Huh, that title kind of sounds like an M. Night Shyamalan movie, doesn’t it? Okay, full disclosure time. I’ve decided to come out of the closet. No, I’m not a lesbian, Reagan! I just have short hair, okay? I’ve been going back and forth about whether I want to reveal my ambitions here, out in the open, like a big girl. And I’ve decided that I’m going to.
If I fail, I fail. And I’ll probably need some ice cream sympathy dates if I do, so I may as well warn you now that I may be calling on you for some Häagen-Dazs pity parties if I find that I’m completely talentless.
But I’ve decided to be… a photographer.
I know, it’s not very original, but I think I could be okay at it if not actually good at it, and I know I’d enjoy it. As for what kind of photographer, I don’t think I want to be a wedding photographer, although I’m not going to rule it out completely. I think what I want to do is more ‘lifestyle’ photography — children, newborns, couples, families, births, maternity, engagement. And I’d like to do on location shooting (as opposed to studio).
What I need though is practice shooting people. A lot of it. Real, live people. Not food, not dogs, not anything within a two foot radius of my house. People. I need a lot of time to mess up over and over again and learn from my mistakes before I can feel comfortable charging anyone. And the crazy thing about getting subjects to photograph is that you actually have to tell people that you want to photograph them (thus the full disclosure).
So if you don’t mind lending me your time without promises of splendor (and you live near me or in Dallas, of course), drop me an email or give me a call, and I’d love to spend an hour or more shooting your kids (with a camera, of course), your family, you and your spouse, your pregnant belly, whatever. (This request goes out to family as well.)
I know it’ll take me a long time to build up the knowledge and experience I need to actually be good at this, especially in all the different areas of it — working with people, setting up and taking decent photos, post-production editing, and running a small business in general — but I’ll never get anywhere if I don’t start somewhere.
So please do me a favor and smile at the birdie and my grateful, petrified, novice face. Who knows? I may even give you a free print or two out of it assuming I don’t take the whole shoot with the lens cap still on (kidding, kidding).
{ 18 comments… read them below or add one }
YAY! I’m excited! You’ll be awesome at that and I’m excited to continue seeing all your photography.
We’ll be your subjects any time you want but since we are babyless, feel free to push us down on the priority list. Moses will be offended but I’ll tell him you’re saving the best for last.
That is awesome. Another thing you might try is finding another photographer or two in your area that will let you shadow them. That is always great to do. They share some knowledge with you and you don’t have to pay for it like a class. I think you’ll do great. I can send you some books your way if you want. Let me know.
@Aubrey: I would love to shoot you & Dustin (and perhaps Moses can even make a guest appearance, the prima donna). Thanks! I’ll figure out a time to come up to Dallas this month & I can stake out a good spot to shoot you guys making smooching noises at each other (kidding).
@Peggy: Yeah, I’d love any books (and any advice along the way) you have for me. Send ‘em on down! I feel like a sponge right now, trying to absorb and learn as much as I can all the time.
What about cats? LOL James and I probably make a boring couple to photograph, if you need us we’ll be glad to help. I think your photography is GREAT.
Once James gets back we need to have a game/movie night or something.
if you need children we’ll (no husband/father) be at my mom’s the entire first half of September
I will volunteer my family for some practice. All are photogenic except for me. I think that it is a great endeavor and I wish you the best.
@Lorraine, @Le, @Matt: All count on it! Thanks so much for your help! I’ll let you know when I’m ready (meaning, when I’ve found places I want to shoot close to where you guys are or will be at the time) and we can set up some times.
And Lorraine, welcome to my blog & you’re right that we need to get together when James gets back to hang out. How much longer does he have there?
@Aubrey: P.S. You & Dustin are going to be up first. I already have tons of ideas in mind for you guys specifically and I’m so excited. I’ll get in touch with you about scheduling some time this month.
YAY! We’re pumped! We are good at taking directions too so hopefully we’ll be helpful to you. We’re happy to have you over to our apartment or wherever else you want to go … Dustin wants to know if we can take pictures in our underwear. I just shook my head and said “uh, yeah, I’ll ask her.”
i wouldn’t rule out the food or dog photography..people pay big bucks for it. you have the eye for photography…best of luck to you in turning a passion into profession. it’s always a good start.
People pay big bucks for dog photography? I did not even realize…. At this point I’m not ruling anything out, especially because I need all the practice I can get. My hair salon might have me take photos for their new website which would be pretty fun especially if they turn out!
Oh, and Aubrey, tell Dustin he’s more than welcome to take them in his underwear if that’s what makes him more comfortable in front of a camera lens. Haha! I didn’t realize he was such an exhibitionist. It’s always the conservative ones….
This will be a lot of fun. Part of people photography is helping people (or forcing them) to relax and show some of themselves for the camera. When you catch who someone is . . . that is the greatest. I did portraits for about two years and still love some of the images I got. I got a cover and two feature articles in magazines, so that was cool. When you preclude weddings, don’t preclude couples portraits, or engagement announcements. Enjoy. Remember, if you understand the technology, you can THEN get truly creative. I don’t agree that ignorance is creativity. Learn your stuff. master the technology. Have fun. I photographed a Marilyn Monroe imitator (she’s in Las Vegas now) and her then fiance (now husband) said he’d never seen anyone use the technology to create such natural, focused portraits. So don’t shy away from mastering the medium. That’s all I’m saying . . .
Oh, and one more thing. There is a lot of satisfaction in it. I have had several times, when mothers have looked at portraits I’ve done of their kids, start to cry as they study the print. THAT is a cool feeling! (I’m talking kids, here, not pet portraits . . .)
Oh, B&W portrait of me with my law books . . . (Oh, sweet vanity!)
@Eric: I have no intention of intentionally not learning technical aspects of photography. I’m not going to go get a degree or anything but I’m trying my best to learn all the technical aspects — reading and researching, studying pro’s photos that I admire, studying my own photos to figure out how to improve, and experimenting with different scenarios and settings — without having the means to buy tons of equipment that I can’t afford at this point.
@Eric: I’d love to do your law portrait. Plus maybe you can teach me some things about light and let me use all your fun lighting equipment and backdrops. :)
It’s a deal!
Shannon you are going to be an awesome photographer! It just takes time and practice and the understanding that you are always your worst critic. I would love for you to come and take some new photos of my family when I’m in Dallas in October. If you’re interested let me know and I’ll get the details of my trip nailed down.
Keep the optimistic outlook and have fun!