I have a love/hate relationship with portrait photography. Achieving the expectations of the families who hire me is rewarding, but it takes a lot of patience and high energy.
My style is natural light photographs, most often at the beach, or a local park. My clients show up knowing that we will get dirty and we will probably get wet. It is part of the process.
Unlike taking photographs of historic buildings, or landscapes , families are in constant motion. I am in constant motion. Getting one clear, organized shot (with no eyes closed) is like capturing the flight of a humming bird.
I typically ease my subjects into the session, with a few ‘posed’ photos followed by some playful ones, and finally the ones where anything goes. Somewhere along the way, tensions ease, smiles soften and become genuine and they drift into themselves like no one is watching. That sweet spot typically comes around thirty minutes into the shoot, (when the light is great), but leaving very little time to get the good stuff. I plan one hour before sunset for most beach sessions and hope for the best. If I can deliver at least a dozen shots to the client, I consider it a successful outing.
Repeat Clients Make it Worthwhile
I have photographed this growing family each year for the past four years. I knew it would be easy to capture their essence from the moment I met them. With very little direction during the first shoot in 2022, they brought incredible energy to their maturnity session. In 2023 they returned with their little girl – a joyful family. In 2024 there was another maturnity session, this time with their toddler in arms. The most recent session, photographed a few weeks past, includes both children. Hum, what will next year bring? Another maturnity shoot, perhaps?
The best thing about outdoor photography is that there are no expectations of ‘perfect’ photographs. What I look for and hope to capture is a few ‘real moments’ – photos tell the story.
Joining Lens-Artist Challenge #340 hosted by Ritva
Picture Retirement 
These are wonderful – really professional shots, I can take few tips from these images with me. Thanks for joining with these happy and relaxed images.
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Ritva, thank you for the compliment. I am far from ‘professional’, but I do have fun and learn something new each time I go out to shoot.
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These shots are beautiful, Suzanne. You are very talented!
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Donna, some days are better than others. These represent the good days. I should write a bloopers post. Thanks for the compliment.
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I’ve never thought about how landscape photos don’t blink. And that’s an advantage for a photographer. I like your people photos, you have a gift for capturing a person’s essence.
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Technically, they do. Leaves blow, waves crash, dolfins surface – but I thought it was a catchy title. Thank you for the compliment. I enjoy my hobby-job.
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How sweet that they come back each year – good for them (and for you)! They’ll have lots of fun memories of the shoots I’m sure.
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I do enjoy watching them grow. It doesn’t hurt that they are really nice people with great personalities. Not all my clients are this easy.
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That’s true but then landscapes also don’t crawl toward the camera or do any other the other charming things children do!
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That is a very good point. But, both can steal your heart.
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Beautiful photos! Return customers are the best acknowledgement of your skills.
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Thanks Janis, I always look forward to getting their call when they visit Florida.
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You’ve done a wonderful job Suzanne – it probably helps that the subjects are so good looking š But the lighting and the “feel” really are what make the photos feel so natural and joyful.
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Thanks Leanne, they are a beautiful couple and make the most beautiful babies. It is hard to take a bad shot, but I do. One day I’ll show bloopers…
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This challenge was made for you, your portraits are just beautiful! No wonder you get return clients š You clearly have a knack for putting people at their ease and capturing shots that are both natural but also really well lit and composed.
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Sarah, thank you for the compliment. I have found that my clients will match the energy I bring, so I have to be ‘on’ as much as possible – exhausting for an introvert like me. š
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Great people make for great photos. Well done.
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John, it does help that most of my subjects are very nice people, and not hard to look at. Thanks for your comment.
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These are lovely. I especially like the two little girls dressed in blue.
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Dawn, those little girls were so sweet together. Hope they stay that close as they grow up.
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Beautiful images!
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Suzanne,
Portrait photography is well above my skill set, but I admire those who do it well and possess the patience required. I have a photo portrait of my Charleston granddaughters similar to the one you shared and it remains a treasured possession that becomes more valued as they grow older. I’m confident that your clients feel the same about your work. Those B&W shots are works of art. Thanks for sharing!
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Lovely photos! You do capture the moment!
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Thank you.
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