Before you read any further, get your mind out of the gutter.This is a list of 5 things I do to get me in the mood before I conduct a photo session with a couple. Just a few things that work for me. It's about a 5 min read...let me know your thoughts
1. Research other photographers techniques whether through books or online blogs. I love to study great images from photographers I most admire. But not to emulate, instead to challenge myself to shoot a different type of image from what is already out there.
2. Get inside the head of my favourite photographers through online interviews like Ron Dawson's F-Stop Beyond blog. Listening to topics like their background, beliefs and experiences from the photographers I most relate to enables me to channel that same positive energy throughout my photo session.
3. Get inspired through music and movies. I often play inspiring music or my favourite movie scenes leading up to the photo shoot. In fact, I make a point to find out the couples favourite type of songs to make sure I have it playing during the photo session. It's a great for inspiration and motivation.
4. Review notes from the initial consultation. I review the couples overall style; their likes and dislikes; and even topics like how they first met. Knowing this helps generate the look and feel of the photo session that will best resonates with the couple.
5. Finally review my personal photos of the family. In particular, I love, love, love reviewing my engagement photos and my wedding album. With every picture, I can honestly recapture the feeling I had at hat moment in time. Which is my true inspiration and goal for every photo session...the power to invoke a thousand words in every image. I know I know...shameless plug but it's true. That is the mood I'm aiming for...I want the clients to look at their picture and relive that feeling at that exact moment!
So let me know...how do you get in the mood?
Tags:
Trackbacks
Listed below are links to blogs that reference this entry:
5 Things to get me in the Mood
. TrackBack URL for this entry:
http://1kwphoto.com/darkroom/mt/mt-tb.cgi/16
Comments
Wow, you do so much to prepare... I feel lame because I don't really do much more than maybe look at my notes from the meetings I've had with the couples. I pretty much rely on having a goodtime and just going in blind to see what spontaniously happens.
Maybe I should try prepping a bit more.
(06.23.09 @ 06:29 AM)You are a very wise man Carl. ;) Thanks for all the support.
(06.23.09 @ 05:01 PM)Sweet blog, mate. Love it.
(06.23.09 @ 05:48 PM)Cool new blog! Looks awesome.
(06.24.09 @ 10:06 PM)this shot has a sweet fashion edge to it, I dig it. The part I would add that to these great suggestions is to have a freakin blast while shooting, I get the best images when I am having a good time, and I can engage my couples and work with them so they are having fun as well!
(06.25.09 @ 06:05 PM)Great new blog. Very unique.
(06.26.09 @ 04:43 PM)Good ideas here Carl. I try and focus on pre-visualizing the images I want to create.
(06.30.09 @ 10:37 AM)Hey all. Thanks for the love and sharing your way to get in the mood.
(07.03.09 @ 05:00 AM)Awesome image Carl, its totally cool that you focus so much time ahead of time getting yourself ready for the shoot. I should probably start spending some more time preparing myself mentally before running off to shoot
(07.03.09 @ 11:29 AM)valuable information and excellent design you got here! I would like to thank you for sharing your thoughts and time into the stuff you post!! Thumbs up!
(05.01.10 @ 06:41 PM)Don't have cash to buy a building? Don't worry, just because it's real to get the loans to solve such problems. Hence take a student loan to buy everything you require.
(05.26.10 @ 01:58 AM)