perry says
Great story and pics Joe. Thnx again for your heart warm stories.
Mark says
I confess to having thrown leaves into the air for photos, though most of the time the kids need very little encouragement to throw the leaves at me.
Great post, Joe. Very cool backtrack through the years. 🙂
Lorri E says
Great post. Thanks for reminding us that the most important photos we take are not necessarily that spectacular photo we seek but the ones of family and friends that capture the precious moments in our lives.
Ranger 9 says
Nice read. But crikey, you’re going to catch some kvetch from the silverbacks over that “film has been replaced” crack — they still think digital is just a passing fad! Keep your head down and have a happy New Year!
Kevin Williams says
Wonderful post, Joe. Thanks for sharing!
J. Kiely Jr. says
Joe,
Another great take. Always worth checking this place out. You have a real good knack for putting the proverbial hammer directly down on the proverbial nail. One heck of a communicator (words+pictures) that is for sure.
Using all the modern (apple) tools I made my first calendar of my first nephew/godson this year. He’s 8 months old now. I wonder where it will be in 30 years.
Doubtful in such good shape.
Thanks again Joe!
peace,
-j.
Paul Aylett says
A very, very touching post Joe. Really tugs at the heartstrings! Hope you had a great Christmas and wish you the very best for 2010.
Doug Wittrock says
Great story, and a great photographic history, not just of your niece, but the evolution of photography over the years. Who knew indeed, that film would be replaced by a sensor chip? Love the old B&W’s of your niece. I’ve used one of those mirror lenses too, they are a bear to focus but sort of fun too.
Jay Rodriguez says
fantastic post Joe, very inspiring and also very warm and comfortable. Its good to see a soft side of the great Joe McNally!
Great post, thanks for the read 🙂
Polgara says
She really is beautiful! In the end the sentimental photos are the ones that we keep…
Jeanette says
What an amazing post! I want to make a calendar for my family next year… in B&W too, it just so very special
MikeScott says
You brought tears to my eyes, Joe. Beautiful post. Happy New Year to you and the whole family.
kevin says
joe sometimes i think you are the luckiest sob out there. shot some pics of my daughter as she was growing up, but as my luck would have it, they were lost in the house fire. keep up the good work.
Girish says
Hi Joe,
What a fantastic write. I loved it. The photos are as brilliant as it could be. It’s so nice to see your old photos. They are so beautiful. No strobes at that time. I love the February and September photos.
Wish you a belated Happy Christmas and a Happy New Year.
Hans says
That’s a post in true Christmas style, in the end all what counts are friends and family. Great frozen moments in time. Very nice read Joe, cheers.
Robert says
Great pictures! I was personally always more attracted to the available light in photography.
Fred K says
Nice!!!
Traci says
Priceless! Joe you have a wonderful heart! Thank you for sharing!
Jon Tiffin says
Joe, Thanks much, again a great read. Beautiful child turns into a stunning woman. Your wisdom and tutelage you have conveyed has opened my eyes to doing things differently. Never would have realized just how simple using commander mode is. Now I’m turning colleagues on to it as well. Love seeing your blogs hit my inbox.
Best to you & yours and Happy Holidays!!
-jon
Linda Brinckerhoff says
Thanks for making us remember how fast the children in our lives grow up. Another great story. Another beautiful McNally woman! You are a lucky uncle-dad-husband!
Robert Byron says
Great post Joe. These glimpses into your life are the best!
Mark says
One of your sweetest posts ever. Love your recollection. And, of course, very happy to hear Michelle is doing well. I enjoyed meeting her that one time. She is a sweet gal and I wish her well.
Once again, though, thanks for the peek inside your life. Ya big lug, ya!
Michel says
“Thus proving that a knuckle dragger like me can listen even when standing at the grill….”
All professions, I suppose, have their knuckle draggers, (I was just scanning Chris Weeks’ blog.) But you, Mr. McNally, are a class act.
Dave Hutchinson says
Another wonderful post Joe. I just backed up to a DVD over 1200 photos that I have taken of my 1 year old granddaughter since her birth. I hope that she will continue to want to pose for me at least as long as your neice has. Bravo!
randy baran says
hey man!
wonderful blog. best wishes to michelle. may this marriage work forever, more or less!
rb
Meng Soon says
Hi Joe,
I’m a follower to your blog. Gave me so many idea and inspiration. As usual your pictures and stories are awesome. Thank you for sharing. Hope to see more great picture from you in 2010.
Merry Xmas and Happy New Year !! Take care …
Mike Neale says
Michelle should be very proud of her uncle Joe,…we are!
