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Just Ask!
By Katherine | June 16, 2009
I’m shy, and it’s difficult for me to photograph people I don’t know, especially those I meet on the street or while wandering around town. Last year, while taking a photography class in Maine, we were given an assignment to photograph people, or rather, to make our photographs come to life through people. I really struggled with this. Oh, I got the concept, but the task of actually asking to photograph someone or take a picture of a scene with people in it was challenging.
However, as the afternoon headed toward evening, I got lucky. There she was, a little princess among the kayaks on the boat dock. A completely unexpected sight I assure you. So I bent down and said hello and told her that I loved her pretty, pink princess dress. We talked for a moment or two with lots of smiles in between. Then I asked her if I could take her picture (I also asked her parents who standing there close by).
Once I took a single photo and then showed her her picture in the camera’s LCD, she was quite taken with the camera and it shows in her ability to have fun while I took multiple photos of her. After a few short moments we were both laughing and having fun. You would never have known how nervous I had been when I had originally asked to take her picture.
While it was difficult for me to take a step (okay, maybe a few steps) outside my comfort zone, I was so glad that I did. The photos speak for themselves. Next time you have the urge (or an assignment) don’t be afraid to ask, “Hey, can I take your picture?” because you just never know … you might just get what you asked for.
Topics: Children, Photography | 1 Comment »
August 2nd, 2009 at 9:55 pm
She’s adorable. Looks like you picked a winner. I can imagine it would be difficult to approach strangers. I couldn’t do it.