Today, I’ve been reminded why my creative focus is so heavily and unapologetically centered on women.
Milwaukee is having a lovely fall. A couple of weeks ago, I decided to schedule a couple of open shoots for the project to get some outdoor shots. My intention with the men I know (neighbors) is to do one-on-ones in the neighborhood as time permits.
For the public shoots, I offered two three-hour slots in half-hour increments. The base line was 15 minutes per registration, assuming a full booking.
Last Sunday, there were five registrations for 12 possible slots. Three of the five showed up. I was late for the first one (he was also not at the meeting spot, so I walked to him), and the last one was 20 min late. I took the time to go to the restroom and almost got refreshments in the café.
The three who showed up ended up getting about an hour of shoot time each. Each of them had 300-600 images taken (I have a quick trigger finger and do bursts). I promised at least two professional digital images for all participants. I expect to send an average of 4 to 6 images throughout the project. Each of these three guys will get about ten.
I obviously enjoyed shooting each of them, as evidenced by the amount of time they got and my desire to share their great shots with them.
What was underwhelming was the feeling that they didn’t really provide a word that they really think of themselves as. They gave words they would like to be perceived as, which is the opposite of the ask. “Who are you? How do you see yourself?” One actually asked if he could look up a word in the thesaurus. I gently said (hopefully), “If you have to look it up, it’s probably not a word you usually think of yourself as.”
Each shoot began as a performance, but I think they eventually relaxed into themselves.
I’ll add here that they will probably end up with 15-20 images each. I’m separating the shots into four folders:
- For the participant
- For social media/promotion
- For headshots
- For the book
I don’t want the same image/frame in multiple folders. Since they’ll be tagged on social posts, I’m sure they’ll download those too. Ergo, they’ll have more than I send them directly.
Today, I had one sign-up. He arrived early and left early. Then attempted to school or shame me about time management. One thing I am no longer interested in in life is fitting inside people’s boxes. I’m also not at a point in life where I feel the need to prove anything to anyone. If he saw no value in waiting till 11:30 for his 11:30 appointment, then I know there would have been no value in sharing my time with him.
This really left a sour taste in my mouth. But since I was already on site, I decided to shoot my favorite building, the Milwaukee Art Museum’s Pavilion. At noon, each day the museum is open, the wings open and close in a five minute display of awe-inspiring architectural brilliance.
To pass the time between 11:32am and 12:00pm, I walked the footbridge to go into the museum.
At the far end, I saw a group of four young ladies, similarly dressed taking pictures of each other.
I stopped and asked if all four wanted to be in a shot. They said yes. I told them I’m a photographer and had a no-show. If they wanted, I could take some shots of them with their camera and mine on different spots on the grounds.
They were estastic.
Turned out they’re college seniors taking group shots of their musical theater troupe. They were with a larger group for a photoshoot at another location. They said the photographer did most of the shoot on their iPhone. They were disappointed and broke off to go take their own pictures. Up walks me. Also disappointed by a jerk of a guy who was too full of himself.
At the end of our time, I said, “God is good. We were all disappointed when we arrived. Now we’re all quite satisfied and happy.”
Throughout my time with the ladies, I kept thinking, God’s Word does not return to Him void. It produces His purpose wherever He sends it. Neither does He allow me to return from anything void of my purpose.
Years ago, in the absence of paying clients, I began creating my own opportunities to learn and grow with photography. I began with test shoots to practice with my gear. That grew into various series.
A couple of weeks ago, my proposal was accepted to produce about 60 headshots for an organization. It’s my first contract assignment. This was a driving factor in scheduling the “I’M A MAN” public shoots now. My goal was to practice in-camera effects with two lenses, my 56mm velvet lens, and 80mm portrait lens.
I’ve not been able to find my 56mm since August, so I ended up using my 12-24mm and 80mm. I’ve done very few dedicated portrait shots with both. Mostly, architecture and landscape photography.
The 80mm is spoiling me. The images are so clear and beautiful. It will be the main lens for the contract assignment.
So, my purpose for coming out today was to practice photographing a person. God blessed me with four. While removing a Grade A jerk from my presence. I am grateful.
“I’m leaving here with something.” ~ Denzel Washington
Harvest Life 