“The common denominator in all your sessions is you. Shoot for you first and your clients will always know what to expect.” – Cheryl Jacobs
I think most artists have periods of self-doubt. I do suffer this affliction too. Sometimes I want to give the client what I think they expect, instead of just trusting my vision, the reason why I took a photo a certain way. There are two sessions from 2009 that I have not finished proofing… every time I open them up, I think to myself ‘they may not like this.. this is not what they expected’. So Lana and Meg wait, every so patiently, for their proofs.
Remember these four gorgeous brothers.. they are Meg’s kiddos. For this shot, I specifically set them up on a low wall, sun behind them and asked them all just to be close to each other. No expectations of them looking at the camera or smiling or anything. I just waited and observed for a minute.. and then *click*. And there it was, this photograph. I love it dearly but but, will their mom? Not everyone is looking. The sun flare that I adore she might think of as obscuring her second youngest son’s face. The oldest boy, holding his youngest brother ever so sweetly, what if his mama just sees instead the youngest boy looking nervous and away. What if what if what if. The retro feel of the photo, to me a feeling of timelessness.. would it be too ‘yellow’ for everyone elses eyes?
Let Go. Trust Myself. What is the WORST that could happen? I would still love the photo, yes? And at the end of the day, I hope my clients hire me not for their vision, but for mine. For honest interactions and not perfect portraits.
xoxo, Rashmi
by admin
Lana - I really love the first one!!!!
You know, I’ve never had any specific expectations about photos…every time you have taken pictures I have been thrilled because I could have never imagined what you were taking.
Sally - Love the last one, everything about it!
(would love to see how it prints on metallic paper!)
aileen - oh rashmi, i think we all go through this. the last session i just blogged was full of those moments. adult daughter thought mom wanted it one way and kept insisting on doing a “formal” shot, meanwhile mom/grandma had talked to me about wanting candids, etc… i watched them all together and saw what I wanted in their interactions and did that (along with everything else). over and over i have in my head, “shoot for me first.” btw, i love love love cheryl jacobs. wise woman she is. :) and more btw, great shots. truly. love them both.
Stephanie - I adore the first one, all of it’s “imperfections” make it so perfect. I would have it big on my wall, as well as #2!