This week we are all over the experience of being photographed. I think this is one of the most important exercises in this series. If you don't know how it feels to be in front of the camera, you will have a hard time developing the sort of empathy you need to make people - especially moms - feel comfortable while being photographed. And let me tell you one thing: if you are not comfortable, it WILL show.
A few weeks back, I had the great opportunity to be photographed by not one, not two, but three of my favorite photographers. How lucky am I! We were all in New York City, meeting for a photography retreat, and as part of our shooting exercise we had two of us volunteer our families and ourselves to be photographed.
At this point in time, I had been traveling with my family for over four weeks. Our clothes were all dirty, and I hadn't brought anything nice to begin with. I showed up for the meeting in old clothing, without any makeup on. My roots were showing. I simply had forgotten that morning when I left the hotel for my friend Jen's apartment that I was to be photographed later that SAME day. In an abstract way, I knew, of course. I suppose I suppressed it or I would have never left the hotel that morning, in my old ratty jeans that were the only pair of pants I had brought on this trip. When I then saw my friend Jen, beautifully made up with shiny hair and perfect makeup, her kids' clothing color-coordinated but not too matched... I knew our shoot was only going to be a catastrophe.
Here's a secret: I have body issues. Also, baby fat that is still with me three years after Leah's birth. I often look tired and haggard due to too many sleepless nights and too little water drinking. I have a double chin. I hate being in front of the camera because I cannot control how I look. I don't know which way to turn or whether I look better from the left or the right. I start making faces, fidgeting, biting my teeth... all of which looks horrible, of course.
So, I didn't expect anything good at all. Also, when we arrived at the location - beautiful Bethesda Fountain in Grand Central Park, a wonderful suggestion by Leslie - my family was already waiting and had to wait for another 45 minutes since we photographed Jen and her family first. At this point, I saw this all falling apart. There was no way my kids could hold it together for so long, I was frazzled and hot, and ready to call it quits.
But I didn't.
As we got the kids together, and I surreptitiously wiped at my daughter's jeans which were covered with mud, I did something that is really hard for me to do when cameras are around: I surrendered control. The first ten minutes, I just watched my friends photograph my kids, and miracle of miracles, my kids cooperated. They followed suggestions, offered their own suggestions, laughed, had fun. Oh, maybe this wasn't going to be so bad after all!
Then my husband and I were incorporated into the pictures and... it was fun! Imagine that! It was exciting and thrilling, and I listened to my friends telling me to turn every which way. And you know what? I love the images. All my friends have their own style, so the pictures came out very different even if it was the exact same moment from the same angle. I got some amazing shots out of this session, the muddy knees didn't feature too prominently, and in the close-ups, my wonderful friends did cover up the roots a bit.
I learned a lot that day. I also learned a lot that I do differently now in my own shoots. I angle my subjects, make them lean forward to get rid of double chins, bend those limbs and keep the arms away from the body.
I learned that when you get those images, and they are lovely, it makes your day. It's such a joy to receive beautiful images of yourself and your family. It's a gift. I love my job all the more for that in particular.
So, a big thank you to Elaine, Leslie, and Noelle. You are my rocking ladies! Thank you, thank you, thank you, for the gift of my photos. I shall treasure them, and what you taught me that day, forever.
by Elaine Janet
by Binkies + Noseprints Photography
by Noelle Soroka Photography
Don't forget to check out their blogs and websites for amazing results:
Binkies + Noseprints
Abbey Road Designs
GSG Photography
Elaine Janet
What Eyes See Daily
DC Group -- the results of those members without a blog are posted here
