Christopher Halloran Photography » children

Trek

Chris H. — Mon, 13 Jun 2011 19:24:43 +0000

I was invited recently to photograph a re-enactment of the 19th century trek across the Great Plains by Mormon pioneers. Approximately 350 teenagers, aged 14-18, along with their adult leaders were divided into 30 or so “family” groups and assigned handcarts that they would spend two and half days pushing and pulling through sometimes rugged terrain in the Arizona mountains 150 miles east of Phoenix. Both the adults and the kids dressed in pioneer clothes, left their smartphones at home, and slept on tarps under the stars.

For many reasons, it was a great experience. It was inspiring to see sometimes squirrelly teenagers band together to accomplish something difficult and way outside their comfort zone. Over the course of the two and a half days, I’m not sure I heard a single complaint about the difficulty of the task, nor did I see any evidence of the cliquishness that can be such a cruel part of adolescent life. It was likewise inspirational to witness the sacrifice and selflessness of the adult volunteers who made this massively complex event come off so smoothly.

Here are a few of the photos from that event:

An adult leader waits for the action to begin

One of the teenagers channeling a pioneer.

The trek gets underway.

A re-enactment of an event during which the women and children had to fend for themselves for a period of time.

The effect of pulling a heavy handcart at 7,000 feet of altitude.

Getting an early start.

After a particularly difficult climb, the handcart groups were serenaded by this harmonica player.

The trail boss greets some stranded pilgrims along the way.

Brothers.

The evening square dance was fun, but a dust-fest.

A pine illuminated by a not very pioneer-like spotlight.

Elevation of 7,000 feet. More than 100 miles from the city. No moon. Lots of stars.

Actors playing Jesus and Mary at the Garden Tomb, part of a devotional the last evening of the trek.

Filed under: adults, candids, children, events, photography Tagged: arizona, b&w, black and white, candids, children, christopher halloran, christopherhalloran.com, events, hermosa vista stake, mesa, phoenix, photographer, pioneer, trek

G Family – Just Ahead of the Summer

Chris H. — Mon, 18 Apr 2011 19:55:05 +0000

The season for outdoor photography (or, at least, comfortable outdoor photography) will wind to a close in a few weeks, but we were able to sneak in a family portrait session on a gorgeous Arizona spring day over this past weekend. Had a great time with this family, who are a photogenic bunch.

While the next image is a little unconventional, I love the spontaneity and the genuineness of it. In this fraction of a moment, the camera captures something authentic about this beautiful little girl.

And here is her equally handsome little brother.

Filed under: children, family, portraits Tagged: arizona, b&w, black and white, children, christopher halloran, christopherhalloran.com, family, phoenix, photographer, photography, portrait, portraits

Old Friends | Arizona Family Photographer

Chris H. — Mon, 23 Nov 2009 23:37:14 +0000

Several years ago, my friend Kimo and I, on the spur of the moment, drove up to Lone Pine, California and hiked to the top of Mt. Whitney and back in a day. He was very patient with me, but essentially hiked me into the ground. He now has a clutch of mini-hikers that he is trying to train in the ways of the outdoorsman. They arrived in Phoenix yesterday for the Thanksgiving break and I had a chance to photograph them at a nearby park this morning. Here are three of the five minis:

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Posted in children, family, photography, portraits Tagged: arizona, b&w, black and white, children, christopher halloran, christopherhalloran.com, phoenix, photographer, portrait, portraits

Magnificent Seven – Arizona Family Photographer

Chris H. — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 21:24:09 +0000

Seven kids, all as sweet and fun as they are cute. After spending so much of my early career in the cutthroat and confrontational world of Wall Street, it is a joy and a privilege to spend my days photographing families like this one.

Posted in adults, children, family, photography, portraits Tagged: arizona, b&w, black and white, children, christopher halloran, christopherhalloran.com, phoenix, photographer, portrait, portraits

East Coast Kids Pt. II – Arizona Family Photographer

Chris H. — Thu, 29 Oct 2009 01:41:46 +0000

I couldn’t resist. Here are two more of these beautiful children:
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Posted in children, photography, portraits Tagged: arizona, b&w, black and white, children, christopher halloran, christopherhalloran.com, phoenix, photographer, portrait

East Coast Kids – Arizona Family Photographer

Chris H. — Tue, 27 Oct 2009 23:50:13 +0000

I had the chance to photograph a couple of beautiful children while on a recent trip to New England. I love these images, because they capture the kids before they start posing for the camera. As a result the photographs have a feeling of spontaneity and authenticity. It feels like we’re seeing the children as they really are.

