Why you should NOT choose me as your photographer!

Why Not Me??

Why you may not want me as your photographer.

WAIT! Did you read that right? Yes you did! What could I possibly mean???? I don’t do stiff, I don’t do formal, I hate the person who came up with the phrase “cheese” for people in front of the camera. I mean just this - it is my goal to tell a real story on camera. With lots of interaction and lots of touching! If you are always looking at the camera your interaction is with the camera not your family or your genuine self. I don’t want stiff poses and plastered on smiles. I want the real, the unique, the imperfect, I want you and your family in all your uniqueness!

I get it, I do - wanting to look your best. However I have found with the advent of “selfies” we all have that perfect angle that we prefer to see ourselves. Guess what? Your children, your family, the rest of the world sees you from all angles and still loves you! The imperfect is perfection! Nothing that is real or authentic is perfect. There is actually an art to this it is called wabi-sabi and is an art (or thought process) that originated in Japan and is literally the art of embracing imperfection. I love this thought because this is what makes us - well US!!!

Do I hate pics of myself? You betcha! I literally cringe most of the time when I see pics of myself! But then I remember I can not be anyone else but me and that the ME I am - LOVES my family so much! My kids will not remember the wrinkles on my forehead, my rounded shoulders, the lines around my eyes or my tummy pooch. They will remember how much I loved them and made them feel. How can I teach my kids to feel comfortable about themselves if I am so worried about how I look?

Even with just one person in front of the camera, I want the most natural and beautiful reactions. Now does this mean I won’t retouch a photo? I absolutely will retouch it. With the advent of digital cameras, A LOT more is captured on the camera - that believe me is NOT what people see when they see you!

Will I expect you to give me a natural action on command? Heck no! I will position you or your family in the most flattering way - then give you things to do! I most definitely want to portray you or your family in the most flattering way possible. But guess what? Let me worry about that. I can tell the moment a client starts thinking about the way they look, because they become super self conscious and lose touch with the moment they are in.

Now will I get a photo of everyone looking at the camera? You better believe it! (Especially in the ones where the grands are in the photo - they would literally have my hide if I did not!). BUT I want it to be as natural as possible. It is interesting to me when I get a shot of everyone looking first thing in a session vs much later on. I see such a huge difference in the postures and relaxed smiles later on in the session.

My goal for a session is for you or your family to leave relaxed and having had a good time. I want an adventure while we are out shooting! The best, and I mean the
BEST shots I get are when I pay attention and let people be themselves. Especially the kids, letting them do their own thing always turns out so well. Each session is unique and a collaboration between the family and I. I just have to pay attention. I come to a session fully engaged in what is happening in front of me. (Which the longer I photograph is easier to do as I get the technical aspects of the camera down so I don’t have to think about my camera).

Families that come back year after year to see me, know what to expect and every year I see so much more of their personalities come out.They know I will get what they need and some of what they do not expect. The result? They don’t worry about me or my camera. I fall in love with their photos all anew every year!

If you don't have a regular photographer that you love - I would highly recommend finding one!! It makes a huge difference for you and your family’s comfort level in front of the camera.

In closing, take this thought with you….when you find yourself in front of any camera. Relax, be you, and when with your family, touch, hug, squeeze as much as possible. Let your photographer worry about the rest!

P.S. This is the most photos I have posted in one place of just myself….EVER (eeeek!)

Blessings always,

April of Running Mom Photography