I love the site Awkward Family Photos.
It’s a repository for older images taken when some compositions and elements were encouraged. Like this smoking pic. Wow.
Scrolling the site is nostalgic – but today’s pros, even with the benefit of digital files and editing software, make mistakes. However…some slips amaze me. Last week, an acquaintance told me she could not hire me as she already had a wonderful photographer. Great, I said. I’d love to see her work.
She gave me the link to the photographer’s site. And I wish I had not asked. Each photo, taken outside in natural light, was burned with sun-spots, glare, and, most amusingly, background items sticking out of heads. My favorite was the photo of the family with a lifeguard stand sticking out of the father’s head. And that photographer charged $300 for the session.
Charming.
In a chat with another pro, we laughed over the “natural light” crowd. If your photographer says he or she only shoots in “natural light” (outside), be worried. Faux pros claim natural light is hip and better – but what they really mean is: “I have no idea how to manipulate light.”
And if your proofs have items sticking out of your family member’s head…ah…you have discovered the modern awkward family photo.
You might as well take out-of-focus selfies and save the cash if you are not going to invest in a pro photographer.
