It's been 3 months since I began offering my services to the public. I have a few jobs for portraiture coming up, and have given my card out to many people. I must admit that I'm often very flummoxed by the prospect of doing business. It's just because I've always done work for myself, and customers are a new venture for me. But, if I weren't scared about working for the public, I'd be in the wrong business.
Fear drives us so much more than we realize. Without it, we probably wouldn't be so driven to succeed...or fail. I dare say we need fear to push us to create! Then, once we get past the terrifying little items of the job at hand, we see that it's just a mirage of hugeness. We can't possibly do all of these things at once--despite what business folk push on us to believe is "normal"--and we get lost in between tasks and lose focus. Potent, passionate focus for 5 minutes to get a great shot is exhilarating! You get that, then you're fed for the next task. It can be great, if we manage our fear accordingly.
In my quest for new clientele, I'm exposing my photography to a broad audience. I am well-aware that my style will not appeal to everyone, nor should it. My main goal with my work is to save a moment for someone to remember fondly for the rest of their life. This doesn't necessarily mean creating the perfect posed atmosphere. I'm not that kind of photographer. I try to spend time with my clients, let them get used to the camera, and how I move with it, and they will eventually forget it's there. I love the truly captured moment in time where people's expressions come out, and you know exactly what they were feeling.
Case and point, my latest shoot. I went to Lexington to photograph my sister and her family. While we are related, and there was already a comfortable tone to the day, it took a while to get everyone relaxed enough not to pose. The best photos of that shoot were my sister and her family on their bed, playing and enjoying their time together. I caught so many natural smiles, laughs, frustrations, and little nuances of each person. When it comes down to it, it's all about human relations. I work so very hard at that, as it's one of my biggest fears!
Finally, I let my sister go through the shots and pick her favorites. I quickly realized that my 5 star choices were not hers, and it's her that I need to please. I don't think she'd mind me saying that she is a tough customer! She just knows what she likes, and what she wants. I was thrilled to see how many shots she loved.