“A portrait is not made in the camera but on either side of it.”
Money is cold and lifeless. And these properties have their way of making it into photos when the goal of the photographer or model is to “chase the bag.” But when both photographer and subject have a connection and create outside of the cold world of money, special things are more likely to happen.
I’ve known Jiah now for eight years. Our paths initially crossed during our time in the Marine Corps. If you know anything about military life, it is restricting and very conforming. Well the Marine Corps takes that to a whole different level of extreme. But Jiah is different. She has been a free spirit since the day she was born. Even while serving in the toughest branch of the military, Jiah never lost her uniqueness.
It is that uniqueness that we aim for with each shoot. We rarely go into a shoot with a plan. Often times I will have already explored an area and know what shots I want to get. That has not been the case with the last few shoots with Jiah. Each has been pretty simple. Date, time, location and the rest will get figured out on the go. And it’s usually me that benefits the most from this.
Like any photographer, my photos tend to have a similar style. But creating photos with Jiah tend to fall outside of those typical lines. I think a lot of that can be attributed to the fact that there is no pressure to “get it right” when shooting with her. Because she’s comfortable in her own skin, I don’t hear the usual self critiques. And since she is an artist herself, she understands the struggle of being “sensitive about your work.” Therefore, I am able to shoot without hearing comments that passively attack my work. Even when I don’t get a shot right, she is able to look past the superficial and see each photo for what it is worth.
This is the kind of feeling that every photographer wants when they shoot. Unfortunately, you’re not going to get that every time. And when money is involved, you’re at the mercy of the client. That includes your feelings as well. While comments people make about themselves and their looks are said in an innocent manner, they have a way at digging at your work. “Eewww, I don’t like the way my ____________ (insert random body part).” “Could you edit this way or that way.” “I don’t like any of them.” Innocent comments that dig. And if money is involved, you have to take them.
It is that freedom that shines through with these latest photos of Jiah. Judgment free shooting with a free spirited person. I believe this is what I need as I continue to grow as a photographer. Meeting and working with people who are trying to create simply for the sake of art.
Check out more of Jiah’s work at https://thoughtsofanempath.com
