You Wanted Candid Photos… So Why Are You Trying To Run The Show?
You’ve been browsing for weeks (maybe months?) and have finally found a photographer that suits your needs - and a candid style is the vibe you’re going for. Amazing. You book excitedly.
The day comes along and you want those candid photos.
… buuut you’re accidentally trying to direct candid into existence.
Which is objectively hilarious and very human. Bless you, friend.
You find yourself starting to fix hair, tuck in T-shirts, say “smile” through gritted teeth to your 4-year-old running around, repositioning people, and panic-managing the vibes.
Lovingly… maybe that’s not so candid?
Why mums do this
It is 100% NOT because they’re being difficult.
It is because:
they care
they’ve spent money
they want it to be good
they feel responsible for the outcome
This may be their first shoot, they may have had a rough night with the kids the night before, they may be battling their own anxiety or body image stuff, or simply; they are like most mums and “management” is their middle name.
It’s completely natural to go into manage mode and try to help. There is no blame here.
One of the first things to keep in mind when approaching a shoot is this: your energy runs the room.
And the pressure will spread quicker than germs from daycare.
If you’re tense, the kids will feel it. Your partner will feel it. The dog will feel it. These fabulous people in your orbit, who look at you with so much love and trust, will follow your lead.
The best part? Your stress trickles down, but so does your ease.
The more you feel like you need to hold the whole thing together, the harder it becomes for everyone - including me - to actually create the thing you booked for.
Take a deep breath. Remember why you’re there. Remember that your kids are also in an unfamiliar environment, with a stranger, and they’re looking to you for cues.
If candid is your dream, try to let go of the worry and tension (I know it’s hard) and trust. Trust that this photoshoot you’ve looked forward to so much will work.
Let me do my job
The second major step in rocking your photoshoot is: let me do my job.
Brutal? Maybe. True? Absolutely.
You’ve hired a professional photographer - wonderfully, in this situation, I know exactly what to do.
There is zero concern at my end that the shoot won’t work, and I have enough experience and knowledge to confidently help you capture your candid dream shoot.
It’s my job and passion to know:
how to get connection
how to guide without forcing
how to work with kids
how to create what you love
Babe - I’ve got you covered.
Let go.
You’ve spent the money. Let me provide the service you booked me for.
Let me work my magic.
You also deserve to enjoy this
And maybe the most important point of all - you also deserve to enjoy this.
Letting go changes the whole experience. It turns it from “I’m surviving this and hoping she gets something good” into “I get an hour to hang out with my people and the only goal is to enjoy each other.”
You deserve to experience this too - not just manage it. Laugh. Be present. Play.
When was the last time you played with your family without thinking about the washing waiting, or dinner on the stove?
This gets to be for you, too.
You trusted me enough to book.
Trust me enough to let it unfold - candidly.