playing photographer

Oh, look at that. You are perfect, just there, right now. You are perfect and beautiful and precious and made of all the same stuff as me and the sun, and isn’t it marvellous.

I am not a photographer.

I futz around with a camera is all, addicted to this silent, bewitching relationship. The camera obeys aperture, shutter speed, ISO—all the same concrete rules and perameters that every photographer in the world must navigate.

Writing is qualitative meditation. It is wrangling, fumbling in the dark for undiscovered words that wriggle just out of reach.

Photography is quantitative. With a camera in hand, the perfect shot is always accessible as the solved rubik’s cube of someone else’s future waited in my twelve-year-old hands. But you know what? Twisting and turning and watching colours change... that's right good play.

+++

Spring is here in Nova Scotia. The crows and the gulls are up to no good once again, and the air smells earthy and rich, and the ground is saturated with sluggish awakening. And with all that the light and the ease of shooting with grass underfoot returns. Joy!

Last summer I had the pleasure of spending a day with a family who asked me, explicitly, for a portrait shoot. To which I said but I am not a photographer and to which they replied but we saw your flickr.

Spring arrives and with it arrives the promise of a few more pretends, of explicit shoots (as opposed to me showing up with a camera and opting to chase the kids instead of being a grown up).

I can’t wait.

Right good play.

+++

Amateurs—tell us about your forays into playing capital-p Photographer for a day, and show us the results. How did it go? What surprised you? What did you learn?

Comments

[Alicia]

I actually had a chance to "play photographer" this weekend. I was visiting a friend in D.C. and her cousin was ok with me snapping a few pictures while we explored the cherry blossoms. My pictures will be posted on my blog or flickr sometime later today :)

http://aliandsethinthecity.blogspot.com

http://www.flickr.com/photos/34467943@N07/

I'm learning to let go of the fear of "acting" like a photographer when I don't quite feel quite like I'm a photographer. I'm working on forgetting what might go wrong if I click a picture of someone else and just clicking to see what might go right. I find it harder to photograph people who know I've photographed them, because they ask to see the pictures :) I'm also working on letting myself feel like I Can act like a photographer, because I might get something wonderful.

[Puna]

Oh Shutter Sisters, so timely in your requests. I was asked to play photographer last week for our newest staff's member's website photo. I so respect those who do this for a living.

http://shuttersisters.com/home/2009/4/6/playing-photographer.html

[Puna]

This link I posted above was to your site. So now here's the link to mine:)

http://lifesignatures.wordpress.com/2009/04/06/a-portrait-photographer-i-am-not/

[sharon]

I've never been asked. I would be terrified and panic and flattered all at once.

[Mod Girl]

To play like I am a "real" photographer... so far only a dream!

[kosenrufu mama]

here my day around my town, shooting...
http://esterdaphne.blogspot.com/2009/03/spero-sinceramente-che-tutti-abbiate.html

[camerashymomma]

"(as opposed to me showing up with a camera and opting to chase the kids instead of being a grown up)."

i know of no other way. and just last friday i found myself chasing and being chased between gurgling water fountains as the sun set and i wielded my camera like a pistol shooting from the hip. honestly, i had not felt that big a grin spread across my face in many many months and the world went away from just that moment when it was just us in the sun.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/camerashymomma/3412131999/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/camerashymomma/3412128507/

[Sue Henry]

Here's my "portrait photography" tale!

http://suehenryphotography.wordpress.com/2009/03/09/funny-story/

[Heather]

I played, and I LOVED it.

http://www.virtualblueridge.com/contests/app-mtn-2008/media-and-press/20090401.asp

And see there, in the Flora and Fauna category? Jessica Maceda? She is a Shutter Sister, too! :)

[Heather]

And...I learned that I have much to learn.

[renee @ FIMBY]

I've been asked by friends & family to take portraits now and then:

http://fimby.tougas.net/node/2594 (portrait for a musician friend's publicity stuff)
http://fimby.tougas.net/node/2056 (photo of friend's children)
http://fimby.tougas.net/node/2729 (my beautiful & very fit mother)


I am not a portrait (P)photographer, nor do I want to be one. But I like to take photos of family and friends, preferably on my terms - like you said Kate, running around after people, laying on the grass etc... When someone asks me to specifically take their photo I feel rather inadequate but realize that I probably can take a better photo for them than any old Joe on the street so I (mostly) happily oblige.

Photography is not just for me, it's a gift I can give to my community, family and friends. I may not be a professional but what little skill I have I'm willing to share.

