Dec. 10, 2008 This time around, I have a question for you. We all know Christmas is coming, with all that entails. Christmas is considered a wonderful time for photographers, with good reason. True photo opportunities abound. What photographer could ignore the lights, decorations and family scenes?
Still, there is something I would like your opinion about. When you are invited to a family get together, do you bring your camera? If so, does the camera interfere with your ability to interact with friends and family?
Can you make top-quality photos and still interact with the family?
Don’t get me wrong. I always bring a camera to parties and family events. Everyone seems to appreciate receiving photos afterward, so I assume my dSLR is as welcome as I am.
There is a problem, however. When I shoot for a client, I try very hard to create the best images I can. If I feel an image could be improved with a different lens or accessory, I actually feel guilty if I don’t make the effort to change lenses or do whatever it takes to produce a better photo.
But what happens at a family event? You aren’t there as a professional, you are there to interact with family and friends. The question is, do you kick back and grab some snapshots, or do you stay in the full-tilt, uber-photographer mode?
Naturally you can do a little of both, but I find the more I strive to take excellent photos in my professional life, the more difficult it is to simply take personal snapshots. Shooting images without thinking through how those images could be improved is completely foreign to me. Habits are hard to break, so when I pick up my camera, it is difficult to switch into a casual shooting mode.
This sometimes puts me at odds with the other members at the party:
“Stop fiddling with that camera and get over here.”
“Hurry up and take that photo…the food is getting cold.”
“Everyone is ready, just take the picture. It doesn’t have to be perfect.”
In addition, there is a tendency for a photographer to be somewhat aloof from the rest of the gathering. While everyone else is gathered around the piano singing carols, you’re up on the staircase trying to capture an image of the entire group. When others are seated around the fire telling stories, you are trying to figure out if placing your camera on an end table will allow you to take a long time exposure of the scene. You are there, but you’re somewhat apart from the rest of the party.
A question of reputation
Then there is the reputation factor. Most professional photographers live and die by their reputation. Sometimes basic snapshots can turn out to be amazing, but most of the time that’s exactly what they are: basic snapshots. What does it say about your reputation if Uncle Albert’s snaps from his point and shoot look about as good as yours?
The party might include people you haven’t seen for some time, people that may have traveled great distances to connect with family members. Can you take time to visit with them and still capture the type of images you want to be known for?
What’s your take? Are you willing to dial down your photo efforts a bit when you attend Christmas parties this year? Or would you rather be a grinch and create professional quality photos — even if it interferes with quality time with family and friends? Or are you able to handle both? Maybe you are able to reel off wonderful photos in between sips of eggnog while catching up with the sister you haven’t seen for three years.
Let me know your opinion on this
I really would like to hear from other photographers on this. I haven’t made up my mind if I will be grinch or a snapshooter this Christmas.
This is one area where a great deal of balance needs to be sought. But you can’t compromise either to get that balance.
Unless it’s a really close knit family group (IE, there is no Uncle Albert present) you absolutely must remain professional, or you are shooting yourself in the foot. Depending on the group of people, you must socialise properly or you are destroying the most important thing there is: family.
One way to be both professional and still socialise fully is to not bring a camera, it’s a bit extreme, but it’s workable, if questioned, “This is my day off, I don’t want to bring work home with me” will float every time.
Another way to do both would be to leave the camera in the bag under a chair (with a pair of wireless flashes on a bookcase set to do ceiling bounce:) then near the end of the event, pull it out and ask for a group portrate, if people seem uncomfortable with this, leave it at one, and everything is good, if it floats well, then the photo session has just become part of the event, and you can do a few more of part of the group (just the old folks and the grandchildren, or whatever) then you are the center of attention, are socialising more than you would have been anyway, and are getting really good photos.
One of the keys to the above (although it can work without) is the wireless flash on a shelf. Any snap with good light will come out looking way nicer than all of Uncle Albert’s snaps.
What complete nonsense. Ask any photo J style wedding photographer what works for them. Basically it is shooting the unscripted in a manner that looks good. To say that you have to shoot only your best work all the time is snobbery at its best. How do you experiment, where is the creativity. Taking yourself too seriously at a holiday bash is sure to make you the butt of jokes as well.
So I say look for good opportunities to do some sweet Photo J and just get snap shots for the other crap. send these snaps to the family and keep the nice ones for your archive. The always on mentality may make you more careful in your photography, but it will make you lose out in a family gathering. I find it really easy to separate my photography business from family monkey business.
Hi Thingomy:
I like your ideas, but I’m not sure about leaving the camera in the bag for most of the event. I’m used to shooting candids throughout an event. I like capturing people working on the meal, kids trying to figure out which gifts belong to them and the host bringing in fresh wood for the fire. I would hate to miss shots like that. Still, I’ll think about it.
Regards, Tom
Hey Arnold,
Thanks for the comment. I realize you think this is nonsense, but I can’t agree. I worked as a photo journalist for years. In that capacity, I was working. Even if I knew people at the event, I was there to shoot, not make small talk.
Sorry if I sound like a photo snob, but I really work hard to capture the best images I can. It just feels wrong to ignore everything I work at so diligently the rest of the year.
I’m happy you have no trouble seperating photography from”monkey business.” 🙂 Have a happy one! — Tom
Tom;
I am a serious shooter myself when I have hiked 10 miles up a mountain trail and I am shooting star shine off a mountain range that is miles away. I am serious when I am on deadline for a product shoot and nothing has worked. I am serious as a heart attack when I am doing bridals. I do allot of music photography as well. But the gist of my statement is in the fact that one must not try to separate themselves from the action. Like hunter S Thompson did in with his writing, I think a good photo journalist is a Gonzo shooter. I actually really like what you said in your second post. There are shots that can be gotten without having to stand to one side trying to get the best light and composition on every shot. How on earth are you going to get that log for the fire, and capture the wow look on the kids faces if you are not at least engaged in the gathering.
Maybe I missed the point of your original post but I thought the question was between doing the serious pro thing and the snaps only thing. I mean do both but not to the point of being obnoxious.
By the way I don’t think you are a snob. I have been waiting with baited breath for the 900, but ended up with the 700. I have been reading this blog allot. so don’t take offense to my way of communicating.
interesting stuff!