The importance of pictures: what I learned from printing client photos

I was at a photography conference recently in Palm Springs. There was a vague exercise planned and everyone was asked ahead of time - plenty ahead of time - to print up to fifty of their favorite images and bring them to the session.

I didn’t do it. I was busy. I told myself I’d “get to it” about a hundred times (you know - later, when I have more time). And then of course one day my flight took off and there I was headed west with no prints in hand.

Time had passed. The moment was gone. I just didn’t do it. Ugh.

I could probably leave this blog right here and let you just soak in that “print your photos right away” reminder.

But, well, you know I’m long winded. And that’s not what this is about anyway.

Back to that exercise.

No description of how the photos would be used, no other direction than to bring them. Client photos? Personal photos? Color? Black and white? Technically perfect ones? Soul touching ones?

So it was time for that session and everyone pulled out their photos. We gathered in little groups of three or so and took time looking with each photographer at what they brought. We supported them quietly while they absorbed their own work. They were encouraged to look at their body of images - to see what they were clearly drawn to, to find similarities, to find what was missing, to feel more than think in the process.

As I watched everyone doing this exercise, I knew right away that:

(a) I was mad at myself for not being prepared.

(b) I would do this exercise on my own when I got home.

And bonus (c)… that I’m so glad I incorporate print credit in all of my sessions now and essentially force you to print something. And from what you’ve told me, you’re glad about that, too.

So I ordered a boatload of prints almost immediately upon getting home, and I laid them all over my sunroom. And I stared at your beautiful faces and families and babies and here’s what I saw.

I saw touch.

I saw connection.

I saw wonder and curiosity.

I saw comfort.

I saw nature.

I saw interesting perspectives and “fly on the wall” moments.

I saw limbs and digits and intertwined bodies.

I saw motherhood and mothering.

I saw a lot of black and white images.

I saw the importance of pictures.

I saw ten years of work that I was really darn proud of. Families that have been with me through their first and fourth kids, families who show up authentically, families confident that I’ll capture them honestly and lovingly.

It was so satisfying to look at my work this way. Printed, touchable, whole. I was reminded of what energizes me, why I love this, and what keeps me motivated to run this crazy little business.