When my aunt, uncle, and cousin Joy and her kids were visiting after Christmas we went to visit our grandparents (both of whom are over 90). Joy’s daughter Ashley, who is 5 years old, took this candid photo of myself, Joy, Grandma, and the back of Joy’s son James. What amazes me is the photos that Ashley can take! She doesn’t take random shots that cut off heads or other random body parts but she always composes her shots (“Aunt Mandy get closer to Mommy”). More than that  the phots she takes are often among the best photos of people and her candid shots – like this one – are wonderful. That look on Joy’s face is a totally characteristic expression (it conjures up the laugh that goes along with it) and even Grandma looks engaged (most of the time she isn’t.) If she lived closer I think I’d make Ash my official event photographer.

By the by, in case you’re wondering, the picture in the background is me at about 3. Grandma has always adored it because she thinks I’m praying. It was only recently that I finally told her that actually that was my pouty-face. She was non-plussed; a benefit of being 90 and having dementia, I suppose.