Comfort Zones
Ahhh….comfort zones….we all have them.
Some of us like to stay in them more than others. Raise your hand if you’re like me and prefer the nice warm, comfy, familiar to you space known as your comfort zone!
The name of my business pretty accurately describes who/what I photograph. Young Pups Photography is meant to communicate both pets and young kids as my primary photographic subjects. Big people (aka adults) don’t interest me all that much unless they are Mom and Dad getting in on the fun for a family shoot!
However, I was recently asked by someone near and dear to me if I would consider photographing her maternity shoot. She was “on the fence” about doing any maternity photos and she prefaced her request with “I know you really work with kids and pets but….would you consider….” In addition to that new to me request, the location of the shoot (or at least part of it) was to be at the beach at sunset. Beautiful for sure, but also not somewhere I had previously photographed!
I could have easily said thanks for asking but no thanks.
I could have directed her to another photographer (and I did consider that option) but something made me hesitate and I slept on it before answering that email. My nerves about failing miserably tend to take over and cause me to run and hide, but this Mom-to-be that was hesitant to get in front of the camera trusted me enough to ask to photograph her so I decided to trust in me enough to go for it. I was completely honest with her about my inexperience with maternity shoots and a sunset beach shoot. She was completely honest with me about being unsure if she’d ultimately like any images enough to purchase anything after the time she knew I would spend preparing, traveling to the shoot, and editing her images. So with both of us having trepidations, but an open conversation about it on our side, we scheduled it!
The shoot began at her home so we could include her fur baby and ended at the beach for what was an evening of beautiful light. With the exception of a very chilly wind at the shoreline that night it was perfect! Now admittedly, the beach images are not 100% technically correct. I can find several areas for improvement. And yet, I am overall happy with the results (as is my client) for a first go at maternity and sunset! She looked beautiful and I hope the images make her feel beautiful when she reflects on what she describes as this unique time in her life.
Ultimately we are both glad we stepped out of our comfort zones.
She reports she is “obsessed” with her gallery and I am now going to be seriously considering searching for all the Moms-to-be out there and capturing the story of their baby bump and the “young pup” on the way!
