momandacamera.com

As a photographer, don't forget to be a mom and capture those candid moments that forever record personality and age

When you have a paying customer, you do whatever it takes to get the picture.

In the business of photography you are only as good as your last job.  (At least you feel that way.)  We had a returning customer that comes to our studio every few months for updated pictures of her children. She is about to have her third child, so we would like the relationship to continue for a few more years, or forever actually.

Why does she come to our studio? Because she had a good experience the last time she was here and she left with a good portrait of her child.  We got THE picture that made her happy.

So…We do whatever it takes to get THE portrait. 

We knew that the three year old coming through our studio door would be a challenge because, well………. she was three, and three year olds are in charge.  Now, with that thought in mind, every photography book and instructional video that I have seen uses paid models for their demonstrations.  Well duh!!!  As a good friend of mine, Dale, would say:  Even a trained monkey could take that picture. 

So, getting THE picture starts with preparation. 

We get some soothing music going.  Instrumental worship music would works nicely.  The music is for us, not the child.  We have found that if we’re relaxed, so is the mom.  If we can get mom relaxed then the child is relaxed…… sometimes.

Note:  When parents first come to us, they are stressed about their portrait experience.  They are used to going to the big box stores and waiting for an hour with screaming, crying kids that aren’t even yours.  Then you find yourself bribing your child with ice cream if they will just sit still and smile one time.   It all ends with a sales pitch where they threaten to trash any photos you don’t buy that day while your child runs around crashing into things……………  well, you get the picture.  It stresses my wife just thinking about her last visit to the big box studio place.  That experience, by the way, is why we are photographers today.

 We have a box of books, crayons, and paper at a table.  They may be used to make the child feel at home, or for later when mom is looking at portrait choices.

We make sure the studio is set with a fun prop in place.  In this case it was a fake bed sitting on the floor.  (Think about falling and safety for all props and equipment.) If you can get a three year old to play with/on/around something, you can get a picture.  If they think you’re trying to take their picture, it’s over.

Make sure lights are working, camera is on, computer is communicating, and exposure is perfect.  It’s not uncommon for a child to run right to the prop/background turn around and smile.  It may be the last time they do so. 

Since I am the studio manager, babysitter, entertainer, host, receptionist, and techie geek, it’s my responsibility to have all systems go when the client arrives.  If I’m trying to change a setting and my wife, THE PHOTOGRAPHER, misses THE picture.  I’ll hear about it for a LONG TIME.  If you aren’t as lucky as my wife to have such a great assistant, it will fall on you alone to be ready.

On this particular visit, the child was onto us big time from the first step through the door.  So after 20 minutes or so of not getting THE picture, it was my job to make her want to be there. 

The photographers assistant trying to entice the client to pose and smile.

Well, photography is a lot like fishing.  Sometimes you don’t get THE picture and somtimes you live to fight another day.  Especially with three year olds.  We did get a picture that mom was happy with, but THE PHOTOGRAPHER wasn’t as pleased.  We’ll see her again when she’s four, and even a trained monkey can take a picture of a four year old.  Just don’t tell THE PHOTOGRAPHER that.

Dad