Spouse collaboration with your photography hobby/profession

[maderito]

I'm curious how many photographers work with their significant other (wife, husband, girlfriend, boyfriend, etc.) in their photography work. My wife loves to pose as a model, assists on photography shoots, and half-heartedly aspires to learn more about the whole enterprise.

I suppose this could be a poll; but I'm more interested in comments, opinions, stories (good & bad), and advice.

I know this is an issue for most folks. . . hope to get some feedback. :)

[iwatkins]

I don't do any pro or semi pro work.

However, my missus enjoys coming out for a drive if I want to photograph something. I call her my "assistant" as she will carry my tripod and will also hold lenses during changes.

However, she doesn't really understand the hanging about for two hours while I wait for the "Light to be just right" :D

Cheers

Ian

[Ikinaa]

My wife understands that photography is my hobby, she says yes to the things I buy for my hobby, but she doesn't like to be shot (Am I the only one to find this expression a bit 'funny'), but she uses my gear to shoot (again this word...) the kids and insists that we take a lot of pictures of the kids (which I really like to do too).
When I go somewhere for shooting (landscape, architecture,...) she goes with me when she has time, but not for being my assistant (even though she sometimes holds my gear) but mainly for tourism :P

[Vegas Poboy]

I don't tell my why how much things cost she knows I'm responsable with the $$$ but when she ask how things work I explain it to her and she's cool with it.
As a model I get better results out of our son and friends, the Mrs. does not like to smile for me when doing portriats. Maybe in time, all the studio work I've used her for goes into the save file not to be displayed. The funny thing is when we go for family photo's she lights up. Since I take very few pro jobs I shoot alone or with a friend.

[Scottes]

However, she doesn't really understand the hanging about for two hours while I wait for the "Light to be just right"

My wife loses patience by the time I switch lenses. She doesn't come with me anymore.

And yet she doesn't understand why I start twitching when she's trying on her fifth pair of shoes... Go figure.

[iwatkins]

And yet she doesn't understand why I start twitching when she's trying on her fifth pair of shoes... Go figure.

Amen to that !! :D

[timmyquest]

My girlfriend and i both love photography but neither of us like taking pictures of eachother, rather i dont like her taking pictures of me and she doesnt of her (although she sure as heck doesnt mind taking pictures of us :roll: ). She never really poses for me, although i guess i havnt asked...in all honesty though i'm not a huge fan for posed photographs of people. I like the natural look of someone. As such i generally have to catch her at 200MM...

[JadeCat]

All these men with their wives/gfs.
Where are the girls with theirs husbands/bfs? :lol:

Anyways, mine is a snap-shot hobbyist. He takes his camera to family get-togethers and whatnought.

But, he likes coming with me to various places for photography. And he carries my stuff for me whenever I am just too tired to lug the stuff around. (However, I *still* carry my camera bag...you never know when you have to grab the camera for a quick shot..) The only thing he won't do is get up early for an early morning shot. He'd rather be in bed.

However, I do use him as a sounding board whenever I am post-processing, just as a second opinion. Plus, he does like learning more about PS and the post-process procedure.

He's not a portrait-type guy tho, and I mostly get stuck-out tongues anytime I try any candids on him.

[MrChevy]

...but she doesn't like to be shot (Am I the only one to find this expression a bit 'funny'), but she uses my gear to shoot

My wife enjoys "shooting" too. In fact we both shoot, photos too ... Canon D60 & a Canon 10D for now :) :D :shock:

Ken

http://www.mrchevy.com/gallery/shoot/small/Shooting05.jpg

[Laziferous]

My wife supports my hobby as an art form (an artist herself[painting/drawing]), but doesn't understand the "necessity" for decent equipment. She doesn't think I need filters, and especially doesn't approve of the idea of me spending money on a DSLR... which is why I don't have one. I felt guilty just buying a G2!

