how to be a good photography client | Winston-Salem NC family photographer
the other day I went to a baby shower and while we sat down to eat, a friend asked me a really good question. she said, “since you’ve been a photographer all these years now, how can I be a good photo client?”
I mean, no one’s ever asked me that before so it kind of took me by surprise if I’m totally honest. I thought about it for a minute and then this is what I told her:
first, forget the camera is there. we all have those rehearsed smiles we like to whip out whenever we see a camera, whether it’s on someone’s phone or during a photo session. but when you forget the camera is there and relax, you’ll be able to see your natural smiles come out on their own. it really helps to have a photographer that can help you forget instead of posing you.
next things I told her was to just be in the moment. forget about the spat you had in the car trying to get everyone ready and out the door on time (yes, it happens more often than you’d think!).
it’s so much better to come ready to have fun and with a good attitude, and then just enjoy the moment. enjoy being together.
also, the biggest thing I will say to parents for their family sessions: just let your kids be themselves.
even if that means they want to explore and wander.
even if that's asking too many questions and coming up with goofy ideas.
having a child-led photo session is way less stressful than trying to persuade them into poses they’ll never do on a normal day.
the best part about it is then your photos will help you remember the little things that they naturally do in this season, not a rehearsed version of it.
they won’t always want to admire centipedes. they won’t always want “uppies”. they won’t always ask to be swung a half million times. they won’t always be this little, so it’s important to catch it before it’s gone.
on that note, let your husband be himself, too!
and the last thing I told her:
forget everything you've ever learned about being photogenic or awkward or posing and just. be. you.
love on your babies.
play with them.
hold their tiny fingers.
swing them up in the air.
tickle their bellies.
twirl their hair.
be where your feet are, without worrying too much about whether your double chin is showing because realistically that’s not what you’ll notice looking back at these in 10 years.
these are the moments you’ll go back to inside your head when you’re 80 years old and wish you could relive.
it’s a true honor to be able to give these back to you.
