Her Trusting Heart

She was just a lady at a party, one more person that I didn't know in a house where I'd never been.  We had met briefly when I came in the door, but she didn't light up until she noticed me pull my camera out of my bag. 

"Are you a professional?"  Um, not really.  (gulp.)

"Do you do portraits?"  Uh, only if no one's paying attention.

"Can I hire you to take my picture for my website?"  By this point, I loved her for her unfounded confidence in me and unapologetic persistence.  I was the one who could capture her, she just knew it, and she couldn't let it go.

I'm incredibly uncomfortable with taking people's portraits for a purpose, on purpose, but something about this lady made me want to try.  Come on in the backyard, I beckoned.  Let's do it right now.  And then, Do you want to comb your hair?  At this she laughed and said she thought her hair was just fine, her eyes fiilling up with light to show me her sweet and tender, trusting heart.

I played photographer and she smiled for the camera, and we got this shot, messy hair and all.  I sent it to her after, quite sheepish that it wasn't the masterpiece I'd hoped to pull off on the spot, but she didn't care.  She trusted me, and she knew from the first instant I was the right one to capture her soul.

Do you ever get pegged "the photographer" whether you feel like you merit the title or the role?  Show us those pics you were on the spot to shoot.  Show us what you can do when someone believes in you, even when you're not so sure you can believe in your own fledgling photographer self.

Comments

[Toni | Daily Vignette]

I had an organic farm shoot last week and when I got there, my friend, the farmer's wife, wanted me to take some shots of her nieces. This is one of my favorites, but I got so many more from that day that are just so cute! I had a cute model, though.

http://dailyvignette.com/2009/06/22/diva-in-training/

[kosenrufu mama]

here i palyed to be a portrait photographer, she is so relaxed and so wonderful...
http://esterdaphne.blogspot.com/2009/06/basta-poco.html

[Tracy]

I made the transition over to a working photographer a bit ago..slowly and still not without some doubt on a daily basis of my credibility. Never sure and always nervous, I might not be able to get the true shot, and really translate a moment authentically. I might miss it. But still I stumble in and always use my heart, and have to trust I have been 'chosen' to do the job, because I can do it. And honestly, every single photo I take of someone, still feels like a giant priviledge...a glimpse into a life. I am a lucky girl....

Playing photographer, never gets old!

[Marcie]

Just about every time I pull out my camera I'm asked the same question. Here's a recent one where I was asked - on the spot - to shoot:

http://www.marciescudderphotography.com/index.php?showimage=828

[Patty Reiser]

I would be honored to be mistaken as a Professional Photographer. That is my ultimate goal, to become a professional photographer and with the encouragement from my BFF Susan and all the wonderful people who stop by and leave such kind comments on my Blog, I will reach that goal someday soon. Here is a picture of my BFF when I traveled to her home in Bakersfield, California for my first official family portrait.

http://camerapatty.wordpress.com/2009/06/04/tricky-capturing-the-smiles/

Wishing you all a scent-sational day!

P.S. My blog post today has a proposed new blog header, leave me a comment with your feedback. Would be greatly appreciated.

[MariaV]

I shot most of the photographs for our annual report this year. I'm still not happy with the shots, but others seem to like them. You can see it here http://www.clm.com/docs/yir2008.pdf.

[MariaV]

P.S. When I was out shooting the photographs for the annual, I was asked for my card several times. I was flattered but embarassed because I am no where near professional.

[chocolate covered musings]

i don't really take photos of people as i often prefer not to have photos taken of me...

some friends of ours back in new zealand had a celebration party earlier this year that we travelled back from london for. we spent an amazing week at the beach with them and, thanks to having a long lens on the camera most of the time, i got some great candid shots of people at their party.

they seemed pretty pleased with the results and, surprisingly, so was i

http://www.flickr.com/photos/leoniewise/sets/72157614295396794/

[mary]

I would love the opportunity to shoot portraits. Unfortunately, my teenage children hide whenever they see the camera. :(

Your on-the-spot portrait of an almost stranger is beautiful!

