u ever get the "what to shoot next" blah?

[howzitboy]

today i was doing a beach photo session and my mind just went blank. I couldnt think of a thing to shoot. i shot to water, walk and beach and close ups then bam, nothing. i was totally lost

the beach had soo many people and they were always in the bg that i lost my train of thought. after 20-25 min i just gave up. i tried to get what I could and now im depressed..... I hope i got enough "good" shots to make the couple happy... oo boy.

so, did this ever happen to you guys/gals?

[JaertX]

oooo....photographer's block.

Yes, and I keep thinking about getting those cards from Jerry Ghionnis...seems like a good thing to pack to help. I do keep a list of poses with me and will refer if I'm going blank...otherwise I just go with the flow.

Thousands of weddings and just now locked up? I'd say you have good odds!

[MrsOpie]

yeah, I locked up yesterday at my first wedding. I was kicking myself for not bringing along a shot list. I just dont want clients to think I'm unprofessional for having a list.

[Kristy]

That happens to me more often than I care to admit. I get jittery and nervous before a session.. It's so dumb. So now I keep a list of poses and shots that I don't want to forget... the spontaneous stuff always happens, but if you have a little list that helps.

Another photographer that I know keeps an inspiration notebook.. which is something I plan to do for myself at some point. It includes photos that she has taken, pictures that she likes in magazines, etc... she has different ones for different sittings, so one for babies, one for couples, one for kiddos, etc.... I think it's an awesome idea, and just what you need for a "photographers block".

Hope that helpssome..

[howzitboy]

Originally Posted by JaertX

oooo....photographer's block.


Thousands of weddings and just now locked up? I'd say you have good odds!

yeah, problem was I just shot their wedding and followed them to the beach and I didnt want to dupe any shots i did at the church. so, no carry, no ring shot, and they didnt have any family to help out.....

[mizuno]

Sometimes in those situations it's best to get the bride and groom to just walk/talk/interact normally and naturally and grab some candids. I often tell them to walk down the beach hand in hand for a minute and then turn around and walk back when I get their attention again.

They're both usually amped and have heaps to talk about - so they welcome the little break and alone time.

Often whilst this is happening I'll notice an interaction that really jumps out and I'll get them to do it again later in a more posed (but still casual) form. If you can pick up the natural interaction of the couple and then put that into the environment where you want the shot it can really work wonders.

One wedding I did last season I noticed that the groom loved to pick up the bride. He did it again and again - just in their natural interaction.

Made for great photos when I put them in a scenario of my choosing and told him to pick her up. Had I have just told a random groom to pick his bride up it would have probably been stiff and uncomfortable if he's not used to doing it.

[Emberghost]

I have a few pages of some of my favorite shots printed out as collages on paper that I keep in my camera bag. I haven't really had to refer to them but they are my inspiration of ideas if I can't for some reason think of something.

[picturecrazy]

When that happens I run away.

seriously though... I usually stop and ask them if there was any kind of shot that they would like to try. If they say yes then you're saved. If not, then it buys you another two seconds to think of something... haha

[jessiper]

Originally Posted by MrsOpie

yeah, I locked up yesterday at my first wedding. I was kicking myself for not bringing along a shot list. I just dont want clients to think I'm unprofessional for having a list.

Just don't let them see it.

[Banbert]

We have 4 little 6 x 4 sized cards each that fit in our back pockets that are just lists and details of shots for when we get a block and also as a bit of a self check to make sure we have covered key stuff ... the other side is card and handy to write notes on, like the bride and groom mentions something middle of the day thats worth noting or someone else asks for something. We update the cards and reprint them every few weddings and the text is nice and small so no one can read over our shoulders.

[italianfemmy]

If I ran out of "normal things" to have them do, I think I would start thinking of "crazy things" for them to do.

"Mr. and Mr's so and so, now that I have all of the traditional images I wanted to take, how do you feel about getting in the water in all of your clothes?" lol. Yeah, see how well that goes over. I would think of something though surely.

I guess I don't see myself in this situation except at a reception. You've done all the formalities, the cake cutting, garter toss, bouqet toss, etc... you've done the table shots.. you've captured the speeches.. the drunkened dancers... so you take some time to walk around and capture other details you might have missed.. but every1 wants to stay another couple hours and you have nothing left to shoot. I would get good and bored shooting the same people on the dance floor over and over again.

[howzitboy]

Originally Posted by mizuno

One wedding I did last season I noticed that the groom loved to pick up the bride. He did it again and again - just in their natural interaction.

see, right there, i wish i thought of that, carry the bride and spin around *sigh* would have got a few good shots and would have been fun! wish u was there to tell me lol..

[samnz]

Originally Posted by MrsOpie

I just dont want clients to think I'm unprofessional for having a list.

Professionals are allowed pieces of paper too Opie The President uses bits paper during a speech, Ministers and Celebrants use them too! As professional and accustomed to their duties' - as these people are, a piece of paper can make a professional look prepared.

Originally Posted by mizuno

...they're both usually amped and have heaps to talk about - so they welcome the little break and alone time.

Agree. I make it a rule for the Bride and Groom to be on their own for at least 5 minutes. No guests, well-wishers, bridal party or photographers! It's the only time the new "husband and wife" are alone in each others' company - well at least, till they end up at the hotel!!!

Originally Posted by picturecrazy

...I usually stop and ask them if there was any kind of shot that they would like to try...

I like to call on the flower girls and page boys to "make me a photo". Kids can be so creative!