More than just an image

Typically unless its a birth or newborn session, I spend an hour or less with with my clients. Yet somehow the time I do spend with them feels so personal. I’ve had people I've never worked with before start crying because they feel the space was safe to do so. I have had clients say our time together is the only time they’ve felt like a princess. At the end of our short time together it pains me to think of a client leaving and that being it. I feel as though my sessions are more than just an image.

I’ve built a family a community of moms who support my art and eachother. Just recently one of my maternity/newborn clients donated breast milk to another one of my clients in need. I try to follow, support and stay connected with my clients. I want more than just clients who pay and I never hear from again. I want to watch the babies I photograph and held go on to hit their first home run.

My last birth session was pretty rough and due to covid restrictions I was the only other person besides moms partner allowed in the room. After the hard part was over I remember hugging my clients partner in tears. I felt in that moment not a photographer but a friend who needed to be there for support.

So where do the boundaries come in? Everyone want to be friends with a photographer right? First I don’t bring my camera to events or birthday parties. I have actually had family annoyed I didn’t bring my camera or even tell me to bring my camera (winky face). That’s a no. I will be there as a guest and I am not on the clock. Secondly I have a number in my head that I will not pick up my camera for less than that. When friends or past clients reach out with ideas I say “that’s so fun! Here’s my package prices”. If your friend are your friends they will want to support you 100%.