Who is that in my studio?

OK. It was last Friday and I was doing my thing in the studio photographing a family. I was in a zone. Moving from my camera to my clients to arrange the composition of the image I noticed some people standing in my studio.

I didn’t pay them any mind because I had worked so hard to get this family positioned just so, and a young child will only hold still for so long. I needed to get the shot, then I would address the visitors.

I take the shot, explain to my clients that I need a moment, and I introduce my self to the mystery couple. They proceed to explain that they are patients of the dentist next door to my studio, that they are engaged, and they wanted me to take their Engagement Portrait. I ask them to wait for a few minutes while I finish up my session. I made then each an espresso, sat them down at the conference table, and handed them some wedding albums to look at.

Once I finished with my family, I rejoined the couple. It was then I noticed the garment bag. Had Beth, my production manager, made an appointment for a session and failed to put it on the books? No. It turns out that the couple had forgotten the name of my studio, so they could not call me, and the dentist office was already closed so they couldn't ask them, so they just showed up, ready for a portrait session in hopes that I would be available.

I didn’t have another family to shoot for about three hours, so I took the assignment.

Can you call upon your talent at will? Can you deliver on a deadline? For me, these are two trademarks of a professional.

They went on to explain that the theme of their wedding was royalty, and as parting gifts for all of their guest they were having money made with their image on it! Way cool idea! So I immediately started thinking, when I think of a portrait on money, I see the faces in profile. So I had to come up with an image that screams love, engagement, and it needed to be in profile so they would look good on the coins that they were having made. I still can’t get over it. Their own money. Evidenttly there is a company out there that will take a digital photograph and transfer the image to a coin. At any rate…

So, here is the image that I came up with. Notice that I made sure to include her engagement ring. I turned the ring a bit sideways so it would be a bit more defined when the coin was struck. You will need to imagine a circular crop tight around their faces.

Aric C. Hoek
The Master of Shadows
Houston Wedding / Family Photographer

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