Momtographer vs photographer

(Riley's friend Taylor)

I love photography.  I love taking pictures, I love learning about photography, I love visiting photography blogs.  And I would love to be a photographer.  But I've been totally hesitant.  It seems like every mom with a nice camera wants to be a "photographer" these days.  And some of them, well, let's just say I definitely wouldn't pay for their services.  And I don't want to be one of those ones.  So I take pictures of Riley to capture memories and share her adorable baby self with friends, family, and the blogging world, and that's pretty much where my photography has stopped.  Until now.

So before you roll your eyes, hear me out.  I decided that the only way to find out if I have what it takes to be a photographer, is to just go for it and see what happens.  I've thought about this for a long time, and have been brainstorming ways to go about it, so this isn't totally rash or random.  Basically, I've decided to spend the rest of the year really learning and challenging myself photographically.  And one of the best ways to do this is to actually get out there and do photo shoots with people other than my own family.  People I don't know.  People who are "hiring" me.  And I say "hiring" because I'm no professional, I'm just learning, and I don't feel comfortable asking people to give me money.  So I'm taking pictures for free for now. 

I have had one photo shoot so far, and I have about 3 or 4 more lined up, with a few additional requests.  Now I'd love to say all these people are contacting me because I am just so awesome, but I'm pretty sure the FREE factor is a pretty big pull, ya know?  And maybe the fact that my first "client" passed on my info to all her pregnant friends.  I mean, if someone was half decent, I would totally take them up on a FREE offer to take photos of my family/child/baby bump, wouldn't you?

But I will say, just based on my one photo shoot so far... I have a lot to learn.  A lot.  I did get some shots I really liked, and some that the client really liked, but I also got some really, um, not good ones.  I had a lot of ideas in my head, but the execution was not all that stellar at times.  It's one thing to fumble around with camera settings when taking pictures of your patient husband and carefree baby.  But it's another thing when you're taking pictures of strangers that have hired you! 

Some of the things I learned...

• it's much more challenging to take photos in an unfamiliar place, with unfamiliar lighting/surroundings than the places you are used to (duh)
• it takes me longer than i expected to change my settings to get the appropriate exposure
• Some poses don't suit some people, and it takes practice to figure out what poses will look really good and flattering captured on camera 
  
• I need to work on my focus.  There were more than a few shots where the focus was off.
• It makes it soooo much easier to get as much right in camera as possible, rather than post-processing.  It can save you a ton of time!
  
• I have a really hard time narrowing down the pictures, selecting which ones to edit and ultimately give to the "client"
• I really really want the 24-70mm lens I've had my eye on.  Really.
• It's an amazing feeling when your "client" tells you they love your photos.
• Even if you don't feel confident during the photo shoot, fake it.  If they think you know what you are doing, they seem to relax and just trust you, which definitely makes things easier!
• there's no harm in trying some things just for the sake of it.  Worst case, you get a crappy picture and you delete it, and learn for next time.
  

To be honest, I looked for lots of ideas and inspiration before going to this shoot.  I wanted to be prepared.  I tried a bunch of things.  Some worked, some totally didn't.  When I was done with the shoot, I was stressed out.  What if none of my pictures were even half decent?  I mean, they weren't paying me, and they knew I was trying to increase my experience and build my portfolio, but I still wanted to deliver some great photos!  But you know what?  In the end, I got some photos I really liked, and I learned a whole lot from the other photos that were not so great.  And I know with each shoot in the future I will learn some more, and eventually be able to decide if I think I am cut out for this business!!

But until then, I'll just take people's pictures for free and have some fun learning as much as I can!  Now I probably won't share many of the pictures I take here on this blog since, but a few might pop up now and again for photo challenges or something, we'll see.  But don't worry, you'll still be seeing plenty pictures of Riley!!