I haven't entered a I heart faces challenge in forever and thought it would be fun to jump back on the bandwagon that this great photography forum hosts every week. If you haven't ever been to their website, it is really great to check out (click here to see!). They have great articles on all sorts of photographic topics and the weekly challenges are great ways to see other people's creative work behind the lens. This week's challenge is to enter your best photo face from 2011. I love sifting through the pictures I've taken to see which one really stands out to me because it reminds me of all the precious/fun/sweet faces I've gotten to photograph this past year. The one I chose was actually taken on the LAST day of 2011... from a wedding I shot on New Year's Eve. It is a picture of Grandma Sandy who was the grandmother of the groom and a jewel of a person. I met her in the sanctuary before starting pictures and right away knew she was one of the cutest people I've ever met. Case in point: during the family photos she lifted up the back of her long skirt to show me her pink slip underneath... and to get a picture of that sassiness! Love it. I was walking around to get the ever popular ring shot and looking for inspiration when I ran into her. It hit me that I should get a shot of the rings in her hands. I get so excited when new ideas come to me because you just never know when inspiration and creativity will strike or fall flat! So here is Grandma Sandy, holding the engagement and wedding bands of her grandson and granddaughter-in-law. A celebration of marriage and life and family. As I took the picture she mentioned that her hands weren't in the best shape, but I told her that the wrinkles on her hands were signs of a life well lived. Grandma Sandy told me that those hands had been through a lot, done a lot, and were well used. I believe it. It will be an honor for me to have hands like that in years to come. She also said if her picture ever ends up on a billboard she better get some royalties! All yours, Grandma Sandy! Check out more great faces at www.iheartfaces.com! 
