The List of Shots You Do Not Want To Give Your Photographer
The list usually includes obvious basic combinations which any halfway experienced, remotely decent photographer certainly shouldn’t need. And the idea that an inspired artist could possibly work off a list casts doubt on whether the person writing the article really knows anything about what a photographic artist’s real job is. My advice: I can do the best, most thorough job when the client conveys in concept form what she is really looking for, and lets me know what she values in imagery by how she interprets what she sees that I’ve already done. Does the client want sweet, soft, flattering imagery, or would she rather have harsh, bold, dramatic imagery?
That is the kind of info that is helpful to doing great photography.
Instead, those preparing the list spend hours putting together lists of hundreds of combinations that include the most basic – like Bride and her Mom – as well as very odd combinations that are then never used.
But in every case that a list like this is provided, glaring omissions exist. Often numerous combinations are left out, that upon questioning, the client admits that surely they are musts! But they are not on the list.
There is a finite time to the portrait session, which is never long enough and always abbreviated by people not being present, or more important things to do, like conferring with the musical director, the caterer, the clergy, the party planner, the florist.
The last thing you want is for the photographer to take his eyes and mind off his subjects to peruse a list. No, the idea of an assistant is not much of a solution. The assistant cannot be a technical assistant if he is checking every shot being done against the multipage list. Nor can he always know that a shot taken was sufficient. The best photographers will loosen up stiff subjects by returning to them later, but he cannot do that, nor can he follow his creativity where it will lead, or work most efficiently by sequencing his shots based on lighting needs and other practicalities, if he is following a list in order.
Gary Rabenko may be reached at gary@rabenko.com. Rabenko Photography & Video Artists is located at 1001 Broadway in Woodmere.