Adaptability

Here’s something different. I needed to get a shot for a photographer. There are a million headhsots-with-camera-in-hand for photographers, and most of them are a variation on a theme: friendly person having a good time, and displaying their tools of the trade. OK. I get it…and those have their place.

In this case, I’d had this idea for awhile. Given the type of photography this pro works in frequently, the tools of the trade go way beyond having a camera in hand. It’s often studio work, with stands, artificial lighting, with tethered cameras, and live capture using the latest software. So, the cheesecake shots didn’t seem appropriate. Plus, I had the idea of framing the photographer within the equipment. This is really close to a style of portrait that I like, which is a) kind of intense in contrast and dynamic range, b) features the subject in their natural environment, doing their thing, and c) kind of simple in composition.

The space chosen was small, but is a real studio, and had a wall of really diffuse, natural light (through a blind) with southern exposure. It was like having a 6’ X 8’ soft box…but the color was really warm. Normally I’d do a shot like this with strobe lighting, since it affords more control, and I’m really comfortable using it. But, with that beautiful light coming in the space, I couldn’t pass it up, and decided to go au naturale. 

I think that speaks to the need for flexibility in this biz. I FIRMLY believe that prior to a shoot, I need to envision the circumstances, understand my goal, and then develop a plan for how to achieve the goal given the environment, equipment, and people involved. That’s just basic planning. 

However, I don’t know who said it, but some famous general (Moltke Elder I’m told) is quoted as saying “even the best plans fail to survive contact with the enemy” (there’s a similar quote out there, attributed to both Muhammad Ali, and Mike Tyson that goes “every one has a plan till they get punched in the mouth”). Sometimes that punch in the mouth is some adversity. But sometimes that first contact is some type of serendipitous opportunity that you weren’t planning on getting. You have to roll with the punches in order to overcome obstacles, AND exploit opportunities.

All of this is to say that when I work for folks, I go in with a strategy, a plan on how to operate, and a detailed checklist of what I’m going to achieve. But, once I have my feet on the ground, I’m going to reassess, adapt and overcome, and keep an eye out for how to make things better. If you’re a business in Kitsap County and the surrounding areas (including Port Orchard, Bremerton, Silverdale, Poulsbo, Hansville, Kingston, and Bainbridge Island), we’re going to create a plan for what I need to achieve, together. But we’ll keep our eye on the ball, while remaining flexible, when it comes to game time. Your branding, food, product, and headshots all need to be as good as we can possibly make them, and being adaptable is half the battle.