A variety of emotions prevailed on the Kelsh boys first school bus ride ever. Not so for the observers, however. It was pure elation all around.
Today was finally back to school day for the Kelsh family in Philadelphia. (I was going to say for the Kelsh boys but believe me, it’s back to school day for the entire Kelsh family. At least two of us are beyond relieved.)
The boys are in a new school building this year. Their school has moved into a stunningly beautiful renovated church a few miles from the old location. As a result, the first day of school for mom and dad was as simple as walking them to a corner a couple of blocks away where they were picked up by the school bus at 7 AM.
Teddy must be growing up. He was happy with an old corporate giveaway backpack I’ve had for years. He said he didn’t need a brand-new one this year. This one would do nicely.
It was a good experience for me as a photographer. Things happened fast! I had to think on my feet. We assumed the bus would be a few minutes late on this first day but it was actually a little bit early. It made me appreciate all the wonderful school bus photographs that people like you have taken and posted on our Facebook page and posted in the galleries on our classes. This wasn’t easy—lots of mixed emotions.
At 5:50 AM this morning Teddy told me that he hadn’t been this excited since Christmas. I imagine that one day the drudgery of riding the bus will sink in. I suggested that he take a book with him but he insisted that he didn’t need one. He was going to be having too much fun he said. Alexander brought four.
We just made it. The bus was coming down the street as we got to the corner.
I don’t know if you saw my earlier blog about Back to School Photo Tips Cheat Sheet but front and center on that list was Get There Early and to tell you the truth we got there just in time. I need to take a page out of my own playbook. I did get a portrait of the boys standing on the bus stairs as the driver waited almost patiently, but tonight when they come home, I will make sure to shoot a head shot of each boy to document what they looked like on the first day of second grade and the first day of fifth grade. I think that’s always an important photograph, regardless of the milestone.
I love my boys so much when they’re home and I love them so much when they’re not. They’re not.
You’d better be ready with your exposure and your focus if you’re going to ask your kids to turn around for the bus door portrait. We were granted approximately seven seconds.