Posted in children, photography, portraits Tagged: arizona, b&w, black and white, children, christopher halloran, christopherhalloran.com, phoenix, photographer, portrait

Skaters

Chris H. — Mon, 28 Sep 2009 17:10:52 +0000

Over the weekend I met a few teenage friends at a local skate park to get some images of them doing their thing. Given the insanity of some of the tricks in their repetoire, I was a little nervous about the absence of protective gear, but all turned out well. A couple of scrapes and bruises, but no broken bones. Meet Dallin, Devon, Jared, Cooper and Alec.

Cooper and Dallin

Jared

Alec

Cooper

Dallin

Devon

Posted in candids, children, personal, photography, sports, young adults Tagged: arizona, b&w, bmx, christopher halloran, christopherhalloran.com, inline skating, phoenix, photographer, roller blades, skating, sports, stunts, young adult

Scholars – Arizona Portrait Photographer

Chris H. — Fri, 04 Sep 2009 19:14:24 +0000

Meet the scholars of Boys Hope Girls Hope of Arizona. BHGH finds academically capable, motivated kids, who have financial and other obstacles to their educations, and offers them, without charge, the opportunity for a comprehensive learning experience. The kids are offered scholarships at the best private schools in Phoenix, as well as counseling, medical care, personal growth opportunities and, eventually, college counseling and assistance with college tuition. Since 1989 when the Phoenix branch of BHGH was founded, every single kid that has graduated from the Arizona program has been admitted to college. They are often the first in their family to go. Schools they have attended include Arizona State University, Colgate, Dartmouth, Gonzaga, Pepperdine and others. It is an amazing, amazing program. Here are some of the current BHGH scholars:

Posted in candids, children, personal, photography, portraits Tagged: arizona, bhghaz.com, black and white, boys hope girls hope, candids, christopher halloran, christopherhalloran.com, monochrome, phoenix, photographer

Beautiful Kids – Arizona Family Photographer

Chris H. — Fri, 07 Aug 2009 14:51:04 +0000

We just got back from a quick escape to Utah, where the daily high and low temperatures were at least 20 degrees below the inferno we left behind in Arizona. It was nice to be able to work outside again without having to worry about heat stroke. I took advantage of the beautiful weather and shot a bunch of images of my nieces and nephew, who generously indulged me. They are sweet, beautiful children and it was fun to spend a couple of hours photographing them. Here are a few of the resulting images:

Kylie

Savannah

Lexi

Kylie, Zach, Savannah and Lexi

Posted in candids, children, photography, portraits Tagged: arizona, black and white, candids, children, christopher halloran, christopherhalloran.com, family, phoenix, photographer, portraits

Independence Day – Arizona Event Photographer

Chris H. — Sun, 05 Jul 2009 01:00:50 +0000

My wife, Jennifer, posted an Erma Bombeck quotation this morning which points out one of the many reasons this is a great country. “You have to love a nation that celebrates its independence every July 4, not with a parade of guns, tanks, and soldiers who file by the White House in a show of strength and muscle, but with family picnics where kids throw Frisbees, the potato salad gets iffy, and the flies die from happiness.” This is how we began our Independence Day celebration.

We honored the flag…

While our chefs finished cooking breakfast…

Which we all enjoyed, from grandchildren…

To grandparents.

We honored our veterans from the greatest generation…

And were moved by a letter written by a young soldier in Afghanistan and read by his dad.

We gathered as husbands…

and wives….

as scout leaders…

and neighbors…

as mothers who love their sons…

and dads who love their daughters…

and as children, playful…

observant…

pensive…

joyful…

and patriotic.

And then, with parents gathered in eager anticipation…

We had a parade.

It’s a tumultuous world and we live in trying times. But some things remain constant. I’m grateful for family and friends, and for a great, blessed country that, despite her occasional stumbles, has a generous and courageous heart.

Posted in adults, children, events, personal, photography, portraits Tagged: America, arizona, black and white, christopher halloran, christopherhalloran.com, Fourth of July, Independence Day, phoenix, photographer