Salisbury Beach State Reservation Family Portrait Session

NEWBURYPORT FAMILY PHOTOGRAPHER

 
In the early days of portrait photography, to create a sharp, in-focus picture of a person, both the camera and subject needed to remain perfectly still. The camera was mounted on a tripod. And the subject was positioned with a brace behind their head to prevent them from moving. Long exposures were needed to create an image, and the slightest movement from camera or subject during this lengthy exposure would register as blur. Forget spontaniety.  Forget motion and emotion. Forget jumping in the air. Your job was to sit still, like a rock.

Oh how far we’ve come! Gone are the tripods that limit the creativity of the photographer who wants to be nimble on their feet to explore framing and the ever-changing interactions of their subject. Gone is the requirement for subjects to remain still and look at the camera. Instead, people are encouraged to interact, laugh, walk, leap — no head braces during these sessions! Sure, we’ll still photograph the traditional family portrait where everyone is looking at the camera. But I immediately like to follow up this expected introductory image by asking everyone to forget the camera and turn their attention to each other. Take a walk with your partner, talk with them. Joke with your siblings. Today’s family portrait session is about so much more than “the family portrait” picture. Sessions are also an oportunity to connect, bond, let loose and photograph those moments in motion that reveal who you are and what you mean to each other. These are the images that will only become more meaningful to you as the years go on.

Thank you to this wonderful family for giving your all in the session — it was a joy to work with you!