from the other side of the camera

I learned a lot this weekend, in my grand attempt to shoot the cover photo for my book. I learned that you can make a HUGE mess in a very short period of time when staging a photo. I learned that our home is just that - a 'home,' and not a photo set, and that there isn't a square foot in the house that isn't 'marred' by imperfection (of course, we love it that way). I learned that blueberry muffins aren't the best idea if you don't want stained faces/fingers/clothes in the 'perfect' shot. I learned that lighting is a very, very, very, very tricky thing to figure out. I learned where my camera manual was (missing for a year). I learned a lot about my camera.

I learned that children - especially my adventuresome, curious, energetic, independent-thinking little ones - instantly lose any sense of 'creativity' once they're asked/told/begged/bribed exactly what to be doing by a desperate, directive Mama. And I learned that hours worth of planning for a shot can end up amounting to about one minute worth of photo-worthy attention span if you're under the age of 7. And that there's really nothing you can do to change that, except move on to something else.

Thankfully, I learned that it's important to know when you're in over you head, and when to ask for help. And I learned how lucky I am to have generous and talented friends who happen to be wonderful photographers, who will save me from myself. The kind of friend who'll answer, "yes we can and we will!" to my whining pleas of "i can't do this!"; who will quietly give up the first sunny weekend of the season with her own family to be with mine; who doesn't mind taking hundreds of pictures to get that one shot; and who does it all with a contagious smile on her face. A good friend, I tell you. A good friend, indeed.

And last, I think I learned a lot about what kind of photography I do best. Much like parenting, I think I work best not by being the planner and director, but by following the lead of the little ones around me. By engaging and encouraging, and quietly watching and waiting, and by letting things unfold in front of me, naturally and beautifully as they always do. Then, and only then do I get my shot. The planning thing? Doesn't work for me in this case. Really, it's just a matter of being in the right place at the right time.....and with the right people (Those four people above? My favorite subjects, naturally).

(What, you thought I'd show you the cover photo? Oh no...not even a tiny glimpse...I'm pretty sure it's like a wedding dress, you know. Bad luck, or something. I can hardly wait.)

Comments

[heather]

what an experience for you (and your family) amanda. so glad in the end you got your shot, can't wait for the big reveal when your book is released. do you ever just pinch yourself to be sure it's all real? so very exciting.

and... it's nice to see that the "father = jungle gym" idea is a universal phenomenon!
enjoyed the continued sushine.

[meliebelle]

Isn't that funny how it works out 99.9% of the time? Our family "photo sessions" usually work out the very same way. My two "little" ones, ages 5 and 7 years, are also very independent--never want to pose for anything... It usually takes us anywhere from 80-100 shots to get that one "natural" picture. I, too, am also still experimenting with what works best with my camera in certain situations. I guess you could say it's luck when we do get one that we're really happy with. Maybe my one semester of Photography 101 in college has something to do with it? I don't think so... especially since it was the pre-digital era!

Can't wait to see the cover and read your book! Take care.

[Sarah]

I can't wait to see the book cover! But these photos are fun to look at while I wait.

Yay, Sun!!

[Eren]

What a wonderful gift indeed to have such talented and generous friends! Wonderful post, as always, and I can not wait to see your book in my hot little hand soon.

[Mama Urchin]

We had professional photos taken a few years ago and the two most engaging photos from the session were taken when we thought the photographer was changing his film (he was but had finished). Can't wait to see the cover.

[tamara in melbourne, australia]

Can't wait to see the cover of your book! And can't wait to have it in my hands, either.

...glad to see frolicks in the sun after your stormy ordeals. Enjoy!

[Beth TigerMoon]

Look at that beautiful family ... Amanda, you are truly blessed.

And blessed in your friendships, too :-)

Can't wait to see/buy/read the book!!

[brandie]

awww...so sweet. steve is one sneaky photographer :)
i am so happy with the outcome, and believe me...i learned a lot too!

[Melissa!]

The anticipation for your book is worse than for the Harry Potter books. I sooo look forward to holding yours in my hands! Thank you for taking me on this journey with you!

[elizabeth]

neat seeing your tree picture on CNN this morning.

[jean]

brandie, i love the shots. And I think Soulepapa and Children, last shot, should be the cover. I LOVE that photo. At least frame it and hang it. I love Steve's arm in with all the little arms and hands.

[Helena]

Good Morning! Sometimes the harder we try the worse it gets. I love the photos of the family you take. It shows how they really are. Not little mannikins. Energy bursting out or snoozing hard. They are precious. I would love manuals to have a chick language section instead of the engineering techno stuff. Learning is a blast when there is a bit of chaos to prove the point. Can not wait for the big book project. Congrats!

