Behind the scenes | Rockford and Champaign | Midwest Family Photographer
Today I'd like to take you along a couple of my photo shoots. It's fun to see "behind the scenes," especially if you've never had your photos taken professionally. I've been lucky to have some friends come along some of my photo shoots to capture the work in progress. One of my favorite parts of my work is the interaction I get to have with the people I'm working with. Some people find it very easy to be in front of the camera, and other's don't. I enjoy the process of making people feel comfortable and creating a place where they can just be themselves. Posed photos have their place, but my favorite photographs are the ones where people are laughing, maybe not looking directly into my lens, and moving their bodies because of laughter or play. Getting children to laugh is really easy! The trick is to play, and talk dirty! Ok, Ok, maybe not talk dirty, but talk about stinky things. Or, when working with siblings, ask one to not laugh while challenging the other to whisper something silly to try and get them to laugh! It works like a charm! Most often, when I'm planning an upcoming photo shoot with young families, the parents are so worried about how their children will behave. I get it! Getting dressed up and getting in front of a camera is not always a child's idea of fun. However, when you turn it into a game, and maybe talk about ice cream at the end, spending an hour with me is not such a bad thing!
You'll usually find me becoming one with nature if your photo shoot is outdoors! I may even ask you to get in unique places!
She was already laughing because I told him to tell her who he thought had stinkier feet; mom or dad!
Getting on his level helped him gain trust in me. Plus, one with nature!
This little lady needed no help from me being in front of the camera! She's as sweet as she looks!
She was in heels and a long dress, but that didn't stop me from asking her to climb up and between these large concrete pillars. Complementing her task and joking about this endeavor created great laughter and movement.
I promise I don't kiss all the people I work with! This beauty is a close friend and someone that has worked so hard for her college education. Relationships with the people I work with is very important to me. Getting to know the people I work with help me create wonderful portraits.
My sweet sister came and helped me second shoot during a session on the University of Illinois Campus. She's the best, and how lovely is she?
Working with people is a great privilege. Documenting the important directions in your life is a great gift you can give yourself, as well as future generations. I'd love the opportunity to get to know you, as well as work with you! You can see the "behind the scenes" in person, and maybe even have a little dirty talk! wink. wink.