Must Focus

Zoe is yelling "pee pee" (you know the whole potty training thing) and Aidan is ricocheting his Bakugan balls off the wall making it a little difficult to think. Still, you got to use your head both in parenting and photography. Michelle was nice enough to give me a few minutes to myself to unwind and focus on what to do next (almost like a grown up time out). It was good though, otherwise the next step would have been pulling out my hair and losing my mind.

Most of my photography falls into the photo journalistic style, but I like to think of it more as comedic improv. Here's a few ways it differs from completely shooting off the cuff:

• Brainstorming, planning and preparing. Based on what my client tells me, my thoughts turn on how to achieve that goal. That might mean buying some props, but most of the time it means knowing how to enhance the family's presence by using the right lighting, lens and jokes. There's no point planning every detail out since toddlers will pick up on that and then ruin you.
• Engage the toddler and then back away. Just like improv comedy, I introduce some thoughts and guidance on what to do and then let the toddler (and parents) run with it (or run away). And just like improv comedy, there's always a lot of laughter involved too.
• Have fun. My photography is really just an excuse to mess around. Frankly I could just as easily be a clown, make balloon animals (I actually already know how to do this) or whatever else gets me some time with kids.

Anyway, I keep a notebook in my back pocket for when inspiration strikes, to jot notes during pre-shoot consultations, sketch out some lighting diagrams or when my kids need something to write on. It's not a very good substitute for diaper wipes, but I suppose it could be used for that as well. Lately though, I've come up with all types of creative ideas for Zoe's movie... but now I'm just teasing.