Monday, 30th August, 2010 · 7:44 pm
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First Day Of School

I’m a big soppy softy. Seriously. And today was a big soppy softy day. Our little girl’s first day of school.

Quite how this has happened is something of a mystery.

Only a couple of months ago, I was holding her in the delivery room at St Finbarr’s Hospital. She had silver metallic eyes.

Now, mere weeks later, she’s off to school – proper school, uniforms and everything.

At this rate, I shall be walking her down the aisle by Christmas.

In the past I have been guilty of not photographing my own family life. That is a terrible admission for a documentary photographer to make. So, today, I brought my camera.

This is what I call her "You're An Idiot" look. I get it a lot. There is a chance I'll get it even more when she is a teenager. (c) Roger Overall 2010

Mummy knows how to get round it, mind. (c) Roger Overall 2010

(c) Roger Overall 2010

Helping mummy keep it together. (c) Roger Overall 2010

(c) Roger Overall 2010

(c) Roger Overall 2010

She just knows how to find the right light. (c) Roger Overall 2010

Tag - You're It. Best friends Lucy (left) and Emily playing after their first day at school. (c) Roger Overall 2010

23 Comments

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  • Christine

    Gorgeous Roger, a day to remember! Beautiful memories for years to come.

  • http://www.rogerverall.net Roger Overall

    Thanks Christine! So true. More to come no doubt.

  • http://www.misterphill.com/ Phill

    This will be coming to me in just a week’s time. Likewise it seems like mere months ago the little one showed up. Scary how time flies so likewise I’ll be freezing some of the moments.

  • Jamie Lawrence

    She’s a lucky girl to have a documentary photographer as a dad. They’re beautiful images.
    I’m not sure how I’ll cope when my little girl goes to school… As a software engineer I guess I’ll just have teach her Python or Ruby ;-)

  • http://www.rogerverall.net Roger Overall

    Thanks Jamie.

    Ironically, I got a little emotional and as a result I couldn’t concentrate on the things like exposure and composition. I was all over the shop. I just couldn’t detach myself from the occasion like I can when I’m shooting a wedding.

    The photographer inside me was telling me to get a grip. The dad inside me was telling the photographer to push off.

  • http://www.rogerverall.net Roger Overall

    Cheers Phill.

    Of such days are our life’s memories made. And thanks to modern technology, we can record them for ourselves and for our children. I never tire of talking about how we are able to capture the emotion of a moment in an everlasting memory.

    Good luck next week.

  • http://omaniblog.blogs.ie Paul O’Mahony (Cork)

    Well I was going to take some snaps of my daughter going to her first day of school tomorrow. But now?

    These are wonderful, a superb set. Inspiring too.

  • http://journal.nearbennett.com Rick

    Fabulous captures that really show your talent. I love the image of her sitting at the table with clay or playdoh (as its called in the US).

  • http://www.rogerverall.net Roger Overall

    Thanks Paul.

    Good luck today.

  • http://www.rogerverall.net Roger Overall

    Cheers Rick.

  • http://someprettythings.com Shannon

    Not sniffling, really. She’s so sweet. I hope she loves school.

  • http://www.bestofbudsflorists.com Carrie O’Connor

    These pics just brought a tear to my eye Roger remembering my own daughters first day of school! She’s now gone into 6th class and I just can’t believe how quickly the years have gone….the blink of an eye. Capture all the moments as they really do pass too quickly :)

  • http://www.rogerverall.net Roger Overall

    @ Carrie: Thank you for the kind words. I shall indeed make an effort from now on to take more pictures.

    @ Shannon: She seems to be bedding in well. Thanks.

  • Noel Scanlon

    Fantastic shots Roger, days you won’t forget, our boys are back tomorrow and I completely understand about the time element. Our 5 year old is starting his 2nd year and he has grown so much in the lady year in every way and Daithi is going to 2nd class. Great shots , keep up the great work. Noel

  • http://www.gm-photo.com Gabrielleq

    Your shots of Em’s first day are lovely and even more so considering the difficulty in remaining a parent and photographer at the same time. Really lovely shots to have now and in the future!

  • http://www.rogerverall.net Roger Overall

    Hi Gabrielle. Thanks. You can imagine why I won’t be photographing her wedding day.

  • http://www.rogerverall.net Roger Overall

    Thanks Noel!

  • http://www.christineburnsphotography.ie Christine

    Wonderful photos, my little girl started today, I tried to get photos to document it but it was hard to do the mum role and photographer role. C

  • http://www.rogerverall.net Roger Overall

    Hi Christine. Thank you for the kind words. I know exactly what you mean: those are two tough roles individually, let alone combined.

  • http://www.wedding-invitations-ireland.com Tony Cantwell

    Our eldest three first day at school photos are so important to Thérèse and myself. We’re planning a big photoshoot for 2013 when Nioclás hits the gates at Glandore NS. Best wishes to you, Ann & Emily

  • http://www.rogerverall.net Roger Overall

    Thanks Tony! A date to look forward to in three years’ time.

  • http://www.robertmullan.com Robert Mullan

    Lovely pictures Roger – looking at them it made me think that the first three years of one’s education are at least as important as the last three. Robert Mullan

  • http://www.rogerverall.net Roger Overall

    I agree Robert. A good start is a solid foundation.