[Candy Cook]

Two weeks ago, my little brother asked me to play photographer while his little girl was visiting.. cause he feels stupid posing. http://raisingexplorers.wildchildreserve.com/?p=1577

[KL]

Down by the waterfront I passed a mother holding up a cellphone, trying to take a picture of her two sons. I smiled as one of the boys tried to explain exactly how to work it. I kept walking, thinking.

Later that morning we passed the family again. And again, mom was trying to take pictures of her sons standing in front of the beautiful backdrop of Lake Champlain...with a cellphone. I mustered up some courage and approached her with my camera. I wish they had turned out a little better, but I got the nicest email from the Mom after sending her the link. She said she hadn't had a nice picture with her boys in a long time, and since they were there visiting for a college tour, who knows when they would all be able to be photographed together again.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/12418609@N00/sets/72157616820428970/

[Dani]

what's her website?

[Dani]

I do market myself as a photographer for events, family portraits and all that jazz. But one thing I do not like doing and am always weary of is photographing friends. Perhaps it's because they are blatantly honest with me or perhaps it's that I am nervous and awkward when I am photographing them but it's very nerve-wrecking for me. Recently a friend asked me to take some photos of her for a gift for her fiance. After she wore me down, I agreed. This one is my favorite.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/36197392@N06/3597358015/in/set-72157619281711048/

[Katy]

I was on tour with my choir in January (to Washington for the Inauguration!) and we were waiting for the next thing to happen in the Canadian Embassy. There was an Inukshuk (an Inuit statue of a person), and some of the choir members wanted me to take their portraits. A very impromptu photoshoot.

Here is my favourite: http://www.flickr.com/photos/29536663@N04/3222688655/in/set-72157612901314653/
And the set of all the portraits from that day: http://www.flickr.com/photos/29536663@N04/sets/72157612901314653/

[Bridge]

http://www.flickr.com/photos/ridethewavesoflife/3527069550/
This label is often given to me by my family, even my dearest grandparents.

[Kathleen O./ko2008]

It was a party to bid goodbye to an old, dear friend. She is moving far away, after over 30 years in our town and in our school. I was trusted to capture the bittersweet fun we all had, spending a sunny evening at an outdoor soiree.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/ko2008/3656405741/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/ko2008/3657199048/in/photostream/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/ko2008/3657200754/in/photostream/

[jakki]

This was July 4, 2008. Everyone decided to take 'family portraits' and guess who was picked to do them. This one is my favorite because I was trying to have my parents pose and they got a fit of the giggles and i snapped several while they were laughing. THIS is the one I love....

http://www.flickr.com/photos/valeenwashington/3656425681/

[Maggie]

I got to "play photographer" at the baptism of a friends son, because I had the best camera there. I was so nervous about it after I offered. I am not a professional and I was worried that the photos wouldn't turn out as well as I had hoped. But I ended up being pretty happy with the results:

http://keegangross.com/2009/05/god-to-babies-welcome-aboard/

[kaytee]

http://missredphotos.blogspot.com/2009/05/mothers-day.html

[Karyn]

Ok long story short - my friend asked me to come and do some extra photos for her sisters wedding that were more candid & artistic. She actually flew me across the country to do this - she had such faith in me it still kills me. She had a photog booked already, but he did mostly traditional stuff. 2 weeks before the wedding, they call me and tell me he's in the hospital (he's going to be ok) and can't do the wedding and can I just do the whole thing. omg.

So, that's how I wound up photographing (by myself) my first real wedding job.
http://www.mundanedetails.com/?p=1674

oh boy.