[beth]

I sometimes cringe when someone calls me a photographer, even though that's what I want to call myself. These two photos represent finally feeling like this is something I can do.....a prenancy shoot and then the baby shoot a few weeks later.....they asked, I said "I would love to" and then they paid me....and that's sometimes all it takes.

beth
www.moredoors.blogspot.com


http://www.flickr.com/photos/29291473@N04/3417348259/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/29291473@N04/3418153424/

[Amy]

I'm slightly intimidated when it comes to being called a "photographer" not sure if I'll ever be comfortable being referred to as photographer:) here is one I shot over the weekend of a little girl I came across during the day, I just could not resist her in her pink dress.... taking photos of people is hard for me...it feels very awkward..unless their back is turned! not sure why?

http://www.flickr.com/photos/30588897@N06/3414456401/

I'm going to work on taking more photos of people though:)

[Candy Brewer]

Gosh, I've gotta say I'm surprised by most the responses I've read. Then again, I am a risk taker at heart :)

I started out getting asked to take outdoor portraits of a close friend's kids, a little league ball team, a family photo, an anniversary party at a ritzy hotel, a redneck wedding at a tiny church, the list goes on. I started out doing it for free, then moved on up to dirt cheap (like $20 for a CD of every edited shot). Then I got into it a lot more seriously, especially when I would get asked "What do you charge?" from random people who saw my work somewhere.

I look at it this way. I get to make a lil money on the side doing something I love to do - take pictures. I get to make my own schedule, and it beats the heck out of working for Wally World behind a cash register 8 hours a night. I do have my limits, though. If somebody calls and tells me exactly what they want in their photos, I usually make my suggestions and they go elsewhere. Maybe that sounds harsh, but they either love me for my style of photography, or I don't do it (anymore).

It does require some patience, but how sweet it is to make a little cash just by taking a family on a stroll through the park on a pretty day or on a trolly ride Downtown and capture them having fun!

[Vanessa]

Oh, so many of those who've commented already echo my sentiments. I secretly want to be called a photographer but am completely intimidated by the pressure to produce "the perfect image". I enjoy photographing others. Immensely. I just wouldn't know how much to charge (that I'd be comfortable with and the client) and not feel like I'm totally deluding myself - or setting myself up to fail. Mostly I'm a pretty confident gal but in this arena, I'm a big fat chicken. Might have to figure a way around that.

[Krista]

I've actually played Photographer twice and I loved it! The first was an experiment in Senior Portraits. I didn't charge anything because I knew there would be a lot of mistakes. I was shooting for the first time off the Auto mode, using aperture and speed settings. I got a lot of blur, but every now and again I got the shot. I put them on Flickr, if you're curious. http://www.flickr.com/photos/krheiser/sets/72157608005352598/

The next time I played at being a Photographer, I took family portraits of my sister and her kids. I think I'm getting better, but there was still a lot more blur than I would have liked. Here's the link to that gallery: http://www.flickr.com/photos/krheiser/sets/72157609004891989/

Thanks for looking!

[Sabrina]

I have been recently asked to do a senior session and one of my nephew for his second birthday. While both people are family, I am terrified that this is finally my chance to take shots of more than my own daughter or other still life around me. I have the locations chosen for both of them, but now I am just afraid that I won't capture all that they are expecting of me. Or that sometimes like I do while doing so many other things, I will just draw a blank on my creativity and not be able to get much at all. I'm glad to see there are others out there like me, who while welcoming it, are afraid of making that step.

[Heather]

No pics to share for today's assignment just yet but perhaps soon . . . A friend called me last night and said she'd "heard" I'm "into" photography and would I do a maternity shoot for her. GULP! I am such a baby, baby novice, beginner (I don't think I'm overstating it, either) photographer . . . I said I could refer her to fab professional but would also try my hand if she decided she'd like me to. I hung up and laughed incredulously. :)

[kae]

The first time I was asked to play photographer was almost a year ago...now it happens all the time, and I don't even consider it acting anymore...

This great family wasn't as easy to shoot as they look...but their pictures turned out quite lovely and got me many referrals....

http://kvandphotography.blogspot.com/2008/07/what-great-family.html

[Nicole]

I just recently began playing photographer after being asked by numerous friends. I am charging a small fee as I get started but could see this developing into something bigger. A few things I learned:

* I am actually pretty good at taking photos of other people's children and capturing family moments in a short time.
* I only need 1.5 to 2 hours. More than that and the meltdown starts
* Taking photos of others is a great creative outlet and develops my skills even further.
* I love earning money for my hobby - it can barely be called work because I get to hang out with friends, chat and do something I love.

[jody]

Well this is a timely post. A friend of mine opened my flickr for her friend to see. Her daughter is getting married in 2010. Yep. You guessed it. She has contacted me to be the photographer. I am not a wedding photographer. But I am now starting to observe and study how to now lol.

[gkgirl]

this is exactly what i feel like right now...
like i am pretending...
as i do my first photo show,
as i prepare to do my first wedding,
as i get interviewed for our local newspaper...
i just want to say
i'm not though...i play...i experiment...i make mistakes...

it's surreal and scary and fun and bizarre all at once.

oh.
and i love your writing, by the way, as well as your photos.

