tab·leau – /ˌtaˈblō/: a group of models or motionless figures representing a scene from a story…

Oxford Dictionary

As water reflects the face,
    so one’s life reflects the heart

Proverbs 27:19

This is what is called a tableau. In a classic tableau, figures are purposefully arranged in order to illustrate a more complete story. A good photograph manages to capture all the elements naturally, without having to set things up or rearrange. You see the picture – the tableau – you know the story.

This is always my intention in photography. When it happens – once in a while – I tend to get excited.

My mother loved this:

This is actually an important part of remembering my mother. Essentially, we don’t just have a service Sunday afternoon, this is an entire memorial weekend.

Because if my mum valued anything, and especially in the final few years of her life, it was watching her family. Not cooking, not playing games, not necessarily doing anything… but seeing, observing, understanding the whole picture. She liked to be there when things were happening.

That is kind of what I walked in on, Saturday morning. Rebekah and Beks on the sofa together; Max just being there; Geoffrey getting in on the action too. Life. Good life. Tableau. I can imagine my mum in one of the chairs across from them, just taking it all in.

All I am doing here is paying attention. The rest takes care of itself – DEREK