[summer]

I'm shy about anything I'm passionate about...it is actually a very unfortunate trait because I'm very outspoken in pretty much every other area of life so people mistake my being quiet about something as not really being interested in it. When, in fact it is the polar opposite. Rarely do I get mistaken for a photographer, though I have my camera out and on me pretty much all of the time. When I have been asked I get so flustered I don't say anything, just mumble like a crazy person and leave as quickly as possible.
Yesterday however I had a stranger, a homeless man named Ralph stop me on the street. I was out taking a photo walk by myself and he started talking about art with me, he asked me if I was a photographer and for the first time in my life I said yes. We talked for an hour. He was interesting and insightful. I asked him if I could take his picture, he said yes and then wrote down his mother's address for me to send it to. He also told me where he spent his days working (he was homeless but clean and working) and asked me to stop by and let him know when I had a show. It is interactions like this that encourage me to keep going in trying to capture humanity. Because above all humans are interesting and generally quite lovely.
Here's his portrait, I wasn't that proud of it in the end but the connection with this man when I had just spent hours photographing street art was priceless.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/sufferingsummer/3656627555/

[Lee-Ann]

http://www.flickr.com/photos/dueck6/3421962661/in/set-72157619416987319/

She asked for a little photo therapy, I thought she didn't really know how little I actually know about taking pics...she ended up looking divine, and I found a little more confidence...thanks to a good trusting friend...

[becoming-mom]

I was at a friend's daughter's first birthday party a few weeks ago and realized one of the best gifts I could give them was a nice portrait of their adorable girl. It wasn't the lighting situation or setting (in a high chair) that I would have chosen, but in the end I was able to capture a few good shots that they were so happy to have:

This is my favorite of the daughter:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/45102966@N00/3635939601/

And this is my favorite of the mom, father & daughter together:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/45102966@N00/3636755112/

[Kacey]

I'm just learning portrait photography, but my son and his adorable girlfriend "helped me out" here. Well, as you can see, my son wasn't into it that much...but he had fun. After he put down his iPhone. . .

http://www.wineonthekeyboard.com/2009/03/24/ever-so-helpful/

[Gail]

My husband has asked me to take photos of one of the houses he has designed to put on his office website...but I haven't agreed to. I don't think my P&S is going to do a good job of it and one must know one's limits!..I have taken some "just for fun" pics for him though...
http://www.flickr.com/photos/22733432@N08/3657894146/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/22733432@N08/3657894718/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/22733432@N08/3577925357/

[cindy : quaint]

it's a wonderful photo. i love the little crinkle by her nose. great job!

[Courtney]

Beautiful shot. I am new to photography and just learning. Love this blog!

[Aimee Greeblemonkey]

Jen, I love this post. And I am turning into the friend that documents everyone;s lives. And I love it! My friend Sarah comments on the pics she posted to Facebook, "if we didn't have Aimee, I would never have any photos of my kids." It made me feel so special.

Here are few of those moments lately:

Sarah and her daughter playing with my husband and son at the pool:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/greeblemonkey/3589418510/

Julie (momslant)'s CJ
http://www.flickr.com/photos/greeblemonkey/3647197632/

My college rommate's kids during a recent visit from Wyoming:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/greeblemonkey/3651447436/

[Lynn @ human, being]

I get asked all the time when I'm out with my little D60, and especially when I have the flash and Gary Fong on top. I always respond that I'm a photographer in training. I'd love to do nothing but take photos and write and get paid handsomely to do both, but I don't feel I know enough yet or have enough experience to do it--even on the side (the photography).

http://humanbeingblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/06/DSC_0540.JPG
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3393/3473542409_4f83814448.jpg?v=0
http://humanbeingblog.files.wordpress.com/2009/04/dsc_0553.jpg

I've lurked on this blog for a while. I love it.

[Angie Warren]

What a beautiful and touching story. LOVING Shutter Sisters!

[maile]

i love this jen. So beautifully put. And a heart warming shot of her. What trusting, content eyes.

[Mariella]

Yes....this has recenty happened to me on two seperate occasions (at live music venues) and I felt so unworthy & inadequate! But hearing your experience gives me courage -- thank you, Jen!! xoxo, ~ M.

