Capturing cuteness

Ballantyne photographers Colin Hocking and wife, Christi, are on a mission to find south Charlotte’s cutest family. But Hocking’s motivation to snap pictures of darling children alongside their dapper parents isn’t self-seeking, it’s altruistic. Both Hocking and his wife recently entered the 2010 International Charity Model Search to select North America’s Cutest Family, a contest which will give proceeds to the Now I Lay Me Down To Sleep Foundation, a nonprofit that offers parents suffering the loss of a baby free photography sessions, and ensuing portraits, through a network of volunteer photographers.

Participating photographers submit portraits of local families who have previously agreed to enter and have paid for the registered photographer’s standard session fee, for online voting. The 52 finalists will be determined by the number of online votes they receive, generally placed by supportive friends and family members. Each vote costs $1, with all proceeds benefiting NILMDTS. After advancing to the competition’s second round, the finalists’ portraits will be displayed in an online gallery. From there, a panel of photography experts will carefully review and make the ultimate decision on which family to crown as North America’s cutest.

The winning family not only will receive a complimentary portrait photography session with renowned portrait artist and contest creator Sandy Puc, but a new car as well.

The contest deadline for photography submissions is April 5 and the winner will be announced by month’s end. To enter, Hocking added, a parent or legal guardian must be included with the child or children in each picture.

Since Hocking and his wife, Christi, live only a short distance from Stonecrest, and run their photography business, ­PortraitEFX of Charlotte, from the comfort of their home, he generally arranges photography sessions with clients in and around the Ballantyne area.

“Most of the work I do is outdoors. I use the Ballantyne Corporate Park area a lot. I really like using the park, with its trees and iron bridges,” he said. “Even this time of year it’s great and I can get great pictures out there.”

Weather permitting, families interested in entering the contest likely will be photographed outdoors, giving them the chance to interact with one another against nature’s backdrop, something Hocking says instantly can enhance a picture. Typically, he suggests families coordinate outfits, shying away from colors like orange or bright red in favor of more neutral shades such as greens, browns or other ­earth-tones.

Other than nature, what makes a good photograph great is the subjects, he added, noting that great pictures don’t require perfect teeth or Hollywood good looks.

“Beauty is in the eye of the beholder,” said Hocking. “What I look for is happy, smiling faces – families interacting with one another and having a good time.”

When scheduling photography sessions, Hocking said he usually meets with families first to determine their expectations. Then he’ll arrange a time and convenient place to conduct the photography session, which generally runs one hour.

From there, the 70 to 100 images captured during the session are edited and narrowed down to the best dozen or so, said Hocking, which are then presented to the clients in a follow-up meeting. Families will determine how they wish to ­display their purchased pictures, such as in a framed grouping, as a wall canvas, coffee-table book or even on jewelry.

Although he said most of his clients hail from the south Charlotte area, Hocking said he’s willing to travel in and around the greater Charlotte area to meet with prospective families – those interested in entering the contest or those who simply want quality portraits to display in their homes or share with friends and family.

Being part of the contest, he added, not only allows him the luxury of expanding his resumé, it also affords him the opportunity to benefit a nonprofit that brings comfort, and often closure, to grief-stricken families. “It’s a very touching organization,” he said. “Pictures can really mean so much to people.”

With less than 100 families entered in the continental contest to date, Hocking said south Charlotte families stand a good chance – regardless of winning, they’ll walk away with prints they can enjoy for years to come.

“I think the contest will be a lot of fun,” he added. “But it all comes down to the family themselves looking like they’re having fun and enjoying time together. … If people are enjoying the moment together as a family, the pictures will be great.”

On Saturday, Feb. 6, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., the Hockings will host a Digital SLR for Beginners workshop at The Courtyard by Marriott Charlotte ­Ballantyne, 15660 John J. Delaney Drive. The class registration fee is $145 per person or $245 for couples. To register, schedule a photography session with the Hockings, or for more information about PortraitEFX of Charlotte or information on how to enter the Cutest Family Contest, visit www.portraitEFX.com/charlotte or call 704-804-2000.