I always go into a photo shoot with a plan, but in the same breath I am completely OK with that plan going out the window for something different or better. If the family has an idea, I am willing to give it a whirl. On this particular family photo shoot, an observant little sweetheart was the key to our success.
I was traveling a couple of hours from home to capture newborn and family photos for friends of mine. I was excited about the shoot as they now had 3 little girls, and I was looking forward to getting some darling shots. I had ideas but had not seen their new home yet, so I was unsure of space and lighting. I knew it would all work out, and in this case, a very observant 4 -year-old was the key to our success.
We started off by moving some furniture and took family shots in the living room. I was happy with the photos so far and they were having fun, but by now baby was in need a little snack. So I plopped myself on the floor with her sisters and grabbed my phone. I had some examples of photos that I wanted to show them and see what they thought. You know they ones - sisters holding hand with their foreheads pressed together or where they giving sweet kisses to their baby sister while she peacefully sleeps. Basically, I wanted to know if I had a chance of capturing the perfect shots that every photographer (and parent) dreams of! Truly though, my goal was to give them some ownership of what they wanted to do.
Low and behold, as we were flipping though pictures, sweet little Emma very matter-of-factly looked up at me and said "My bedroom looks like that." We had stopped on a photo with a beautiful upholstered headboard in the background. With eyes wide and my heart hopeful I asked to see it. SURE. ENOUGH. She had a purple room with a lovely upholstered headboard and the most perfect natural light streaming in. I wanted to kiss her for being so observant!
We moved all 3 girls and my gear into Emma's room and the rest is history. I captured the cute kissing photos. The girls were happy and comfortable. The baby slept like an angel, and I was thrilled with the outcome. Pretty sure mom and dad were happy too....
The moral of my story, and more-so, my philosophy on being a good photographer is that I need to be flexible and go with the flow. Great photos cannot be forced. I want and need my clients to be comfortable in front of the camera. I appreciate their input because they may have a vision as well and I respect that. My job is to take all of the ideas and make them work to get the best photos and have happy customers.
So I look forward to hiring Miss Emma as my assistant in 11 years when she is old enough to have a job. In the mean time, I will never underestimate the capabilities of my littlest subjects.
