I wanted to share some recent lessons that I have learned while taking family portraits for a client recently. I know that some of these things are very basic, but on the same note, some of forget the basics from time to time.
1. SETTINGS!! - I shoot in manual mode like many other photographers in the world. I am proud to say that since I have converted that I have been pretty happy with the way that I have been able to get things right in camera, and that I am able to control it and make the image more than just another photo. I can make it a memory for that person or family. However this week I learned that I have gotten a bit complacent with monitoring my settings and what I was doing. The session took place at a beautiful family farm that had many different venues to shoot at, but each had its own unique lighting. Every single time that we moved, I had to adjust my settings. Even walking just a few steps in one direction or another would require a change. I did not realize it until I got home but in several instances I was so excited about the shot, that I had forgotten to change the setting to adjust for the movement in location, which lead to photos like this:
A shot that I was super excited about.... ended up causing me a lot of anger, frustration and tears while trying to save it in Lightroom and Photoshop.. Time that I was not paid for, but caused myself to do extra work from one simple mistake.
2. SHADOWS ARE NOT YOUR FRIEND! - I know, I know, many people will laugh when they read this, but it is true, they are just not your friend. Even the unintentional shadows that are caused by the subject and their pose. Those are not always flattering, and in some cases they are extremely distracting. I must admit that as the sun is setting I have always loved the long wispy shadows that are created, however, they too are not my friend. In fact they change the lighting, create hot spots on subjects and are just horrible to work with.
3. SLOW DOWN! - This is another common statement that is heard in many photography classes, and honestly through this whole session echoed in my head... However I was having fun. This family was great, and they had many great ideas for the photos that they wanted and I wanted to capture them all, but I was rushing. And in rushing to stay within the window of time that they had booked, and to stay within the golden hour of lighting I was rushing to get everything. Throughout the whole session I remember thinking several times that I needed to slow down, breath and just enjoy the moment, and all in all get amazing photos. Most of which I did. I got some amazing shots, and I enjoyed the moment, but I did not slow down, and I did not breath. Not doing those two things lead to hours of playing with post processing to give the family a product that I was proud to put my name on, and not a piece of trash that I would be embarrassed to even show on my Facebook page.
4. PLANNING! - Planning is key. I am thankful that the family listened to me about timing, and when to shoot. I believe that was amazing, however I did not know my subjects as well as I would have liked to prior to the session in order to have an idea of what poses would work best for them, or even what their thoughts on what they were looking for were. In the end it all came together smoothly and seamlessly, but I think I could have provided a much better experience had I had that knowledge in hand prior to the session.
5. Apparel for the family. - Now I know some will say that I should have not let the family where all flannels to their session. However, in my personal opinion their choice of apparel fit them and the scene well and I do not regret allowing this to happen. I will say that this is something that is on a case my case basis. I do not think that it would work for every group, and I DEFINITELY do not recommend this for a studio setting. However in this case I believe that it worked well.
6. Be yourself - I think that this is something that goes far with anyone and any situation. However my husband and I were ourselves through out the whole session. Which fed into the experience that the family had. We are a lighthearted couple that allows are love for each other show through in every thing that we do, and I believe that this played into providing the amazing experience that the family was able to enjoy during their session with us.
7. Gear - I think that this is something that is over thought quite a bit when it comes to sessions. I took every single lens that I own, both my flashes, filters, and anything else I could think of with me to this session. The one thing that I did not take was my reflector, which was the one thing I wish that I had brought with me. Everything else... honestly ended up being there just for show. I never once putted out my 55-200mm lens, or my 50mm prime... I never even thought about attaching one of flashes to my hot shoe.... The plus side, my hubby got his work out in carrying all that stuff for me while I moved from place to place with the family! Really think about the location, and really think about what you are doing as you are packing your bag and I think this will help lighten the load, unless of course you are lucky enough to have someone to go with you to carry everything, than by all means so it!
8. Having a second set of eyes - I will tell you that this is where my husband played the biggest role. He would stand behind me and make sure that the setting was right, that the poses were perfect, and that if anything went wrong it was going to be on me when I pushed that shutter button. As I would finish up in one area he would be scouting the next area and taking mock photos with our Ipad in order to check lighting and determining where the best place for the family to be located at for the next set of photos. This really helped me because it cut down the time between movements and based upon what I saw on the Ipad I could determine if I really wanted to use the location, or if we needed to move somewhere else.
Now that I have shared what I have learned with you, I would love if you shared in the comments below the things that you have learned during photo sessions, either as a customer or the photographer.
I hope that I was able to help each and everyone of you, either as a client or as a photographer.