One of these days I tell ya'! :D

[MrsChevy]

...but she doesn't like to be shot (Am I the only one to find this expression a bit 'funny'), but she uses my gear to shoot

My wife enjoys "shooting" too. In fact we both shoot, photos too ... Canon D60 & a Canon 10D for now :) :D :shock:

Ken

http://www.mrchevy.com/gallery/shoot/small/Shooting05.jpg


Don't I look good shooting that M-16 on full auto? I love to shoot whether with guns or cameras. Just stay out of my kitchen! :twisted:

[robertwgross]

For heaven's sake, get a more stable kneeling position than that! Try right knee on the ground, left knee up, left elbow on left knee. That gets you into more of a tripod stance that is much more stable. Also, get the damned chair away from the muzzle.

I learned that much back in Army Basic Training, and I still hold my camera with telephoto lens much the same way now.

---Bob Gross---

[Ikinaa]

I'm not into guns, the heaviest I've ever shot with was with an air gun (don't know if you call them like that), but I guess that in that kneeling (both knees) position, after the third shot, you'll find yourself in a position on your back and shooting in the sky, or am I wrong?

[G3]

For heaven's sake, get a more stable kneeling position than that! Try right knee on the ground, left knee up, left elbow on left knee. That gets you into more of a tripod stance that is much more stable. Also, get the damned chair away from the muzzle.

I learned that much back in Army Basic Training, and I still hold my camera with telephoto lens much the same way now.

---Bob Gross---

Yeah, kneeling is not the best position for full-auto fire anyway. You need to be able to sort of lean into it.

Bob is right....the kneeling position in this photo looks very unstable and uncomfortable to me. I was taught to bring my right knee behind me, sort of at close to a 90 degree angle to my left knee, and rest on my right knee and the toes of my right foot, with my left knee and foot pointed at the target, keeping my left knee up and my left foot flat on the ground. That way I have a tripod base between my right knee, right foot and left foot and can use my left knee for a rest and it's a quick, easy position to get into and out of. It works well for pistol or rifle.

[RonS50]

Just a tip :lol: Bring your right ankle under your posterier and rest your bottom on it. Put your left foot out in front of you with the knee pointing skyward. Place the inside of the left elbow on the outside of your knee and lean into your weapon. Have fun 8)

[MrsChevy]

For heaven's sake, get a more stable kneeling position than that! Try right knee on the ground, left knee up, left elbow on left knee. That gets you into more of a tripod stance that is much more stable. Also, get the damned chair away from the muzzle.

I learned that much back in Army Basic Training, and I still hold my camera with telephoto lens much the same way now.

---Bob Gross---

Hey, I just liked to have fun making noise back then. :)

[robertwgross]

I think there are several of us oldtimers here who had to learn a good kneeling position for firing a weapon like that. I know that my unit at Army Basic Training was the first unit to start with M-16 only and never touch an M-14. We were taught to find a position where we were completely comfortable and we could stay there a long time without flinching. That results in higher scores on the rifle range.

A lot of this transfers over to photography. If you use longer telephoto lenses, you have to find stable "firing positions" for those times when your tripod is not handy. Since some of those got burned into my brain back there on the Army rifle range, they are still natural to me.

A bunch of us were hiking along a nature trail with dim evening light, and the prettiest deer suddenly appeared at a considerable distance. It wasn't moving, but it was way out there. I knew that I didn't have long to get my camera up with its 28-200mm zoom. That wasn't long enough or optimal for deer at that distance, but it is all I had time for. I dropped down into my stable kneeling position, and then relaxed until I was steady, and then shot several frames. One came out perfect.

You want to get your Expert Marksman badge with Canon.

---Bob Gross---

[MrChevy]

You want to get your Expert Marksman badge with Canon.

---Bob Gross---

YES!! 32MB cards are MUCH cheaper than 1GB cards. You could shoot 3 or 4 shots and go home and print them...

...instead of the way it is: shoot 100+ shots and get 3 or 4 if you are lucky. (and 95% of the time that is with a tripod)

How about you Bob? You good enough you just pack a 32MB card? Not us!

