Snapshots vs Candids vs Portraits

One of the questions I am asked frequently is "Will teaching mom's photography be training our competition, or our replacement?"

And while I've seen some classes geared towards moms with beautiful natural light studios with sample photos that look like professional photographs, I worry that the moms will go in with the expectation that they will come out taking pictures like a pro. 

I do not do that...

I am very clear with the mom's that I will teach them how to take their pictures from snapshots to candids.  As you know, it takes practice, time, equipment, and usually editing to create fine portraits...it is MORE than can be taught in a 3 hour beginner's photography class.

My goal when I teach my class is to give the mom a foundation in photography.  I want her to walk away with a better idea of what it means to take a picture and how they can get more out of their DSLR.  I want her to walk away trying new things with her pictures to create more interesting photos.

You'll see in the class materials the kinds of pictures I would expect the moms to be able to take. Pictures of my kids in their Halloween costumes, or swimming in our pool.  They are the everyday moments of life that are true and real and deserve to be captured beautifully!

When I teach I tell the moms that I want them to approach their photography the same way I do: I take LOTS of candid pictures of my kids being kids and a few times a year I create an idealized portrait of my children.  I want them to take better pictures every day of their children, but then I want them to come to me for that idealized portrait - usually around special milestones.  I explain the differences between a snapshot, a candid, and a portrait.

2009 Zoo Boo {Houston Zoo} from Jessica Grieves on Vimeo.

The above video is one of the samples I sometimes show in my classes.  It is something I think they should be able to create with a little practice after knowing more about how to get more from their cameras.  And I have had moms that have had a class with me create videos like this and send them to me.  And a funny thing happens...they actually have a better appreciation for my professional portraits because they start to realize that SO MUCH MORE goes into it.

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