Musings of a Small Town Photographer... ...a question of intimacy

There's a certain intimacy that exists between a photographer and her subject. It starts at the first meeting and continues through the last. It's important that the photographer put the client at ease and immediately begin to build trust. This trust is what allows the client to relax and show glimpses of his or her soul to the camera. These glimpses are what make a good photograph truly spectacular, if I am quick enough to catch them.

The intimacy doesn't stop here, however. It continues throughout the editing process. By the time I complete each edit on my client's portfolio, I feel a closeness to him or her that is similar to what a hairdresser or a make-up artist must feel after years of working with the same client. But with a photographer, it happens in just a day or two. By the time a client's pictures are ready for print, I know every crease in her forehead, every freckle on her face, each mole on her arm, and so forth. With the exception of one's mother, no one has ever, or will ever study your face and hands and arms and neck with such intensity as your photographer.

I appreciate my clients trusting me this way. I appreciate them placing their images in my hands and allowing me to scrutinize them so closely. I don't take this intimacy lightly.