A Day with My Spouse as My Client (Yes, we are still married!)

Communication – A Cornerstone to Successful Relationships

​There are so many reasons why communication is so important, not only in marriage but when working with clients on a photoshoot.  In this case, my husband was my client and we really tested the ‘for better or worse’ part of our vows!  LOL!  All kidding aside it was an interesting lesson.  In general, we are pretty even-keeled and don’t argue but on this fateful day in November, we locked horns.  Okay, not real horns but you get the idea.  We were both adamant about what needed to be done and getting more frustrated with each other.  
 
We can laugh about it now.  In fact, it was my husband who suggested it as the topic for my next blog.  He said it is funny now but wasn’t at the time.  He has always wanted to work together on a business venture, so this was an interesting preview if we ever go down that path.  

---

Oh, Fudge!

​I blame fudge–yes, that’s right…fudge.  Not for needing to do extra crunches but for causing the argument. 
 
On this day we had two different visions for the photoshoot.  He wanted some fun shots of his fudge to make a little recipe book.  He said, “you know…just use your phone.”  And, of course, if you ask me to take photos for a recipe book, I’m getting out the lights, backdrops, tripod, and my Nikon D750.  Let’s do this!
 
We each thought the other was on the same page for the photos, but we couldn’t have been further from it.
 
I was busy fussing over the set-up, fixing the backdrop, moving ingredients around to balance color, etc., and of course, the lighting is critical.  I was getting frustrated with the little things that can make or break a photo.  Ugh…this was tough.  He just wanted to have fun and be done. He wanted them to look nice but didn’t have the patience needed to get everything set up and stage the product (in this case, the fudge he made). He wanted shots of the process of the fudge being made, then cut, and final product. If you haven’t made fudge, let me tell you that it can take a while to make and then to cool enough to cut.  After taking all day working on the shoot, he wasn’t having fun anymore.  

Oh, the Things We Learned​

​No matter who you are working with, it is so important to clearly lay out the expectations and timeline.  Discuss how long the shoot will take (realistic expectations) and what is needed to get the shoot done (product shoot or family sessions).  If you have a 1-hour session, the clock doesn’t stop for outfit changes or moving the product around to set up a shot.  If you want a specific pose, let the photographer know in advance.  If you have a specific vision in mind, talk with the photographer in advance.  Your vision may be for ‘light and airy’ photos but the location and time of day may not work for that and may even end up with a ‘moody’ feel.  Don’t wait until the day of the shoot to communicate with your photographer.  This will make your photo shoot go smoothly and be a success!
 
#Photograper #PortraitPhotography #VancouverWA #Communication #KeyToSuccess #PNWphotography #VancouverPhotographer #LifeLessons #UhaczPhotogaphy #FamilyPhotographer #SmallBusiness