Family Foto Fun!

That title is for my wife who HATES it when people spell things wrong for a gimmick or a name!

This year I did another family and friends photo shoot, but it was better! Better because it was earlier (in time to use the photos for Christmas, and better because I asked people to ‘pay what you want’ instead of free – so better for me! And better because I have another year experience, and everything was more comfortable and went more smoothly.

I think the results were great, and I had great feedback. Here is one photo from each family that came over.

What a good looking group!

A few years ago in my web roaming for photographic know-how, I frequently came across advice about confidence and talking with your subjects/clients. I am realizing the power of having confidence, and interacting with the people you shoot. I am by no means excellent at it yet, but it is coming. It makes a difference for the clients and for the photographer. Planning is also important. I feel I am weak at posing – I have learned to think more about what I want to do, and what the subjects want. I have learned to plan my poses – search the web for ideas, and talk to other photographers before a shoot. Even write the ideas down on recipe cards and shove them in your pocket – works wonders and reminds you of your ideas when you are nervous and forget.

New photographers will get the same advice over and over, and I am learning through experience that it is correct, even if it sounds odd sometimes. Know your equipment well and make sure it works. The last thing you need when you want to implement a pose or idea, is to try to figure out how to change a flash setting, or be fiddling with your cameras menu or buttons. Have quality equipment and/or backup equipment for when it fails (or acts up). Have spare batteries. The list goes on, but as I venture through my photographic journey I am realizing the value of information and advice that has been presented to me – there is just so much that it takes a while to sink in. What fun!

Cheers!