I’v never been one to be afraid of new technology. In many ways, even with my passion for film, I have embraced the new digital age with fervor. The technology has certainly created new opportunities and given me tools to create images that were not possible or in the past.
Despite these new tools there are aspects of photography that are a constant through the ages. The relationship between the subject to photographer is one that I believe has remained a vital key to creating truly meaningful portraits.
Now, you may be saying to yourself that this seems obvious. But this is where the technology has come to effect the portrait. As the level of every day technology has increased, so has the perception that technology is what is responsible for the outcome. Is the camera “taking the picture” or are we “making the picture”. Do my client come to our studio for me to push the button on the camera or are we coming together to create something special.
This is where the idea of co-creating the portrait comes into play. I have found that when we are able to take time with our clients to design the session prior to the photography the final images show the difference. When we are designing the portrait session we certainly cover clothing, location and the like, but also need to understand the personality of the family and children. And most importantly, I want to understand the reason for the portrait. Is there a special milestone that the family is experiencing, a child going off to college, family entering a new faze in life. The reasons are endless and unique to each family, the better I understand our families the better able I am able to create the portrait that has lasting meaning for them. This becomes a record in time of the moment now and will become a lasting reminder of the moment that will never come again.
The real value in the portraits become the relationships we forge with our clients. The trust we develop with our client has a direct and lasting effect on the photography, and more importantly, our families gain an emotional connection to the images that goes far beyond simple picture on paper.
This all brings me to the brain bender. Is the art we make the images that is hanging on the wall or is the image on the wall the residue of the art we make together in the studio? What do you think?
