collaboration – Reflecting On Light

You can’t do a google search for photographers without getting a few “10 Things Photographers Wish You’d Stop Doing” posts. Naturally, as a photographer, my curiosity gets the better of me occasionally. What are all these horrible things that clients are doing to drive photographers crazy, I wonder? Because my clients have all been freaking awesome.

Occasionally I see valid complaints–of course photographers are heartbroken when our digital images are stolen, or when we realize someone posing as an interested client was really a scammer trying to dupe us. But most of the items I see on the “most hated” lists just look to me like missed opportunities to provide a really top-notch client experience.

I actually Googled “things photographers hate” as research for this post. Can you believe Pinterest was #1?! Priorities, people! lol!!!

I actually Googled “things photographers hate” as research for this post, and Pinterest was the top hit! I skimmed through several posts to get a feel for what the perceived issue is.

My takeaway: it seems a lot of photographers don’t like taking the time to collaborate with their clients because they feel like it threatens their creativity and independence. The photographers writing these pieces seemed to expect a professional understanding of photography from their clients, and they’re annoyed that clients want to follow trends, or might want to create a look that is outside the photographer’s skill set.

Cheesy Selective Coloring — It’s the photographer’s job to be aware of visual cliches
and help clients avoid them.

This is all so contrary to what I have in my heart when I work with each of my clients.

If a client shows me a very trendy image from Pinterest that maybe I’ve seen a million times before, then GAME ON, that is an opportunity to reinvent that look in a new and unexpected way, and be at the forefront of creating our artistic culture. As a professional, it’s my job to be aware of visual cliches and make sure that if we follow a trend, we do it in a way that is fresh, creative, and unique. This knowledge and vision is the reason my clients hire a professional.

I’ve never felt stifled by a client expressing artistic tastes and creative inspiration. I know that my clients come to me because they are drawn to what I do, and they trust me to take their ideas and put my own signature on them.

*It’s our job to turn a scene we’ve seen a million times into a one-of-a-kind piece of art.*

Another objection to Pinterest I’ve seen a lot from photographers is that although an image might look great on Pinterest, the client may not have the same body type, or it may not be practicable to use a suitable location to match the look.

The idea that I would be expected to literally copy an image hadn’t occurred to me. When clients share images with me, I take that as an inspirational starting point. It’s my job as a professional to see the spirit of the image, find out what it was about it that drew the client’s interest, and find a way to create our own unique piece of art that is inspired by, rather than a copy of, that pinned image.

High key is not my jam. I won’t do this style, but I’ll help you find someone who rocks it if that’s what you’re after!

But what if a client shows me an image on Pinterest that is just very, very far from what I do?

I will say so.

So many of my friends are photographers–I have contacts across all disciplines and styles of photography. If a client has a concept in mind that’s not in line with my aesthetic, I probably know a photographer who specializes in that style. I’ll refer that client along to that other photographer. I love what I do, and I don’t have any insecurity about what I don’t do. I want to see everyone thrive and be able to realize their goals to the fullest, even if that means I’m not in on the project this time.

So, any time, shoot me your Pinterest boards. Tag me, send me screenshots, you name it. Show me what inspires you. It’s a delight to me, and I will never be annoyed or offended by it.

I’ve been obsessed with editorial fashion photography all my life. Bold, fearless photographers like Helmut Newton and Annie Liebovitz captivated my imagination. I was so drawn to the sprezzatura–the effortlessness of their work. It was so peculiar, so edgy or intense, yet looked like it happened that way naturally. It seemed like those photographers were just always in the right place at the right time.

Although the style of my work is night and day from hers, Lindsay Adler’s ethos really resonates with me, and I’ve spent many hours studying her photography lectures. In one of her classes, she mentioned scheduling a creative day once a month to shoot something that is not for clients, but develops your own concepts and creates the type work you really want to sell.

At first it felt indulgent to set “work” aside and plan something elaborate for myself, but I’ve come to realize it’s not just for fun–it’s an investment in my professional development and my brand.

As an artist, I’ve found my most inspired work comes when I collaborate with others. I have a long bucket list of fellow creative professionals whose work sparks my soul. For my last concept shoot, I teamed up with Molly Allen of Made in Amador, who designed a pair of bold dahlia and eucalyptus crowns for my muse and her horse. Made in Amador floral designs have that sprezzatura I love. Molly colors outside the lines. Her pieces have a certain wild abandon to them, yet they always feel balanced and down to earth. Nothing could have brought my vision together more perfectly.

As my business grows ever more booked and my own concepts develop further, I realize it’s quite an effort to put together a styled photoshoot! Although I haven’t hit the once a month mark this year, I I’ve been incredibly energized and inspired by the editorial work I’ve done and I can’t wait to start planning my next project.