When did my interest in taking pictures somehow magically transform from a “thing” that I enjoyed doing, to an actual business that I ran? What does it even mean to be a professional photographer? I’m not sure how to answer any of those questions except to say I’m really glad I have a portrait studio where delightful little kids come and visit me. Little Maeve was no exception. She is extraordinary.
Pretty sure 2013 is the official Year of The Executive Headshot as I’ve never had so many requests in my life! CEO’s, CFO’s, COO’s, models, actors, the unemployed, the underemployed, the entrepreneur…it’s been insane at the studio. But today was different. The shoot went smoothly and ended around 11:30. I edited and delivered her high resolution jpegs via Dropbox at 1:30. Everything was done – another happy client – I could move on to the next thing on my long list of things to do today.
Then it happened. I got the email at 2:45 and I was not prepared. It read:
Thank you SO much!!! I LOVE the pics!!! I am amazed at your skills, even with a challenging subject having a bad hair day… LOL. So I have a quick favor to ask. Right after our session this morning I had another headshot lined up at the mall as a fallback. I’m attaching the best photo from that shoot. Could you please redo it the same way you did for the one you took of me? That way I would have two versions to use! Thank you!!!
After my wife resuscitated me I took a private moment to reflect.
I gathered myself and thought: Exactly WHO goes to the mall right from my studio? Doesn’t she know “WHO I AM”?!!!
Followed directly by my neurotic dialogue:
What if the other image is better and she was just being polite? I bet she’s trying to make a point that the mall is a fraction of the cost and it was even better! Perhaps my time has come? Maybe I really do suck? Maybe I should start a petting zoo in my backyard. I have a dog, two cute kids – it’s a start. I could dress them up as a camel and some sheep and start a whole new career.
OK so I had my moment and was done with it. Then I took another long deep breath and opened the attachment with the photos. ”All will be fine”, I kept repeating to myself, ALL WILL BE FINE.
The image I delivered is on the left, the photo the mall delivered is on the right. Both shots were taken within an hour of one other and to my eye it almost looks like two different people. Yes they are both in high resolution, and yes both are the exact product each of us gave to our client today. Please tell me you see a difference.
Contrary to popular belief, I have nothing against mall photography and absolutely nothing against this particular shooter – whomever he/she is. My motivation was less to expose “bad” photography (of which I’ve had my share) and more about the client not knowing the difference. I reacted to the homogenization of it all – that a headshot from this or that photographer is all the same. A headshot is a headshot is a headshot. Or is it?
Not much to say about Stephanie except this aspiring young actress walked into my studio determined to create something great. And she did.
As part of my 2013 resolutions I made the decision to get fit, eat right, enjoy lots of dark chocolate and continue to push myself to be the best I can at what I do. In that spirit I spent over 5 hours this afternoon picking the brain of my former instructor Steve Ostrowski from the New England School of Photography.
Steve is fondly referred to as “The Light Guru” by my wife since he had such a profound effect on me when I was first considering becoming a professional photographer. Steve completely changed the way I see, understand and create light. His style of teaching is infamously direct, dry, sarcastic, at times melodic, but underneath it all is a man committed to his students’ efforts at achieveing mastery. Today was a tune-up along the road to wherever I’m headed, and it felt great. He helped me step back and move forward all in the same motion. I was definitely struck several times as we bounced back and forth from my house to the studio, by how far things have progressed in just 6 years. In the scheme of things, it was really not that long ago I was sitting in his classroom, not entirely certain where this “photography thing” would take me.
So as we close Day 2 of 2013, I am thrilled to say I cannot wait to get back into the studio tomorrow. Jaimie and I just enjoyed several weeks off in December for a much needed vacation, but it’s time to get to work!
For those who would like to read more on flash photography, here is a link to Steve’s book. Finally, here is one of many shots of Ostrowski from our time together this afternoon.
Happy New Year!
Rick
Two years have passed since Ari Philip “The Bear” joined us one fateful morning at Newton Wellesley Hospital Nov 27 4:22am. He is without a doubt one of the happiest little guys on the planet and one of the most precious souls on this earth. He is all about love and laughter, trains, playing in “The Fort” with Zack, eating endless amounts of yogurt, doing everything himself then proclaiming to the world: “I did it!”, running all over the house at top speed, and of course watching Chuggington and Mickey. And while his default is happiness, when he’s not pleased with something… he’s REALLY not. You have to admire his commitment – he goes “all in” at everything he does.
So from Mommy, big brother Zack and Daddy, here’s a big Happy Birthday shout-out to our special little man on his big day. Happy Birthday Ari!!!
