There are times, when I’m photographing, that I get so wrapped up in the moment I go into overdrive: I see an interaction, a glance, a giggle I want to capture and I act with haste to ensure I get it. Sometimes, this yields exactly the result I seek; other times, it’s clear I acted on impulse.
I keep a small, white, porcelain snail atop my desk as a gentle reminder to slow. the heck. down. Inhale. Exhale. Enjoy your clients. Study the light. Frame your subject. And THEN press the shutter. Full stop.
My morning with Amelia (you may remember her as Lentil from my last post) was a perfect opportunity to put this concept into practice. Amelia is just three months old, so naturally, our pace that day was all about her; the session was punctuated with feedings, naps, diaper changes, sips of chai tea, and a whole lot of snuggles. But the sweet cadence of the day is not all that stands out to me — looking back, I appreciate that I was forced to work within the parameters that come with a little one: her hours, her home, her moods. I was more attentive to the direction of the light, more deliberate and mindful with my shooting time, and thus, more calm and carefree in the in-between moments when my camera sat to the side. The balance turned out to be just right when I allowed myself the time to enjoy the process. And – bonus – I walked away with a dreamy set of images, full of ethereal morning light and the bluest of blue eyes.
Permission granted to drool a little as you take a peek…Amelia does it all the time. Enjoy! xo
