It is a question that I've been asked several times since revealing the final photos of my first ever In-the-Box session! And to be honest, I'm not exactly sure where I first saw it. And I most definitely did not come up with it on my own.
I was either falling down the Pinterest rabbit-hole or saw it while scrolling on social media. The funny thing is, I remember seeing it, stopping briefly, and thinking something like, “That’s neat,” before continuing on my way.
A few weeks later, I was telling Scott about it and when he asked if I could pull up some samples, I couldn’t, for the life of me, find it again. I couldn’t remember what it was called, so I Googled things like “shadow box photography” and “photography in boxes” and was totally unsuccessful. So I did what I do when faced with a challenge, and I went on a quest to find out more about it.
Building the Box 
Hard at Work! 
It is ready!
I was eventually led to this amazing Facebook group where there is education and support in learning this type of photography and editing. I convinced my husband, Scott, to build me a box. We could have made it out of plywood–but he insisted on melamine so that the kids wouldn’t get splinters, and I am SO glad he suggested it. The interesting thing about melamine is that it is MUCH heavier than plywood. AND there is the fact that we didn’t measure the stairs before building it. Let’s just say we made it down to the basement from the garage…but it was a very close call and there may have been a squished toe and some wounded hands to show for it. But, somehow we got it down to the basement and nestled it into its new home!
On the morning of the shoot, I was so excited to sketch out the ideas and prepare the decorations for Tori and her girls. Since the holidays are right around the corner, we decided to do a Christmas theme–but you could really do anything. From putting the kids in a different superhero costume for each box to having a baby’s first birthday shoot to doing a family session–the options are really limitless!
The camera and flash were all set as Emilia and Isabelle arrived with their mom, Tori. After getting briefly side-tracked by the train around the Christmas tree, we went to work changing out props and getting the girls to giggle! If I had to guess, I would say the girls’ favorite set-up of the morning was getting to throw the Christmas balls! What other time in a child’s life are they not only allowed to–but actually ENCOURAGED to throw ornaments?!
The shoot was fun and very relaxed. As Tori and I chatted about teaching, mom-life and plans for the holidays, we could casually change scenes and capture the memories. We especially love the one of them snuggling in together with a Christmas book while Emilia hunted to find Santa!
We knew it was time to wrap up when Isabelle twirled, smiled and finally asked to go play with my 3 kids. That, and our attempts to get one last smile from Emilia turned to pretend tears (which stopped as soon as her mom swooped her up in a hug).
Tori, thank you so much for sharing the morning with us and entrusting me to capture some festive moments of your sweet girls. This was definitely the first of many In-the-Box mini-sessions!
Warmly,Angie
