I’ve known Katie for close to two years. In fact, we use to even have an internet radio show together here in Austin! And as long as I’ve known her, she has believed in me. She the person who gives me a swift kick in the booty when I start to have doubts about anything, especially when it comes to being a professional photographer.
So when she asked me to take her 2009 holiday family portraits near her home in Pflugerville, TX I was both honored and, well, nervous. Because if there’s one thing I know and love about Katie is her honesty. And I knew that if she walked away a happy client, I must be doing something right and on the right path.
We met on a weekend right outside her housing community in Pflugerville with her two daughters and husband. “Okay, where do ya want us?” Katie asks. I had already scoped out the lighting, shadows, and possible backdrops, anticipating that very question. I was excited because I had just bought a new lightstand and umbrella to get some nice and soft off-camera fill-in flash. But as luck would have it, my transmitter batteries were stone cold dead. Plan B – on camera flash, like I’ve always done. (Lesson 1 – check ALL your batteries before a shoot, even if you think there’s no way they could be dead.)
Second obstacle: Katie’s youngest daughter, who is usually full of life, decided she was not interested in having me put my camera in her face. After a few minutes of trying to get some shots, I recommended we just let her run around, thinking it would help loosen her up. I fired away shots as she and her older sister ran laps in the lawns, playing chase. Mom also grabbed a stuffed toy and suggested I toss it to her while trying to get the family shot. This I discovered, was a brilliant idea and worked like a charm. (Lesson 2 – invest in some small stuffies to throw at the kiddos.)
In the end, Katie was happy with the images and has since referred me to two of her friends who have also purchased portrait sessions with me. In true Katie form, her only feedback was that I didn’t put my logo on all the pictures I delivered to her. “If I went to Olin-Mills, you know they’d have their name on the pictures. You should too.” I just love her!
This image cracks me up. I wonder how her youngest daughter “really” feels.
