4
Olivia had left LA with her four favorite cameras and little else besides regret—the Canon and Nikon digitals, Leica for standard film, and a massive antique Graflex that required photographic plates and was an absolute bear to haul around. But under certain conditions the Graflex resulted in breathtaking shots. Not to mention how it remained as precious to Olivia as a childhood teddy.
Olivia knew what had captured Dillon’s attention back at the car. The trunk also held stands, lights, and a complete portable sound setup.
As in, no clothes. Or makeup. All that stuff was jammed into a pair of canvas satchels dumped on her rear seat.
No question which to use today. The Canon digital possessed by far the finest array of software for lightning-fast prepping.
Olivia positioned Dillon in the corner opposite the narrow barred window. “Make a semaphore with the reflectors,” she told him. “Like you’re directing a jet toward the runway. Right arm up, left down. No, Dillon. Your other right.” That brought a giggle from the kids. “Good. Now angle the top ten degrees left. Yes. That is your left. Now lift your lower wrist just a smidgen.” She used the camera’s viewfinder, making sure the barred window now formed a pattern on the wall just overhead. “Outstanding.”
Olivia settled into position, a couple of steps closer to the family than Dillon. She addressed the twin not holding her father’s hand. “Sweetheart, can you bring your bunny around from your side and set it in your lap?”
She did as requested. “His name is Turtle.”
“Okay, that’s one for the books. Dillon, the upper reflector, shift a smidgen further right. Half an inch more. Stop. Great, great, great.”
The boy asked, “Are you a professional photographer?”
“Pictures now, questions after, okay? Jack, can you please settle back and close your eyes again?”
“A pleasure. Literally.”
To the son, “Why don’t you go on reading to your dad. Everyone else, please just ignore me. Focus on the story and your father. Pretend I’m magical and am now going to vanish. One, two, three, poof. I’m gone.”
It took a few minutes. Not long. The setting was a burden they all carried, a weight so potent they were drawn back in together. She took preliminary photos only because it gradually became just part of the background. Within a couple of minutes, they were a family again.
She whispered, “Perfect.”
