When I was teaching agriculture, I had equipment in my shop and classroom– tractor, smart board, band saw, computer, chainsaw etc.– that I had to know like the back of my hand how to operate in order for the day to run smoothly. I didn’t have time to think twice about how to work this equipment because I knew I would have to focus my energy on dealing with unruly students while teaching the dedicated ones. Thus, I spent countless hours learning how to use the equipment off the clock.
Just as with teaching, I also have photography equipment that I have to understand completely for when I’m in a session situation because each session differs and can change completely from what you envision. If you have no studio, and are solely an outdoor photographer, sometimes rain will postpone your session until later in the day when lighting situations just aren’t favorable, thus flash will be needed. Sometimes the child you envision posing nicely, won’t, and you have to quickly adjust camera settings to capture action rather than a still shot. Sometimes you have no time to adjust your flash for moments during a wedding reception, and have to rely on your camera and lenses to be able to deal with low light situations. And sometimes, as with teaching, to learn my equipment, I put in hours ‘off the clock’ to help myself prepare for future sessions.
A couple of weeks ago was one of those times. OH BOY did I have a great time in Charlotte, NC with a great friend and fellow photoggie. What I enjoyed the most was the stress-free, all pleasure, no pressure time I was able to spend with my camera, and be able to practice posing and technique with a fabulous couple– who were in wedding attire. Did you know that one of the hardest parts of photographing a bride/wedding is knowing how to NOT blow out the detail of the wedding dress? So how do you do that if she has dark skin tones? I was so up for doing this session because there were so many lighting obstacles I was to be faced with. I needed time to learn with no pressure. And then, in the rush of packing my son and myself to head upstate and prepare for another session too, I totally forgot my flash (ugh. OMGah.) which would have saved me time in post-processing. However, not having it, I had to consider post-processing, and I was constantly working my camera settings and thinking post-processing to accomplish what I was envisioning.
Patrick and Kristen had a Hawaiian destination wedding back in September. They so graciously agreed to dress up again for us and endure a 2 hour session in 40-50 degree weather! So kudos to Kristen, most of all, who rocked it out even though I know she was FREEZING. Thank you both for allowing us to capture these wonderful images! And many thanks as well to the awesome Gwinn’s Florist for providing a bouquet for the session.
