Celebrating Your Love in Photos | Texas Engagement Session
When shooting, energy is exchanged. Yes, as photographers we are there to direct and lead the way but it should truly be a collaboration; even if I’m the one doing all the talking. Sometimes the collaboration on your end can be unspoken.
At times I have detected this uncomfortable feeling looming over me. When others look to me with closed off and constricted energy, waiting for me to pull a rabbit out of my hat on the spot. Almost as if to say, “now create something incredible!” because that’s what they’ve seen online.
That’s not how it works. You see the highlight reels on Instagram. You see the awesome shot we captured at a wedding with 100s of likes but not every photo from that wedding looks like that. We are very strategic with what we post because we are also marketers.
As a whole, the gallery is probably beautiful but some images don’t appear that way on their own because you need the full context to understand it’s importance. Beauty in an image comes from so much more than how it looks - who these people are, what was happening, the feeling in the room.
There are many moving parts and when you forget this and expect so much from creatives it is an immense pressure we feel. Especially when we’re expected to always capture “viral” moments every hour of the day.
A friend and fellow photographer Ann Mark wrote about knowing all the tricks, the short cuts and secrets to getting the shots; where to stand, how to make you laugh, etc. She said, “and short cuts are exactly what they are. Because at some point, a photographer caught a genuine reaction of a few bridesmaids in a room seeing their friend’s wedding dress for the first time, it went viral, and now, creating that shot is on your timeline.”
When I tell you the air left my lungs all while I was nodding along in agreement. Social media has created a must have list of staged candids.
Because the truth is, I can not fabricate real emotion. You have to show it to me. And it becomes exhausting when I'm expected to make things happen that aren't authentic to who you are and the environment of the day.
You have to come in with an open mind and open heart and leave all expectations out the window. That’s when my most favorite images are created and most likely yours too. I didn’t have to force it and neither did you because as Ann said, “you lived it.” I want you to live it.
These two were a great example of this. Lindsey + Eric are not models but two people in love that came in without any expectations of me or themselves. They had an open mind and let the energy flow between us. There was full trust and vulnerability and in turn I feel really proud of these images. I didn't have to force anything so the magic came natural. Authenticity cannot be forced.
So let this be your reminder to put away your Pinterest board or Instagram and forget I’m there and give yourself permission to show your heart. You will love the images so much more. After all, my brand is about celebrating YOU — you and all your glory and quirks. <3
xo
LP
Photographer: Lauren Parr Photography
Lindsey + Eric’s Outfit Details:
