Inspiration

At Imaging USA, I went to a talk by David Williams, who is an amazing portrait photographer.  Someone who emphasizes developing your skill in capturing emotion rather than editing your photos like crazy in Photoshop.

His talk started with this video, which is a commercial from Kodak:

I loved it because it brought out a point I have lost focus about while starting this business of mine and being bogged down by all the marketing/setting up/ etc. I have to do.

It was a simple point, which was echoed by this commercial:  Photos live forever.  They are reminder of who we are and how much we loved the people in our lives.  They will be around far longer than we will be around.

And there is tremendous VALUE in that picture.  In fact, I might even venture to say that you could not even put a price tag on that picture you have with your child, laughing.  Because one day, when we are gone - they can pull that picture out and see how much you loved them - to see how much you laughed - to see how cherished they were to you.

As photographers - we must respect and value our work.  We must present it as art because it is an art form that freezes emotions in time.  It's not just another commodity to hang on our wall.  It's something our children - and grandchildren and great-grandchildren - can pull out one day, long after we are gone, to see us.

This really resonated with me because it was a reminder of the kind of photographer I am - and the one I always wanted to be.  Lately, on my sessions, I have been really concerned with getting that "PERFECT" family shot with everyone smiling and looking at the camera.  That is what sells.  This is what everyone wants.

When really, I am the photographer that wants to capture the true emotion in a family.  I want to capture the personalities that make that family unique.  The images I cherish in my own family are the ones that really show our love and pride for being there for each other.  For example, this one of my own husband, so happy to be a father, and my son, so happy to be loved so dearly:

SO focus.  The expo gave me focus, and David Williams made me focus on why I do this.

I want all families to be able to have these kind of images of their own families.  The kind of pictures that make them stop and smile.

One of the successful studios said something that was so logical that I had not figured it out:  "Display and market the kind of photos you want to take.  So the client knows ahead of time what kind of photographer and images they will be getting from you."

Got it.

You'll be seeing a lot more of that and a lot more talk about how this all fits into my brand that I am slowly, but surely, coming up with in my head.

I hope this little tidbit of Imaging USA 2011 has inspired you as much as it has inspired me.  I feel it speaks to you not only as a photographer - but as a person.  Cherish those photos you take.  They don't have to be perfect.  They just have to be personal.

Bises,
La Lume