OK let’s talk about prom pics for a minute.
I have teenagers, and a camera, so I have taken more than a few prom pictures in my life. Here’s 2016 and some from last year.
I took some pics today, at @cantignypark, which is a fave spot for my kids’ high school. It works because it is large enough for everyone to meet up, has interesting and props (orange couches & tanks, and lots of varied landscapes.
One thing I focus on is getting the canonical shots. Corsage, couple pic, etc. Dance with you brung ya, and prove it.
When I was a kid, my divorced parents always grumbled over photos, each insinuating that the other had hoarded all of the pics. Even in the 70s, I found this dumb— we had the technology to copy any photo! Why bother arguing?
When I got older and started getting into taking pictures, I was naturally drawn to giving people their photos— making sure that everyone had their own, forever.
So situations like Mass Prom Pics is a natural habitat for me. I try to get any pic anyone wants. People I’ve known for 15 years, people I just met today.
It’s important to balance the pushiness of getting the shot with not overstepping boundaries or making people uncomfortable. I’ve learned no one regrets having a photo of themselves with someone they love.
One rule: keep shooting. Quantity beats quality. This goes for group shots (someone always has they eyes closed) and for randoms.
Don’t think; shoot. Someone is inevitably super-excited about a large box of gum.
If there is a big shot of lots of people, people they love are all trying to get a shot. This means everyone is looking different directions. This drives me batty. I wait until the end, yell that I’m shooting, count to three, and starting shooting on two.
Voila:
Toldjya:
Everyone forgets to take a family shot. I gotchyu.
In the end, all there are is the pictures. Let’s get all the ones we want.