I'm a terrible blogger.... I'm the first to admit it.... I just get distracted easily..... Things come up.... a flood, locusts, Fender ate my blog, it wasn't my fault. However, during the time I don't get to this blog, every photographer in the internets world seems to find a way to tell me I need to be blogging more. Like, HOW do they know I'M NOT? So I guess I'm starting to catch up a bit.
Recently, I have found myself busier then ever. A situation arose that I thought I could share with you. It really isn't a surprise to most people that even when you are at your worst, you are capable of things you may have never thought you could do. You may only feel that way because you have never done them before or have other things going on which is life.
A new client came to me at the end of the summer with some work for their trade magazine. Great! That's something I have never done before. It would be a great experience and the compensation was very appealing. I knew it was going to be a lot of work but hey, that's what I'm in this for.
As the day approached for the first day of shooting I began to feel incredibly overwhelmed. I did do some preparation so I had a basic game plan but having never done anything like it before, I still had my apprehensions. I've studied my ass off with all the information on this type of shooting I could possibly find. But, I began to think, not how can I do this but will I do this well. What could possibly go wrong? Will I have to fight for each shot?
The morning came, myself and my assistant got to the location. Moved all the equipment in. Starting setting up and.... BAM first hurdle..... right out of the box. We didn't have model releases ready to go for every person that was going to be in the day long shoot. My fault. I did have model releases in the game plan but did not know who would be in the shots really and figured we would do that after the shots were taken. Thinking back, that was a stupid idea. So I quickly contacted my client and discussed what we needed in releases. We drew up a release right there and began to shoot. Lesson learned.
I honestly thought this day was going to be an uphill battle all the way. If there is one thing I've learned it's some people hate to have their photo taken. But as we started shooting I found that everyone was really cooperative and very patient. Maybe it was because they knew it was going to be in a magazine. But I think it's because I took the time to introduce myself and explain to them exactly what we were doing. Most people would of just jumped in front and shot away. I believe it's important to form some sort of understanding on a personal level with your subject. Make them feel at ease. That goes a long way towards getting the shots you really want.
This particular day was not all about smiles and nice portraits but standard stock type images. I definitely let my subjects know that and quite surprisingly they got it! Once I took the time to create a one on one connection with them we cruised through the whole day. It's important to develop a type of relationship with who you are shooting. Make sure they know that you are a real person and not just some robot snapping away. It is in some way a sort of seduction in an effort to gain their trust in you to create a nice image of them. Showing them you are human goes a long way.
The second day went ever better. I had put together a quick list that I was able to be more direct with and had each individual shot I needed that could be checked off as I went along. I learned a lot from this, my first major project for a publisher. Be prepared and don't let fear of the unknown prevent you from taking on new challenges in your photography. But more importantly, don't avoid challenging yourself in your personal life either. After all, both are truly who you are and you should fight at each obstacle to further instill your breath for life.
If I can pass on any advice from this opportunity it would be this. Those who fail to push themselves in to things they have never done, or fail to immerse themselves in learning everything they can in what they love to do, will be doomed to mediocrity and frustration. Take it from me, soak up all the knowledge you can from every possible avenue out there. Read, write..... and live your passion.
"
It is during our darkest moments that we must focus to see the light." ~ Taylor Benson
I honestly thought this day was going to be an uphill battle all the way. If there is one thing I've learned it's some people hate to have their photo taken. But as we started shooting I found that everyone was really cooperative and very patient. Maybe it was because they knew it was going to be in a magazine. But I think it's because I took the time to introduce myself and explain to them exactly what we were doing. Most people would of just jumped in front and shot away. I believe it's important to form some sort of understanding on a personal level with your subject. Make them feel at ease. That goes a long way towards getting the shots you really want.
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