Have the Courage to be Candid
Scrolling through any of your feeds and you’ll see the word “candid” being thrown about like a pair of undies in the washing machine. It’s used to describe most types of photography and is the number one request from my clients when I ask them what they’re hoping for with their photos. I always quietly wonder if they actually mean they want truly candid photography - because it’s fucking hard to be candid in front of the camera. Do they mean they are ready to relax fully in front of the lens or do they simply mean they don’t want to pose awkwardly during the shoot?
Deep diving into what it truly means to be candid in a photoshoot brings up one word for me - vulnerability. Do you have the courage to let me see anything less than perfect? Can you stop the instincts to perform and present an image and instead be wholly yourself? HOLY SHIT that's uncomfy and confronting and wouldn’t it by waaaay easier to smile, and pretend you always look incredible and out together?
Short answer - yes it would be!
It takes an incredible amount of courage to stand in front of a lens and let it see your stress, your sadness, your overwhelm, your untidy house, your less than perfect kids. You will feel exposed. Which is frightening AF. You’ll probably also feel real fucking unsure about exposing your family to the situation too. It’s intimate and I’m a stranger - your internal alerts are doing everything they can to get you to pick the safe route. As they should! Our anxieties and fear can be there for a reason - so let’s give our brain a big ol imaginary hug for trying to keep us safe.
I have a suggestion. Let me meet you halfway, and honour the step you're taking. I am SO aware of how scary it is, how nervous you may feel, and your worry that it will look horrible and you’ll be let down by the whole process. Trust me to create an environment that’s filled with understanding and acceptance for who you are and who your kids are. I will take your precious, brave act and transform it into art and memories you can keep for years.
We’re creating a visual story of this one tiny moment in your long, joyful, crazy life. One moment where you embrace the uncomfy feeling, let yourself be captured in a raw, real way. Look at those images with pride, you superstar. This is you and your family and your life. It’s not always pretty, but fuck is it worth it.
Let’s remember and celebrate what being candid truly means and make some art, you brave amazing humans.