The script was flipped the other day. I was going to be photographed. I was worrying how I would look in the photos. This photographer was going to be the subject. I found myself on the other side of the lens instead of behind it for this particular portrait session.
I had a couple of outfits in mind, but both blouses needed some major ironing. For some reason, I despise ironing. Clothes that are wrinkled will stay wrinkled on a hanger until I either dry clean them or bribe my husband, Rex to iron it for me.
I woke up, got some much-needed ironing lessons from Rex (he is federally trained) and proceeded to apply camera-ready make-up. I searched and found a pair of false eyelashes in my vanity drawer and wrestled with it for a good ten minutes. Another ten minutes passed: success! My left eye was fabulous. My right eye was too, if crooked falsies were trendy. I felt like little Miss Muffet with a pet tarantula on my face. If you have naturally long lashes, I envy you. Tweezers, q-tips, and toothpicks to the rescue!
After overcoming that little fiasco, Rex and I headed to Old Poway Park on Midland. I was operating in Photographer mode with over a dozen ideas on cool locations, camera angles, and poses. Rex, who has accompanied me as my second shooter for wedding photography, was supportive as always, and patiently let me run around the park like a little kid with a couple of tarantulas glued to her face.
It was so hard to turn the photographer “off” and hand the reigns over to Rex. When I did, I experienced just how important it is to talk to the client while shooting, provide clear direction and constant encouragement, per the fabulous wedding photographer, Jasmine Star on CreativeLive. If Rex was silent for too long, I started to feel exposed and awkward. This portrait session was a great learning and teaching moment that we both benefited from. Jasmine Star emphasized that clear direction is crucial. I found this out first-hand. Rex would direct me by saying, “go back” and I would take a step back, misunderstanding that he really wanted me to “go back to the previous action.”
Confession: I secretly enjoy being in front of the camera. My mom confirmed this inherent trait with photographic evidence. This weekend she showed pictures of me as a little girl. One photograph made me laugh out loud. I was about 4 or 5 years old. I had one hand on my hip, another hand shot high above my head like I’m striking a Vanna White pose, presenting a vowel. In this photograph, I’m standing next to the ever so glamorous McDonald’s statue. Gotta love the statement red shoes. Meanwhile, my little sister was sitting on the ground not even facing the camera, completely uninterested. Silent musings: Did I push her out of the way? Yikes, I hope not.
Needless to say, I had a lot of fun being photographed with Rex as the lead photographer. He was awesome at saying things that make me laugh and we got some great images that I can use to personalize the “About” section on my website (and hey, maybe a couple of new facebook profile photos). On the drive home, as I was flipping through the viewfinder on my Nikon camera, Rex said, “Your fake eyelashes don’t look as obnoxious in the photos as they do in real life.”
Thanks, babe. (Oh, the sweet nothings from my man!) Below are a few of my favorite images from our solo portrait session at Old Poway Park.
Yours Truly,
Kristine
Photo Credits: Rex Sapasap