[earthchick]

Oooh, I can hardly wait either! Yay for good friends. Oh, and that pic of your four favorite subjects? LOVE it.

[jess]

I can't wait to see your book on the shelf at Edith and Edna!

[Joy]

Oh this was too funny. I can relate. I take wonderful candid shots of my kids when they don't know that I am looking, but heaven forbid if I try to get them to sit down together and pose! I am excited about your book!

[Julie]

So excited to see your cover photo...what a beautiful family and setting to work with!

[Melody]

The boy/man pile-up is a fabulous shot! I can't wait to see the actual cover!

[Anna]

That last picture with Papa is so beautiful. My eyes were stinging with tears, and my heart swelled at the love that you captured in that shot.

[julia]

just beautiful photos! can't wait to see how the cover turns out.

[Heather]

How exciting, I can hardly wait too, I'm sure your cover will be amazing.

[Alicia A.]

Amanda- This all just has to be so exciting for you. (and for us too!) I'm sure the photo will be humble and charming and artistic- just like you guys.

Have a great week!

[Beth H]

OH, you keep tempting us!! Can't wait to see the final product.

[Amber]

What a bunch of fun photos to look at while we wait, tho!

[Valerie]

I can hardly wait, either. I know it will be beautiful.

[emily]

You know what I love? I love that in so many pictures of your kids, Adelaide is often just checkin' out what's going on on the ground. She has this quiet curiousity (and confidence in her curiousity) in your photos. She always seems bent or stooped over, watching. I love that.

[Alina]

I can't wait until this book is out, I am going to snatch it up right away. I really can't wait to see the cover now but that will have to be when the book is available.

[abbyjane]

Good for you for asking for help! I'm sure the photo will be excellent and the book even more so. I can't wait either!

[Lizette]

Love it. I know what you mean. It takes a million pictures taking by myself or a few by someone else to get a good one. Don't get me started on the light.. I'm still learning to photograph things and I won't even start with people...The book is going to be great, I know it.

[Vasilisa]

I was supposed to be photographed for a magazine with my children, when suddenly my firstborn decided that he won't allow anyone to photograph him ever again. Ha.

[~vicki]

Couldn't agree more...but what I really want to know is, where have you been hiding that gorgeous butterfly quilt?

[shannon]

Have you seen the web site: www.noonebelongsheremorethanyou.com ? It is for an upcoming book of short stories and the whole feel of the website reminds me of yours. Hope it can give you some inspiration of what you could put together for your own book! :)

[colleen]

well, i had a feeling that were weren't going to see the cover yet, but i can't wait! i can't wait until i see the whole book and i'm just so happy for you all. have you thought about how you're going to "get it out there?"

[Dawn]

I went to Photography school for 3 1/2 years and I totally get what you mean. It takes A LOT of time to get a GOOD photo and a lot of shots. I actually loved the studio though and had loads of fun setting up things but it takes loads of time and makes a huge mess. We did a lot of it while I was in school and I think my husband is very happy that I now have a new subject...our daughter. Anywho...can't wait to see your book. xoxoxo

[terri]

My cover photo shoot was similar but different. I was trying to get all of the mittens laid out, get above the table, get the light even. Nothing was working, and then the cat jumped up and knocked the mittens. After shoo-ing him away, picking him up, rearranging the mittens, moving him again, I finally stepped back and took the bigger look. There, against the window, lightly backlit with the mittenns all around (and under) him, the cat turned his head to give me a profile. I snapped and it was perfect.

Yours will be too.

[Wende]

Oh, just lovely. I do hope that photo of Soule papa and your lovelies finds its way into your book. :D

[kylie]

oh, we can't wait either! i'm sure your tribe will grace the cover of your book with style. I'm hoping we'll be able to get it in Australia?

[Alison]

You've just reminded me to learn from my mistakes, not berate myself for them.

[Heels]

The pic of you holding the babe and the pic of the kids piling on dad make me happy.

(The rest are swell, too.)

Below, the pic of the uprooted tree and the carpet of grass that came up with it made me stop in my tracks. Yikes!

Hope your flooded basement is cleaning itself.

[Gemma Grace]

I can hardly wait too :D

[Suzie Sews]

Every time I visit your blog I am so blown away by the pictures. SO this was a good post, the last 'family' shot is so family like and I am pleased to see it all likes it dried out a bit your way, thankfully.
Suzie Sews (UK)

[Ren]

Oooooh....I'm beside myself with anticipation!:)

I love how the unschooling philosophies really apply to everything. Letting it unfold naturally seems to be better in so many ways.

Waiting, waiting, waiting for that lovely book.