You know, a philisophical observation

[Murph]

Having been forced practically at gun point to photograph two Quinceneras for my nieces, plus the "before" photos, it just reinforces my adamant decision to never, ever, under any circumstances photograph people, and especially people for money.

It sucks. No matter what you do, someone is unhappy, someone is annoyed that "Tio Fernando" was not in the photo, that Tia Rosa got caught falling in the punch bowl, that Cousin Fred's pimples show up too much or that cousin Anne's dress made her look fat, and on and on.

I'll stick to my landscapes, and giving away prints to buddies because there is just SO MUCH LESS Stress involved in that.

My hat is off to those of you who do this either by choice or circumstance for a living. It sucks.

[ngoduyviet]

It was actually not that bad when you don't have to deal with cousin Freds, or aunt Annes. I shot a quince a couple of days ago, kinda fun to see the kids came up with different dance presentations to show off.

[rusty_tripod]

It seems that nowadays everyone wants to live in a Photoshopped world. I just remind everyone that the camera does not lie. It catches the things that a person refuses to see or to acknowledge. Rates will double if they expect everything to be photoshopped to
accommodate their imaginary vision of reality.

[BG Photo]

Amen, Murph.

I have enough stress with a 16 year old daughter at home.

I long ago decided I didn't have the temperment or personality for a good portrait or wedding photographer. I did some of both about 15 years ago but just didn't enjoy it.

[lscottpht]

Luckily, I haven't had to deal with any of that. All of my people have been awesome! Knock on wood.

[MikkiStreak]

They key is to not do it for family. Family doesn't feel like it's a "favor" you did for them, and they're usually even more comfortable abusing other family members in ways they wouldn't do with someone they hired off the street.

My in-law's taught me that lesson with my nephew's senior photos.