In Ft Lewis, the unit after us had M-16's, we had M-14's. That was a couple days ago, 10 YEARS before Ani was even born :lol:

[robertwgross]

When I go out for a weeklong photography-backpack trip, I carry about 2.5GB worth of CF cards plus a few dozen rolls of film.

Never send a boy to do a man's job.

---Bob Gross---

[MrChevy]

When I go out for a weeklong photography-backpack trip, I carry about 2.5GB worth of CF cards plus a few dozen rolls of film.

Never send a boy to do a man's job.

---Bob Gross---

How many "keepers" per 100 shots? (I realize that figure will vary some with what you are shooting)

[LazyPhotographer]

When I go out for a weeklong photography-backpack trip, I carry about 2.5GB worth of CF cards plus a few dozen rolls of film. Never send a boy to do a man's job.---Bob Gross---

And yet she doesn't understand why I start twitching when she's trying on her fifth pair of shoes... Go figure.


Now there's the difference between men & women! We women shop for "anything" and own multiples of them - just because we can. :lol:

I have 5 1GB cards. Why? Because I am a woman into photography and no longer need to shop for shoes. I am compelled to shop for photo goodies or electronics.

[Bluelens]

My wife is very supportive of me taking pics. Not necessarily about buying toys, err I mean equipment.

For the times we are out and about she will bring her P&S and 85% of the time leave it in the case or around the neck. I got a camera bag that is big enough to hold my camera and hers so she could put it away when not using it. I was hoping we would then share in the carrying responsibilities..you know I carry the camera she carries the tripod or monopod? Um, yeah I shold have thought that one through first ;) But she is great. She will point out what she sees as cool images so I will tell her to take a picture, her response, "No, you go ahead and do it." :roll:

She actually will sit back and after looking at the pics that I pick out that I like, she will flip through the others and pick out ones she think I should have picked. ;)

[Lisard]

All these men with their wives/gfs.
Where are the girls with theirs husbands/bfs? :lol:


I am here!!! 8) My husband keeps complaining that since I got into professional photography I don't shoot him any more. 8) He is very handsom guy, but not for fashion type of model. He would never wear anything except shorts and T-shirt. :lol:

He accompanies me at almost every outdoor shoot just to babysit our daughter while I work. And he is real help as an assistant. He also shops around for me to get best deals on equipment and lenses. He is incredibly proud of me and braggs about my work everywhere we go. Bad thing that i just can't ask his opinion: it can't be fair because loves me too much. :roll:

[robertwgross]

[
How many "keepers" per 100 shots? (I realize that figure will vary some with what you are shooting)

On slide film, I probably go to the trouble of scanning about 25% of what I shoot. That is because I shoot more with the digital camera, and I only pull out the film camera when I think I am into something good.

With digital, I "keep" probably 50%. Then of those, I send reduced size copies around to a few photographer friends and publish some on the web site. Of all, probably 2% find their way into something that I have self-published in nature science or history or calendars. A couple end up on magazine pages.

---Bob Gross---

[jimtfoto]

My wife and I are both shooters, me with a 10D and she a Digital Rebel. I work for a newspaper and have sold many of our pix, with accompanying articles, as freelance. Mostly travel type stuff ... Moscow, Scotland, Florida ... and also quite a few local spots ... as well as some shots we've set up to illustrate other articles

jim

[jstatler]

[quote="JadeCat"]All these men with their wives/gfs.
Where are the girls with theirs husbands/bfs?

I'm here too. My hubby gives me that Winston Churchill look every time the camera turns his way. It's not a good expression for a hippy dude. So not too many photos of him. He's very supportive of what I do and is my best/ harshest critique. He also would rather I spend $ on camera equipment then shoes, but won't spend 5 mins. looking at either. Since I just spent a bundle on new equipment I guess a new pair of Birkenstocks is outta the question.