Chavez Family Shoot

Day out at White Sands

Welcome to my neck of the woods (internet). On my Focus Point Photography substack you will see a variety of posts about photography. I post tips about senior shoots, family shoots, sports, my thoughts, gear, magazine articles/covers, and notes. This is just a place for me to write and share online. Documenting my life and side quest as a photographer.

White Sands

As with anything, planning is crucial for having a successful photoshoot. Most of my clients have an idea or two of what they want their photos to look like. As a photographer, I do my best to ensure that we have a successful photoshoot. I look at park closures and hours of operation. I also look at sunset times and weather. I send my clients questionnaires to ensure that I learn about their desires for the photoshoot. Communication is of high importance to me. I usually send my clients exactly where I will be, what I am wearing, and what I am driving. I want to make sure that my client is at ease when it comes to meeting.

Client Questionnaire

I think I opened a whole new conversation in that last paragraph that I want to elaborate on. The questionnaire is a great tool for me as a photographer and for you as a potential client. It helps you express what you expect out of the photoshoot and what you would like to see captured. It helps me as a photographer understand your expectations. It helps me know the names of your spouse and children. It also helps me follow up with any questions that you or I may have before the photoshoot. It helps me plan for any interruptions or need for accommodations. I believe that if your photographer is not using questionnaires to get to know you better. They are missing the point of taking photographs. They will miss important moments. It will be difficult to manage expectations. And, the experience may suffer.

Communication

One of the biggest fears that I would have as a potential client is communication. I want to be available as much as possible for my clients. I will follow up with them at certain points. Two week checks to make sure they have completed the questionnaire and signed the contract and model releases. One week to make sure that the time and date still work. And, of course, that I am excited to see them and help them. I will contact them again 2 days before the shoot to ensure they are ready for the photoshoot. I will contact them early the day of the shoot for one last check up and to give them a precise location for meet up and to cover any loss of communication. I will let them know when I am headed to the location, what I am wearing, and what I am driving.

I do not believe that I should just automatically begin to shoot my client the moment that we arrive. I like to park a short walk away from the location to give me a chance to talk with my client about their day and answer any questions or concerns that they may have. Positivity is key here. I like to have positive energy and tone when speaking to my client(s). I want to instill some confidence in them before I take the first shot. Once the photoshoot begins. I like to take a few “test shots” to ensure that my camera settings are right. This also primes the client for the photoshoot and helps them get a few insignificant frames in.

Style

I would describe my family style as guided candid. I like to capture in between moments or poses when the family is being themselves and showing their true personalities. They are a family unit. I am an outsider just giving you a glimpse into what their life looks like on a daily basis. You will see smiles and no smiles. You will see playing, twisting, turning, sitting, laying, hugging, holding hands. Eyes that are open, closed, looking at each other, looking at the camera.

I want the photos to feel real. I want to capture the kids playing and exploring without having to worry about them sitting for an hour or two trying to pose them. Let them be kids and they will return tired and ready to be held and loved. I think that’s the beautiful thing about family photoshoots. It kind of gives us parents a glimpse of what the future looks like during the photoshoot. The kids wonder off just far enough that we can still see them but close enough to capture. The photos give us something to look back on and appreciate who we are and were as a family in this moment in time. I want my photoshoots to be both retrospective and prospective. Because you will never get the time back and you may not always remember. But, photos are living proof and live for generations.

To Be Continued…

There are a few other points that I want to touch on in my other family photoshoot blog posts. Writing about family photoshoots makes me appreciate the work I do for myself and my family. I hope that this short blog post encourages you to get in touch with a photographer to capture timeless family photos that you can look back on in years and appreciate.

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All the best

-C