[tonya]

Aren't we all amateurs, always and forever? Getting "paid", if that is what defines being amateur vs. being professional, just means you can (or should) be relied on to provide consistent results (whatever that may be for that client) so that they feel they got their money's worth. I learn something new every single day (for over 20 years) and I wouldn't have it any other way. Otherwise why bother?
tonya

[gonzomama]

on a family vacation this summer, my aunt asked to commission me to take some portraits of her son and granddaughter. like you, i said 'i am not a photographer'. i figured since it was family though, i could still play and have fun with it (after refusing payment, of course).
i learned i am not cut out for this (at least for now, hopefully i improve). my settings were all wrong. i couldn't see the monitor on the camera because it was so bright out, so i couldn't tell how the pictures were turning out. my cousins daughter was constantly on the move, and i don't think he was too into the photo shoot thing. only a few turned out well.

my most favorite & truest capture
http://www.flickr.com/photos/59735955@N00/2773128946/in/set-72157613251404014/

[Melissa]

I have been "playing" for a few months now...and I still feel uncomfortable when someone refers to me as a photographer.
I have learned that I will always make mistakes...and there is always something new to learn from each experience.
And I am not really sure if there will ever come a time when I will be comfortable with the title of Professional Photographer.

My amateur blog :)
http://melissajacksphotography.wordpress.com/

[Kelly]

love this post! you write so beautifully!

[Just Jinny]

I've only done two photo sessions. One with my sister and one with Alexis. I found that it was very hard for me to direct them. I didn't know what to say...and the silence was a little akward. Here are my shots of Alexis:

http://realworldgirl.blogspot.com/2008/11/alexis.html

[Marcie]

walking my usual morning walk..I was asked to play photographer by this boy's father:
http://www.marciescudderphotography.com/index.php?showimage=477

[sue p]

ohmygosh! are you actually in Canada!!! How happy am I to find a photographer i can read (and maybe sometime shoot my family) in Canada. I absolutely love Tara Whitney's style and was able to get your blog address from her site. Congratulations on that! I really look forward to reading your blog and perhaps learning a few things.
Sue P. Southern Ontario

[indigo2087]

I played Photographer for a family I had never met before - they had seen some of my photos at a mutual friend's house. I was nervous and shy as anything, knowing I only had a short time before the kids got bored. These were the shots I liked the best:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/indigo2087/3420205118/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/indigo2087/3420204774/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/indigo2087/3420204258/

[spread your wings]

well not your typical photoshoot, but i get asked to photograph band gigs a good bit. it's a really cool experience when a band asks you to take pictures for them - like they're playing the entire show to suit you, doing all of their extra-special moves toward you and trying super hard to show off. when i get a special stage pass it makes me feel even more professional. it's a pretty sweet deal when you think about it. it's always very stressful, though, because it's not experimental. you have to make SURE that you're taking shots that the band will be pleased with and that make them look good; you have to have everything figured out before their set starts. but every once and a while it's nice to experience a show out from behind the viewfinder! But when they post my images to their myspace pages and especially when they use them as their profile shot i know i did a good job - for them. - T

http://www.flickr.com/photos/shutterxdown/2601483003/in/set-72157601956274331/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/shutterxdown/2113716904/in/set-72157601956274331/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/shutterxdown/sets/72157601956274331/

[beth]

posted way up above, but I'm thinking my url is not coming through...so sorry...this is a bit of a test

[Samantha]

Well, I was asked by friends because they know about my aspirations to be a Photographer. I have a lot to learn!! :)

http://seventy6rhoades.squarespace.com/journal/2009/4/7/playing-at-being-a-professional-with-a-capital-p.html

[KL]

Like so many people are saying, this is a very timely post. A friend of mine said she was looking for a photographer to get some family portraits done, then turned to me and said, "you take good pictures. You should do it!" And I said ok. gulp. I have no clue how to approach this. Though I take tons of pictures of my own kids, I don't direct them in any way. And adults?! Should be interesting...luckily they are great friends so the pressure isn't too bad.

She's seen my pics because our boys play together so much and I usually have my camera...here's one of my favorites.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/12418609@N00/3421196110/

[Jen at Baby Contest]

these are such cute shots!

[Sharon]

I have been asked a few times, and it flatters me, and makes me more nervous than anything I have ever done. I haven't charged money, making it feel easier. The first was with my sister-in-law's kids. The day ended up being really really cloudy, so it wasn't my best, but they asked for some black and whites, and I got a few at least.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/queenofsheba/3189330097/in/set-72157614855159095/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/queenofsheba/3189330949/in/set-72157614855159095/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/queenofsheba/3189331451/in/set-72157614855159095/

I learned how much I have to learn.

and to be silly. it works.

[Lori Wilson]

As of yet I have not had the opportunity to play photographer with a capital P, but I am nervously awaiting my first opportunity in July. My mother, never ceasing in her confidence that I am the only photographer on the face of the planet, has volunteered me to shoot her a wedding. I am donating my services as the bride and groom have no money for this, but I can see the importance of it.

That said, I'm incredibly nervous. I don't have a nice SLR, I just have a Kodak point and shoot that I love to play with. I'm scared and worried that the pictures I take will not be good enough. I have no experience shooting weddings. I would love any help or advice that I could get from others who have gone before me. Thanks!