September 07, 2010

My First REAL Portrait Session... the Z Family

z1-small

Repeat after me: I will NEVER complain again that a professional photographer charges too much money.

Now that I've:
...scouted locations
...taken sample pictures for free for others
...learned just how many hours it takes to edit 90 photographs and sort through over 300
...seen how much of a holiday weekend might get eaten up on a 'job'
...printed pictures and run errands and purchased props
...etc

I won't be complaining again the next time I pay someone to take our family portraits. Seriously.

The wonderful thing about BEING the photographer, though - is that if you LOVE what you do - even working for peanuts is worth it. I ADORE capturing people. Even when the photos aren't perfect. People are so amazing and beautiful - even the ones who don't think that they are (especially those people).

zsmalljoy

Funny... but the pictures you think you will throw out later - those are often the ones that grow on you and make you smile the most. The photo above is one of those for me. They wore white shirts, but they brought red ones for a 'Christmas' shot that we thought would work better with the letters I brought along. I mistakenly handed the letters to the kids before they changed in to their red shirts... but the kids were so excited to do this shot, I went ahead and photographed them. Even if they don't buy prints of this shot, I just adore it. I'm happy to have it in my portfolio.

What I learned:
1. Plan to spend more than 2 hours if there are more than 2 kids.
2. Plan to get to the site earlier on an evening shot if you will be spending more than 2 hours! HEY - newsflash to me: The sun GOES DOWN.
3. Make sure to check the ISO on every picture to make sure you don't ruin a lot of good ones.
4. RELAX
5. Mom knows her kids best. I loved it that this mom was very involved and outspoken to request things and stop the process to fix things she thought might be 'out of place'.

My husband jokes that he shoots guns and I shoot people. [Thankfully, he doesn't use his guns to shoot people.]

familytree

I love shooting people [with my camera]. It is a love affair that is just beginning... one that birthed my fledgling photography business and one that is certain to stick around with me as long as I can carry a camera around and 'see' the world through it.

As soon as I get my website up for the photography business, I'll be sure to post about it. Until then, I'll pop a few client proofs in here to see what you think - whenever I can get clients, that is... Or I'll just make you look at endless pictures of the Viking baby and his older siblings. Whatever keeps me clicking!

16 comments:

H-Mama said...

You did a great job, girlie!! Love the location. Those kids are cuties!

So true... taking pictures = overworked and underpaid. ;) The main reason I hung my hat... at least for now. It helps a lot when the moms pitch in with their kids, doesn't it?? I usually wait till my hubs can come with me, too... for an extra set of eyes behind the camera.

Spontaneous pix are often the best, yes? ;)

Unknown said...

Heather ~ Nice job! I really love how you used that red truck; it was interesting without being a distraction. The(family) group shot turned out really well, I think--posed, yet natural. (And the setting for that shot made me homesick for Texas!) Good luck with your "fledgling" business!

~K

SaraMinerva said...

Fabulous work!

Anonymous said...

Awesome shots! I had to laugh when you were talking about how long it takes to process the shots. My daughter is a photographer and she is on the computer for hours and hours after a big shoot. Keep up the good work. You really have an eye. I especially liked the use of the truck.
Blessings,
Jan

Sam said...

Great job! I want to see more!

Catherine Anne said...

LOVE this

A Dusty Frame said...

Yep processing takes some time:)

You'll get faster. I just had a family shoot with 4 kids and 2 adults.

We went to 2 locations and were just over an hour.

Just takes practice;)

I'd also say shoot in RAW --it helps a lot in case you forgot to tweak something on the camera settings.
Lizzie

Anonymous said...

Great job Heather!

Beverly said...

Beautiful pictures! You are a natural, girl. Did you come up with a name yet? (Or did I miss that announcement?)

Anonymous said...

Love your pictures! A picture is definitely worth a thousand words :)

Krystal said...

Good for you, girl! They look great!

Krystal


(bandkgriff @ yahoo dot com)

Anonymous said...

Great job!

I made my first pajama shorts. I actually made two. I wear them to bed every night. I am so happy with them. I should probably make some pants soon as it the weather will start getting cold. Hope you'll come take a look. By the way, I am turning 10 this weekend.

Emily
http://sewingsister.blogspot.com/2010/09/my-cuz-came-over.html

MarshaMarshaMarsha said...

Great job, Heather! What a beautiful family and fabulous location. Yup, I've been thinking about the timing thing with the sun... Just when the lighting is PERFECT, it vanishes.

Julie Rivera said...

What an awesome location, Heather! You did an amazing job for this family...working with three children can be an undertaking, but you seemed to manage it with aplomb. Congratulations!

Robyn | Add a Pinch said...

You have such talent, Heather!!! You did a fabulous job for this family. What a treasure.

Tracy said...

Thank you VERY much!

You did a great job!

 

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