NOT ME
I admire those who create an idea in their mind, lay it out and make it happen.
This being said… That’s not me.
I show up to a shoot, hang out, try to make the subjects happy and in a good mood and figure out what is going to work for them.
I think a major part of this is that 99% of my subjects are not models… they are who they are and they come to me to get pictures of who they are.
Working with the light as it happens
Also it seems to work for me because I usually try brand new spots and random times of the day and have no idea what the lighting is going to be. So If i see the lighting is bad I avoid that shot and if it is awesome I do a shot I might not have tried before.
I might as well stick to what I’m good at… and in most cases that means bringing out the best of who people are. At least that’s the compliment I usually enjoy the most when people say it.
Wouldn’t mind, at all
On the other side, I’d love to have the ability to set things up and create like many other photographers out there… if nothing else just to have that as another weapon in my arsenal.
How I roll
You are good at bringing out the fun in people. I have loved your photos recently you are so good at finding nice light. I can’t wait to see more of your family lifestyle photography.
I think this is one of the most important reasons I want to shadow you at the workshop. I feel like my technical understanding is sufficient — or close — but there’s a gap between the picture I know how to take, technically speaking, and the picture I do take. That gap is totally a result of not knowing how to feel comfortable in the role of photographer, and how to make my clients feel comfortable and open. You rock at this. And it shows.
You show great insight Mickelle… sounds like you know what you need to do. Double points for such a thoughtful response
I totally admire your shooting style. By nature I am the kind of person that has to have things all laid out in my head to calm my nerves. I usually find that I do end up “flying by the seat of my pants” for some of it though. I totally agree with Mickelle above that experience helps feeling comfortable with not having a plan. I am not a professional photographer, but do some shoots for family and friends and I find my comfort level increases with time and knowledge.