Tequila
Boubon
Scotch
Vodka
Jello …
(Probably not the best shots to have before going out on a shoot for a client.)
Sometimes we are given another kind shot list. A specific list of photos to take. Taken from a clients perspective, this makes perfect sense. “I’m paying you to take pictures. Take these pictures.”
From our perspective, though, it’s more of a wish list. The world does not always cooperate with photographers, especially in uncontrolled environments, like events. People may not be where we need them to be, we may not be exactly where we need to be at the right time and there are always the variables of light, weather and other people.
Even in controlled environments, like a studio setting, life is unpredictable (ever photograph a 2 year old with a puppy?).
So, in reality, we can never promise perfection, but sometimes it takes guts to say this up front.
How true! I just visited my daughter and her family in Charleston, SC. We went down to their yacht club were there are some nice trees, water etc. Trying to shoot a 1 1/2 and 3 year old is equivalent to the 2 year old and puppy! Throw in dad looking down in half the shots to see what the kids are up to and you have double double trouble! I took about 30 shots and think there are 2 usable ones. A little better planning next time — I’ll take along a stuffed animal to wave around with one hand while shooting with a tripod mounted camera with the other hand!
Or just stick with candids.