I have heard this question lots of times! I will tell you why photo sessions in a photo studio is a “assembly line” for photographers. And the individual approach is much much better.
Every year we read hundreds of posts on social media about photography projects in studios. Usually on winter holidays, my Facebook newsfeed gets overflown with various posts by photographers. Many of them announce their Christmas photography projects. There are not enough good photo studios in my city, and that’s why I see the same studio interior in pictures in my newsfeed over and over again. On average, a photographer can do a photo set from three to six families a day in the same studio interior. Just imagine how many families get the same background in the picture, in the same place, with the same feeling! If I were a client, I would ask a photographer: what is a difference between two photographers, who did a photoshoot in the same studio interior? There could be a slight variety in style, technique, or a price tag. This reminds me about people sticking their heads out of photo cut-out boards. Different faces – same boards! This concept lacks character! What is the purpose of a photo that expresses nothing about me or my family? It is like going to a party, and you see a few women wearing identical dresses, awkward isn’t it?
All comparisons aside, let me point out what the exact downside to a studio photoshoot is. First, you might travel to a distant part of the city. Second, you cannot be late for a photoshoot, because you bought the exact time slot. You cannot use studio interior before the time of your rent, because there may be another photoshoot taking place. When you make every second count, there is more anxiety in the room than it used to be. Last, imagine your children being fussy about a photoshoot, and you will lose your time calming them down. It will surely kill the mood, I promise you that. Trying to smile and keep a perfect pose for a picture could be hard after all that hassle and bustle.
My father took many pictures when I was a child. I often find myself looking through these old pictures now. One picture is about a decorated Christmas tree with my sweet little face near it. Another picture is about my favourite toys around me. And here I am playing with my cat, happy and carefree. I am very thankful to my father, because I can relive these happy moments, and I will never lose a sense of who I really am and where belong to.
As a family photographer, I can assure you that the best place to do a photoshoot is at your home. Every detail in your home is unique and can depict your personality. Everything tells about your family: even your walls, décor, any tiny object. A series of photographs taken at your place will tell the true story about your children playing, the hobbies and much more.
Everything is guided by the rhythm of your house, and it influences the way I do my work. First of all, this is your home! You can be yourself, and it is easy for you to be lively and exciting in front of my camera. Second, you don’t have to worry about anything, even if your home doesn’t meet your very high standards of interior design. Any trivial objects in a picture from your home can get sentimental value. This is vital, believe me! Also, your children will be forever grateful to see photographs of their favourite toys or the first books they’ve read, or the small bed they’ve slept in. Last, and it is you who manages the pace of the photoshoot, and you can interrupt it whenever you like.
A photoshoot at client’s place is the very best what a photographer can suggest, no matter if you live in an apartment or a house. Any photographer will enjoy working with people who are completely relaxed at their own place. That mutual understanding between a client and me always results in something special. So welcome a photographer into your home and let him or her write your true family story.
And what’s more important, you can set up a new family tradition. As you know, traditions make any family much stronger. Pictures for a photo album are the real investment into your family. It will make happy any family members forever.
I want to share with you a moment that I captured on my camera 7 years ago. It was a sunny April day. My client’s family came out into the backyard to cut off dry branches from the trees and bushes. When guests came later that day, the father used branches for a fire. The mother used that fire to cook a big bowl of spicy pea soup. The culmination of all the good work this family did that day was in the emotions you see in the photo below. The child of the family will always remember how this day went on, because of this photo and the album I made for this family. This part of family history will never get lost. And this album will patiently wait for the children to open it. They will be able to open it and relive those happy moments of life.