[Kathy Winter]

I can so relate to today's post. I always shrink when people ask me if I'm a professional (no, just a perpetual student; but I wish I could call myself a pro!). Even when they admire my camera, I feel compelled to explain that my whole family pitched in to buy it as a gift (Heaven forbid anyone think I spend money on myself!).

Here is a shot I took of my family. They were *mostly* cooperative. I love the shot...but in our family, our "family portraits" are always missing one person...me!

http://www.flickr.com/photos/kathywinter/3657717315/

[beth]

if you see my post today...
I was the one believing in myself....just me !
www.moredoors.blogspot.com

[beth]

maybe this is an easier way to find it....

http://moredoors.blogspot.com/2009/06/it-wouldnt-have-killed-him.html

[wn]

Although I secretly aspire to one day leave the corporate and do photography full-time (portrait and travel), I'm still quite a ways from that point....I am however the unofficial photographer to almost anyone I know and I get ALOT of requests to document events, travel, etc.... I have even done some shoots, some have even been paid...but I still have a dayjob and don't do near as much photography as I'd like....but one (this one) keeps dreaming of the day that I take the plunge.

But I'll always remember the first time someone truly counted on me for a picture...it was a couple of years ago. My friend Rachel was just getting into serious fitness competitions and needed some shots for sponsors etc...she asked me to give it a try. Although I knew she'd be appreciative of anything I provided...I felt pressure, for the first time, to give her something good. I am happy I got quite a few decent shots and she was more than thrilled. They remain on her website today, along side many other pictures she's paid ALOT of money for.

Here's one of my favorites from that day...

http://www.flickr.com/photos/wordnerd/556296637/in/set-72157600372210762/

[Meg]

Ok seriously I dont know if it is the hormones from weaning or what, but this brought a tear to my eye. What a beautiful portrait, and what an awesome prompt! No pictures to share (sshhhh I'm not even supposed to be checking blogs right now, I'm supposed to be wooooooorking) right now, but thank you for the food for thought :)

xo
meg

[Rachel Parton]

My dear friend Marisa has asked me to do family portraits for her twice now, and every time she raves about the pictures. I don't know anything about photography, but she still has faith in me!
http://partonponderings.blogspot.com/2009/04/family-portraits.html

[Dina]

I love this post! As a newbie to photography I am always fearful to take that next step into the territory of taking photos of strangers and for money. I was chatting with a new neighbor one day at the park and mentioned my (far, far distant) dream of one day being a "real" photographer. A few days later she called me up to take her family's picture even though she knew I was far from experienced. Her confidence in me and compliments afterwards gave me the assurance that I could do this, one day at a time, one stranger at a time. I'm still not a "real pro" but inching there little by little buoyed by the encouragement of many strangers.

[Hana]

I often find myself in that same place. I just bought my first dSLR camera in April but many people I know already consider me a professional. I think I have learned my camera amazingly well but I still see myself as just a girl w/ a camera and a passion. I'm still learning as I go and I honestly don't feel like I know what I'm doing....actually I don't know what I'm doing. I just do my best to think creatively and it is reflected in my work. Yesterday was my very first session....it was actually a newborn session and I was soooo nervous and intimidated. I wasn't sure if I could pull it off or live up to their expectations. I simply kept things casual and easy going and did my best....the results....AMAZING! I'm so proud of what I did but I still feel like a compete amateur. You can see a few of my session photos here http://www.hanalynch.blogspot.com/2009/06/my-very-1st-newborn-photoshoot-sweet.html.

I guess it will always be a learning process and I will just have to feel my way through and be confident in my abilities!

[Hana]

oops try this link http://hanalynch.blogspot.com/2009/06/my-very-1st-newborn-photoshoot-sweet.html

[Cindy]

Lovely portrait.

[Leah]

That portrait is so expressive!

My family members think I am a lot better than I think I am. Here is one of my nephew, I was asked to take his 1 year photos: http://flickr.com/gp/lakeline/HTCt5K