2022 marks my thirteenth anniversary as a Myrtle Beach photographer! Having been in business serving the Grand Strand and surrounding areas for this long, I'd like to express my gratitude to all my clients for allowing me to do what I love — capturing personalities and preserving moments in time with professional portraits. I've shot many engagements, bridals, weddings, pregnancies, high-school seniors, and families since 2009. Despite the COVID pandemic, I had a steady stream of business this year, and I'm very grateful for that. To my past clients, I'd like to thank you. To my future clients, I look forward to meeting you and preserving your charming moments.
There are a few things I've come to realize during my career as a professional photographer. Take, for instance, the importance of understanding my camera as technology evolves, exposure, lighting, and depth of field, perspective, and composition. These are the fundamentals of photography. Sure, there have been learning curves along the way. It's so much more than just point and shoot. I strive to master these fundamentals and create portraits that tell a story and convey emotions for all my clients.
Despite coming through many learning curves, there is one thing that I still struggle with from time to time. It has come up frequently over the years and many times this past year. I want to get it out in the open and decided this month's blog article would be the perfect place to do so. Before I begin, I want to say that my intentions here are good, and my goal is to resolve the issue.
It's such a bummer when people show up for a portrait session unwilling to enjoy the experience.
Striving to be the Master of Photography, perfect lighting, and a gorgeous backdrop isn't enough when some participants are not having a good time. It creates an unpleasant situation for everyone involved, and the result is not-so-good portraits. As I enter 2022, I hope that every future client will be a willing participant who leaves their photo session with happy memories of the experience and beautiful portraits to cherish and share.
John Lennon said, "there are no problems, only solutions." With that in mind, I have a few ideas to help any unwilling participant relax and enjoy their portrait session. First, I want to identify the most common unwilling participants I've encountered throughout the years. They are the forced husband, the reluctant father, and the fussy child. I encourage my future clients who think they have an unwilling participant on their hands to share this article with them before arriving at your session.
The Forced Husband
It's your anniversary, and your partner has booked a professional anniversary portrait session for both of you to attend. What does that mean? It means you and your spouse will spend roughly an hour with me while I capture joyful portraits of just the two of you! Your portraits will represent the love that inspired a marriage proposal and the romance that you share. I know many people aren't thrilled about the idea of posing in front of a camera, and maybe you are one of them. Rest assured, there are valid reasons for getting professional anniversary portraits.
Reasons for Getting Anniversary Portraits
Getting anniversary portraits means ALOT to your spouse. Even if there were no other valid reasons, which there are, that is reason enough. However, your spouse may be intending to frame a few portraits and decorate the walls of your home or office. Perhaps your anniversary portraits will be used to create a keepsake coffee table album that beautifully commemorates this time in your life.
If you've been married for many years and have children, an anniversary session is a great excuse to spend quality time focusing on each other without the kids around. Make it a date and go out afterward. Time spent intentionally connecting helps keep your romance alive. Perhaps you don't have children yet. Your anniversary portraits will allow future children to see mom and dad as a young couple.
Ideas to Help You Relax
If you're still not convinced, here are a few ideas to help bring you around. If posing for portraits seems awkward to you, perhaps an anniversary/lifestyle session is ideal. Lifestyle portraits capture people doing activities they enjoy. It involves less posing and more candid shots. Do you and your partner have a special four-legged friend or a hobby you enjoy doing together? Your partner and I want to know if you have a particular activity that you'd like to incorporate into your portrait session. By bringing an element of your lifestyle into your anniversary portraits, you will feel more at ease, and I can capture the genuine person your partner admires.
If you're worried about public displays of affection, perhaps you have a specific location in mind that will make you feel more comfortable. If you prefer to have your anniversary session at home, that's certainly an option. I want you to tell me about any concerns, apprehensions, or creative ideas you have so I can make your portrait session an enjoyable experience and deliver quality portraits that you'll cherish and love.
The Reluctant Father
Hello, dads! Your attendance is required. You and your family are getting professional family portraits taken. Chin up! No need to stress. Family portrait sessions are a fantastic opportunity to bond with your family and have fun together. What's stressful about that?
I know, I know. You're not looking forward to having your picture taken. Unfortunately, that places you in what I call the Reluctant Father Group. Yes, you're one of many. Truthfully, moms usually are the ones who schedule family sessions with me. Unfortunately, that means dad and the kids get roped in, sometimes unwillingly, resulting in rigid poses, forced smiles, and a tense situation. To this, I say, no more! Let's work together to break this cycle.
Dads, if you have apprehensions or concerns about being photographed, please let me know in advance. I'm happy to make accommodations for a more enjoyable experience. To make picture day go as smooth as possible, I highly recommend planning your outfit a few days before your session. Let your spouse know what you're planning to wear so she can coordinate outfits for herself and the kids. Allow plenty of time to prepare on the day of your session to avoid being stressed.
Bring Your Unique Personality
Dad, at your session, you get to be your genuine self. Do you have ideas for your session that you'd like to incorporate? If so, your spouse and I would love to hear them. Do you enjoy playing soccer with the kids? Bring a soccer ball to kick around. Maybe a game of catch will help you loosen up. Perhaps you're known as The Grill Master. If so, let's get some shots of you tending to the barbeque. Your session will take place at the location of your choice, even at your home, if you prefer. Want to include the family dog? Please do! I hope you understand your input and eagerness to participate helps make your family portrait session a success. So, get involved and get excited!
After all, one day, your children will be grown and off doing other things. You'll be thankful you took the time for family portraits. Who knows, maybe next year, you'll be the one who books the family portrait session.
The Fussy Child
This portion of the article is not aimed directly at fussy children. Parents, this portion is for both of you. Let me begin by saying many of my clients travel to Myrtle Beach for a family vacation, which means their child or children are not adhering to their at-home routines. As we all know, that can lead to fussiness in small children. I understand, when you're on vacation, it's hard to stick to your at-home routine. But there are other factors to consider in preventing the dreaded meltdown from occurring at your portrait sessions.
The Beach
I know you want to spend as much time on the beach as possible. That's most likely why you choose to come to Myrtle Beach for your vacation. But keep in mind, spending a few hours under the hot sun along the windy shoreline has an exhausting effect on young children. Therefore, I advise you not to bring your child or children to the beach before a portrait session. Doing so almost always results in the dreaded meltdown. I've seen it play out many, many times.
Processed Sugar
Refrain from feeding your child or children foods filled with processed sugar on the day of your session. Instead, serve them a well-balanced breakfast and lunch that includes whole foods such as sugar-free cereal, fresh fruit, whole grain bread, eggs, or cheese, for example. Also, bring healthy, non-messy snacks for them to have during your session, like dried fruits and nuts, and don't forget their water bottles.
Sleep
For early sessions, make sure young children get a good night's sleep the night before. For late afternoon sessions, make sure young children get a good night's sleep the night before and a nap before arrival. Scientific studies prove well-rested children have improved behavior and longer attention spans. Lastly, some locations do not have public restrooms. Please don't give your child or children an excessive amount of liquids before your session begins.
In Closing
Portrait sessions are a group effort. I'll be the friendly Myrtle Beach photographer, director, and producer you hired. All you need to do is relax and smile. Let's all pledge to arrive well-rested, happy, and enthusiastic on picture day.
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