Capturing Emotion in Images

In a recent blog post, I shared that one of the reasons I decided what I wanted to be when I grew up equaled photography, was because I thoroughly enjoy getting great images of people!

Even when I'm working with a single person, there will be laughter because one of us has done, said, or thought something funny during the session. There are triggers that make people crack up. I like to find those triggers.

At one corporate Christmas event, the two men at the top asked me to photograph them and “Make us look good.” Well, I took the shot they had positioned themselves into and then said, “Now, let me make you look good.” I then had them button their jackets and positioned them better. When I showed them the difference in camera, they smiled and we laughed about the first image.

Some of my favorite sessions are when I get to photograph husbands and wives together. These people have held onto each other through thick and thin, beat the odds, and kept their marriages strong. I'll ask them how they've done it or what's their favorite memory together. For that moment, they allow me into their lives, that's an emotional connection.

There was a four year birthday session I did in downtown Midland. This little girl was a tough cookie. She didn't smile for me once until I stepped back into a puddle and landed in the water. That was tremendously funny to her and I snapped those images quickly. I even did it again on purpose, just to get that adorable response.

I always try to make that happen with all of my clients – young and not so young. Capturing the shot when someone laughs makes my day!

Anxiously waiting to meet you!
Till then,

Zoe