I did a shoot awhile back as present to my dear friend and fellow photographer Jessie; it was to be a Christmas/Anniversary present to her fiance, who is on an Air Force base and several hundred miles away from Jess. It was honestly my pleasure, namely cause Jess is such a good friend, but also as a gift for such an awesome guy as well. Anyways, dear Reader, if there was ever a perfect shoot, this was it. Not just with the demeanor, or ease in which we worked, but just in general. Jessie, whose aunts are also photographers, was a model subject. Let me elaborate, those of you who are fixing to go get portraits take notes, do things this way and the shoot will turn into an enjoyable event that will create lasting memories to come.
We had scheduled the shoot loosely for around one or two, she arrived at one, and came with several changes of clothing, She had one super formal gown, some causal formal sweaters, jeans and a t-shirt, and a couple of outfits that meant something special to she and her fiance. This in itself was a most awesome thing for her to do. You see while it's all well and good to have a couple of fancy shirts to get pictures in; outfits that mean something to you or are a favorite of yours, are always good for you to where. You will feel comfortable in your favorites, and a special accessory (in Jess's case it was her fiance's boot camp jacket) will be the icing on a already special picturesque cake.
She also brought some special props for home, stuffed animals he had given to her, not only did they add a touch of whimsy to the shoot, they also where special items of interest that I was only too happy to highlight. Bringing props from home, is always a good thing, a special toy or blanket for children, can not only provide comfort, but can also make the picture a timeless treasure. It's little touches like these that make certain pictures so unique and precious. Also, bringing multiple outfits and the like, also gives us more to work with, which inevitably mean more pictures for you!
We looked over the outfits, the special items she wanted in the pictures, and the props I had, and we got an idea of how we wanted to proceed. It was nice to have her input, so often people come into a studio as little dolls for the photographer to arrange, and while I'm not saying this is bad or that you should (heaven forbid!) take over your session. Putting your piece in goes along way to making the experience more personal for you. It also helps the photographer understand your vision and what you are looking for in the pictures.
One thing that we did ahead of time, is we kept open communication, not only about what time was best for her, but also about what to wear and what not to wear. Good communication is good for any relationship, personal or professional. This is why I have so many ways to contact me on my website. I honestly get nervous if I don't here something from the customer, until the day of the consultation or the shoot. I welcome questions, comments, and even input, it helps me learn more about you as a person, and find out what you like and don't like, so I can better tailor your shoot to you.
When it came time to begin the shoot, we still kept the line of communication open. She was open and willing to try various props, and also to give suggestions. She would get an idea, and not hesitate to toss it to me, which I was more than happy to oblige (it was her shoot after all!) and the same went with her to me. The relationship was very give and take, combined with our mutual desire for a good session, and lots of pictures for this man she loves. As the shoot drew to a close I knew that it was something special, not only had we created a wonderful present; we also created a memory, one I know that I will remember fondly anytime I see a picture from that shoot.
If I could have every shoot be like this one, I think it would make my career absolutely perfect. The little touches she did and her natural openness to the event, made the session something wonderful indeed. So Dear Reader, whenever you get ready to come to a session, remember these little tricks.
Be an open communicator- from the beginning, talk and express what you want, give ideas for clothing, seek input, and be ready to have fun.
Bring clothes and props from home- These are the things that make your shoot unique and special to you, the clothes you love, and special items that mean the world to you.
Voice your ideas- If you have any ideas for your shoot, voice them! It's important for you to make sure that you are comfortable and enjoying yourself. Photographers, while awesome :) , are not mind readers, so if you have an idea let us know and we will try our best to accommodate you!
Expect the unexpected- There is a reason my timeline does not go into full detail about the day of your shoot. It's because it's unpredictable, so come to it and all portrait sessions with an open mind. I promise we will get some classic dignified shots, but I also know a random prop thrown in can create a timeless treasure.
So yeah, I just wanted to give a shout out to Jessie, and say that I'm glad the shoot was successful and that success was due partially to her and her awesome actions throughout the day (for those who want to know, she gave to pictures to her fiance, and he loved them)!
No comments:
Post a Comment