Abhijit Bhatlekar says
A beautiful post, Joe. Time never allows us to know when we get OLD GRUMPY UNCLES. Surely you will be there to shoot Michelle’s lil one..!! Best-Abhi
Christian L. says
Hi Joe,
Great write-up as ususal.
I have become quite a fan of yours, watching your videos on Kelby Training after first getting to “know you” on the nikon Speedlight video. I really like your photography and creativeness but I really enjoy hearing and reading you. I think you should get a TV talk show…that would be a blast.
This is a great post. Congratulations on not only having successes in life, but living an apparently successful life.
cheers.
Skip says
Joe,
Another great post. Sharing our life and memories is a great thing about photography.
Happy holidays to you and yours.
Dan Ward says
With your signature touch of personnality you’ve nailed the most enduring and compelling reason d’être of photogs the world over. It’s about timeless memories made significant by family connections. History with a small ‘h’.
Your Imagery gift to many generations of family outlasts the few moments of camera work or nights in a lab. What a profitable time investment that turned out to be!
Thanks for the lesson on photog values, Joe.
Bob Towery says
What an amazing post! We got a peek into her entire life, very magical. She probably is as nice a person as she is photogenic. Thanks for taking the time to create this post Joe.
Louis Pang says
Good story, Joe. Gives me warm and fuzzy feeling.
Michael Wiesman says
Haha, can you say 80’s swimsuits! I remember seeing that image when it first was published, and I liked reading more about the behind the scenes in “The Moment it Clicks”.
I’m very passionate about the historic purpose of photography, only video and writing have th power of what our young minds can remember. I made it a point at the beginning of December to look back at all my old darkroom boxes and binders of negs from when I was in high-school (when the film, paper and chemicals were free). Alway love the walk through a photo time-machine.
Cheers to making this 2010 a great year!
Michael Reinhart says
Love it… thanks Joe.
Dianne says
Joe,
What a cool post; loved the pictures of your niece and the message of core values that live even in the heart of a curmudgeonly photog! Best for the new year — keep showing us how it’s done by a “true pro”.
Steve Perks says
It was a blonde haired daughter (now neary 4) that got me into photography in the first place.
These images are priceless and it doesn’t matter what body, lens or lighting set-up you shot them with.
They are a moment in history and invoke fond/irreplaceable memories.
I hope Michelle is proud of her famous Uncle Joe and hope my daughter is as proud of her dad when she looks back on the thousands of images of her childhood, literally starting from the minute she ‘popped’! (I would have set up a few gelled speedlights, but the midwife said no flash)
Torin says
Joe, as a dad of a 21 year old, I was really touched by your photos and story. You are a gifted visual artist.
Have a blessed and Happy New Year!
Billy says
Thats soooo cool Joe. I was on hiatus cultivating bad habits when my kid and nieces and nephews were growing up. I picked up a camera again a few years ago. Luckily, those nieces and nephews are having kids now. I have a second chance……….it’s an amazing feeling to give back something that I stole from them so many years ago. It never dawns on me with clients, but we’re in the memory business. I don’t get it till I’m shooting family.
Stefanos says
Great story Joe. I think all these cameras acted like time machines. No better way to travel in the past.
May the new year be good for you and your family.
David says
Thank you for the wonderful story of your niece. Having just boxed up 1800 slides and negatives to be scanned (by Scan Cafe) that date from 1979 to 1999, I had a similar reaction that I had forgotten so much of the details, but the images brought them back for me: the big and the little things in life. I so appreciate all that you have shared in your books and your blog, the craft and the humanity. It sounds trite and repetitive, but your work is an inspiration for me. Having attended one of your Dobbs Ferry workshops last January, I’m trying to build on what you taught about how to think about light and *making* a picture they way you do. I’m 1/100th of the way there, but I have something to strive for. And it’s a great feeling to have give images to people of them or their kids and have them really appreciate the memory it creates. Thanks for everything.
Walt says
Sweet story. You are a lucky uncle.
Brett says
AHA!
So YOU are the reference we keep hearing about how there’s always an “uncle Joe” at the wedding (party, whatever-name-your-event) with his new camera!
Guess it stands to reason.
cricut scrapbooking tool says
Saw your blog bookmarked on Delicious. I love your site and marketing strategy.
Premature Ejaculation Treatment · says
well, there would be a need for more Christmas gifts next month :
BIOCYTE says
Pas mal , merci
Kiley Boucaud says
I’m so glad I found your amazing blog!