My two bits

Photography is a constant learning curve.  That’s what’s so great about it.  I don’t think I will ever get to the “finish line”.  I think if I ever believe that I’ve reached it, then it’s time for a new challenge!

I was thinking today about some of the things that I’ve come to realize over these past few months.  Here are my two bits…

To me, photography is all about connection.  You should FEEL something when you look at a photo.  You should also FEEL something when you take the photo.  

It’s important to remember in portrait photography that people are not props to pose in a beautiful setting.  Having a great eye for lines, colour, and composition is very important, but remember that the people in the photo are the most important part.  Capturing connection and emotion is key.  You can feel when there is real emotion in a photo and where there isn’t.

How do you connect with your subjects?  Talk to them, ask questions, laugh, share, and get close.  It’s the only way you are going to translate emotion in the photos.  If you are photographing a couple: find out where they met, what they love about each other, their favourite places to go together, etc.   If you are photographing children: laugh, run, play, jump, roll on the ground, and pick flowers together. Get down to their level.  You can’t expect them to automatically produce a winning smile.  They need to forget that you are taking their picture.  Instead, be their playmate for the time you have together.  You may feel foolish at first, but let go of your inhibitions and be a kid again.

Focus on what it is you love about photography.  Find your style.  Take tons of photos of everything and anything.  Pay attention to what draws you into your favourite photos.  Is it the lines, the colours, the emotions?  Find that special something that makes you feel and apply it to your photos.  Always be aware of what you feel is beautiful, or funny, or interesting.  Pay attention to it.  Apply it.

Keep…it…simple.  You don’t need a lot going on in a photo.  Remove distracting elements…ask yourself if it lends itself to the story in the photo.  If not, remove it or find another angle. Seek out great light.  I love shooting in the evening when that yummy light comes out and casts a dreamy glow on everything.

Get low or find higher ground.  Lay on your back and shoot up or get on a ladder and shoot down. Find an angle that is out of the norm.  The eye is drawn into a view that you don’t often see. 

Realize that where you are in your journey in photography is where you are supposed to be…because it’s a journey.  There is no “the end” to your photography story.

Honour your values.  My kids are young, so photography is a side-venture for me.  That is my personal choice.  I have lots of time to develop my career when they get a little older and depend on me a little less.  It’s easy to get trapped into photographer-envy when you watch another photographer you respect do their thing.  It’s their thing.  Not yours.  Follow your heart and your passion.

Wait for it.  That moment that will come during a session if you are patient and have your trigger finger ready to snap.  This is especially true when photographing children.  It takes patience and time, but if you wait for it and engage your subject, the moment will come.

Honour who you are as a photographer.  Not every job may be right for you.  You owe it to the people you are taking photos of as well.  If you can’t connect with them, it’s tough to get a good photo.  It’s OK to realize that you may not be a good fit for one another.   Plus, if you take a job that isn’t a good fit you may be taking away an opportunity the client could have to connect with a photographer that is right for them.

Enough rambling, I had to get it out there!  I’m glad I have so very much to learn in photography.  I’m enjoying the ride.

Good night!

Christine